Ashok Goyal, MD, BLR Logistiks
Ashok Goyal, MD, BLR Logistiks, discusses the Indian logistics industry’s progress from a manual to an automated industry due to the increasing use of technology to drive efficiencies, reduce delays and accidents by eliminating human intervention and errors, and streamline the processes.

How is technology bringing efficiencies in the logistics industry?
Technology is revamping the entire logistics chain; it is reducing manpower, cost, and time, and increasing work efficiencies. Unlike the manual process, where one had to depend on information provided by the driver, one can now immediately locate the cargo and know its destination arrival time by using GPS.

Since most manufacturing companies follow the concept of ‘just-in-time’ inventory, work cannot stop at factories if raw materials are not supplied on time. GPS technology now gives the latest update on the cargo and pinpoints its exact location, while in the warehouse, software helps determine the space available for stocking.

Technology has brought down the cost of labour by three times and reduced 30% of manual interventions, which in turn has reduced human errors. Billing has become digital and is saving bill processing time by 15-20 days.

BLR Logistiks - The Changing Nature of India’s Logistics Industry

How is software like SaaS helping the industry?
SaaS is bringing visibility in the supply chain, and helping companies make well planned logistical decisions. Software analyses and tracks movement of goods in real time and thus prevents disruptions and errors. SaaS is optimizing logistics by also enabling reverse logistics. Earlier, vehicles would come back empty, wasting fuel, time, and money.

The IBM software has reduced transportation time by locating route alternatives and bypasses. Earlier, there were times when we had to make a bridge over a river to transport cargo since we did not know any alternative route.

Approvals and permissions are now obtained online. Earlier, it would take two months to get permission to use a bridge; now it takes only 48 hours. Earlier, vehicles would wait for two hours to get documents checked at every state border crossing, but with Fastag, we are saving almost 30 minutes at toll plazas.

Earlier, because of tax issues, there were many small warehouses (sometimes as many as three) within a 5-km radius. Now, due to GST, only the bigger players have remained in the business. Vehicle breakdowns are now attended to immediately through call centers while earlier we had to wait for a mechanic to arrive.

BLR Logistiks - The Changing Nature of India’s Logistics Industry

How will Gati Shakti facilitate the logistics industry?
Gati Shakti is a digital platform that aims at coordinated planning and execution of infrastructure projects in India to reduce logistics costs. It will usher in seamless movement of goods and people across the country; provide information on upcoming connectivity projects, and on business and industrial hubs. However, it may take some time before we see how it actually works since it has just been launched.

If all stakeholders in all the four modes of transport and logistics come onto a single platform, get connected and network digitally, then visibility and transparency in the logistics business will increase tremendously, and there will be a lot more efficiencies in the sector.

Currently, the costs incurred by India's logistics sector is the highest in the world at 14%, whilst the world average stands at just 8-9%. With Gati Shakti, the costs will be reduced. Gati Shakti is also promoting Public Private Partnerships (PPP), which can be a game changer, especially for organized players, which currently account for only 5% of the industry – the rest comprise the unorganized sector.

Sagarmala, Bharatmala and the Dedicated Freight Corridor will further change the way things move in India.

BLR Logistiks - The Changing Nature of India’s Logistics Industry

What are your views on the National Logistics Policy and the Mega Food Parks planned by the Government?
The National Logistics Policy of the Government aims to reduce logistics cost from the current 13% of the country’s GDP to 8% in the next five years. It also aims to improve India’s trade competitiveness in international markets, generate employment, and make India a logistics hub of global standards.

The Policy has been framed after consultations with the Government and the private stakeholders. We believe that such a policy should be transparent, consumer-friendly, and digitally accessible. It should be lucrative for all the stakeholders in the logistics industry and benefit even the smallest of players.

The Mega Food Park Scheme envisages setting up modern food processing units with a well-established supply chain, cold storage, effluent treatment plant, warehousing, water facilities, sewerage etc. state of the art infrastructure in a well-defined agriculture / horticultural zone for The creation of such infrastructure would particularly benefit the small and medium scale units.

So, having Food Parks is a good vision of the Government since 40% of the produce is wasted in transport. If stored well, the farmers will benefit tremendously. However, it is a highly capital-intensive business, so only the big players will enter this space.

What are the strengths of BLR?
BLR Logistiks, is a 3PL company based in Mumbai. It is one of the most progressive freight forwarding companies and is known for its innovative solutions in the supply chain. Technology is at the core of our operations because we believe that a well-planned logistics management system is possible only if it is backed by technology.

Our fleet is GPS enabled and our drivers are DG certified to carry high-value cargo. Our operations, finance, and tracking are managed on a single digitized platform. This helps us optimize operations, monitor payment cycles, and manage our fleet. We are using robotics and have installed retina readers in our fleet to monitor the driver’s performance and send alerts (for example, if he is sleepy it could lead to an accident). The software monitors his driving habit for 30 days and suggests changes, based on which we counsel him. We are now seeing tremendous improvements in driver performance and also on the safety aspect.

We offer customers complete integrated Logistics Services, including Multimodal Transportation, through our fleet of more than 2500 owned and attached vehicles. We have over 24 warehouses in all major cities of India. We are well equipped to provide complete logistics solutions for both domestic and international logistic requirements with our 63 offices across India, supported by a highly competent management team and staff of 600. We are now planning to start rail services from India to Bangladesh and Nepal.
Is India’s Logistics Future Ready?
The National Logistics Policy (NLP) aims to build a tech-led logistics ecosystem in India and create data-driven tools that help create a better logistics environment. The logistics sector in the country is largely unorganized and fragmented, resulting

Read more ...

Outlook for Road Logistics Sector Remains Stable: ICRA
Favourable demand sentiments continue to drive growth momentum for the road logistics sector. Following a healthy growth in FY2022, the accelerated pace of business activities is expected to continue to support the Indian road logistics sector’s growth

Read more ...

2023 to be the Year of Democratisation of Warehousing in India
As we look forward to 2023, the warehousing sector is poised to follow a steep growth curve, attracting significant investments from across the globe, and democratising the sector by increasing the involvement of small developers, landowners, and expansion

Read more ...

Sheroes of the Logistics Industry
Navigating the Road to Gender Diversity and Inclusion. The logistics industry is experiencing a change towards increased representation of women, as technology and societal changes open up new opportunities for them. Advances in technology have made

Read more ...

Shantha Martin, CEO - Global Freight Forwarding NTC Logistics India (P) Limited
The logistics and supply chain industry, which is embracing gender diversity, offers diverse professional and technological opportunities for women, with government initiatives aimed at providing equal opportunities and empowering women in

Read more ...

Chaitaly Mehta, Director - EKF GLOBAL Logistics  Pvt Ltd
The logistics industry is evolving with new technologies, market trends, and customer demands, and is becoming more inclusive and welcoming to diverse perspectives and skill sets, particularly in the participation and representation of women. According to

Read more ...

Kruti Jobanputra, Director - JW Ventures
The Indian government has taken significant steps to improve the working conditions for women in the logistics industry, with a focus on sanitation and safety. We hope that this effort will also change the discriminatory mindset at the grassroot level

Read more ...

Mahima Agarwal, President HR - CJ Darcl Logistics
At CJ Darcl, we have implemented various initiatives to promote a safe and inclusive environment for women in the logistics industry, including Code of Conduct training and POSH awareness program. We are also committed to expanding job opportunities for

Read more ...

Shweta Singh, Regional Head - Freight Wings
I firmly believe that our mindset plays a crucial role in achieving success. The idea that "believe in yourself" holds true, as gender-based equation never becomes a roadblock for a go-getter. As I traveled and worked in various countries in the APAC

Read more ...

Sanjna Vardhan, GM, International Business - Procam Group
The logistics industry is becoming more inclusive, with automation, e-commerce and technological advancements breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women, while organizations are working towards generating awareness and empowering women

Read more ...

Ruchita Apte, Head of Finance - KSH Logistics
Increased police patrolling in warehousing and industrial areas, and an increased presence of female staff in police stations can help create a more secure and welcoming environment for women in the industry. The logistics and supply chain industry has

Read more ...

Zaiba Sarang, co-Founder - iThink Logistics
At iThink Logistics, we are committed to making the logistics industry more inclusive for women. We understand that female employees may face unique challenges in the workplace, and so we have implemented policies like menstrual leave policy and full-body

Read more ...

Trends that will Reshape: Logistics Industry
The logistics industry is expanding due to the tech-savvy customers and their demand for faster deliveries. Businesses will now have to focus on growing their operations and ensuring cost-effective delivery services, enhance their supply chain management

Read more ...

Industrial and Warehousing Demand in 2022 up by 8%: Colliers
The year 2022 saw 24.5 million sqft of industrial and warehousing demand, up by 8% on a YoY basis, across the top 5 cities of India. Average quarterly leasing during 2022 remained strong at 6.1 mn sqft from 5.7 mn sqft in 2021. Third-party logistics players

Read more ...

National Logistics Policy - A Guide and Driving Force for India’s New Phase of Growth
In a visionary move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Logistics Policy to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods, enhance economic growth and development of infrastructure, and increase

Read more ...

Favourable demand sentiments support growth momentum for road logistics sector; outlook remains stable: ICRA
The domestic road logistics sector is expected to continue its growth momentum in FY2023 supported by the accelerated pace of business activities, following a healthy growth in FY2022. Ratings agency, ICRA maintains

Read more ...

Strong demand drives industrial and warehousing leasing by 9% YoY: Colliers
During Jan-Sep 2022, Industrial & Warehousing demand witnessed a 9% rise on a YoY basis with a total gross absorption of 17.5 mn sqft across the top 5 cities in India. Demand remained resilient during the third

Read more ...

World premiere of Goldhofer FT Series
With the presentation of Goldhofer’s latest world first in the form of the »FT-SERIES« at bauma Munich 2022, we have definitely hit the bull’s eye and introduced a vehicle that will change the transportation market for years

Read more ...

Faymonville Group showcases three product brands: MAX Trailer, Faymonville, and Cometto at bauma Munich
The new BladeMAX1000 from Cometto made its world premiere at bauma Munich. With a lifting capacity of 1000 mT, this blade lifter is by far the strongest of its kind on the market. Such a special vehicle is used to safely transport the latest

Read more ...

Innovative, economical, and practical transport solutions from TII
Transport and manoeuvring solutions from TII offer unlimited application possibilities. At bauma 2022, TII brands, TII SCHEUERLE and TII KAMAG expanded their range of transport solutions and value-added services for the construction and energy

Read more ...