Category Archives: Supply Chain

India Post and iThink Logistics announce collaboration for E-commerce last-mile deliveries across the country. The partnership integrates iThink Logistics’ cutting-edge technology and rapid services with India Post’s extensive reach, and is expected to reap massive benefits for Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) startups and small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India. Zaiba Sarang, Co-Founder, iThink Logistics, said, “Our collaboration symbolizes the fusion of vision and innovation, where we harness the power of technology and the extensive reach of India Post to propel Direct-to-Consumer startups and small and medium businesses into a new era of logistical excellence. With this alliance, we are not only bridging geographical gaps but also empowering businesses of all sizes to embrace the full potential of E-commerce, transforming the way products reach customers and redefining customer experiences.”

Jeena Criticare Pvt. Ltd. has been awarded with the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification by the International Standards Organization Quality Assurance Registrar (ISOQAR). The certification is an internationally recognized standard for the distribution of pharmaceutical and healthcare products, and stands testimony to Jeena Criticare’s unwavering commitment to maintaining safety and quality standards for transportation and distribution of products in the healthcare industry. Anil Agarwal, Director, Jeena Criticare, said, “We have relentlessly worked towards preserving the integrity of pharmaceutical products throughout their intricate journey, ensuring they reach patients in an ideal and optimal state. We are taking a substantial stride towards a safer, more efficient, and globally interconnected pharmaceutical supply chain.”

Amazon India has onboarded 12 new entrepreneurs under its Delivery System Partners (DSP) scheme across the states of Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi NCR, and Maharashtra. The DSP programme aims to enable entrepreneurs to develop and launch their own delivery business, even while having no prior logistics experience. The goals of the initiative are to provide work opportunities to hundreds of delivery associates, while simultaneously strengthen Amazon India’s last mile network to deliver across the country. Within the DSP programme, Amazon India has partnered with about 300 small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) to deliver packages to its customers, and onboarded almost 100 new DSPs in the last two years.

ISSGF was honoured with ‘Best Leading Freight Forwarding’ award at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards in New Delhi. Piyush Srivastava, IES, Senior Economic Advisor graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Known as the “Oscars of the Cargo Industry,” the India Cargo Awards 2023, hosted by Cargo Talk (DDP Group Publication) serves as an all-India platform created with a vision to recognise excellence in the Cargo-Freight-Logistics Industry across various domains, including Rail, Road, Air, Sea, Allied Services, Warehousing, Technology, 3rd Party Logistics, and more. Our world-class awards ceremonies are known for their formal Black-Tie affair, filled with glitz and glamour, attended by the most influential personalities in the industry.

Pluss Advanced Technologies (PLUSS) announced the launch of all new temperature-controlled packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry: Celsure® XL Pallet Shipper series and Celsure® VIP Multi-Use Parcel Shipper series. “Manufactured in India, Celsure® XL and Celsure® VIP offer a superior alternative to conventional gel pack solutions and expensive leased containers. Using our patented PCM technology we are able to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals in a sustainable manner. These solutions further strengthen India’s standing as a pharmacy of the world by increasing the supply chain reliability and ultimately delivering quality medicines to patients worldwide,” said Samit Jain, MD, PLUSS.

The International Federation of Customs Brokers (IFCBA) on 28th August organised a virtual Board of Directors meeting, with representations from numerous countries at various stages of global trade facilitation. Shankar Shinde, IFCBA Chairman, who also chairs the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Association in India, spoke at the event to welcome IFCBA directors and past chairs from all over the world, and identified three areas of importance for them to contribute in. First is the membership recruitment drive of the IFCBA which is underway and Mr. Shinde talked about what benefits it brings to the member associations. The second priority is nurturing the next generation of customs brokers, which is also a goal shared by the World Customs Organization (WCO).  The final goal is paying attention to Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), which is the key for facilitation and promotion of efficient logistics operations across borders. “IFCBA not only provides an effective platform to the CB community to connect with the world of wisdom but also acts as a vigilant on international Customs matters, intervening/collaborating with the policy decisions of different Governments. We at IFCBA appeal to the world Customs fraternity to get them prepared for coping with the threat to the traditional CB business. Under this umbrella organisation they should also be united to strengthen trade facilitation, i.e. smooth cargo clearance across the borders,” said Mr. Shinde.

At the recently held ANUTECH 2023, at Mumbai on 7th September, Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Association of India emphasized the need for technology based infrastructure to operate cold chain services across the country. Panelists mentioned how starting from warehousing, to transportation, and distribution, automation of techniques should be prioritised and implemented in the industry to harness the immense potential of the cold chain industry in India. Dr. Nirav Thakker, Executive Committee Member, FFFAI, was also Moderator of the session, and emphasised India’s prospect of 14.37 per cent CAGR in the next five years. Other panelists who participated in the event were Mr. P.A. Bamane, Assistant Manager APEDA; Dr. Karuna Dhale, Assistant Director (Tech), FSSAI, and Ms. Chaitaly Mehta, Director, EKF Logistics. FFAI Chairman, Mr. Shankar Shinde, also spoke at the event, and mentioned that FFFAI is working in close cooperation with the government, using contemporary technology solutions for the cold chain system in the country to have world-class efficiency. As the world’s leading information and procurement platform, ANUTECH combines all such technological solutions along the entire value chain, that includes all sectors of the food and beverage industry, and this international event offered all cross-process future technologies for the same.

Block your dates for the much-awaited, India Warehousing Show (IWS) set to take place on 14,15 &16 June in 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The show is focused to bring the biggest companies on the show floor showcasing supply chain solutions. The upcoming edition will have around 230 suppliers showcasing generation next technologies under niche segments including Automation for Logistics, Ecommerce Zone, Supply Chain Zone, Warehouse Real Estate Zone and Packaging for Logistics offering logistics professionals an exclusive opportunity to connect face-to-face with the right solution providers in New Delhi. “India Warehousing Show has been successfully bringing the logistics stakeholders for almost 12 years now. It continues to shine after all these years and is one of the most awaited events to highlight the current issues, trends and future plans for the logistics sector. Wishing IWS team and RX India the best for the upcoming event and hoping for more diversified events in the years to come,” Shri Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Logistics & Trade, DPIIT, Ministry of commerce & Industry, Govt of India. Janish Jafri, Project Manager, India Warehousing Show, said, “My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming all participants to the 12th edition of India Warehousing Show is scheduled to take place from 14th to 16 June 2023 at Pragati Maidan. IWS has received an overwhelming response and is looking very good. This year, 230 exhibitors and around 15,000 attendees are expected to be a part of the event, product and solutions on display will include warehouse building solutions, materials handling solutions, storage solutions, automation and packaging for logistics, AIDC and software solutions, logistics service providers, LCV’s and UCV’s and other related services.” Echoing the same …

Transport Corporation of India Ltd. (TCI Group), in collaboration with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore has launched new sustainability lab at IIMB campus with a focus on supply chain management. This will be a one-of-its-kind centre of excellence in sustainable supply chain practices, dissemination, and advocacy. TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab plans to conduct research in areas such as decarbonization, circular economy and sustainable procurement, and publish white papers on sustainable supply chain management topics. It will also offer consulting services on carbon-related mapping, measurement, mitigation and management. Moreover, it targets to provide certification and assessment services, such as supplier sustainability assessment. It has already initiated research projects, white papers and case studies, and is partnering with other organizations such as WRI India, Herbal Life, etc. Vineet Agarwal, MD – TCI said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Indian Institute of Management at Bangalore for creation of one-of-its-kind Supply Chain Sustainability Lab. As a group that believes in knowledge-sharing and uplifting the industry, this is yet another addition to our initiatives that facilitates a culture of collaborative growth and thought leadership. With a continued commitment towards delivering excellence, we believe that this lab will build a community of solvers, by combining research with industry expertise.”

DP World has launched a new double-stack freight train facility to improve efficiencies and connectivity between its inland terminal at Ahmedabad and the Mundra port. The maiden train was flagged off from Mundra in early April with a full payload. The double stack train service will further boost the connectivity of Ahmedabad and will drive better efficiency and significantly lower the overall logistics cost for cargo movement on the route even with fewer rakes, owing to the lower haulage rates and lesser or zero port ground rent (PGR) resulting from the faster evacuation of containers from the port. Adhendru Jain, CEO Rail and Inland Terminal, DP World Subcontinent said, “Robust infrastructure and efficient logistics are crucial for boosting economic growth and exports. We are committed to strengthening our supply chain and enabling seamless connectivity to help our customers move their goods quickly and reliably to global and domestic markets. The new double stacked rail freight service will boost cargo carrying capacity substantially and will open new markets for MSMEs in and around Gujarat by leveraging DP World’s world-class integrated multimodal logistics infrastructure.”