Around May last year, V-Trans (India) Ltd. shifted its Corporate Headquarters to a posh 10,500 sq.ft., independent premises at Corporate Park, Chembur, Mumbai. The new premise is located at a convenient spot with the international airport and the Central & Western expressways in close vicinity. However, the change to a much-deserved corporate structure didn’t happen overnight, it was one amongst the many changes the company has been applying since its inception in 1958, to stay relevant to the current working day and age.
The company’s march towards excellence begin with the initiation of quality & quantitative analysis, a robust review system, budgets & targets, focused business policy and defined KRAs for all the line of employees in the mid 90’s. This saw the firm venture outside its comfort zone (Maharashtra-Gujarat) and for the first time enter the North-South belt, going to & fro. In 2001, the company took a bold and path-breaking decision to change its 44-year-old identity of Vijay Transport Company (VTC) to become V-Trans (India) Ltd. through an elaborate Corporate Identity makeover.
“Group-V was launched in May 2001 amidst huge fanfare with the creation of three separate business divisions namely; V-Trans (that comes under V-Trans India Ltd.) specializing in hard freight parcels management, V-Xpress for door to door pickup and delivery of time sensitive parcels by road, rail & air while V-Logis specializes in warehousing & inventory management solutions. We intend to be a single window solution provider to our customers for their entire logistics needs. We are happy that we were able to provide that,” expressed Mr. Mahendra Shah, Managing Director, V-Trans (India) Ltd.
Witnessing robust growth
On the back of up-to-date advancements like eCargo, Group V’s indigenous web based software providing real-time information, about the location of the consignment to both the company as well as its clients, formation of centralized customer service cell with toll-free help lines at corporate & regional offices, a single point contact for customers to get their queries and complaints resolved promptly and Next Day Parcel Delivery Service between select stations in Maharashtra & Gujarat, saw the company grow multifold in the period post corporate identity change.
Said Mr. Shah: “Robust growth has been achieved through implementation of technology.
We have benefited tremendously from adoption of technology. We have 100 per cent computer network integrating at all our branches along with the indigenous in-house ERP – eCargo, and digitalized customer interface documents. Even while battling the hard times of demonetisation and the implementation of GST, we have been able to have a steady growth of 10 per cent CAGR to reach a turnover of Rs. 800 crores. By 2020, we foresee a surge in our operations and look forward to double our turnover to Rs. 1,600 crores.”
Inclination towards digitization and cashless approach with drivers also helped the company deal with cash crunch during the brief demonitisation period. “Like many fleet operators, we too faced slow-down but things were back to near normalcy from the beginning of February. The onset of GST is a game-changer for the transport & logistics sector which is amongst the most affected due to the move – both beneficial and burdensome. We have been provided with three options as a Goods Transport Agency (GTA), a special category: 1) We can afford to remain unregistered. 2) Get registered under Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) where our clients have to pay 5% GST. 3) Charge 12% GST on Forward Charge Mechanism (FCM) where we collect GST from our clients and pay the Government. Currently we are paying 5% under RCM but would work out the best option which shall be beneficial to our clients and for us. We are very confident the businesses will start witnessing growth especially for logistics service providers since the trucks will have to halt less frequently at check-posts which would help improve asset utilization,” he elaborated.
The growth of the organization is also attributed to the excellent, well – maintained fleet. Today, the company has a strong support of over 1,000 vehicles (both owned and attached) plus regular dependable market supply. One would wonder how would the company be managing with the often-complained aspect of the fleet – the drivers. Mr. Shah explained: “It is important to understand the mindset of the drivers. My brother Hasmukh Shah must be credited for handling the drivers with utmost empathy. A glass of water or tea offered and words of respect can keep anybody highly motivated & committed.”
Delivering trust
V-Trans makes every effort to provide seamless, hassle-free services through a dedicated team of highly experienced and motivated professionals. They are given ample opportunities to grow and keep abreast with changing market dynamics, “We have created our own training and development center, called ‘Pathshala’ at Ahmedabad. Where our employees are trained to develop and enhance their skills. The center holds a four-days induction program every month and is equipped with two training rooms, a computer lab and a conference room. It also houses air-conditioned lodging and boarding facilities for 25 persons at a time. The center is host to yearlong calendar of trainings to staff across all cadres of employees in the organization, including Induction Programs,” he remarked. Clearly, embracing technology and helping grow people have garnered trust for V-Trans.
Care, as it is evident, is in the genesis of the company. To safeguard the goods on transit from far and few incidents like accidents, thefts, etc.; the shipment is covered under a unique insurance policy. “Marine Transit Insurance Policy, perhaps the first of its kind initiative in the industry, is given to reinforce customers’ faith in our services, promising easy, time-bound settlement of claims,” claimed Mr. Shah. The company also engages its employees. Since around eight years the company has been conducting NexStep – a prestigious, yearlong succession training to groom bright prospects within the existing workforce, ALP & NLP – personality grooming programs for Sr. Executives hiring professional trainers from outside, and BIC Training for Branch Managers.
The organisation’s dream project – The Vapi Super Hub – was inaugurated amidst much fanfare which boasts of platform level godowns with 24 bays for faster and breakage free movement of material. The RCC built compound facilitates dust free and smooth movements of vehicles. “The dedicated facilities for drivers and labourers includes, separate resting, living, sanitation and mess facilities,” he informed.
“Apart from our Vapi Super hub, we have more than 5 lakh sq. ft. of godown and office space to cater to our clients. All our transshipments are spacious having platform level decks with bays for loading and unloading and have smooth and sturdy floorings for faster and error-free loading and unloading. All transshipments are monitored through CCTV cameras and are connected with ERP network. We have these facilities spread over 500 branches over 23 States”, he revealed.
Business is in the blood
Vijay Transport Co (VTC) was formally started by Mr. K.K. Shah along with his 3 brothers – Mr. V.K. Shah, Mr. J.K. Shah and Mr. U.K. Shah from a 300 
sq.ft. godown in Chinchbunder area of Mumbai. Chinchbunder is a dense wholesale hub, close to the ports. In 70’s and 80’s the second generation entered the family business with Mr. Ashok K. Shah as Chairman, Mr. Mahendra K. Shah as Managing Director, Mr. Hasmukh K. Shah and Mr. Rajesh V. Shah, son of Mr. V.K. Shah, as Executive Directors. Today, even the third generation has entered the company. Mr. Vishal & Viral, sons of Mr. Ashok K. Shah, Chairman joined the V-Xpress & V-Logis divisions respectively. Mr. Aditya Shah, son of Mr. Mahendra K. Shah, MD, too have joined the family business (V-Trans division). All third generation youngsters are working as Directors and are post graduates from renowned universities in the US and the UK. They have infused fresh ideas and action plans into the business and together with the second generation tem have a logistic expertise of about 200 years.
While formally the door-to door service delivery has believed to come to India in 1980’s, Mr. Mahendra Shah stated that, in V-Trans it started as early as in 1960 when the company was known as Vijay Transport Company (VTC). He recalled, “Today when I see V-Xpress get into last mile delivery with the e-commerce companies, I remember how we were pioneered the same with our Ámba (Mango) Special deliveries way back in 1960s. In those days VTC was transporting packages containing mangoes (perishable item) from Mumbai to Kutch, Gujarat during the entire summer season and delivered in the stipulated time of 2-4 days to the right address.
Given the heights the company has achieved, the business of caring for goods and delivering trust will always be its top priority. “Every day we attempt to better than yesterday and that culture, I believe, we have inherited from our founders and it will continue to guide us for years to come,” concluded Mr. Shah.
As a group, V-Trans offers Single Window Freight Management, Transportation, Cargo Express Movement & Warehousing Management services & solutions under its 3 divisions:
V-TRANS
The main part of the group offers surface transportation solutions across the country. From Full Truck Loads (FTL) movement & Part Loads (PTL) — as small as 10 kg on a Godown to Godown or Door-Delivery Basis. Warehousing and Clubbing is an integral part of this service. Reaching clients consignments anywhere in India with 500+ branches.
V-XPRESS
Expert in time-bound, door-to-door safe deliveries, based on an integrated road, rail and air networks. A professional and a unique express service that is emerging as a separate national level company having its own hubs. As a torch bearer of Group V’s legacy, V-Xpress, like V-Trans is committed towards pursuit of fair and ethical business.
V-LOGIS
Offers comprehensive Warehousing & Inventory Management solutions to manage supply chain on regional and national scales. Service is extended to Inventory management for keeping a check on stocks, Integrated transportation facilities for all kind of goods till the end user and Reverse logistics for all goods to be returned from vendors.