Making Gen-Next leaders see why logistics is quite the cool space to be!

Any business leader who has successfully navigated the ups and downs of the evolving landscape will emphasise how logistics services – be they domestic or international are critical for global supply chains to function and consequently for the economy to grow. Without logistics support, Henry Ford would not have been able to start the iconic Ford automotive business, neither would Amazon be a world leader in the e-commerce business. That’s exactly why a number of market leaders in diverse industries continue to rely on experienced partners like Allcargo Logistics, ECU Worldwide and Gati-KWE for seamless, end-to-end integrated logistics services.

Recognising the significance of supply chain management, National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), one of India’s premier educational institutions, has been offering virtual courses for students and professionals worldwide, in collaboration with leading international universities. On 21^st March 2021, NITIE held the closing ceremony of its Global Online Certification Course on Supply Chain Digitization and Management for which it partnered with Prof. David Simchi-Levi from MIT, USA. Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman – Allcargo Logistics, ECU Worldwide and Gati, who is also the Chairman of the Society and Board of Governors (BoG) at NITIE, addressed the audience along with eminent industry leaders. The Chief Guest for the event was the Honourable Minister of Road Transport and Highways and MSMEs, Government of India, Mr. Nitin Gadkari.

Logistics – Driving the economy forward

India is today poised for growth, powered by policies and incentives that boost businesses. And businesses require support to help them move – literally. Be it the transport of raw materials, value added products, machines and tools, or shipping the finished product to the end user, supply chain solutions are required. The easy availability of logistics could be the deciding factor that converts micro enterprises into small enterprises, and small businesses to medium businesses and allows the medium businesses to enter the big league. The significance of the logistics industry came to the fore during the pandemic. Although most people were operating from home, the logistics sector worked overtime to ensure businesses and the economy kept going. Cold-chain solutions became all the more significant, as they helped store and transport COVID-19 vaccines.

Digitalization of the supply chain

The internet boom drastically enhanced the ease of doing business and drove consumption up. Both of which boosted the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has given a greater push to digitalization and in a post-COVID world, there will be a greater thrust on thinking and adopting digital.

In this context, logistics operations need to ride the digital wave to drive the bottom-line higher on the balance sheet of the economy. The digital transformation is only going to accelerate and it is the need of the hour for entities across the logistics ecosystem to collaborate and enhance efficiencies.

Companies like Allcargo that aim to be frontrunners, have not only adopted a host of digital technology and tools but are also enabling their partners and associates across their network in over 180 countries to go digital with state-of-the-art online platforms like ECU360 and efficient solutions like API/EDI integration.

That’s precisely why enhancement of the logistics infrastructure and the need to be agile and flexible were important points that were reiterated in this interaction among logistics industry stalwarts.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Mr. Gadkari, spoke about how India’s proposed infrastructure development will be a game changer for the logistics industry. He also appreciated Mr. Shetty’s contribution to developing the logistics sector in India and being an inspiration for entrepreneurs to aspire for and achieve global success.

Academia and logistics

India’s growth story is being fuelled by numerous forward strides in the logistics industry. If India is to leverage opportunities to become a major global trade, it will require the ingenuity of experienced industry professionals combined with new, creative points of view from today’s students and tomorrow’s business leaders.

For India’s youth to craft the Indian success story, they need world-class skills and knowledge to bring about the transformation they are capable of achieving. Understanding the edge that knowledge and exposure to global supply chains can give these young aspirants, industry-academia partnerships forged by reputed institutions like NITIE are indeed a step in the right direction.

In keeping with the spirit of collaboration and imparting practical knowledge, such courses and programmes will help bring in innovative perspectives and solutions for the ever-evolving business landscape.

After all, supply chains and logistics is truly the business of the future – a future that is already here!