Total solutions

INTERVIEW: Vishal Gupta

'Transformation is not easy, but we have succeeded'

Total Logistics' parent company, Surat Goods Transport Private Limited, was founded in 1963 by R P Gupta. Today, it is an ISO 9002 certified organisation with over four decades of industry experience and expertise. The Rs 200 crore Surat Goods enjoys leadership status in transportation and distribution, with a network of 12 regional offices, 100 branch offices, 42 warehouses and a large fleet of trailers, trucks, cranes, forklifts and elaborate ground infrastructure.

In 1998, the parent company formed Total Logistics (India) Pvt Ltd with a view to specialising as a solutions provider in integrated logistics. It has grown rapidly in a short span of time, spreading its roots firmly across the industry. Total Shipping India Pvt. Ltd, the latest addition to the Group, has made shipping an intricate part of the supply chain management process.

The group manages a daily inland movement of over 800 trucks transporting 10,000 metric tonnes of cargo. It manages over 1,100,000 sq ft of warehouse space across the country, and has global partners in USA (East Coast), Spain, Singapore, Dubai, Turkey, etc. Vishal Gupta, director, Total Logistics, wants to use global best practices in supplying customised solutions to clients.
Excerpts from an interview.

Q. What are the main strengths of Total Logistics?

Our major strength is that we are a company that provides end-to-end supply chain solutions, such as international forwarding, custom clearance, road transportation and warehousing for serving our vital clients across India. We started as a road transportation company more than 40 years ago and integrated both forward and backward. Today we have 120 offices across India, partners all across the globe and our own offices in China and Hong Kong.

Q. Have Indian logistics companies transformed themselves from cargo movers into end-to-end solutions providers?

We are among the few Indian companies, I believe, which are moving cargo from any part of the world to India. Transformation is not easy, but we have succeeded and crossed this milestone.

Q. What difficulties do Indian logistics companies face due to factors like inadequate infrastructure and other reasons?  

Development of infrastructure such as airports and seaports is not well thought out and planned for the next 50 years, and the new airports being built at Bangalore etc., look to be small, compared to the volume that we will be handling in future. Privatisation of railways and airports planned by the government is a very good move and we believe that things will be better, but the pace of development is very slow. Each state works like a country and we need to reduce the paper work in states, if possible.

Q. What milestones has Total Logistics crossed in its entrepreneurial journey?  

Total Logistics is one of the few Indian logistics companies that has its own offices in Hong Kong and China (Shanghai), while we are planning to open many more branches in China. Total Logistics also has a bonded warehouse facility in Panvel.

Q. What are your future plans and where do you see Total Logistics three to five years from now?  

In the next five years, we would like Total Logistics to be among the top Indian logistics companies across the world, providing the best services and having offices in most of the Asia Pacific countries.

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"In the next five years, we want Total Logistics to be among the top Indian logistics companies in the world, providing the best services and having offices in most of the Asia Pacific countries"
Vishal Gupta
Director, Total Logistics India (Pvt) Ltd