Tackling a global crisis with impeccable chemical supply chains

An unprecedented global crisis brings with it unforeseen fluctuations in the need and demand for certain products. Partnering with an experienced logistics services provider offering end-to-end supply chain management and warehousing solutions can make all the difference as businesses step up to manage and resolve the situation.

In the past few months, we have been grappling with a crisis that completely caught the world off-guard. The outbreak and spread of COVID-19 to over 200 countries, regions and territories has impacted health and economy far more than we thought or imagined it would. With most countries under lockdown and stringent restrictions on the flow of people and goods, global trade and economy have been severely hit.

The health impact of the COVID-19 crisis has led to a sudden increase in demand for certain chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and essential goods. As social distancing becomes necessary and countries impose lockdown, stocking up of essential goods is on the rise and their supply too needs to be maintained and managed.

End-to-end supply chain and warehousing solutions to the rescue

For manufacturers and businesses to be able to provide healthcare supplies and other essential goods to their retail customers and eventually to end-consumers, the need to be supported by the right pre-planning and planning of their business supply chains and warehousing.

“The current situation is clearly not a seasonal or predictable one. So the only businesses that can tide over effectively are those backed by an experienced 3PL service provider like AvvashyaCCI. We have the capability to offer end-to-end supply chain solutions backed by the speed, flexibility and scalability that such challenging situations being to the fore. These have long since been among our biggest strengths and forte”, says Anoop Chauhan, Chief Operating Officer – Supply Chain, AvvashyaCCI.

When we talk about healthcare equipment, chemical and pharmaceuticals that are the need of the hour, globally, it is impossible to ignore the aspect of safety. Offering world-class warehousing solutions for such products requires a complete understanding of the ecosystem and commitment to meet the most stringent of safety standards.

Chemical manufacturers and the third-party logistics partners that serve them, tackle enormous challenges to keep the industry moving. The chemical supply chain comprises these and myriad other products, many of which require special care in handling, transporting, and storing to prevent safety hazards such as combustion, contamination, fire, explosions and spoilage.

The manufacturers, carriers, and third-party logistics providers who store and transport these products need to adhere to a complex web of ever-changing government regulations aimed at minimising the hazards for workers and the general public who might be affected if an accident occurs. Being a high-risk business, pharmaceuticals and chemical logistics requires flexibility and adaptability. The chemical supply chain is long, volatile, and highly complex and thus there are numerous inputs, and many touches to the end consumer.

AvvashyaCCI’s chemical warehousing facility at Panvel

Bolstering hospitals and chemical companies as they address COVID-19 relief

For over three years now, AvvashyaCCI has been managing end-to-end operations at six critical locations for Manipal hospitals.

Over 3000 fast-moving Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) are managed at the warehouse with efficient coordination between multiple suppliers as well as with various departments in hospitals to ensure reliable replenishment as well managing critical aspects like expiry dates of batchers of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. By deploying additional trained manpower as and when needed, AvvashyaCCI is currently handling a flow of up to 120,000 items per day.

Even during tough times like these, the company continues its end-to-end operations that involve consolidation of material arriving from multiple suppliers, preparing bin locations and integrating customer requirements to ensure better coordination and reduction in logistics costs. As a result, the hospitals can be assured of reliability in supply and no stock-outs, improved performance in picking and a reduction in logistics costs.

For customers that have been facing several challenges in handling the supply of essential chemicals and pharmaceuticals for COVID-19 treatment and relief measures, AvvashyaCCI has stepped up and responded responsibly and proactively to help out. Many of these customers supply chemicals that are used to manufacture essential goods for health, hygiene and disinfection.

Getting necessary approvals to support critical dispatches, offering seamless deliveries, coordinating transportation to ease out complexities whole moving supplies out of the warehouses, timely vehicle placements and flawless execution, tracking deliveries and providing updates at critical delivery stages, ensuring expert and trained resources for unloading and storing of chemicals in warehouses with the right precautions and safety are just few of the various ways in which AvvashyaCCI supported its customers. Marquee customers like Dow Chemicals, BASF, Covestro, Evonik , Solvay, Lanxess, Merck Life Sciences and others have acknowledged and appreciated this commitment to help keep their business moving.

Safety is non-negotiable – for facilities, products, and those serving on the frontlines

The dominance of big multinational companies has enforced lot more stricter and tougher regulatory norms for countries like India. In such a scenario, domestic players in the chemical warehousing space have no option but start investing in better safety norms, better infrastructure and advanced technology.

“AvvashyaCCI’s Quality Health Safety and Security Environment (QHSSE) procedures set the benchmark for policies in these areas, with processes tailored exclusively to the needs of different customers and industries”, shares V. Raju, Senior Vice President – CL -Chemical, Pharma & Food Sector, AvvashyaCCI.

Product storage plays a critical role, as product characteristics may have health, safety and environmental hazards. Hazardous chemicals improperly stored and improperly handled in the warehouse, can cause fire or explosion resulting in injury of personnel at the site, as well as the neighbouring areas and loss of property in and around the warehouse area. An understanding of hazards and associated risks helps in selecting better control measures. The potential safety, health and environmental impacts can be prevented by implementing control measures in the early design stage. The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) hazard class guides hazardous product storage. GHS also guides labelling and hazard communication which helps in identifying hazards and also helps in handling measures. AvvashyaCCI strictly adheres to these and various other international safety standards in order to provide industry-leading end-to-end chemical supply chain and warehousing solutions in India.

Keeping warehousing facilities operational during a health crisis comes with the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of each staff member, driver, handler, customer and visitor. AvvashyaCCI takes this very seriously and has implemented a number of precautions to contain the spread of COVID-19. These include use of masks and sanitizers, regular disinfection, continuous awareness programmes for team members, complying with customers’ safety standards and protocol, temperature checks for staff members and visitors, and also ensuring adequate distance between people at common areas like entry gate, reception, cafeterias and washrooms.

Looking ahead to staying stronger, together

With a partner like AvvashyaCCI, customers can be assured of tailor-made solutions backed by capabilities for storage, packing, documentation and movement of pharmaceuticals, hazardous chemicals and agrochemicals. With temperature-controlled warehousing, expert professionals who understand the chemical industry ecosystem as well as unique customer requirements, AvvashyaCCI aims to deliver nothing but the best in terms of services and quality.

Even as the business landscape changes, challenging situations crop up and business models call for re-evaluation and re-engineering, AvvashyaCCI is geared up and well-equipped to innovate, transform and set new benchmarks while catering to these constantly evolving needs of Indian and global customers.