HAVING successfully reinventing cargo forwarding, Customs clearing, projects handling, logistics, warehousing and supply chain management during the past two decades, the productivity of LCL Group being offered to customers through its infrastructure and logistics channels, is advancing to the 21st century world standards. The applications of the group’s functioning at all its port-related state-of-the-art facilities are improving to high-quality, lightning-fast, low-cost customer service.
Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Unni Nair, in an exclusive interview describes LCL-owned latest logistics parks located in close vicinity of seaports in India, and the environments and service quality that push up the performance efficiency at his infrastructure to new highs.
To be competitive in the current business environment, Unni Nair, one of veterans in industry, says LCL is keen in creating customer-focused infrastructure around the country. “Our facilities are customer-centric. Modern clusters of facilities of manufacturers and suppliers in regional and international market areas will virtually eliminate the thousands of miles transporting their products for onward forwarding to their target markets, thus reducing the size of their inventories and cost. Truly superior warehousing of containers and cargoes entails maximum utilisation of all logistics assets, such as manpower, facilities and equipment. Efficient warehousing teams holding complete responsibility for total, seamless logistics of warehousing, receiving, stocking and forwarding and distributing increase performance efficiencies. At LCL we have people to offer this all”.
1 . Following commissioning of LCL Logix Park at Pipavav, you gave a hint that you are keen in creating similar facilities in various key locations around the country. You also said that the group is in advanced stage of constructing CFSs, one each on the western coast and eastern coast of India. What is the current status?
A state-of-the-art CFS on the western coast, construction of which is completed, just started functioning providing various services of container freight station. The CFS is conveniently located on the Goa-Panvel Road, in the vicinity of JN Port. The other CFS on the eastern coast of India is nearing commissioning by September this year..
2 . Looking at the overall quality of LCL Logistix (India) Pvt. Ltd, Tuscan Ventures, a key player in logistics investment sector has invested in LCL with a 15-per cent equity stake. You said that the funds would be utilised for developing world-class infrastructure. Please throw light on this.?
Tuscan venture’s investment goes well beyond the 15 per cent they have picked up. Tuscan’s investments helped us to create modern facilities and equipments. Their hands-on experience in logistics and infrastructure segments go a long way in furthering our quality and organisational structure. Besides Tuscan’s investment, LCL has managed through internal resources in the fresh investments in developing CFSs. LCL Group is a leader in projects cargo handling. How do you feel about this highly professional area of business?
As you rightly said, projects cargo handling is a specialised segment in cargo sector. Initially, it gave us fresh experience. We have created teams of specialised professionals in handling projects. Within short span of opening this business within our group, we have handled a sizeable number of projects cargo for various reputed organisations. LCL has created an exclusive division, under the banner LogixLift, for handling projects. We are thorough with handling different kinds of projects with proven efficiencies.
3 . You have created a separate division for airfreight business. It gives a clear indication that LCL is also having a strong presence in air cargo forwarding ....?
Yes, the group has an exclusive division, LCL AIR, providing global airfreight service. LCL AIR is a reputed IATA air cargo agent and over the years we have gained a strong foothold in international airfreight sector. We also provide integrated air-sea forwarding with a combination of air freight with ocean freight, besides Customs brokerage, inland transportation and integrated air logistics services. LCL AIR’s comprehensive services are cost-effective, and provide shipment guarantee and time-definite delivery.
4 . LCL is a leading name in multinational transportation of cargo. Providing multiple services by different modes of transportation needs performance efficiency. How do you manage it?
LCL has dedicated people. The wide experience that our people have gained is performing and gives results. Our purpose of segmentation into small, manageable phases reduces the workload on our key people and that helps increasing efficiency. I feel strongly that the management can break a programme into multiple phases, hand over to right people and see them performing.
5 . In the current year, LCL is completing its fastest growth of two decades. What do you attribute to the company’s rapid overall growth of service profiles, national and global networks, infrastructure and eventually the company’s turnover?
It is our reputation. The strong reputation that we have built through these years has created customer confidence. Customers are keen in reliability and cost-effective service. We deliver value, reliability and trust. Ours is a people-driven logistics company. Our people are educated and are cross-trained for multifunctional services. LCL’s improved efficiency is contributing to increasing value that leads to greater heights of quality. LCL’s continuous investments in infrastructure is adding to our courage to challenge the current competition and to meet the changing requirements of customers.
6 . Can you brief on your Logix Park at Pipavav?
Our Pipavav facility is a special infrastructure project providing premium services to customers. Strategically located in the Gulf of Khambat in Gujarat on the west coast of India, the CFS is well connected by Indian rail network by CONCOR and National Highways. A private sector rail line is also connecting the Pipavav Port to hinterland. Pipavav makes an ideal gateway for States in North India and West India such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and also for Central India like Madhya Pradesh. The port is also ideal due to its proximity to regions producing agro commodities, like cotton, sesame seeds, soya bean cake, besides stones and minerals from Rajasthan.
Specifically branded Logix Park, our Pipavav infrastructure is just 3-km from the port and located on the main highway. Our facility is spread in an area of 40 acres. The first and second phases of construction consisted of 2 lakh SQF of warehousing, in addition to the first phase of 70,000 SQF of warehousing space; container parking area of 5 lakh SQF, capable of storing and stacking over 5,000 TEUs; reefer storage facility; and, storage facility for handling hazardous cargo meeting all safety requirements.
We have deployed modern material handling equipments at the CFS in order to enhance productivity and performance. Towards making our CFS environment-friendly and aiming at avoiding spillage of oil/diesel, we have powered our equipment with CNG/LPG. We provide tight, 24x7 security, and the entire CFS premises are monitored through CCTV. The CFS has facilities for container repairs and maintenance.
7 . Besides developing new infrastructure, are you planning expansion of LCL network of branches?
LCL has widespread national and international networks, connecting world to India and India to the world. We have global presence, having offices in USA, Canada and Singapore. Our international network is constantly growing. In the current year, we shall set up operations in Germany, Africa and China. Besides our corporate office in Mumbai, our national network of branches covers western zone through 11 own offices, eastern zone with two offices, northern zone having nine offices, and southern zone through seven offices, providing multimodal transportation of cargo forwarding, Customs clearing, logistics, warehousing and distribution, consolidation, containerisation, projects cargo management, and value-added services.
