Force Logistics encompasses longstanding experience and knowledge gathered by working for various pharmaceutical companies for several years. The pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical wholesalers' sector, and specifically their logistics processes, are characterised by their great complexity due not only to the products' inherent properties, but also due to the abundant and rigorous national and international regulations. Let’s get to know more about the Owner & Managing Director - Girish Joshi and his company.

How long have you been in the freight forwarding business? 

I started my career in this industry on the 21st November 1997.  In the year of 2006, I decided to open my own venture, hence started FORCE LOGISTICS PVT. LTD. 

How did you get into the freight and logistics industry? 

I was a supply chain MBA student and got a chance to join my very first job in this industry as a CAMPUS TRAINEE, and gradually I shaped my career with time and in 2006 the time has come when I felt so strongly to start with my own company.

What are the current difficulties or challenges you are facing in your country when it comes to shipping?

The estimated value of the global logistics industry is to be worth 300 billion USD. In India, around 10 to 15% of product cost can be attributed to logistics, which is comparatively significant from other economies like the USA or China. Logistics companies in India are fast evolving, but this progress does not come without challenges. Let us take a look at a few hindrances faced by businesses in this industry.

The major challenges for Indian Freight & Logistics Industry are:

Transportation Issues: In India, a predominant mode of freight cargo transportation is via road, with nearly 60% of cargo moved by road and 32% by rail. Due to oversaturated rail networks and high rail tariffs, the movement of goods is done by road transportation, which proves to be quite inefficient because of poor road infrastructure, multiple checkpoints, and congestion.

Port Sector Issues: Due to high turnaround times for ships because of overcrowded berths and delays in cargo evacuation unloaded at berths, logistics companies in India suffer unreasonably. Coastal shipping in India is hampered due to the weak land side and port facilities, and insufficient depth at ports discourage large vessels, thus curbing the large scale use of it for freight movements.

Technological and Skill Deterrents: In India, automation of processes is still in the embryonic stage and non-standardization in the industry due to its fragmentation further slows down the progress. Acceptance and adoption of technological advancements like RFID, tracking, warehouse management system, etc. can resolve the issues between domain requirement and IT. Besides this, there is lack of quality workforce in this sector, and the available skill set needs to be upgraded urgently.

For customs clearance in your country, any advice or guidelines you can provide to your future partners?

Customs clearance is a really typical task here in India, especially when it comes about IMPORT CLEARANCE.  We have different documentary requirements & procedures which vary by commodity to commodity, so my suggestion is always check with us prior to plan / move any shipment to India. 

If you can change anything about the freight forwarding industry, what would it be?

I personally feel the freight forwarding industry acts more or less with same pattern globally, and if I get a chance I would like to digitise the freight forwarding industry.  

What advice would you give to a person who is considering a career in the freight forwarding industry?

In my view, the freight forwarding industry has a lot of challenges and you have to prepare for it every day.  The most important factor to survive and grow in this industry, is that a person must have a 3 P’s i.e. P = POSITIVE ATTITUDE / P = PATIENCE / P = PRO-ACTIVENESS, any person having this 3P Quality can be a successful logistician. 

What is something you would like to us to know about your company?

As FORCE LOGISTICSâ„¢ “WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN LIMITATIONS, WE ARE ENGAGED IN EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES”.  As we are representing the service industry, we always try to gather information/knowledge and try to act accordingly.  For us, each shipment is very important, no matter the size, terms, value, and etc.  In addition, apart from General Services, our bucket is carrying some specialized services for specific industry verticals such as PHARMACEUTICAL, COLD CHAIN, DGR & CHEMICALS, PETROLEUM, FAIR & EXHIBITION, PACKAGING, WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION, AND EXIM CONSULTANCY.

Please tell us about your company. Where is your headquarters and when did you first establish the company? 

The FORCE LOGISTICSâ„¢ HEADQUARTERS based in New Delhi and we have 9 Branch / Satellite offices | Establishment Date: 01.09.2006 | we operate on a PAN INDIA basis and our Accreditations & Certification are:

IATA: INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION  

FIATA: FEDERATION OF INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION 

MTO: MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT OPERATORS 

AMTOI: ASSOCIATION OF MULTI MODAL TRANSPORT OPERATIONS OF INDIA 

FFFAI: FEDERATIONS OF FREIGHT FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION IN INDIA 

FIEO: FEDERATION OF INDIAN EXPORT ORGANIZATION 

ITPO: INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROMOTION ORGANIZATION 

FICCI: FEDERATION OF INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY 

ISO: 9001: 2015

What questions should be asked of a company to determine they're qualified to handle cold chain or temperature-sensitive shipments?

Customer Name of Industry Vertical if possible with reference, any latest shipment data, kind of service solutions they can provide for temperature sensitive products, and storage capacity. I believe this is enough to realize a qualification of a cold chain provider. 

How is the IoT improving the temperature-sensitive logistics sector? Are there any new technologies in particular that your company has embraced?

loT is leading digital transformations in supply chains. It’s already here and businesses are leveraging the technology to answer key questions such as: “Where is my product shipment, and when will it arrive?” and “Are my temperature-sensitive assets at risk?” Companies can leverage big data analytics that IoT connectivity provides to increase visibility and transparency across the cold chain, allowing for deeper, prescriptive insights that lead to a decrease in risk of damage and waste, thereby generating more effective operational results and revenue potential.  As far as FORCE LOGISTICS is concerned, we really haven’t adopted any such technology till now. 

What's the most unique cold chain shipment you've ever handled?

Since we are one of the specialized company for pharmaceutical, DGR, Chemical etc., we have handled a lot of shipments but I remember a shipment we have handled a few years back containing HUMAN BLOOD PLASMA which were stuffed by our team at AIRPORT APEDA Location and further moved on an ENVIROTAINER CONTAINER.   

How important is cold chain logistics to an individual person/consumer?

Cold chain logistics is a vital point when it comes to move a sensitive item moved from 1 point to another. It’s not only about a normal shipment. Sometimes a cold chain shipment can carry a lifesaving drug – time critical or highly expensive product line, so in any case it’s always critical. 

What's required of a cold chain specialist to stay relevant and current in the industry?

A cold chain specialist should be aware of the latest equipment’s, packaging solutions, storage and distributions actives etc.  There are a number of new processes and procedures being introduced so it’s always good to try to gather maximum information from the market and internet to be updated with the industry’s pros & cons.

What exactly is cold chain logistics? How would you define it?

It’s a temperature controlled supply chain where we have to ensure uninterrupted series of refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities, along with associated equipment and logistics, which maintain a desired range of temperature.