About Me
I love logistics!
I love the discipline associated with it, I love the logical, systematic and methodical working of logistics.
I love the fact that logistics involves plain common sense mixed with hard core mathematics – queuing theory, routing problems, line balancing….
I love it that logistics is an outdoor and field job. I never loved sitting behind desks staring at a computer screen.
Logistics gives me an opportunity to interact with trains and railways, ships and ports; being a Mechanical Engineer, I just love being so close to all these mechanical beasts.
I get a high seeing the physical movement of goods and material- this is the ultimate proof that business is happening!!
I am not all about Logistics.
Apart from Logistics, I go trekking in the Himalayas, I am an amateur birdwatcher, I play Bridge, I play Squash and I love motorcycling (I own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird). Recently, I have started gardening and am trying my hand at terrace gardening (thanks to http://geekgardner.in)
Cheers…
Ramnath Rangaswamy
Kendriya Vidyalaya(s) –> Special Class Railway Apprentice, Jamalpur –> Indian Railways –> IIM, Calcutta –> Procter&Gamble –> Streamlinesupplychain.com –> Vedanta Resources –> Gateway Rail
Hi
I would like to get in touch with you for a mutually beneficial association.
Hi,
Please visit logbizindia.blogspot.com for more on SCM and logistics in India- news, views, data and features. We look forward to interacting more with you.
Regards
Editor, Logbizindia
logbizindia.blogspot.com
I do visit logbizindia.blogspot.com often to update myself on the latest news and happenings in the supply chain space in India. I too look forward to interacting with you more often. Best regards.
Hi , is there some where i can find the policy to setup a logistics park in India. I need to know what are the minimum requirements for an area to be deemed as a logistics park by the government.
thank you
Great stuff! Simple and insightful.
Keep writing.
Hey there!
I love your lucid style of writing. I am also from IIM Calcutta – from the Class of 2009.
Its great seeing you follow your dreams. Would love to speak to you in person some day
Sunil
Interesting side
Thank you!
Sir this is Rakesh Dhurka, P&G Patna Bihar.
I am in Bangalore currently please contact me if you get my message at 09538900701
Good day Sir,
This is Zeeshan , pursuing Power Engg. from NPTI , Delhi. Well , I chanced upon your place from some other IR site coz railways is a darling for me.
Your posts made me think more than my average limits which made me click on your bio to find a bag full of amazing suprises!
Sir, being a student of IIM-C is a jewel on the crown, but for me the actual crown is the SCRA you passed in 1984.
Coz of this , I ought to ask you a few questions ( I wonder why none of this exceptional–yes it is–talent has been talked ’bout anywhere on your site, maybe coz not many know what SCRA is! ) –
1) What were the no. of SCRA seats way back then? currently its ~20.
2) I read you are from KV, but didnt specify from which one. Were your parents too from the technical line, which inspired you to jojn one?
3) Was there any sort of craze for engg., particularly for IIT-JEE, CAT and esp. SCRA then? And any coaching??
4) What was the curricula in SCRA at IRIMEE? Did they really TEACH you RAILWAYS, or the same mech/elec. stuff?
5)What was the stipend then at IRIMEE? and what did u opt for??
6) What was your on-probation post? and what was your designation after the probation peiod of one year?
7) Sir, as far as I know, people who graduate from IRIMEE have an almost chance to climb up the IR tree eventually into the Railway Board at some time of their career. Why then did you left IR for some private limited company?
8) Did you really REALLY study hard for SCRA or you were exceptionally bright student who qualified SCRA in a happy-go-lucky style?
9) Since qualifying SCRA was of your calibre , why didnt you try other competitive and more-rewarding jobs like IAS? ( considering SCRA is way more tougher than any other exams, success ratio is 20/50000—you would have walked on a cake in IAS)
10) Since you have a panache for supply line/logistics the IR (particularly IRTS ) would have benefitted you in a far better way given your aptitude to run trains as a sort of product delivery. Why did you then not do this?
11) Is life at SCRA same as as other top-notch engg. colleges or is it different in the manners? And when you were on job, were you considered at par with your fellow IES(IRSEE, IRSTE etc. chaps) and IRTS/IRPS people or you were a dash above them?
12) Please give some tips for students to pass the SCRA.
13) Is SCRA worth its name and is qualifying it worth the time and tenor put in by students?( considering the fact that YOU left SCRA)
Grant me pardon if I went overboard in asking some questions which I shouldnt have asked, but it was important for students like me who once had the will to qualify the SCRA.
Thanks sir, wish us all best of luck in our careers.
Zeeshan
Dear Ramnath
Let us work sometime on how we can set up humanitarian logistics network in India.A non profit initiative would be equally challenging! Let me know your views on the same.
hello sir…
since you are working in SCM area… can you please suggest me that how can we apply SCM and its othr techniques in Human resorce management …
regards
Deepti ..
reply….
Dear Deepti,
A very good question.
Supply-chain and logistics is based on solid processes, measuring all deliverables, and getting feedback from customers. These same fundamentals can be applied to HR.
For example, when a new recruit is hired, do you have a process and checklist? Sending a welcome letter, getting the employment agreement signed, getting all copies of the certificates, having all joining forms signed, arranging for pick-up on the day they arrive, arranging their accommodation, doing their orientation course and finally getting their feedback on the quality of the new hire process.
Another example is Training process; how to identify training needs, identify the skill/value/competence gaps before the training, identify the trainees skill/value/competence level/scores before the training, identify the trainees skill/value/competence level/score immediately after the training and identify the trainees skill/value/competence level/score 3-6 months after the training so that you can judge the effectiveness of the training.
Hope this gives you an idea of how supply-chain fundamentals can be applied to HR.
Feel free to contact me if you require any more details or clarifications.
Regards,
Ramnath
what is u r mobile number
msg to vim.bala@gmail.com
can you help me to understand warehouse oppurtunities in Coimbatore Tamilnadu. I am planning to setup. Is there any specific domain I can concentrate to create the setup. I wasthinking of putting a setup on Food storage, is it a good option?
Thanks
Dear Sir,
Read your blog on Green SCM, Was impressed
I am currently doing my MBA at Mumbai and we are organizing a Operations Conclave on Green Supply Chain in January 2011. I would like to invite you to it as a panelist at the event. If you could mail me your email address, I will mail you the event concept note and schedule.
Hoping for a positive response
Warm Regards
Arun
Dear Sir,
We are a Public Ltd Road Transportation Service provider looking to enter the warehousing space. Would like to speak to you regarding the key decisions when entering this space. Would appreciate if you could mail me on yashu.gupta@sbs.ox.ac.uk.
Regards
Yashu Gupta
we are exploring the possibility of warehousing and dry cargo terminus at Goa.
we are wondering whether you offer professional services to undertake a feasibility study and detailed engineering thereafter.
regards
Dear Ramnath,
Trying to reach you
Ramesh Kumar
Consulting Editor
Logistics Times
Delhi
Dear Mr. Rangaswamy, Currently we ae into insurance field and considering o enter Warehousing in Western India region. Looking forward to have telecon/meeting with you.
hi rangaswamy , we are planing to do rail side warehouse at hubli junction in karnataka .thus we wanted professional services to undertake a feasibility study and detailed engineering of warehouse.
kindly mail u r mobile no. prasannakuki002@rediffmail.com
Dear Mr.Ramnath Rangaswamy
Your website reflects some of my thoughts & your profile resembles mine.
Great to have taken special interest in India related SCM issues & support initiative to see India excels in this area also. Would like to be in tocuh
Cheers
Kirthivasan
Great analysis.
Thank you, Alok!
Could you please help me in understanding the FMCG supply chain velocity in detail?
- How is the typical stockist like? Who are star stockists?
- How is the typical distributor and C&F agent like?
- Typically, how does companies like P&G work with these distributors, stockists, etc. I mean who are the different P&G employees who work in co-ordinating these activities. Where do the Regional Sales Manager, etc. fit in here?
- Until what moment in the chain, do the manufacturers have the ownership of the stock?
- How does the tax regulations affect the supply chain?
Thanks
Sai Krishna
Email: bsaikrishna@gmail.com
Dear Sai,
Answer to your questions;
1. Stockists typically cover a “small” area, know the retailers and wholesellers in their area, give credit, manage distribution and visibility. They ensure that the sales persons cover the retailers and wholesellers in their area regularly and reliably. regarding “Star stockists”, different companies have different names and conotations to give a special status for their big stockists or well performing stockists.
2. Distributors are bigger Stockists. Distributors supply to big outlets or to other stockists. C&F agents are actually depots. The C&F agent keeps the stocks on behalf of the company. The stocks are owned by the company and the C&F agent acts as a custodian of the stocks. The C&F agent invoices stocks to the stockists and distributors. C&F agents are required because of the CST, where inter-state sales attract taxes. With GST, this inter-state tax will disappear.
3. P&G does not have stockists. They have Distributors. Distributors are managed by the Sales Team primarily. But the Sales Team is supported by a multi-functional team – Finance, Logistics, IT, HR. Regional Sales Manager a region and has Sales Teams under him. The structure is typical of any FMCG company.
4. Manufacturer has ownership of the stocks until they are invoiced from the C&F agent to a stockist or distributor.
5. With GST coming in and CST being abolished, C&F agents and Depots would not be required in all states. Location of Depots would be dictated by ease and cost of distribution rather than tax considerations. This would make the supply-chain more efficient.
Hope this helps. My apologies for this rather late response.
Regards,
Ramnath
Thanks a lot Ramnath.
Dear Sir,
I’ve noticed that most of the discussions about warehousing has been focused on the northern front of the country.
I have over 2.5 acres (approx 108900 sq ft) of land around 1 km off the main road in Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala. My Location is centrally located between Thrivandrum and Cochin (100km to either locations).
I have over 70 Lakhs rupees in seed money. My basically have 3 questions for you :-
1. Would this be a prime spot to build a warehouse? (specifically for fmcg companies)
2. Should i focus to build the standard 40000sq ft warehouses, or build a mega warehouse in the entire 100,000sqft space available?
3. For either options of the above question, how would i reach the corporations on the availability of such a service in south kerala?
Hoping for a speedy reply
Cheers
Sujin Kurup
sujinsk@gmail.com
Respected sir
i read your article on truck drivers CSR while finding the
problems of drivers in india. According to me Jai JAWAN ,JAI KISAN ,Jai VIGYAAN and Jai CHALAAN (drivers) are the the four pillers who makes our life to live peacefully. Among all these drivers are in very bed condition ,i am developing a system with Mr Prahalad Patel ( EX coal minister goverment of india) currently National president of BJMM Bhartiya janta majdoor mahasangh and Nitin Ji Gadkari National president of BJP for the welfare of truck drivers which will give POLITICAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL securities for the drivers by my own concept of Polisocioeconomical model.India is very rich country but poorly managed. thanks for your writings infavour of truth.
Anil Kumar Ahirwar
email:- g2009@gmail.com
mobile no. 09827724584
Dear Anilji,
Thank you for your kind words. All the Best in your noble endeavour to do good for the drivers. The drivers really need all the help they can get.
I agree India is a very rich country but extremely poorly managed.
Regards,
Ramnath
Respected sir,
I hve been thru ur comments on warehousin nd i think u culd b of help to me…i hve a warehousing plot in noida of 2 acres (8000 meters) on 30 meter wide road meant only for warehousing by noida authority wid bulit to suit area can b around 1,40,000 sq. ft. (basement,ground.first).Looking for a company for leese .Your advice is being needed…wuld b obliged for the same.
Regards
Manu Magon
9810021709
Dear Manu,
I will be glad to help. Could you please be specific on what advice you need. It would be efficient if you could mail me a list of questions that you have; it will be a good starting point.
Regards,
Ramnath
Is there any statutory standards for the Ware house in India. If so what is the ref. documents
Dear Mr Murugappan,
There is no statutory standards for warehouses. The only statutory compliance will be relevant to FSI and other building codes applicable to your area.
My apologies for this late response.
Please let me know if you need any other specific information. I will be happy to help.
Regards,
Ramnath
Hi Sir,
Hope u doing well. I need to know one thing, if u can help me out with this.
What is the difference between ICD and CFS?
Rgds,
Mahim
+91-9811542046