Notable Startups in Logistics Sector

Posted by: Afsal T I | Logistics

In India, the number of startups focusing on logistics is on the rise now. But given the number of challenges in Supply Chain logistics, it is indeed a tricky proposition for startups. There are 12 million trucks in India and from that 90 percent of them belong to single truck owners, and small entrepreneurs in different towns. This is creating problem to integrate technology into their lives.

Last year Logistics industry has witnessed different good moves from central government, goods and service tax and infrastructure status to the sector. It resulted in huge investment options to this sector especially warehousing and transportation respectively. This in turn resulted in newer startups upping the ante in offering faster, smarter and more cost-effective services using big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics. These moves are aimed at organizing the unorganized logistics sector.

In recent survey Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh secured first three positions in new logistics index across all states and union territories and as per World Bank DIPP Andhra Pradesh ranked as no.1 position for India’s most friendly state and ease of doing business.

Considering all these factors and the future potential of the industry, many companies entered to this sector to replace old methods with efficient solutions using technology.

Logi Next

Logi next is a b2b cloud based optimization company using data analytics to suggest the most optimized delivery routes and schedule for service and sales professionals for cost saving and resource utilization. Logi next serves ecommerce, retail, consumer goods and express transportation industry.

FreightBro

Freight bro managed by three pillars, Viswanathanragavendra, Anandbabu and Mohammed zakkiria.

It is a cloud based logistics solution that helps freight forwarders to improve their sales and operations and improve operation timings. Forwarders can operate and control their supply chain easily and improve visibility of vendors and stake holders.

Freightbro can provide instant quotes to freight forwarders for any type of request including Full container load, Less than container load, Air freight, Sea freight and CHA charges etc., and its module enables instant quote generation in PDF format within two minutes. It helps freight forwarder to manage and control their shipper and consignee relationship in a very smooth way.

LoBB

Bengaluru based LoBB founded by Jayaram Raju and Venu Kandor, a Saas based logistics startup provides truck information to the owners, agents and other intermediaries. It provides an app for the agent & trucker and the agent and intermediaries will get all the truck owners through this platform and when order appear trucker offer lowest trip sheet based on the analysis.

The company takes small commission from the agents and tuckers and they are having 8000 trucker on the platform. LoBB currently serves in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with concept of Just in time truck loads.

GoBOLT

It is Mumbai based Logistics startup founded by alumni of SP Jain Institute, using machine learning, data analytics and internet of things. They provide logistics solutions like right vehicle selection, routing, delivery and scheduling, planning and real time tracking etc.

The startup also launched an analytics driven platform, Launchpad for better freight management. Launchpad is a unique self-learning platform for sourcing trucks and doing price analytics. It will give huge competitive advantage for the trucks.

Shadowfax

Shadowfax is an on-demand delivery service that takes care of delivery requirements of local businesses. Due to its hyper-local delivery network and logistics technology, merchants can deliver to their customers in a cost-effective and hassle-free way.

Moreover, Shadowfax has a strategic tie-up with NSDC’s training partners to enhance skills of riders and provide customized training. Its key focus areas in delivery are food, grocery, pharmaceutical, and ecommerce related shipping. It is an exclusive delivery partner to clients such as Amazon India’s grocery and fresh delivery platform Amazon Now in Bengaluru, as well as BigBasket and Grofers.

Rivigo

Founded in August 2014, Rivigo is one of the fastest growing startups in India which provides express surface logistics all over the country. Just 2.5 years since its inception, Rivigo has reached a headcount of close to 1700 employees in addition to a fleet of around 4000 truck drivers (the company refers to the drivers as Pilots) which are serving some of the biggest names across the Auto, Pharmaceutical, Cold Chain, and E-Commerce and Textile industries. It has raised around $110M from investment firms.

What makes Rivigo different from the rest?

• Unique operating model coupled with cutting edge technology which makes extensive use of data and analytics
• Disruption of the Indian logistics space with transit times which are lower by 50–70% as compared to the industry average
• Happy truck drivers who lead a more comfortable life and return back to their family the very same day unlike the rest of the industry where they are away from their homes for as much as 20~25 days

Leap India –

Lead time or cycle time play a major role in logistics and supply chain process, and especially pallets are supporting to achieve the lead time for any companies. Leap is founded by Sunu Mathew an IIM Kolkata alumni and ex director FMCG.

Leap India deals with returnable packaging and pooling of different types of equipments namely wooden pallet and boxes, plastic containers and metal wire mesh. Pallets are the back born of logistics process and its can reduce transportation cost and it can deliver goods with easy movements. The Logistics start up has 14 manufacturing centers and 22 distribution centers across the country to manage inventory and transportation operations. Tata motors, LG, Blue dart and Abbot are the major clients for this start up and looking for a market of 600 crore turnover by 2022.

Editor’s Note

Infrastructure challenges

India has grossly inadequate infrastructure. The country is ranked 35th in World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2016. Freight trains travel at an average speed of about 25km an hour, the domestic aviation industry is inadequate and many national highways remain clogged with excess traffic and scarred by potholes. On top of it, there is a lack of skilled labor and connectivity.

“The poor integration of road networks, technology, warehousing and distribution facilities make the cost of logistics very high in India, about 14% of GDP,” points out Rastogi. “Reducing costs will bring down prices of products.” India's high logistics costs make its exports uncompetitive vis-à-vis China, which has an 8-10% logistics cost.

Advantages of technology

Internet of Things

Smart machines are optimizing the ordering, manufacturing and warehousing phases of logistics with in-depth insights that deliver real value, which increases the responsiveness and productivity of the entire division. The latest tech trends include active and passive RFID tags, which deliver regular updates and relevant information about products they are attached to. All of this data can be accessed via a mobile app or other connected device Future tech

While technology has already made a huge impact on logistics, more disruptive forces could change the industry entirely once again during the next 20 years. Robotic process automation and autonomous vehicles are likely to address driver storages and reduce the need for manual labor, while improving efficiencies in the delivery process. UAVs and drones are very much a part of this new ethos, as they will be able to solve the challenges associated with last-minute delivery by bypassing the traditional transportation system entirely

A recent forecast suggests the 3D printing market could be worth almost $490 billion by 2024. The process will empower enterprises to produce complex products at scale, and while it cannot replace traditional manufacturing entirely, it will lead to a tighter integration between logistics and manufacturing. Technology will continue to shape the logistics industry in the coming years. IoT, cloud computing and other cutting-edge tech are at the core of nearly every logistics process, and enterprises will need to continue to innovate and integrate tech to meet the growing needs and demands of clients and consumers in both the B2B and B2C sectors.