K U THANAKCHEN ,MD,CRWC LTD EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH OUR EDITOR
SH. K.U.THANKACHEN,MANAGING DIRECTOR,CENTRAL RAILSIDE WAREHOUSE COMPANY LTD. EXCL. INTERVIEW WITH OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TARUN SHARMA
K U THANAKCHEN is a seasoned professional in the field of logostics and warehousing with over 25 years of experience.He started his career with Airports Authority of India in the year 1987 and joined Container Corporation of India Ltd. in the year 1995.He has held various important positions in Marketing,Commercial and Operations functions within CONCOR. He was posted as Chief General Manager,Central region of CONCOR at Nagpur having jurisdiction of 5 terminals at Nagpur,Bhusawal,Aurangabad,Raipur and Mandideep from September 2010 to April 2012.Therafter he was posted as Head of the largest inland container depot in Asia at Tughlakabad,New Delhi from April 2012 to September 2013.He has qualified MBA with specialisation in Marketing from Department of Commerce & Management Studies ,University of Calicut in the year 1986.
He also recently attended a one year international management programme organised by International Centre for Promotion of Enterprises Ljubljana,Slovenia.
Come let’s have a brief insight into CRWC ,in this brief interview below:
Editor: What are your views regarding current supply chain’s efficiency?
MD: No doubt there are inefficiencies in the current supply chain in India due to predominance of unorganised sector, lack of inadequate skill development and umpteen other constraints faced by the sector. Radical charges are called for in order to enhance quality and productivity, rationalise inventory and reduce costs. Intelligent application of information technology, elimination of data duplication, organising process flow, skill up gradation, etc. can help organisations to overcome the roadblocks and reorient their business within the context of larger vision and goals.
Editor: How can technology help in growth of Indian Logistics Industry?
MD: Increase in IT adoption has provided a boost to the growth and maturity of logistics players in India wherever it is not only implemented but also institutionalized in daily activities. IT plays multiple roles in the Indian logistics sector. However, its primary objective is to enforce and cleanse internal hygiene and manage operations with increased efficiency. IT also plays conventional roles such as increasing productivity and standardization of information management.
Due to its multiple roles, its growth can be seen in the following ways :-
• Increasing customer account management, relationship and accessibility
• Integration of off-road and on-road movement of consignment and vehicle
• Real-time tracking and tracing of consignment and vehicles off-road and on- road
• Standardisation of processes and improving process efficiency
• Reducing labour costs and handling fuel and sales management costs
• Increasing transparency and accountability within the organization
• Quick response and access of information.
Editor:What are the new projects in pipeline?
MD:
CRWC is taking innovative measures to maximize asset utilization and ensuring quality of service to maintain its leadership in market in providing logistics services to the customers. Emphasis will be given to strengthening systems and procedures at its terminals and enhancing efficiency. With a view to enhance its product port folio and customer base, CRWC has initiated various plans to set up/operate warehouses and logistic parks in association with other agencies, such as IWAI, IFFCO, DFC, through joint ventures/strategic alliances. Construction of a liquid cargo terminal at Kandla and warehousing facility at Dahej are on the cards. As a part of the overall strategy to increase market share, CRWC will also seek to provide multimodal transportation and logistics services to its potential users. CRWC is opening new vistas in the field of logistics by venturing into multi-modal logistics services in association with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). The Company has taken on lease from IWAI the facility of Warehousing alongside the railway siding at Pandu Port, Guwahati.
10 Additional terminals have been proposed to be handed over to CRWC for construction of warehouse facilities with temperature controlled storage as announced by Hon’ble Minister in the recent Railway Budget. This is expected to give a boost to the rail based movement of fruits and vegetables. CRWC is also operating parcel handling facility at RWC, Whitefield, and Bangalore.
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