The Mumbai-based transporter believes in delegating operations to ‘experts’ in each field and has benefitted tremendously by partnering with JK Tyre for its tyre requirements and maintenance, reports Rajesh Rajgor
In this edition, we stopped by Masjid Bandar in Mumbai, a prominent area recognized as the hub of the one of the largest shipping, logistics and maritime companies of India. The area’s close proximity to the dockyard has helped it host many logistics and freight forwarding companies. One such company is Parasmani Roadlines Pvt. Ltd. (PRPL), a company registered in the Carriage by Road Act that began serving customers in the mid 1960’s as a logistics company. The company’s name PRPL was officially christened in 1987. Paras Jain, PRPL Director, said: “Started as a humble company by the name of Star Transport Company and then renamed as PRPL in 1987, we have grown in stature and reputation by keeping up with technology trends, transportation advances, and customer needs.”
PRPL has become a leading, full-service transportation and logistics services company offering services that are second to none ever since. Today with a fleet of around 350 trucks, 100 of which have been added in the last 6-8 years, PRPL is engaged in the movement of all consignments – container movement, raw material and finished goods. “Once the clients give their requirements, they can be rest assured that the work will be done. We are a one-stop shop and believe in completing the work come what may. With our diversified fleet comprising of 32-feet containerized vehicles with a carrying capacity of 15 tons, which are ideal for volumetric loads, we do business pan-India with clients like JK Tyre, Nestle, ITC, Heinz etc.,” informed Jain.
Given the current slowdown and reduced freight rates, it is heartening to see PRPL growing at a stable pace. Jain, a qualified C.A, D.B.M., when asked how they manage to acquire clients, sustain and grow with them, replied: “Over the last 8 years we have been growing at a CAGR of 15 per cent. It is as much the result of our client servicing as much it is by the right management team. We have outsourced the vehicle maintenance to Ashok Leyland and tyres to JK Tyre. We have been leveraging assistance of JK Tyre technicians at our hubs at Kankroli, Mumbai, Pune, Mysore and Chennai. We get assistance from JK Tyre Truck Wheels Centre in Mumbai too.”
Outsourcing – the key to sustained growth
PRPL has achieved the feat with what Jain describes as delegating operations to experienced experts in the field. “We believe we should focus on our core competence of acquiring clients, servicing them on time, taking care of their goods (loading/unloading); hence the responsibility of keeping the vehicle in shape has to be shouldered by a team that specializes in it. JK Tyre not only helps us in standard tyre maintenance like wheel alignment, ensuring right air pressure, retreading, etc. but also guides us upon preventive measures like if a spring has a problem or a rod is not in shape or a nut-bolt is in proper place, that might impact the tyre life. With a fleet of over 300 vehicles it is difficult to keep track of each and every vehicle and hence by outsourcing the work we are able to focus on servicing our customers better than any other competitor,” said the Director.
With efficiency in service, personalized attention to customers and a fleet maintained in good condition, the turnaround time for PRPL is faster. The transporter also claims that ever since JK Tyre came up with the Cost Per Kilometre (CPKM) concept, they have been one of the first few customers to have benefited from the service. “Our tyres has been clocking 1,10,000 kms a year and there has been no problem with it whatsoever. Our trucks go to inspection and routine maintenance every 800-1000 kms at the hubs which further improves the tyre life.
Apart from the tyre life, routine maintenance also helps keep our trucks in good condition. The company also benefits from the containers that they get manufactured from reputed body-builder like Trimurti Engineering and Anthony in Mumbai. “With quality containers ensuring optimum space utilization, we are able to offer our customers the best rate for their goods at full capacity loading as per the prescribed payload,” shared Jain.
The industry that was expecting a dip of 3-4 percent in freight demand, post the increase in axle load ratio, saw a significant drop in freight rates to the tune of close to 10 per cent. “Yes, the customer is reducing the rates, which we were expecting as we had also added capacity; however, with better demand, the rates would not have reduced so much. This fall is more because there is no demand, especially in the automotive sector; the FMCG segment has remained stable though. Despite this we have seen growth as our contracts are fixed and apart from the fuel price fluctuations, customers do not bargain much,” he added.
Ask him if he falls for the discounts offered by the OEMs and wishes to add vehicles in the BS-IV regime, before the BS-VI vehicles roll out in April, Jain opined: “Businesses do not work on such short-sighted plans. Even if the discounts are tempting, we can’t just add up vehicles for the sake of it. We have to see some constructive expansion/demand kicking in. Unless that is seen, pre-buying, even at cheaper price doesn’t make a business case. Instead we will focus on acquiring new clients and optimum utilization of the vehicles we already have.”
Another important aspect that adds to PRPLs growth is their dedicated drivers. Considered as a backbone of the logistics industry, drivers’ loyalty is of top-notch importance. “We have dedicated drivers working with us for over a decade. We take care of them as partners and keep their health insured. We also provide them financial remittance in case of emergency or accidents,” concluded Jain.