Ashwin Didwania, Managing Director at New Globe Logistik (India), was selected as speaker in a Logistics workshop framed within the CES 2018, formerly The International Consumer Electronics Show, recently celebrated in Las Vegas. CES is the world’s gathering place where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace, with 50 years of history and featuring all aspects of the industry. It is really significant to see that Logistics occupies a space in so high-tech orientated events and proves the challenges the sector is facing.
Amongst other international speakers, Ashwin presented his views on the topic “The Future of Logistics”, including the relevance of logistics and its challenges, the emergence of tech forwarders, and the space left for boutique consulting and valued services. On his return, we took the opportunity to interview him and further his insights.
First of all, let’s comment about the event and the logistics workshop. What actors participated (freight forwarders, importers/exporters, shipping lines)? Which were the main concerns or matters discussed?
The event was consumer electronics show. It is one of the largest show’s in Las Vegas where importer, exporter, shipping line, freight forwards and tech experts all merge. This event has been used in the past for launch of products like iphone, ipad, Pentium chip processor, xbox, virtual reality games etc.. so it is pretty leading edge and futuristic.
On the logistics side the main concern was about how supply chains are gearing up for the future with changes in supply chain management , technology and customer requirements.
Have you also noticed these same concerns when commenting with other local or international agents?
Yes, I have notice these concern with few agents who are forward looking and forward thinking. Most of agents however seem to focus on current day to day issues to think about how to keep evolving their business to future needs.
There is a lot of information being published about the digital challenges the sector needs to embrace. The multinationals are launching digital platforms and new tech freight forwarders are getting millionaire investment. Being India a tech hub, how is the level of development of new digital freight platforms there?
India is a tech hub for development of digital platform’s for international community , however the pace of reforms in India are bit slow due to age old manual system & imbedded middle man culture for the effective deployment of local digital platforms for logistics which mainly concern customs interface. However, in other sectors like transport, ecommerce, e-payments there have been initiatives by government to accelerate such programs and in next two to five year’s we should see most of the freight forwarding processes on digital platform.
New Globe has been in the freight business since 1950, you have the knowledge and experience and most important a prosper business and clientele, how are you facing the challenges and getting technically ready for the new times?
On technical side we have MIS system which capture any variation in customer volume, profitability & service feedback which allow us to immediately take action.
We also ensure immediate customer feedback. Our entire handing of our clients shipments is transparent with auto updates and forecasting on their movement and using technology to enhance service experience of our clients.
We are now working on an automated quote response system to further boost our speed and response time.
As your Company, the established freight forwarders have the trajectory and knowledge, whereas the new start-ups have the technology, from your point of view what are the main advantages and difficulties from each side?
The advantages of establish freight forwarder is (I refer to small, medium size) their personal contact, personalized service.
The down side is that this model is difficult to scale and to deliver to consistency especially when owners or key people not hands on.
With tech driven forwarders there is consistency, reliability which is system driven plus they can adopt their technology to suit customer requirements. As a down side they may lack a personal touch that an SME provides
How do you see the freight forwarder of tomorrow? And when is that tomorrow?
The freight forwarder of tomorrow is always evolving. Thinking few step ahead and is knowledgable of his client business over and above his own to anticipate the changes in his client business in advance so he may apply that to his own working to better suit and response to their future needs.
That tomorrow is happing right now.
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