OUman
03-18-2007, 10:07 AM
Don't know if you saw this in The Oklahoman in this Thursday's business section, but IntrAmericas LLC, a company that transports goods and other heavy cargo will be starting flights between South America (most likely La Paz, Bolivia) and Oklahoma City. The company will use UPS 757-200's, which already operate between Miami and La Paz. Here's the article from the Oklahoman:
Cargo company plans shipments from Will Rogers to South America
By JaRena Lunsford
Business Writer
An Oklahoma City company will expand cargo operations at Will Rogers World Airport (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers+World+Airport&CATEGORY=ATTRACTION) by transporting merchandise from Oklahoma City to South America (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=South+America&CATEGORY=CONTINENT) and eventually all over the world.
Rafael Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) founded IntrAmericas LLC (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) in 2002, in hopes of decreasing the time it takes to transport merchandise to South America (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=South+America&CATEGORY=CONTINENT). After five years, IntrAmericas will occupy its offices at Will Rogers World Airport (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers+World+Airport&CATEGORY=ATTRACTION) late this month.
"We expect to put Oklahoma City on the map as a point of entry, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the company will not immediately begin transporting from Oklahoma City until it's satisfied with its routes from Miami, Fla. where most of the cargo IntrAmericas transports is located to South America (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=South+America&CATEGORY=CONTINENT). IntrAmericas transported its first cargo load from Miami to La Paz, Bolivia (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bolivia&CATEGORY=COUNTRY), in February. Its third flight is scheduled for this weekend.
Next: Oklahoma City
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the second phase will be transporting cargo from Oklahoma City. Although he didn't have an exact time frame for the implementation of phase II, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the success of the first two flights makes him confident Oklahoma City will not be too far behind.
"Oklahoma is poised for this distribution, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. "We're going to move as soon as possible to Oklahoma City.
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said what makes Oklahoma City perfect for a distribution center is the convergence of three major interstates Interstate 35, I-44 and I-40 making it easier for cargo to get into Oklahoma City.
"That means the transportation in Oklahoma City is unbeatable, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
So how will the cargo get out of the metro area?
An alliance with UPS permits IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) to use the parcel company's fleet of Boeing 757-200 (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Boeing+757&CATEGORY=PRODUCT) aircraft. The planes carry 70,000 pounds and allow IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) to provide same-day delivery.
The cargo is mostly apparel with some jewelry. They also are transporting bullet resistant vests.
Have freight, will travel
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said people always ask how he got an alliance with UPS. He said the answer is simple.
"I have the freight; they need the freight, he said.
IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) has completed two full flights, with 70,000 pounds of cargo each way. The company will do one flight a week, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Dale DePue (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Dale+DePue&CATEGORY=PERSON), the company's chief executive officer, said as the company grows, the type of cargo will also. "It could be anything, he said.
IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) has leased 2,000 square feet of office space and 5,000 square feet of warehouse space, located conveniently next to UPS at Will Rogers (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers&CATEGORY=PERSON).
"The airport has gone out of its way to accommodate us, DePue (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Dale+DePue&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Airport director Mark Kranenburg (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Mark+Kranenburg&CATEGORY=PERSON) said he was glad to see IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) taking flight after five years of preparation.
"We're hopeful that it all works out, Kranenburg (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Mark+Kranenburg&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. He said IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY)' success is Will Rogers (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers&CATEGORY=PERSON)' success.
DePue (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Dale+DePue&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the company will start with four employees here and later will add employees who are bilingual. IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) currently has 14 employees at offices in La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bolivia&CATEGORY=COUNTRY), and Miami.
Jacqueline Agramont (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jacqueline+Agramont&CATEGORY=PERSON), who works at the La Paz office, said IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY)' cargo operations will not only bring jobs and an economic impact to Oklahoma City, but also to her country.
"It's going to help all of Bolivia (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bolivia&CATEGORY=COUNTRY), she said. Agramont (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jacqueline+Agramont&CATEGORY=PERSON) said Bolivian small-business owners who do not have access to distributors now will be able to get their merchandise to more consumers. "This is a void we are filling, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Cargo company plans shipments from Will Rogers to South America
By JaRena Lunsford
Business Writer
An Oklahoma City company will expand cargo operations at Will Rogers World Airport (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers+World+Airport&CATEGORY=ATTRACTION) by transporting merchandise from Oklahoma City to South America (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=South+America&CATEGORY=CONTINENT) and eventually all over the world.
Rafael Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) founded IntrAmericas LLC (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) in 2002, in hopes of decreasing the time it takes to transport merchandise to South America (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=South+America&CATEGORY=CONTINENT). After five years, IntrAmericas will occupy its offices at Will Rogers World Airport (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers+World+Airport&CATEGORY=ATTRACTION) late this month.
"We expect to put Oklahoma City on the map as a point of entry, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the company will not immediately begin transporting from Oklahoma City until it's satisfied with its routes from Miami, Fla. where most of the cargo IntrAmericas transports is located to South America (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=South+America&CATEGORY=CONTINENT). IntrAmericas transported its first cargo load from Miami to La Paz, Bolivia (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bolivia&CATEGORY=COUNTRY), in February. Its third flight is scheduled for this weekend.
Next: Oklahoma City
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the second phase will be transporting cargo from Oklahoma City. Although he didn't have an exact time frame for the implementation of phase II, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the success of the first two flights makes him confident Oklahoma City will not be too far behind.
"Oklahoma is poised for this distribution, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. "We're going to move as soon as possible to Oklahoma City.
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said what makes Oklahoma City perfect for a distribution center is the convergence of three major interstates Interstate 35, I-44 and I-40 making it easier for cargo to get into Oklahoma City.
"That means the transportation in Oklahoma City is unbeatable, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
So how will the cargo get out of the metro area?
An alliance with UPS permits IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) to use the parcel company's fleet of Boeing 757-200 (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Boeing+757&CATEGORY=PRODUCT) aircraft. The planes carry 70,000 pounds and allow IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) to provide same-day delivery.
The cargo is mostly apparel with some jewelry. They also are transporting bullet resistant vests.
Have freight, will travel
Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said people always ask how he got an alliance with UPS. He said the answer is simple.
"I have the freight; they need the freight, he said.
IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) has completed two full flights, with 70,000 pounds of cargo each way. The company will do one flight a week, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Dale DePue (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Dale+DePue&CATEGORY=PERSON), the company's chief executive officer, said as the company grows, the type of cargo will also. "It could be anything, he said.
IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) has leased 2,000 square feet of office space and 5,000 square feet of warehouse space, located conveniently next to UPS at Will Rogers (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers&CATEGORY=PERSON).
"The airport has gone out of its way to accommodate us, DePue (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Dale+DePue&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.
Airport director Mark Kranenburg (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Mark+Kranenburg&CATEGORY=PERSON) said he was glad to see IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) taking flight after five years of preparation.
"We're hopeful that it all works out, Kranenburg (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Mark+Kranenburg&CATEGORY=PERSON) said. He said IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY)' success is Will Rogers (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Will+Rogers&CATEGORY=PERSON)' success.
DePue (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Dale+DePue&CATEGORY=PERSON) said the company will start with four employees here and later will add employees who are bilingual. IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY) currently has 14 employees at offices in La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bolivia&CATEGORY=COUNTRY), and Miami.
Jacqueline Agramont (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jacqueline+Agramont&CATEGORY=PERSON), who works at the La Paz office, said IntrAmericas (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=IntrAmericas+LLC&CATEGORY=COMPANY)' cargo operations will not only bring jobs and an economic impact to Oklahoma City, but also to her country.
"It's going to help all of Bolivia (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bolivia&CATEGORY=COUNTRY), she said. Agramont (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Jacqueline+Agramont&CATEGORY=PERSON) said Bolivian small-business owners who do not have access to distributors now will be able to get their merchandise to more consumers. "This is a void we are filling, Elias (http://www.newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rafael+Elias&CATEGORY=PERSON) said.