CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 71
CHEMCONNECT 2025
“While logistics cost
remains within acceptable limits due to a higher
Weighted Average Selling
Price (WASP), lower-margin products like thinners
and paint removers present
challenges, especially when
working with secondary
or tertiary movements.
Despite low prices of certain products, companies manage to stay competitive through schemes.
For instance, o昀昀ering a FTL discount (e.g., `50 per kg) to dealers helps
incentivise them to take delivery at their godowns outside the city, where
they can accommodate larger trucks. This allows the logistics team to
overcome the challenge of delivering low-margin products in a cost-e昀昀ective
way. Notably, cross-utilisation of infrastructure plays a crucial role in
reducing costs and maximising e昀케ciency. By partnering with entities
that o昀昀er complementary products or services, companies can better
utilise their existing resources, such as sharing warehouses with other
businesses that have di昀昀erent peak demand periods, maximising the
utilisation of 24x7 infrastructure.”
IRFAN MULLA, VP– Business Development, AllcargoGati
“One major concern is the
infrastructure for safety,
particularly in relation to
昀椀re prevention systems.
Many warehouses opt for
昀椀re agencies but lack the
necessary equipment, such
as proper 昀椀re separation
systems, sprinklers, and
hydrants. Warehouse
design also plays a major
role in ensuring safety. In chemical and paint warehouses, it’s important
to have chemical-resistant 昀氀ooring, proper ventilation, and air 昀椀ltration
systems. Training and awareness are key to improving safety. One way
to address this is by using vernacular language signs in warehouses.
The issue of licensing also complicates safety in warehouses, especially
in industries like paint and chemicals. For instance, obtaining a PESTO
license for certain chemicals that fall under class A, B, or C requires
stringent regulations and large empty spaces, free of residential areas. The
process involves acquiring multiple NOCs, making it costly and complex.
Location and network optimisation are also essential. In industries like
paint, where dealers expect fast deliveries, the proximity of warehouses
to the centers of demand and suppliers becomes crucial.”
“At one of our regional
warehouses, we integrated
a compatibility chart,
temperature requirements, and 3PIN software
to create a "Warehouse
Guided Storage" system.
This system ensures that
products are stored with
speci昀椀c parameters, such
as temperature and compatibility, and cannot be overridden by human error. On the technology
front, we have made signi昀椀cant advancements, including the incorporation
of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) and future plans
for Human-Edge Vehicle (HEV) guided systems. One critical aspect of
chemical handling is the availability of Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS). Currently, we've digitised the MSDS, making them available
at every warehouse 昀氀oor. Meanwhile, audits and inspections remain an
essential part of the process, along with dashboards to track warehouse
performance daily. Our transportation model is supported by the use of
vibration meters and optimised routes to minimise the risk of product
damage during transit. Further to that, we have incorporated load securing
systems to ensure that products are transported safely.”
“Today, manufacturers,
warehouse companies, and
transport companies are
collaborating more closely,
sharing knowledge and
creating efficient SOPs,
representing a signi昀椀cant
shift in the industry’s
approach. One important
advancement is the integration of new technologies
like motion sensors, speed detectors, and thermal infrared cameras. These
can detect potential hazards such as chemical spills or toxic leaks, which
are critical for ensuring safety in warehouses. In certain high-risk areas,
robots or automated systems are being deployed to handle goods without
human intervention, especially in “no-man’s-land” zones, where safety is a
top priority. In warehousing, the use of AI and real-time data will further
improve safety and e昀케ciency. With technologies like radar, cameras,
and infrared sensors, it’s possible to monitor an entire warehouse from
a central location. A single person could oversee the entire facility, while
the AI system triggers alerts for safety actions on an individual basis.”
UNMESH BHALERAO, Head– Warehousing, India, Henkel
SANJAY VARMA, National Logistics Manager, Evonik India
MOHAMMED RAFI SARVAR, GM– Commercial, Grasim
Industries (Birla Paints Div)
CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2025 | 71
