In this exclusive story, the MOTORINDIA team speaks to Jasjit Sethi, CEO, Supply Chain, Transport Corporation of India, to discuss the firm’s contribution towards India’s freight movement and their six-decade long association with Tata Motors
Once limited to transportation, the logistics industry in India has matured into one of the most important sectors enabling the continued strong economic growth in the country.
A large portion of this fruitful journey can be credited to the rapidly evolving technological landscape which is not only revolutionising consumer demands and purchase patterns but also transforming the logistics sector supporting every economic activity. Today, the logistics industry has mushroomed its presence into just about every aspect of our lives. Right from sourcing to distribution, warehousing, and reverse logistics to payment collection, packaging and customer brokerage facilities – the logistics sector is practically keeping India on the move by providing producers and consumers with an expansive access to resources and supported by technological advances making it one of the most exciting sectors.
While the long strides in the country’s manufacturing, agriculture and retail sectors, India’s logistics ecosystem is anticipated to stretch its progressive streak, the emergence of e-commerce in recent years, on the back of the rapidly advancing digital technology is further fuelling the growth in these sectors. A recent media study reaffirms this optimistic future by stating that the Indian logistics sector estimated at USD 215 billion by 2021 and is expected to grow at double digit growth rates over the next 5 years. While many players are contributing to this elevated growth, one company that stands out is the Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCI), India’s leading integrated multimodal logistics service provider. The company reported a strapping group revenue of Rs. 4,300 crores in FY 2019-20, which is indicative of TCI’s multifaceted presence across the country’s logistics ecosystem.
Standing the Test of Time
TCI has grown from a single truck plying on a single route to becoming India’s leading integrated multimodal logistics service provider. It is with amalgamation of many diverse forces that a complete solution emerges. TCI’s range of services encompasses the entire gamut of supply chain services from the point of origin to the final end customer. Its distinctive combination of services gives it the ability to create customised solutions for every customer. As TCI approaches the new millennium, it is well equipped to take on new challenges with a host of exciting services that will further strengthen its presence in India and Asia.
Shining a light on the company’s six-decade long voyage, Jasjit Sethi, CEO, TCI Supply Chain Solutions says, “In the year 1958, the company embarked on a journey that progressed from ‘One Man, One Truck, One Office’ to India’s leading integrated multimodal logistics service provider with a global presence. Today, the TCI brands sprawls across an extensive network of 1,400+ IT enabled branch offices, managing a fleet of 12,000 trucks in operation, and 12 million square feet of warehousing space – all of which is functioned by a trained workforce of more than 6,000 employees.”
“We are committed to extending integrated surface transport solutions to diverse sets of customers across the world. Our dedicated fleet of own and business partners of 5,000 trucks and trailers ensures seamless freight movement services across the country.” Riding on such intricate operational frameworks and extensive service offerings, TCI is deemed as one of the most premier organised freight services providers with a pan-India presence.
Scripting a Symbiotic Growth Story
Delving deeper into the conversation, Sethi underscored TCI’s enduring association with Tata Motors by mentioning how the company has been using Tata Motors vehicles since its inception in 1958. Explaining the rationale behind this successful relationship between TCI and Tata Motors, Sethi says, “We have been using Tata Motors vehicles since our inception – a stretch of time that has braved through many revolutions across the past six decades. The Tata brand exudes trust, which reflects in just about every aspect of their services. Their quality of client servicing is unparalleled and their widespread service network, reach, and timely servicing protocols provide us with unflinching support in repairs and maintenance. In a recent example, during the national lockdown, one of our Tata Motors vehicle, en route JNPT, Mumbai from Kharagpur, West Bengal needed service support mid-way. The Tata Motors aftersales service team was contacted, the nearest dealership was located at a distance of about 100km. Despite the strict restrictions on movement during the lockdown, the servicing team arranged for passes, took necessary permissions and attended our vehicle. It was back on the road in just 12 hours!” The company’s faith in Tata Motors is attested by the fact that a majority share of TCI Freight’s current fleet size is sourced from Tata Motors.
Pioneering Products and Right Initiatives
Tata Motors commercial vehicles have played a crucial role in the evolution of the logistics sector in India and we have benefited from these pioneering products over the decades as we have patronised their products to support the growth in our business. Tata trucks are well known for their reliability and durability and are capable of taking the different challenges of moving goods across the length and breadth of the country. It is no secret that TCI’s patronage of Tata trucks is also for their reputation of being fuel efficient, strong and rugged giving it the advantage of low Total Cost of Operations (TCO).
Recently, Tata Motors have introduced the Ultra 1918 range of vehicles that offer the right balance between performance and fuel efficiency on one hand, and comfort, ergonomics and aerodynamic design features in the modern Ultra cabin on the other, which make driving these vehicles a winning combination. The Ultra 1918 cabin also offers a tilted telescope steering, which diminishes the stress of long drives, thus boosting comfort and convenience for our drivers. Powered by the new-generation ‘Fuel Intelligent’ 5-litre Turbotronn engine, these vehicles offer great fuel economy while delivering a superior driving experience. This new Tata truck is now an essential part of TCI’s fleet as it offers the best of productivity and economy for business and comfort for our drivers.
Shifting the course of this discussion to the most recent Tata Motors well-being initiative, Sethi expressed his approval of the Tata Samarth Program’s objective. “It is humbling and heart-warming to see how dedicated Tata Motors is towards ensuring that the driver community is presented with the right support and resources. The Samarth program does a stellar job at attracting new manpower to the profession and helping them and their families lead better lives.”
It must be acknowledged that the driver community plays one of the most important roles in ensuring that these plans are realised and the country is kept on the move. Humbled by their relentless toil and captivated by Tata Motors’ well-being objectives, Sethi places the comfort and well-being of all the drivers at the highest pedestal. “It is imperative for us to prioritise the health and safety of our drivers to make their journeys less taxing and more gratifying.”
With such meaningful vehicle designs, extensive aftersales services, and the trust they instil in the customers, Tata Motors’ endeavour to drive good for their stakeholders synergises strongly with TCI’s commitment and responsibility towards the wellbeing of the driver community.
Glimpse into the Future
With the Indian logistics sector poised for greater growth in the coming years, Sethi anticipates the association between TCI and Tata Motors will grow even stronger, given the incredibly crucial roles both companies play in ensuring the nation is provided with resources and the economy is kept on the move. Sharing his two cents on the way forward, the CEO says, “If everything remains just as suave and lucid, we believe our partnership with Tata Motors can help us move towards a sustainable future by exploring avenues of alternate fuel.” But until this vision is realised, Sethi expects Tata Motors to exhibit sustained efforts towards championing meaningful innovation in vehicle design and incorporating advanced technologies and built-in safety features that can help derive the best of conditions for the driver community. This focus on the well-being of drivers and other stakeholders would causally benefit the vibrant consumerism matrix and the overall resource provision across India’s industrial landscape.
“Having shared over six decades of professional synergies and experiences, Tata Motors’ association with Transport Corporation of India has been a long-standing and fruitful one, built on mutual trust. When it comes to designing and manufacturing commercial vehicles, Tata Motors has always strived hard to cater to the constantly evolving market conditions as well as the rapidly transforming customer requirements. TCI being one of our most important and leading customers, we have relied on their valuable feedback on our products and services to develop new products and continuously improve on our services to meet the growing needs of our customers.
Our wide ranging portfolio of commercial vehicles helps us cater to all segments of customers and fleet owners while ensuring that their TCO is in check, and the profitability is maximised. We have been involved in every aspect of services – right from product delivery and best-in-industry after-sale services to driver training – all of which have been integral in steering TCI’s business towards an upward growth trajectory. Our partnership has only grown stronger by the day and has been a win-win equation, not just for partners, but for all stakeholders involved as well.”
– RT Wasan, Vice President, Product Line, M&HCV, Tata Motors