While it’s a fact that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in upending every sector in the country, but its wrath only unleashed a wave that served as catalyst for India’s industrial and logistics real-estate sector, with leasing on the rise and expected to touch a high of 100 mn sq ft by 2023 as e-commerce and manufacturing expand base in the country. Importantly, the entry of Indian business giants in the space signifies that the e-commerce segment is at the cusp of its next phase of growth and a major demand driver for India’s booming warehousing market.
Upamanyu Borah
As the coronavirus pandemic significantly impacted businesses and economy worldwide, consumers shifted consumption activity to online transactions. In the Indian context, given the rapid rise of e-commerce across non-metro cities, demand for storage spaces increased in tier II and III cities, which has further led to the growth of the logistics sector to keep up with the rising demand, ultimately driving real-estate growth.
A striking reason for the increased online spending per customer in these cities is driven by the development of last-mile delivery by the logistics companies and an exponential increase in the warehousing space.
A study earlier this year by consulting firm Praxis Global Alliance said that while in pre-COVID times (FY2018-2020), Grade A and B warehouses in India grew at 18 per cent CAGR, e-commerce and retail are expected to push growth of Grade A and B warehouses at a much faster pace over FY2018-2025.
This trajectory is expected to continue with annual investments being made to the tune of US$500 billion, with the projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2019-2025 standing at 10.5 per cent. Similarly, the investments made in the warehousing segment have increased by US$7.12 billion between 2018 and 2020. As the impact of the national lockdown became clearer, the leases and active request for proposal (RFPs) that were in various stages of completion reached full closure in the fourth and fifth quarters of 2020.
Latest perspectives on growth
Real-estate consultancy CBRE has projected that warehouse leasing, which reached a historic peak of 32 MSF in 2019, will touch nearly 100 MSF in the next three years.
Additionally, international property consultant Knight Frank in their latest report - India Warehousing Market Report – 2021 projects that annual warehousing transactions for the top eight Indian cities (primary markets) will grow at a CAGR of 19 per cent to 76.2 million sq ft (7.08 mn sq mt) by FY2026 from 31.7 million sq ft (2.95 mn sq mt) in FY2021.
As per the projections for the next 5 years (FY2022 – FY2026), the e-commerce segment is expected to take up significant space estimated to be 98 million sq ft (9.1 mn sq mt) approximately registering an increase of 165 per cent from the preceding period of FY2017 – FY2021. Third-party logistics (3PL) and other sector companies are expected to take up 56 per cent (83 mn sq ft) and 43 per cent (53 mn sq ft) more space respectively, over the same reference period.
With respect to total land committed to the warehousing development in the top 8 cities is approximately 22,488 acres, which will translate to a total buildable potential of up to 531 million sq ft. Existing warehousing stock already accounts for 329 million sq ft on this committed land, leaving about 202 million sq ft of potential warehousing space that can be developed in these land parcels.
Shishir Baijal, Chairman & Managing Director, Knight Frank India had said, “The past five quarters have been nothing short of a roller coaster ride as successive infection waves adversely impacted human life. During this period, most commercial real-estate asset classes have been impacted by the headwinds including the Indian warehousing sector. But inherent strength of the Indian economy, strong domestic consumer base and some unique opportunities arising out of the pandemic has mitigated the impact on the warehousing sector.”
“Supply chain disruptions from the pandemic have intensified the need for more institutional players in the warehousing segment which will ensure institutionalisation of the warehouse space, leading to greater participation from the big developers.”
“In the short run occupier activities will be dictated by the intensity of the pandemic however in the long-term perspective the sector should gain momentum aligning itself to India’s economy development trajectory,” Shishir added.
The Knight Frank report highlights that occupiers showed a marked preference for Grade A properties as they are much better geared toward tackling exigencies such as those posed by the pandemic. Increased demand by e-commerce companies also resulted in increased preference for Grade A properties. 65 per cent of all transactions during FY2021 were across Grade A properties with the exception of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, more than half the area transacted in all the top markets occurred in Grade A properties.
Development of Grade A warehousing facilities has increased in recent years, currently constituting 35 per cent of the total stock compared to 34 per cent in FY2020. Pune (71 per cent) and Chennai (71 per cent) have the highest concentration of Grade A stock due to their primary demand base of auto and auto ancillary occupiers. Mumbai (18 per cent) and Delhi NCR (29 per cent) being older markets have a significantly lower proportion of Grade A warehouses.
The report also evaluates 13 secondary markets. These markets show strong future potential as their current share in transactions have grown consistently from 12 per cent in FY2019 to 23 per cent in FY2021. Secondary markets accounted for 9.7 million sq ft (0.9 mn sq mt) of warehousing transactions during FY2021.
As per the report, in FY2021, warehousing demand in secondary markets has grown 31 per cent y-o-y compared to a 23 per cent y-o-y de-growth for primary markets. The secondary markets contribute around 23 per cent of overall warehousing demand in India. Among the secondary markets, Indore and Jaipur noted exponential growth of 306 per cent and 219 per cent, respectively in FY 2021.
A recent Colliers report suggested that leasing in Grade A industrial and warehousing spaces touched 10.1 million sq ft in H1 of 2021 across the top five Indian cities of Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Pune.
Delhi NCR led the leasing activity with a share of about 30.2 per cent, followed by Pune and Bengaluru with a share of 27.2 per cent and 20.0 per cent respectively. Almost 59 per cent of the total leasing was in Grade A industrial and warehousing facilities indicating increased inclination for high-grade structures.
The average length of warehousing leases is also getting longer, ranging from 6-9 years and even longer in some cases, the report noted.
On the supply front, the market witnessed 15.1 million sq ft of new building completions during H1 2021, a two-fold increase from H1 2020. Developers are racing to finish building completions to capture the burgeoning demand for industrial and warehousing space.
Delhi NCR accounted for almost 63 per cent of the new supply delivered in H1 2021, followed by Mumbai and Chennai accounting for 15 per cent and 11 per cent of the pie respectively.
Overall vacancy rate was at just over 12% with both Bengaluru and Chennai having the lowest vacancy rate of 6.3 per cent with Pune and Delhi NCR having the highest at 17.9 per cent and 17.4 per cent, respectively. All the cities saw an uptick in rentals in H1 2021 from those of last year. Bengaluru saw the steepest rise of about 19 per cent as demand outpaced supply, the report added.
Developers eye massive portfolio earnings uptick
One of Asia's largest diversified real-estate groups, CapitaLand recently launched ‘CapitaLand India Logistics Fund II’, its second logistics private fund of US$400 million (Rs 22.5 billion) to expand in India’s warehousing sector.
CapitaLand India Logistics Fund II will invest in the development of logistics assets in key warehousing and manufacturing hubs in six major cities namely National Capital Region (NCR), Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune as well as in emerging markets such as Coimbatore, Guwahati, Jaipur, Kolkata and Lucknow.
CapitaLand India Logistics Fund II will grow CapitaLand’s current total Funds Under Management (FUM) of US$79.2 billion across over 20 private funds and six listed trusts, further reinforcing CapitaLand’s position as one of the leading real-estate fund managers in the world.
The new fund follows the deployment of its first logistics fund, the US$400 million Ascendas India Logistics Programme, which was launched in 2018 to develop six projects in Bengaluru, Chennai, NCR and Pune. The projects have a total development potential of 12 million sq ft of space, two of which are operational with 2.8 million sq ft of leased space.
“The launch of CapitaLand’s second logistics fund in India is in line with the Group’s strategy to expand our fund management business to generate recurring Fee Related Earnings (FRE) and grow the Group’s Assets Under Management (AUM) in a capital efficient way. In 1Q 2021, CapitaLand’s FRE increased by more than 30 per cent year-on-year,”said Jonathan Yap, President- CapitaLand Financial, CapitaLand Group, who oversees CapitaLand’s business in India.
“Our target is to grow CapitaLand’s FUM to at least US$100 billion by 2024. We will do so by raising new funds across geographies and asset classes, as well as supporting the growth of our existing REITs, business trusts and private funds. We will continue to leverage CapitaLand’s real-estate investment and fund management capabilities to grow our funds in our core markets of Singapore, China, India, and Vietnam as well as our focus markets such as Australia, USA and Europe where there is strong investor demand,” Yap further added.
In 2018, Singapore-based Ascendas-Singbridge Group and real-estate firm Firstspace Realty entered India’s industrial logistics and warehousing market with their first fund. In 2019, CapitaLand completed the acquisition of Temasek Holdings-owned Ascendas-Singbridge.
Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand owns and manages a global portfolio worth about US$137.7 billion as of March 31, 2021. In October 2019, CapitaLand announced that it aims to more than double its AUM in India to US$7 billion by 2024. Currently, CapitaLand’s total logistics AUM is about US$3.9 billion.
In total, CapitaLand targets to develop a logistics portfolio of 20 to 25 million sq ft of space in India by 2025. Ascendas-Firstspace manages the assets of Ascendas India Logistics Programme and CapitaLand India Logistics Fund II. Separately, Ascendas India Trust, a listed property trust, currently has seven warehouses located at the Arshiya Free Trade Warehousing Zone in Navi Mumbai.
Warburg Pincus-backed logistics development platform ESR is stepping up its investment in the industrial and warehousing space in the country, with a plan to operationalise 18 million sq ft portfolio in the next three years.
The company is also eyeing markets like Gurgaon, Chennai, and Bengaluru to expand its portfolio apart from venturing into tier II cities. The firm is looking to also acquire 8 warehousing projects across major hubs and these transactions are expected to be concluded over the next one year.
In December, ESR set up a second fund with Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC. The 80:20 strategic partnership of a US$750 million joint venture will see both the partners develop and acquire industrial and logistics assets in India.
ESR’s current portfolio is spread across nine cities, 15 locations, 700 acres of land acquired and 4.5 million sq ft warehousing under development. Apart from Pune, the company is currently developing warehousing projects at Hosur and Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, Farrukhnagar and Bilaspur in Delhi NCR, and Kothur in Hyderabad.
In June this year, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu for a potential investment of Rs 550 crores that will see the launch of two industrial parks in Kancheepuram and Krishnagiri districts of the state over the next five years.
According to a recent survey, Tamil Nadu emerged as the country’s top investment destination in the first quarter of 2020. The southern State accounted for 18.63 per cent of the Rs 97,859 crores of investments envisaged to execute 1,241 projects in the country. The diverse economic ecosystem makes Tamil Nadu a strong contender to attract investments globally.
Additionally, the momentous increase in the number of Grade A industrial parks shows that Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu has become the nodal point for supply chain and logistics in South India.
In Oragadam, the industrial suburb of Chennai, ESR recently acquired 39 acres land to establish a state-of-the-art industrial and logistics park to be spread across 36 acres. Oragadam houses over 22 Fortune 500 companies and is an existing hub for sectors such as automobile, auto-ancillary, R&D centres, 3PLs, electronics, energy, aerospace and defence. ESR Oragadam facility is being developed to the highest specifications and will be equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, demonstrating the full scope of ESR's sustainability initiatives and human-centric designs. It has been pre-certified gold by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). With this investment, ESR had expanded its India footprint to 14 locations.
“The Government of Tamil Nadu has been very supportive in encouraging industrial developments in the state by creating a favourable business climate for industrial players. Our goals are aligned with the vision of the Tamil Nadu government, to create avenues to increase business and trade inclusion opportunities and employment towards garnering better economic growth in the region,” Abhijit Malkani, CEO and Country Head, ESR India was quoted saying.
“Chennai has always been one of the key markets in our portfolio with a robust industrial ecosystem. We look forward to bringing more high-quality occupiers to this facility soon.”
ESR India also inked a MoU with the government of Maharashtra envisaging Rs 4,310 crore investments for setting up 11 projects around Mumbai and Pune. This was later followed by the developer’s announcement to invest Rs 330 crore to develop a second industrial and logistics park spread over 38 acres at the industrial manufacturing hub of Chakan in Pune.
Chakan is known for prominent industrial clusters for engineering, automobile, electronics, FMCG, and logistics corporations. The location has access to a large talent pool and a well-developed social infrastructure with quality housing, retail malls, medical, educational facilities, making it an ideal destination for manufacturing and warehousing.
“Chakan has been a significant location for our expansion in India due to its established industrial ecosystem and increasing demand driven by national and global companies for Grade A spaces in this region. This second park in Chakan will address this demand and help us strengthen our position in the western region of the country,” Malkani had expressed.
ESR’s first logistics park in Chakan is spread over 53 acres in MIDC and is operational from the fourth quarter of 2019.
Within a series of ongoing developments, the company’s plan to develop a 36.5 acre Industrial and Logistics Park in Jalisana, an emerging industrial hub of North Gujarat has come as the latest.
Close to established automobile manufacturing clusters of Vitthalapur and Becharji, Jalisana benefits from an existing industrial ecosystem. ESR Jalisana will be an enabler for consolidation, with flexible leasing options from 40,000 sq ft to over 500,000 sq ft Grade A spaces, a rare opportunity in this region.
“We are excited to enter one of the fastest-growing industrial zones of the country, with a robust manufacturing base and an upsurge in e-commerce adoption. We are ready to contribute to Grade A spaces to further augment industrial and warehousing activity in the region. ESR Jalisana industrial and logistics park will boost ESR India’s footprint to 18 million sq ft across strategically significant locations,” Malkani said.
Meanwhile, India’s largest investor, developer, and manager of Grade A industrial real-estate and logistics parks, IndoSpace most recently launched its new industrial park in Narasapura, near Bengaluru. The park will boost IndoSpace’s footprint in the manufacturing and industrial destination of Karnataka, with its modern amenities catering to the rising demand for industrial warehousing and logistics across sectors.
The Bengaluru warehousing market has seen 4.30 million sq ft leasing in FY2020. By consolidating the warehousing market, developers are venturing into the city’s prominent clusters with land acquisitions for Greenfield developments and making it a preferred destination for Japanese, European and Korean companies in the electronics, FMCG, and FMCD sector.
Rajesh Jaggi, Vice-Chairman– Real-Estate, Everstone Group said in a statement, “By offering a solid foundation with our Grade A logistics infrastructure to customers across sectors, we aim to tap into the manufacturing boom being witnessed in the state of Karnataka. In addition, the launch of our new park in Narasapura will further help in attracting global manufacturers to the state of Karnataka.”
In June this year, IndoSpace also launched two parks in South India, in Vallam and Oragadam areas in Tamil Nadu, adding 118 acres to its regional portfolio.
The real-estate arm of Everstone Group, IndoSpace has a portfolio of over 43 million sq ft across 41 industrial and logistics parks pan-India. In 2020, it spent around US$500 million across nine acquisitions. Further, it plans to add four million sq ft of warehousing space by the end of 2021.
Earlier this year, IndoSpace and Model Economic Township, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, have jointly acquired 55 acres at Farukhnagar, in Haryana, to develop a warehousing facility.
The land parcel has development potential of 1.28 million sq ft. With this, IndoSpace expanded its footprint in Delhi NCR to over 480 acres across eight industrial parks.
“We are excited to enter one of the fastest growing industrial zones in partnership with Model Economic Township as we continue to evaluate opportunities across the country,” Jaggi said.
“Model Economic Township’s expertise in developing large-scale industrial infrastructure in this micro-market will add significant value to this partnership. This project highlights IndoSpace’s focus on supporting the growth of India’s logistics sector, which will continue to expand robustly due to improved warehousing infrastructure,” he emphasised.
IndoSpace has been a pioneer in facilitating green warehousing in India. Through its commitment towards sustainability, IndoSpace continues to play an active role in the advocacy of green buildings and responsible operations. Additionally, IndoSpace Core’s Green Finance Framework is the first-ever globally to have incorporated EDGE certified green buildings in the warehousing space being externally reviewed by CICERO Shades of Green.
In line with this, IndoSpace won the ‘Logistics Deal of the Year – India’ honour at the Asset Triple A Infrastructure Awards 2021. It triumphed for closing a US$137.6-million green loan facility provided by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC).
The loan facility is an extensive portfolio financing of logistics and warehousing, covering 14 projects in the prime warehousing hubs of Pune, Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi NCR. The loan will be used to finance or refinance certified green projects.
The green buildings have also achieved the EDGE certification by the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group.
“IndoSpace moved to green warehousing early and is continuously integrating sustainability aspects into our operations and construction practices. The focus on efficient resource- management has been part of our blueprint from the start. I would like to credit the amazing team at IndoSpace, as well as the strong and collaborative relationships with our investors, customers and partners for these coveted recognitions,” Jaggi added.
Catching up to
In the coming years, the warehousing sector may see a shift in trends. As taxes have been reorganized across the country, and the Input Tax Credit (ITC) is now available across all product and service lines, outsourcing logistical activity is the next logical step for most sectors. The warehousing sector will undergo a significant evolutionary shift. Massive service upgrades by large, modern technology-based warehousing operators could potentially become a trend. The warehousing industry is maturing, and even newer developers have begun to include quality criteria and infrastructure as a regular offering.
Ecom Express Limited, India’s sole pure-play B2C e-commerce logistics provider as of the Financial Year 2024, has introduced a new brand identity, underscoring its commitment to customer-centricity. This rebranding reflects a focus on addressing specific customer needs, prioritising customer-facing metrics, and integrating innovative technology across its nationwide express logistics network. The goal is to enhance speed, agility, and network reach, ensuring a customer-focused approach. The rebranding includes a dynamic logo and a refreshed visual identity, symbolising Ecom Express’s pursuit of excellence. The new logo features a forward-moving arrow within a square, representing the company’s dedication to delivery. The letter "E" in the logo stands for Expression, Innovation, and Progress, while the bold magenta colour signifies bravery, self-expression, and strength. This vibrant magenta reintroduction reflects Ecom Express's renewed commitment to customers, partners, and team members, as the company aims to simplify and democratise logistics for all. Ajay Chitkara, CEO and MD of Ecom Express, elaborated on the transformation, stating, “Our refreshed brand identity reaffirms our customer-first approach as we continue to integrate technology and innovation to provide reliable, high-speed services with the widest network reach. This transformation also underscores our commitment to our employees and delivery partners, who are essential to our business.” The new logo embodies Ecom Express’s dedication to its core values, focusing on customer welfare and fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. This rebranding signifies a promise to redefine logistics through advanced technology, making life easier for all types of customers.
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) held its 6th EC Meeting for the term 2021-23 on May 27 and 28 in Bengaluru. The meeting was attended by the Office Bearers and 28 Member Association representative of FFFAI from across the country, there were many issues discussed and updates provided concerning customs, CBLR, EDI, Service Tax/GST, logistics, air cargo, sea cargo, skill development,importance of social media which FFFAI has expanded recently, technology developments, etc. The special focus of the 6th EC meeting was the updates on forthcoming 24th Biennial Convention of FFFAI to be held from August 12 to 14, 2022 in Chennai with the theme LOGISTICS RESHAPE, EMBRACE AND SURGE IN THE DIGITAL ERA. At this EC meeting, FFFAI also implemented Digital Learning platform for members and next generation for e-learning. It has been decided that FFFAI would initiate FIATA eFBL here in India to benefit the trade, which empowers customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers. In addition, updates on the recently held FIATA HQ Meet was also provided by the concerned members of FFFAI. FFFAI members present at this EC meeting stressed upon enhancing productivity on ICEGATE for trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business. The FFFAI members also urged for creating a dedicated portal for LSP integration. As regard to skill development initiatives, IIFF’s (training arm of FFFAI) past and forthcoming training programmes (both online and classroom/physical) for the entire logistics industry were presented at the EC meeting. In addition, FFFAI’s various initiatives on capacity building through technology/IT also discussed withadequate importance. Recent activities of FFFAI Women’s Wing including organising interactive meetings with Government of India officials and industry experts were highlighted at this meeting which drew huge appreciation from the members. The members committed to expand the activities of the Women’s Wing in all the 28 member association locations to empower/encourage the women logistics practitioners. At this EC meeting FFFAI has signed an MoU with the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) with an objective of skilling the aspiring candidates looking for opportunities in the logistics sector. Notably, a special session was organised at this 6th EC Meeting where N Sivasailam, former Special Secretary (Logistics), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India was present to address the FFFAI members and highlight the recent initiatives of the government in strengthening the logistics infrastructure, thereby leading in increase of international trade through multimodal connectivity and faster cargo clearance. He projected the ambitious growth potential of the logistics industry in India with a strong collaboration between government and industry people. Also speaking on the occasion was Bani Bhattacharya, IRS, who interacted with members of FFFAI on various initiatives of CBIC for the trade facilitation without human intervention. FFFAI Chairman Shankar Shinde thanked all the 28 associations for their support and appreciated the contribution of CBIC/DG systems trade facilitation measures. FFFAI Member Associations are: 1. Ahmedabad Custom Brokers' Association2. Aurangabad Customs House Agents Association3. Association of Custom House Agents Thiruvanthapuram4. Bangalore Custom House Agents Association5. Brihnamumbai Custom Brokers Association6. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association7. Chennai Customs House Agents Association8. Cochin Customs Brokers' Association9. Coimbatore Customs House and Steamer Agents Association10. Custom Brokers Association Hyderabad11. Delhi Customs Brokers Association12. Goa Custom Brokers Association13.Indore Customs House Agents Association14. The Kakinada Customs Brokers Association15. Kandla Custom Brokers Association16. Kanpur Customs Brokers Association17. Ludhiana Customs House Agents Association18. Mangalore Customs House Agents Association19. Mundra Customs Brokers Association20. Nagpur Customs House Agents Association21. Nashik Customs House Agents Association22. Nadia Custom Brokers Association23. Pipavav Custom Brokers Association24. Pune Customs House Agents Association25. Rajasthan Customs House Agents Association26.Tuticorin Custom Brokers Association27.Visakhapatnam Cusotms Brokers' Association28.West Bengal Custom House Agents Society FFFAI welcomes Women in Logistics/Youth in Logistics to participate on FFFAI forums and also invites membership application form logistics service providers in industry as this is a big national and international forum to network.
Building a visionary company requires one percent vision and 99 percent alignment. This analogy resonates deeply when we compare the process of building a company to conducting a symphony orchestra. Just as a conductor leads musicians to create a harmonious masterpiece, a successful business and its management fosters alignment among team members to achieve extraordinary success. In the business world, this vision translates into a clear understanding of where the company wants to go and what it aspires to achieve. The one percent of vision acts as the guiding force that sets the stage for greatness. However, a conductor alone cannot create a symphony. The true magic lies in the collective effort of the musicians, each playing their part to perfection. Similarly, in a visionary company, alignment becomes paramount. Every team member needs to be facing in the right direction, equipped with the right skills, and focused on delivering the right results at the right time. By fostering alignment, harnessing the diverse talents within the team, and continuously fine-tuning performance, savvy teams and visionary leaders carry the potential to transform their companies into harmonious and successful organisations that resonate with greatness. Embracing the power of alignment, inspiring teams with a clear vision, and actively cultivating an environment where every member can contribute their unique talents, RE Rogers India has over the years formed an indispensable pillar of business triumph. Most recently, the company orchestrated a symphony of success handling over 300 events in the fiscal year 2023. Four of these were mammoth events taking place in four different cities at around the same time frame. And these were not merely gatherings, they were milestones. The four gigantic events (CPHI and PMEC 2023 – 28 to 30 November at India Expo Centre, Noida; ENGIMACH 2023 – 6 to 10 December at Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat; EXCON 2023 – 12 to 16 December at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru; PLASTIVISION 2023 – 7 to 11 December at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai) entailed approximately 650 on-ground manpower, 4300 packages, 370 equipment display, and 3600 vehicles. The symphony of greatness bubbled up in RE Rogers India's operational procedures and functions, and the teams and management leadership soared to create a masterpiece of lasting success as always. "To our heroes who faced the challenges head-on in handling their jobs with total finesse, and to our valuable customers who trusted us blindly during our busiest period pan-India: A HUGE THANK YOU!," the RE Rogers India team was quoted expressing in a LinkedIn post. As the demand for large-scale events and exhibitions continues to rise, the need for comprehensive and reliable exhibition logistics services has never been more critical. In India, where the exhibition industry thrives, one name stands out among the rest — RE Rogers India — who have been delivering unparalleled logistical solutions tailored to the unique demands of the exhibition sector. RE Rogers India have years of first-hand, specialist experience in handling every aspect of exhibitions, ranging from freight forwarding, transportation, customs formalities, secure handling of materials, on-time delivery and site assistance and supervision. Remember that logistics is not just about getting your materials from point A to point B; it’s about ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for everyone involved in your exhibition, from exhibitors to attendees. So, if you partner with RE Rogers India, you’re not just hiring a logistics company; you’re bringing a dedicated and reliable team on board to ensure your exhibition materials reach their destination in perfect condition and on time. Having served a variety of clients from both the domestic and international arena, the company has developed deep understanding of the unique challenges of delivering time-critical goods in the face of huge crowds, open day pressure, and complex logistical requirements. RE Rogers India fully understands the value of complete exhibition sets in terms of the clients’ reputation and market standing, ranging from trade show booths, exhibits, and other equipment, which include wooden panels, steel frames, prefabricated designs, bunk houses, E-houses, printed material, lights, electronic items and other display resources. The company therefore takes utmost care to pay close attention to critical things like packing, loading, storing, lifting, etc. so as to eliminate any chance of damage. Due diligence is also exercised in choosing optimum and fastest mode of transport to enable the materials to reach the venue well in time, so as to facilitate timely set-up by the clients team at the venue. Post-exhibition, pick-up and delivery back to the shipper is also handled. With RE Rogers India as your esteemed logistics partner, you can focus on wowing your audience and making the most of your exhibition experience. Under the astute leadership of Ravinder Sethi, RE Rogers India is not just reaching new heights; it is setting successive benchmarks. With the innate ability to see through the intricacies and a commitment to perfection down to the minutest detail, Sethi has steered the company towards a trajectory of unparalleled success. His visionary approach complemented by the team's meticulous attention to excellence have become the driving force behind RE Rogers' ascent in the events and exhibition logistics sector. The collective efforts of Sethi and his entire team continue to sculpt a legacy of precision and excellence in the world of logistics that remains exciting, challenging and rewarding.
A significant milestone has been achieved in the Indo-Bangla railway project with the inauguration of the inaugural freight train connecting Bangladesh's Gangasagar to Tripura's Nischintanpur. This momentous event marks a significant step forward in strengthening the rail connectivity between the two neighboring countries. The new railway connection is set to enhance trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, providing a more efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation for goods. It will not only boost bilateral trade but also promote economic development in the region by opening up new opportunities for businesses and industries. The Indo-Bangla railway project is part of a broader effort to improve connectivity and foster closer ties between the two nations. It is expected to play a vital role in facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both countries.
The past decade has been a transformative period for the Indian logistics sector, characterised by a blend of challenges and growth opportunities. Key milestones such as the formal recognition of logistics as infrastructure, the implementation of GST, and disruptions from COVID-19 have reshaped the industry landscape. During this time, technology adoption surged, sustainability became a focal point, and the sector prioritised agility and resilience. As a result, new business models emerged, and the sector registered a growth rate of 8%-9%. Throughout this period of growth, logistics companies have created significant value for their customers by offering innovative solutions, improving efficiency, and providing exceptional service experiences. However, the process of capturing and capitalising on this value is complex, requiring long-term investment and strategic focus. Companies typically follow one of two paths: competitive pricing or superior customer value. Yet, only a few have successfully extracted profits and solidified their competitive position, while others have faced decline. On a broader scale, while the logistics sector has made substantial progress in innovation, infrastructure, and technology, its financial returns and profitability have often fallen short of expectations. The challenge lies in the varied performance of subsegments such as express delivery, e-commerce logistics, and contract logistics. Each of these subsegments faces distinct challenges, influenced by factors such as market demand, regulatory policies, technological integration, and investment levels, leading to diverse outcomes across the sector. India's transportation sector is predominantly road-based, with nearly two-thirds of the market share. Among road logistics, Full Truck Load (FTL) remains highly fragmented, with a minimal presence of organised players. While the market has nearly doubled over the last decade, along with technology adoption in fleet and transport management, startups like Blackbuck have made attempts to drive the sector toward organisation, but no significant breakthroughs have emerged. As a result, FTL has struggled to create substantial value for customers, and profitability within the segment has remained stagnant. The second major segment in road logistics is Part Truck Load (PTL) services, where organised players have made gradual improvements. Companies like VRL and V-Trans India have established a national presence, supported by relevant infrastructure and technology. These organised players have delivered tangible value to customers, improving profitability alongside revenue growth through a cost-conscious approach. Rail logistics, on the other hand, has created significant value in specific subsegments, such as container train operators, private rail operators, and car carriers. While Indian Railways remains the primary infrastructure provider, private players like Adani, DP World, Gateway Distriparks, and Pristine have experienced profitable growth over the past decade. E-commerce logistics has been the most hyped segment in the last ten years. While e-commerce logistics started gaining traction in 2010, it exploded in 2014 with technological advancements and the emergence of new-age companies. This segment has grown into a US$6 billion market, creating immense value by reducing transit times, improving customer service, and offering tech-driven solutions. However, as these differentiators become industry standards, the rate of value creation has slowed. Despite significant investments to achieve profitability, most e-commerce companies are still either EBITDA-negative or marginally positive. While they have made strides in reducing losses, profitability remains below industry benchmarks. The express logistics segment, largely controlled by organised players, has also experienced incremental improvements in service offerings and customer service. Despite challenges such as declining document volumes, slow air cargo growth, and cost pressures, express logistics has achieved double-digit growth. However, the segment has failed to create significant new value, as many differentiators have now become standard offerings. This inability to create and capture value raises concerns for the future of express logistics. In contrast, the contract logistics segment has benefited from complex global supply chains and the post-GST momentum, providing significant opportunities for value creation through optimisation. Organised players, with their advanced solutions, technology, and automation, have been able to capture substantial value in this segment. Overall, while the logistics industry has created value across most of its segments, the ability to capture this value has been suboptimal. Factors such as technological advancements, sustainability trends, and evolving customer expectations will continue to influence value creation. However, value capture will hinge on effective pricing strategies, market positioning, and operational scalability. In the future, a balance between continuous innovation and profitability will be essential for long-term success in the logistics industry. Author: Vikash Khatri, Founder, Aviral Consulting
Trade shows are mission-critical, high-investment events where logistics execution directly influences marketing ROI. Exhibitors spend months preparing for a few days on the floor, since a single missed delivery window can jeopardise the entire programme. In this environment, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) trade show logistics is no longer just transportation; it is an orchestration of timing, compliance, risk control, and venue-specific expertise. While standard LTL carriers can handle general freight, elite trade show shippers excel because they are built for the ecosystem — understanding drayage, marshalling yards, target windows, live-loading rules, equipment constraints, and the high-value nature of exhibits. This updated guide unpacks the differentiators that set the best providers apart, enhanced with additional dimensions such as KPIs, risk mitigation frameworks, technology adoption, sustainability practices, and a practical vendor-evaluation checklist. The Key Differentiators of Elite Trade Show Shippers When shipping general freight, a standard LTL carrier may be sufficient. However, event logistics demand a higher level of specialised service. The top trade show shippers possess four key differentiators that distinguish them from the rest. Proactive and Specialised Support Trade shows operate on rigid move-in schedules tied to booth size, dock flow, and decorator rules. The strongest providers deploy dedicated trade show teams who can interpret show manuals, coordinate with decorators, and time deliveries to avoid re-handling fees. Best-in-class partners also: Pre-audit documentation and labels to avoid show-site rejections Manage drayage coordination to reduce dwell and material-handling charges Offer pre-receiving and staging at regional facilities for smoother Day-1 move-ins This advisory-driven model transforms logistics from a cost center into a risk-mitigation service. Flexible Coordination and Network Access Because no two events are alike, trade show logistics demand configurable access to LTL, FTL, hot-shot, air, and international capacity. Top providers match service levels, route constraints, and budget requirements by tapping into broad asset and partner networks. A sophisticated network allows for: Expedited or guaranteed-capacity moves for high-stakes shows Cost-effective options for booth materials that can stage early Lane-specific equipment (air-ride, liftgate, climate-controlled) This flexibility becomes essential during peak show seasons when capacity is tight and timelines narrow. Guaranteed Performance and Asset Protection Event deadlines are immovable. Leading providers commit to guaranteed on-time service, narrow ETA bands, and contingency planning across linehaul and last-mile execution. They also emphasise exhibit protection through: Air-ride suspension fleets Strapping, padding, and vibration-control practices Secure transport protocols for prototypes and LED/AV assets With show participation costs rising, damage and delay prevention become competitive differentiators. End-to-End Visibility and Services Real-time visibility is no longer optional. Tocay, exhibitors rely on it to make staffing, booth-build, and drayage decisions. The best LTL partners deliver: Live tracking from pickup to booth delivery API connectivity with exhibitor dashboards Pre-emptive exception alerts and delay recovery paths For international events, leading providers integrate customs documentation, Carnet handling, temporary import permits, and venue-specific rules, ensuring frictionless handoffs across borders. What Are the Best LTL Logistics Companies for Trade Shows? Several providers exemplify these differentiators. The following firms are selected based on their demonstrated strength in specialised show support, performance-oriented service design, event fluency, flexible coordination and comprehensive offerings that cover pre-show to teardown. 1. Green River Logistics Solutions A brokerage-led model with deep carrier reach, making it ideal for exhibitors with varied lane structures. Key strengths: Highly personalised coordination and single-point-of-contact support Flexible equipment sourcing — LTL, flatbed, refrigerated, heavy haul Real-time updates and precise timing for fragile builds 2. XPO Logistics A multinational leader with a controlled linehaul network and a dedicated Trade Show Desk. Key strengths: Tight schedule integrity Venue-specific coordination and dock navigation Strong performance management systems. 3. TWI Group A global exhibition logistics specialist excelling in international customs and venue compliance. Key strengths: ATA Carnet expertise and cross-border support On-site liaisons at major venues High-touch service model for global exhibitors 4. Averitt A time-definite, reliability-driven carrier focused on window compliance. Key strengths: Guaranteed performance Expertise with marshaling yards and dock appointments Rapid recovery for last-minute constraints 5. TTI Logistics A specialist for fragile and custom builds requiring maximum protection. Key strengths: Air-ride fleets and vibration-controlled handling Precision timing for target-move-ins Advanced security protocols Comparing the Top LTL Logistics Providers for Trade Shows These providers excel in different areas. This table offers a quick comparison of their key service features to help you align their strengths with your specific needs. New Strategic Enhancements Added for a Modern Exhibitor’s Playbook Technology Advancements Worth Evaluating AI-assisted ETA predictions Digital drayage coordination tools IoT-enabled condition monitoring for AV and prototype freight Automated warehouse cut-off compliance checks Risk-Mitigation Practices That Matter Pre-show risk audits Contingency rerouting plans Venue-specific compliance checklists High-value cargo insurance design Sustainability Expectations from Today’s Exhibitors Low-emission or EV linehaul and last-mile options Carbon-neutral freight programs Reusable or recyclable crating solutions Emissions dashboards linked to booth shipments Performance Metrics That Define Best-in-Class Providers On-time delivery to target windows Damage-free shipment percentage Visibility uptime SLA Drayage handoff accuracy Exception-resolution response time How to Vet Your Trade Show Logistics Partner Applying the key differentiators includes asking potential partners the right questions. When your program includes international stops, ask about their documentation process, how they manage Carnets and how visibility will work across handoffs. The following can further validate fit and execution discipline: What is your detailed experience with my venue and decorator? Can you guarantee delivery within target-window constraints? What risk-mitigation plan is activated if my freight misses staging cutoff? What specialised equipment will you use for fragile or custom exhibits? How do you integrate with drayage contractors and marshaling yards? Which visibility tools and tracking integrations are available? Can you manage international customs documentation end-to-end? What sustainability options can be applied to my show calendar? Your Partner Is Your Most Critical Exhibit A logistics provider is more than a freight handler; they are the enabler of your presence on the show floor. The right LTL partner combines timing discipline, technical fluency, equipment strength, and venue intelligence to protect your brand and maximise your event ROI. Elite trade show shippers don’t just move freight; they orchestrate flawless show execution.
The expansion of Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards strengthening trade relations between India and the Gulf region. The enhanced infrastructure and capacity of the port are set to benefit businesses and industries on both sides, facilitating smoother trade and commerce. The expansion of Dammam Port opens up new opportunities for Indian businesses to engage in import and export activities with the Gulf nations. It also serves as a strategic gateway for goods traveling to and from India, further improving the logistics and transportation landscape for businesses. The project showcases the commitment of both India and Saudi Arabia to enhance economic ties and boost bilateral trade. The increased port capacity will help meet the growing demand for trade between the two regions, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both nations.
Air India is setting its sights on a promising future as the exclusive carrier for TATA's iPhone exports. This strategic partnership between the renowned Indian airline and the tech giant TATA promises to boost India's manufacturing and export capabilities. The collaboration will enable Air India to become the sole carrier for TATA's iPhone exports, facilitating the efficient transport of these popular devices to international markets. With a reputation for reliability and global reach, Air India is poised to play a crucial role in TATA's supply chain. The move not only strengthens the relationship between two major Indian companies but also underlines India's growing importance in the global technology and manufacturing sectors. Air India's role as the exclusive carrier for iPhone exports is expected to generate significant revenue for the airline and enhance India's position as a hub for high-tech exports.
