Sofia, 21st May 2025

Swissport International AG, a global leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, has chosen Elevate (formerly Easy Consult) as its strategic partner for the creation of a Shared Services Center in Bulgaria. Based in Business Park Sofia, the newly established Shared Services Centre supports key business functions and processes for Swissport with a focus on strategic activities and the transformation of existing workflows.

The hub is already operational with Elevate successfully building a solid team in Sofia and positioning itself as a trusted workforce solutions partner for Swissport in Switzerland, where the company’s global headquarters are located.
“The establishment of our Shared Services Center in Sofia marks a milestone in Swissport’s global transformation journey. By partnering with Elevate, we are not only driving operational excellence but also tapping into Bulgaria’s talent and dynamic business environment to build a future-focused hub that will support long-term value creation across our organization.” commented Bruno Stefani, CEO Switzerland, Italy & France and Member of the Executive Leadership Team of Swissport International.

“The success of this project lies in the fact that from the very beginning, Swissport worked with us as a partner rather than simply as a service provider,” says Chavdar Barov, Site Lead of Swissport’s Shared Services Center in Bulgaria. “Our transformation is built around the human factor – an element often overlooked in such large-scale transitions. Through mutual trust, transparent communication and well-defined roles and responsibilities, we have established a solid foundation for a high-performing team that is now progressing toward becoming a true Center of Excellence.”

Shared Services Center vs. Center of Excellence: What’s the Difference?
A Shared Services Center (SSC) is primarily designed to execute business processes, delivering operational efficiency in alignment with the specific requirements of the business units or regions it serves. In contrast, a Center of Excellence (CoE) goes beyond execution, serving as a strategic entity that provides added value through innovation, specialized expertise, best practices and setting standards within a specific business or technology area. CoEs are focused on delivering high-quality, scalable and sustainable services at a regional or global level, with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and cost optimization.

Is Bulgaria a good fit for these business models?
Bulgaria has firmly established itself as a strategic location for the development of Shared Services Centers and Centers of Excellence models. With over 104,400 professionals employed in the Outsourcing sector as of 2023, and the sector contributing approximately 5.8% to the national GDP, the country continues to gain traction among global organizations as the growth of Shared Services Centers reflects the trust global companies place in Bulgaria as a strategic destination. The rapid expansion and doubling of Shared Services Centers in recent years underscore the growing confidence in Bulgaria’s talent pool, infrastructure and business environment.
“The development of a Center of Excellence is the next logical step in the evolution and transformation of global operations. Our mission is to create value not only through operational efficiency but through knowledge, innovation and continues improvement. Bulgaria offers a perfect environment for such centers – with talented professionals and highly skilled talent base, solid infrastructure and a strong work ethic. We are proud that our country is proving to be the right location for forward-looking flexible workforce business models and high-value business operations.” explains Ivaylo Slavov, Chairman and CEO of Elevate.

Following the success story of the Swissport project, Elevate is now in the process of building a second partner hub for another international client, based on the same principles of sustainability, efficiency and a people-centric approach.
“The path to a true Center of Excellence is long – it takes vision, patience and partnership. But we believe Bulgaria is the right place for such growth and we are proud to be part of this journey,” continues Ivaylo Slavov, Chairman and CEO of Elevate.

About Elevate
Elevate is a Flexible Workforce Solutions company, delivering innovative, end-to-end business solutions. With over 20 years of experience, the company operates from 12 offices across 7 countries including Germany, Bulgaria, the USA, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Croatia and has built an extensive global network in multiple industries such as IT, Engineering, Automotive, Accounting & Finance, Retail, Logistics, Manufacturing and Hospitality. The company’s portfolio includes building Shared Services Centers and Centers of Excellence, providing Project Services, Managed Services, Workforce Services and Recruitment Services, leveraging advanced technology, processes, know-how and company culture to ensure excellence at every step.

About Swissport
Swissport International AG is the world’s leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the company served approximately 247 million airline passengers in 2024 and welcomed 6.2 million lounge guests. It also handled around 5 million tons of air freight at 117 cargo centers globally. By the end of December 2024, Swissport operated at 279 airports across 45 countries on six continents, supported by a dedicated team of around 61,000 employees.