A perishable supply chain is extremely critical at every location where the foods and beverages are passed from one location to the other. Our specialized food & beverage logistics division, through strict SOP execution and best practice, is ideally set up to fulfill these challenging requirements"

• • • Opines Rahul Mehra, CEO. AWL Pvt Ltd. In an exclusive conversation with Cold Chain Management, he underlines that AWL has capabilities to handle Cold Chain as well as ambient supply chain. Whether it’s for perishable Food products or non-perishable FMCG products. He also discusses about the increasing use of E-commerce in Perishable Supply Chain Sector

Q. What makes you the first choice supplier in your area of expertise, specifically involved with perishable supply chain concerns?

We at AWL subscribe to a flexible business model by delivering transportation warehousing and distribution solutions. Freight forwarding and clearing logistics consulting and special service. Unlike other logistics companies, we do not limit our roach to a particular segment or industry and believe in having a pan-vertical presence. A perishable supply chain is extremely critical at every location where the foods and beverages are passed from one location to the other. AWL's specialized food & beverage logistics division through strict SOP execution and best practice is ideally set up to fulfill these challenging requirements. AWL adheres to the highest standards of hygiene, as endorsed by the appropriate FSSAI licenses at our warehouses. Food and beverages manufacturers put their trust in the know, how of our logistics experts. AWL has capabilities to handle Cold Chain as well as an ambient supply chain. Whether it’s for Perishable Food products or non-perishable FMCG products. AWL enables increased throughput and the ability to handle peak volumes through modern warehouse infrastructure and processes. Moreover, our cross-functional team of supply chain network and solution designers with proven expertise in the F&B industry coupled with our state-of-the-art equipment and temperature monitoring system for temperature-controlled services make us a preferred choice in the industry.

Q. Which industry sectors are your customers in?
Can you name some of your major customers and tell us about the work you do for them?

As I just mentioned, that unlike other logistics companies, we do not limit our reach to a particular segment or industry and believe in having a pan vertical presence. AWL is serving customers in various industries like FMCG, Lifestyle & Apparel Solar & Semi-Conductors, Entertainment and Media, Telecom Supply Chain Solution, Medical & Pharma, and Hospitality.
We are serving some of the biggest names in F&B Industry like SABMiller, Red Bull, Baskin Robbins, and Elenpro to name a few. 

Q. What products do you offer here in India, of particular interest to Cold Chain and perishable Supply Chain professionals?

Some of the services we provide include.
• FSSAI approved storage facilities
• Temperature-controlled storage
• Batch wise Inventory Management
• Adherence to measures and controls
• Strict SOPS
• Documentation & other Value Added Streets
• Insurance

Q. How big is AWL India today?

AWL began its journey in 2007 with only 6 employees. Now, in 2015, we provide services via a combination of almost 400 trained team member and over 65 network agents in major markets throughout Asia, Europe, The Pacific Rim, Europe, and US AWL is now one of the leaders In the Indian logistics Industry holding over 1 million sq.ft of warehousing space connecting and successfully distributing to multiple Client in over 800 towns in India.

Q. How have your solutions developed to reflect the Increasing use of E-commerce? 

We are committed to reshaping the current landscape of several supply chain activities in India through our dedication and hard Work, backend by modern technology, and aggressive leadership. We at AWL understand the sentiments and untapped market opportunities. Considering which we recently launched a specialist logistics company for e-commerce – E Pronto express. The launch by AWL comes on the back of the immense market opportunity thrown up by India's booming e-commerce sector. Grounded in AWL logistic heritage and supported by unmatched excellence, technology-enabled, and process-driven approach. E Pronto express is aimed to provide comprehensive and highly responsive e-tailing logistic services.

Q. How does your temperature-controlled trucking and warehousing compare with other people?

AWL's supply chain solutions are designed to take care of the unique requirements and challenges of each customer In the Food & FMCG sector, whilst driving down Time- to- Market and Cost- to- Market, thereby increasing revenues and profitability for our customers. Some of the outclassing attributes which make us stand apart are
• Technology-enabled Built-to-Suit Distribution Centers
• State-of-the-art equipment and temperature monitoring system for temperature-controlled services
• Infrastructure includes Material Handling Equipment, sufficient dock doors and dock leveler's to handle all type of vehicles

Q. You serve clients in a wide variety of industry sectors. In which sectors is the adoption of your solutions growing fastest?

Although we present in all major vertical, the fastest growth and demand is coming from Sanitary ware, Luxury and Hi-end apparels, and fashion accessories. Furthermore, the demands from niche product makers like hi-end chillers also witnessing a swift increase. And we are to focusing and investing our time and energies in this domain.

Q. Concentrating on India, how fast is your field support supply chain network growing? 

As there is a major uptrend in the market, we are drawing up plans to double our warehouse footprint to 1million sq.ft and expand into tier 2 and tier 3 cities. We are already present in major metro cities Like Gurgaon, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Lucknow and are looking to set up our base at Vijaywada, Hyderabad, Indore, and Nagpur.

Q. Finally, where do you see AWL India going from here? Any plans for further acquisitions or Investments? 

AWL aspires to be one of India’s leading supply chain management companies by 2020. We are committed to reshaping the current landscape or several supply chain activities in India through our dedication and hard work, backed by modern technology end aggressive leadership.