This year has been a challenging year for all the industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to which the logistics sector is no exception. Every industry is facing the wrath of the pandemic and suffering huge losses. As per the latest Frost & Sullivan analysis on Post-Pandemic Growth Opportunity Analysis of the Indian Logistics Industry, it has been reported that the logistics will see only marginal growth in 2020 due to the strict containment measures in the country. However, an extensive focus on digitalization and technology adoption would go a long way in expediting the process of Post-COVID recovery.

Taking a cue from that, the AWL CEO Rahul Mehra emphasized the benefit of digitization and overall automation that would benefit the warehouse operators during such crucial times, “Natural disasters have always made it clear that the supply chains can be fragile. That’s exactly where the automation and robotics come into the spotlight, preparing the supply chains to adapt better in order to meet the unprecedented challenges today.”

Digitalization was not the only thing he focused on! He also advocated the need for the companies to proactively invest in automation for enhanced processes and increased visibility which would prepare the ground for attracting revenue post-COVID. Automation in the logistic sector helps the industry in many ways, such as it helps in reducing the wastage of time and enhances the customers satisfaction, which eventually leads to the growth of the company.

Frost & Sullivan’s Analysis states that technology adoption is speculated to gain traction during the post-pandemic recovery phase, expecting to drive the “Indian logistics industry to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2 percent between 2019 and 2025.” This will transform the supply chain and leading it to operate on “digital platform-based freight solutions and will also facilitate the last-mile delivery solutions.”

Focusing a lot more on contactless experience that is the need of the hour and the analysis puts forth other revenue attracting opportunities. One of them is the increase of the cold storage facilities and investment in the warehousing infrastructure to expand its capacity to handle multi-modal trans-shipments. With a great base to begin with, AWL continues to draw plans “to double our warehouse footprint to 1 million sq. ft.” says Mr. Mehra.

Cold storage facilities would also bring about the emerging health benefits by reducing employee density in warehouse facilities with the adoption of technology and automation. With this, the analysis also stressed the need to modernise warehouses and enhance inventory management. All these steps will ensure an end-to-end supply chain visibility and help tackle the surge in the demand for urgent healthcare and food supplies.

Aspiring to be listed among the top 10 cold chain logistics companies in India, AWL has capabilities to handle Cold Chain as well as an ambient supply chain and is focused on its current goal of rapid post-COVID recovery through modern solutions.