CARGOCONNECT-OCTOBER2024 - Flipbook - Page 24
COVER STORY
COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE
the company to create a digitally integrated
service model that maximises the value of
each grain for Indian farmers.
Singh emphasises that Arya.ag is fully
aware of the challenges present in the agricultural value chains and understands how
to operate within the existing regulatory
frameworks. “We are deeply cognisant of
the regulatory landscape, and over time,
we have developed strong partnerships
with regulatory bodies. These partnerships
allow us to navigate complex regulations
while ensuring that we remain compliant,”
he adds. Arya.ag’s close collaboration with
regulatory authorities not only helps the
company comply with regulations but also
positions it as a key advisor within the
industry, Singh puts across.
On the operational side, Singh re昀氀ects on
the stability that Arya.ag’s business model
offers to farmers. “Our grain commerce
platform is designed to e昀昀ectively manage
the challenges of 昀氀uctuating market conditions,” he mentions. “When market prices
are low, our extensive warehousing network
allows farmers to store their produce safely,
providing them the 昀氀exibility to sell when
conditions improve. When production is low
and prices are high, our platform ensures
e昀케cient market access, allowing farmers
to get the best value for their produce.”
This dual approach, Singh believes,
is crucial in helping farmers stabilise and
maximise their incomes amidst unpredictable market conditions. “Our business model
is built on the principles of resilience and
adaptability, ensuring that we can continue
to support farmers while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational e昀케ciency,”
he went on to add.
Sagar Raghorte, DGM– Strategy and
SCM at The Belgian Wa昀툀e Co., details
on the steps the company has taken to
adapt to the diverse regulatory standards
across di昀昀erent markets. He acknowledges
that maintaining regulatory compliance
while ensuring operational e昀케ciency can be
particularly challenging for a QSR dessert
brand like theirs. “The key is to stay agile
and proactive,” Raghorte states.
“We start by thoroughly researching the
local food safety, hygiene, and business regulations in each market we enter,” he explains.
“This includes understanding everything from
food labelling and ingredient restrictions to
health and safety standards and licensing
procedures. By getting this groundwork
right, we can tailor our operations to 昀椀t each
market’s unique requirements.”
One of the e昀昀ective strategies has been
the development of standardised compliance procedures. “We’ve created detailed
24 | CARGOCONNECT OCTOBER 2024
ANIL MISHRA
National Logistics Head
(South Asia), Pladis Global
Investment in modern cold
storage facilities and the
expansion of cold chain
networks into rural areas are
on the rise. The government
and private sector are both
focussing on building more cold
storage hubs and enhancing
logistics connectivity,
particularly to support the
agricultural sector and boost
food security. This, combined
with the growing demand
from the pharmaceutical and
biotech industries, is driving
modernisation. The future of
the cold chain in India will
be shaped by sustainable
technologies, including energyefficient refrigeration and
greener transportation options.
compliance manuals that are customised for
each region we operate in. These manuals
are comprehensive, outlining the steps and
protocols necessary to meet local regulations. We also implement regular training
programmes to ensure that our sta昀昀 is fully
aware of the local regulations and compliance
procedures,” Raghorte notes, adding that
this not only ensures regulatory adherence
but also supports operational consistency
across multiple regions.
Sourcing the right materials is another
key component of their strategy. “We work
with well-established industrial leaders for
sourcing all raw and packaging materials,” Raghorte points out. “These partners
understand the regulatory landscape, which
helps us meet the required standards more
e昀케ciently.”
To ensure ongoing compliance, the
company also conducts regular internal
audits and engages third-party auditors
for unbiased reviews. “Our regular internal
audits help us stay on track, while external
reviews o昀昀er fresh insights and identify
areas where we can improve. This approach
allows us to ensure that we’re meeting
compliance requirements while continually
re昀椀ning our processes.”
To conclude, these strategies, Raghorte
says have helped The Belgian Waffle Co.
maintain compliance across diverse markets
without sacri昀椀cing the e昀케ciency necessary
for operating a successful quick-service brand.
Ensuring Continuity amid
Supply Chain Disruptions
In recent years, global supply chain disruptions have tested the resilience of cold chain
operations. Factors like the pandemic crisis,
geopolitical tensions, and environmental
changes have emphasised the need for continuity and 昀氀exibility in logistics. Companies
are leveraging a multi-modal approach,
integrating air, sea, and land transportation
to create redundancy and mitigate the risks
of delays. Additionally, enhanced inventory
management and decentralised warehousing
models ensure that companies can respond
quickly to disruptions. For example, during
vaccine distribution in 2020, logistics providers rapidly scaled up operations and used
real-time monitoring systems to prevent
temperature deviations, showcasing the
e昀昀ectiveness of these strategies.
Jinali Gandhi, Business Head– Global
Growth and Expansion at Gandhi Automations, shares somes crucial insights on how
her company addresses logistical challenges
and ensures continuity in cold chain opera-
