1. INTERVIEW32 CARGOTALK JUNE 2015
Changing perception for
cost-efficient transport
QCould you elaborate on
your product portfolio?
Isuzu Motors India is a subsidiary of
Isuzu Motors, Japan, one of the world’s largest
commercial vehicle manufacturers and a
leader in pick-up trucks as well as diesel
engines.In India, we have Isuzu D-MAX for the
logistics and cold chain segment, which is cur-
rently available in three variants--Single Deck
Flat Deck, Space Cab Flat Deck and Space
Cab Arch Deck.
Isuzu is gaining solid traction in the mar-
ket with its D-MAX range of pick-ups in the
reefer segment with some leading cold-chain
service providers such as GatiKausar,
Snowman Logistics, Sneha Poultry, Milky Mist,
opting for the D-MAX to enhance productivity
of their business.
QHow do Isuzu Motors
commercial vehicles
contribute to easier
functioning?
Around the globe, Isuzu is known for its
technological expertise and diesel engines.The
Isuzu D-MAX is powered by a 2499cc, 4-cylin-
der intercooled turbocharged diesel engine,
offering unmatched reliability and performance
especially for refrigerated applications. The
vehicle is designed with in-built features that
support the refrigerated applications, thereby
reducing the need for retro-fitment. It has a
heavy-duty chassis, a large cargo bed to
accommodate a refrigerated container and its
body structure is made from high-tensile steel.
Apart from its sleek and stylish exterior,
the seats in the Isuzu D-MAX are designed
with long-distance comfort. Isuzu D-Max
Space Cab model has extended cabin space
of 1.5 feet behind the drivers’seat, which can
store valuable or fragile goods. Other signifi-
cant features of Isuzu D-Max like power steer-
ing, power windows, centralized door lock, AC
with heater.
QHow ready is the Indian
automotive and reefer
industry for state-of-the-art
technologies?
The Indian automotive market has the
potential to grow rapidly to three to four times
its current size in the next 10 years. In
particular, the LCV market has a very high
potential for growth.The pickup truck has been
the fastest growing segments in the last
two years in India and we expect the growth
to continue. The industry is evolving
with customers becoming more exposed
to global brands.
Reefer industry has become an integral
part of the supply chain management for the
shipment of temperature sensitive goods.In a
country as diverse as India, refrigerated road
transport is crucial for the safe circulation of
fresh and frozen perishables.The need for effi-
cient and reliable cooling technology is rapidly
increasing and accordingly industry players
are bringing in technological advancements in
their products for the Indian market.
QThe company has entered
into a manufacturing
agreement with Hindustan
Motors. Any other plans?
Yes, we did enter into a contract manufac-
turing agreement with Hindustan Motors in 2013.
We began our CKD assembly by the end of
2013, and this will continue till the beginning of
2016.We have earmarked a total investment of
3,000 crore for our own manufacturing plant at
Sri City over the next five to seven years. Our
plant is expected to
be fully operational
by 2016.
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Offering superior fuel efficiency along with quality and
comfort, Isuzu Motors presents Isuzu’s diesel-engine
expertise, MU7 and the D-MAX, to the Indian market.
Shigeru Wakabayashi, Deputy Managing Director, Isuzu
Motors India speaks about the industry’s gradually shift
towards state-of-the-art and superior technologies.
Shigeru Wakabayashi
Deputy Managing Director
Isuzu Motors India
Creation of value along
the supply chain
QWhat forces would influence
the supply chain design in
the future?
As markets get more global and volatile,
one major trend is the creation of value along
the whole supply chain instead of focusing on
individual elements like distribution logistics or
warehousing. The basis for that are highly
developed IT systems, both on customers and
the logistics providers’ sides.
QWhat should the companies
consider before designing
their supply chains?
Reliability, know-how
of local markets and
global presence are
the cornerstones for an
efficient supply chain.
Dachser is operating at
437 locations worldwide.
In India we are present
at 26 locations and offer
our clientele the full
range of services, i.e., air and
sea services, customs
brokerage, project logistics
and contract logistics
services.
QWhat expansion plans does
Dachser have to cope with
the increasing demand?
We see a strong demand for
contract logistics activities and warehousing.
Furthermore, we see an increasing demand
in the healthcare and automotive sectors
in India and the APAC region, which we
believe will continue to grow significantly in
the medium and long term.
Dachser, in anticipation of this growth, is
already well established in the APAC region and
we are fully geared to serve our customers with
high quality of services.
The appointments of Balasubramanyam
Mudigonda, Verticals Heads, Life Science and
Healthcare and Amit Kapoor for automobile
sector are steps towards our expansion plans.
QIn what ways does the
supply chain strategy
prepared for these markets
differ from the other markets?
Every market is special and has its own
challenges. APAC is a big region with three
mammoth markets--China, India and Indonesia.
Hence we need to specially design cost-efficient
and reliable solutions for our customers in these
markets.This also creates pressure on margins
but this has to be managed efficiently.
QWhile planning the supply
chain strategy for Asia-
Pacific markets, what are the
issues that require special
strategic consideration?
In Asia-Pacific we see a lot of potential for
development as the market is very attractive.
Major challenges we foresee are the geo-polit-
ical risks in some countries and the overall
development of global markets especially in the
US and EU.The major issues needing strategic
consideration in India are infrastructure and a
semi-organised transport sector.
As the markets of Asia Pacific—India, China and
Indonesia—have varying levels of economic
development, the level of supply chain planned for the
region requires special consideration.Huned Gandhi,
Managing Director India, Air & Sea Logistics, Dachser
India speaks about the factors that influence this.
Huned Gandhi
Managing Director India, Air & Sea Logistics
Dachser India
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