CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 72
SPECIAL FEATURE : PHARMA SUPPLY CHAIN
T
he pharmaceutical industry
operates within an intricate framework of global
regulations, rapid advancements, and stringent
delivery timelines. With
the surge of disruptions
ranging from pandemics
to geopolitical instabilities,
the need for an agile and
resilient supply chain has
never been more critical.
Experts agree that navigating these challenges requires
a deliberate focus on sustainability, technology, and
strategic collaboration, enabling an end-to-end framework
that adapts swiftly to dynamic market conditions while
ensuring reliability and ethical practices.
Against the backdrop, Vijay Vashisht, Vice President, Safexpress underscores a multifaceted approach
to designing resilient supply chains. “At Safexpress,
our supply chain initiatives are structured around
agility, sustainability, and digital transformation.
By focussing on building a 昀氀exible system capable of
adapting to sudden demand changes and disruptions,
we integrate sustainability, workforce development,
and risk management,” he says.
Vashisht highlights the importance of adopting
eco-friendly practices, including reducing carbon emissions, optimising fuel usage, and leveraging alternative
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energy sources. Technological innovation is another
cornerstone, as he points out, “Leveraging technology
is critical for achieving greater e昀케ciency and visibility.”
Additionally, he highlights how Safexpress prioritises
upskilling programmes to equip individuals with
expertise in logistics operations, warehouse management,
and emerging technologies. Vashisht also points out that
lean practices, like just-in-time inventory, have become
essential to their operations, helping minimise waste
and operational costs while fostering a future-ready,
agile supply chain.
Tejas Mehta, Assistant Vice President and Head of
Logistics and MSS, Reliance Life Sciences highlights the
balance between short-term adaptability and long-term
strategic vision. “We recognise that aligning our actions
with external stimuli is vital to maintaining an agile
and responsive supply chain, while readiness to handle
unforeseen exigencies is non-negotiable,” he explains.
Mehta outlines Reliance Life Sciences’ dual strategy of
maintaining long-term contracts for predictable demand
items while employing multiple sourcing options for
less certain requirements. This approach ensures the
timely completion of projects and safeguards operations
against market volatility.
Customer-centricity remains the focal point of
an e昀昀ective supply chain, as Gaurav Bhatia, Head of
Supply Chain, Reliance Retail points out. “Our supply
chain is built on three pillars: agility, resilience and
reliability, and visibility,” he shares. Agility, enabled by
