Aashirwad is the Founder and CEO of HOWDYY. He founded the company in 2020 and has been instrumental in the rapid growth of the enterprise ever since. In his present role, he wears multiple hats. He is heavily invested in board administration while overseeing the tech, operations, business development, etc. He also plays a vital role in leading organizational talent acquisition, oversees brand communication and relations, and is also involved in fundraising planning and implementation. Experiencing a major gap in the logistics industry, Aashirwad nurtured the idea of incepting Howdyy as a brand that would fill the void of becoming the best alternative to ICE vehicles in last-mile delivery.
The logistics industry in India has been attracting various opportunities over the past few years by facilitating trade and expanding its market on a global level. This industry plays an important role in the business and economic system that deals with activities like warehousing, freight transportation, material handling, marketing, forecasting, and customer service. Back in the days, the logistics sector was very limited to transportation and warehousing, and it is only since the post 1960s that the sector has undergone a vast change and brought in many new policies and changes, making it adaptive to the modern world. The Indian economy has become the prime destination for logistics service providers all over the world, the main reason being the remarkable growth of the Indian economy. The sector is expected to employ almost 40 million people in India, making it the largest job creating sector in the country.
India is a developing country with many new technical advancements being introduced, making the growth of the logistics sector easier. Moreover, poor conditions of infrastructure directly affects the profits of the business, pushing up the operating costs and reducing efficiency. Nevertheless, in recent times, the digitalization of various businesses has had a positive impact on the logistics sector. Various startups have made their way to the market, ensuring to provide quality service.
Let us look at a few scenarios and factors that affect the logistics industry. The advancements in technology and digitalization have helped bring a rapid change in the way services and products are delivered. Many companies are adopting new technologies like machine learning, blockchain, etc. to increase their growth in the market.
Furthermore, the technique of “green logistics” is a very powerful initiative that is being adopted by many logistics companies to minimize the burden on our environment. This is a process of shifting to an eco-friendly means of running a business along with improving its sales. The amount of carbon released has been increasing every passing year. Considering this, the concept of green logistics is becoming prominent in the path leading to sustainability. The companies that practice green logistics, manufacture goods with the minimum energy usage, making them easily recyclable. In addition to growing further, logistics companies must promote timely delivery of goods to increase their reach in the global market. The Indian government has also taken many steps to improve foreign trade policies and bilateral trade, which has helped businesses grow internationally.
In India, the growth and popularity are hitting the top of the charts considering the availability of cheaper mobile phones and affordable data connections. According to predictions, the logistics sector will see a growth of 10% and above in the upcoming years. The main reason why India would see a growth in this sector is due to the upgradation of technology. For example, several warehouses in the country are using automated handlers and Iot devices making the companies easier to handle its business. With exposure to better branding value, exports have gotten better.
India’s logistics have gained great importance due to nation-wide consumerism. This has caused a huge demand for professionals who are skilled in logistics, making an academic degree carry immense value. The Logistics department requires people who are skilled in data analytics, data management , and warehouse management. Additionally, a student with training in the logistics industry has various opportunities to work in, for example, e-commerce, warehousing, shipping, aviation, etc., which enables them to widen their career growth. Professionals in logistics have prime roles in large companies due to their responsibilities, which are crucial for the growth of the company and which also draw excellent salary packages.
Logistics in India is expected to reach about USD 330 billion approximately by 2025. It is anticipated that a number of growth drivers, including improvements in digital technology, shifting consumer preferences brought on by eCommerce, governmental reforms, and changes in service sourcing strategies, will lead to the transformation of the Indian logistics ecosystem. Thus, the industry has bounced back to normalcy despite the pandemic, and is now gearing up to grow multifold. Onwards and upwards!