The annual edition of SME Expo of Logistics & Material Handling was organized in Mumbai at the Bombay Exhibition Centre from August 19 - 21, 2009. The event was Inaugurated by the Chief Guest Mr. Krishna Kotak, Partner - J. M. Baxi & Co. & Managing Director J. M. Baxi Group and Guest of Honour Mr. Vir Kotak, Executive Director - Boxtrans Logistics (I) Pvt Ltd & BOXCO.

This was an industry level initiative to share the insights into the challenges and the likely trends of the logistics sector.

This would provide the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics sector a platform for exploring business opportunities. This will also enhance their knowledge resulting in delivery of world class services

Organized by INIS Enterprises and presented by ICICI Bank Business Banking since 2006, the SME Expo has become one of India’s largest and most comprehensive exhibitions on Logistics industry growing exponentially over the past three years. Global consulting firm Deloitte has been involved as the 'Knowledge Associate' for the event since its first edition in 2006. 

In India, Deloitte is recognized as one of the country’s top professional services firm and has offices spread across 13 cities. Deloitte provides a full range of management consulting, financial advisory services including accounting & tax and IT solutions delivery to clients, tailored to their specific requirements. The background knowledge paper highlighting the key opportunities and challenges faced by the SMEs in the logistics sector is to be developed by the focused transportation consulting group within Deloitte India which has come to be recognized as a leading provider of transportation consulting services

The event draws participation from various stakeholders associated with the logistics sector across the country and abroad.

The event brought together industry leaders to discuss important issues, trends in the industry and share best practices. In the event, several related segments from 15 different segments including 3PL/4PL solution providers, Transportation/Fleet Owners, Freight Forwarders, Express Services, Ports and Warehouse Solutions, Ancillary Manufacturers, Construction Companies, Construction Equipments & Vehicles across the Logistics industry are participating.

The event was being spearheaded by an Advisory Board comprising of distinguished industry representatives and headed by the Event Chairman Shri Sudhir Rangnekar, Former MD & Group CEO, Sical Logistics Ltd. 

A two-day conference on the theme “Logistics and Infrastructure: Exploring opportunities” was held alongside the expo on August 19 – 20, 2009. Featuring industry experts, the conference focused on the challenges and opportunities in the sector and also facilitated a dialogue between the service providers and their customers.

The key conference sessions over the two days included a panel discussion on Logistics Infrastructure - Opportunities for SMEs in Logistics, Material Handling & Warehouse Management, Panel Discussion on “ills & cures of the Indian logistics sector”, Case study presentations, Logistics Infrastructure - GenNext Trends followed by the Panel Discussion on “SMEs in Logistics : Customer Focus”. Amongst others, some of the indicative conference topics are opportunities in the maritime sector / aviation sector / cold chain infrastructure, role of CFS in the integrated logistics chain & multimodal transport, emergence of logistics parks, financing options for SMEs etc

The event has attracted the support of all major industry associations including Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA), Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations of India (FFFAI), Association Of Multimodal Transport Operaters Of India (AMTOI), Bombay Goods Transport Association (BGTA), All India Association of Industries (AIAI), The Bombay Customs House Agents' Association (BCHAA), Express Industry Council of India (EICI), Project Exports Promotion Council (Project EPC) and EU India Chambers. Several other influential trade bodies have also pledged their support to this industry initiative.

This edition of SME EXPO 2009 was powered by UTVi Business News and for better dissemination of knowledge and information Big92.7FM was the official radio partner for the event.

For the fourth year in succession, The SME Expo Logistics event have become the ‘networking & knowledge sharing standard’ in the logistics industry with the increase in the number of exhibitors and overwhelming response from the visitors each year.

Some of the confirmed participants for the forthcoming edition are Drive India Enterprise Solutions Ltd. (A TATA Enterprise), Schenker India Pvt. Ltd., LMJ Logistics Ltd., Velocity Global Logistics, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., Global Engineers (I) Pvt. Ltd., V-Trans (India) Ltd., Microtex Energy P. Ltd., Arizon Solution Pvt. Ltd., Smart Signals Pvt. Ltd., Exide Industries Limited, Kompress (India) Pvt. Ltd., Nitco Roadways Pvt. Ltd., VRL Logistics Ltd., Jay Equipment & Systems Pvt. Ltd., VeriSign Services India Pvt Ltd., Shanghai Hengxin Shipping Co., Metronic Engineering Pvt. Ltd., ShockWatch India Private Limited, Sintex Industries Ltd (Plastic Division), Chep India Pvt. Ltd., SDI Smartbox (I) Pvt. Ltd., Indian Institute of Logistics, KEOGH Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., Everest Industries Ltd., Spear Logistics Pvt Ltd, Intercode Solutions  (A Division of Interlabels Industries Pvt. Ltd.), Unique Engineers, Total Shipping India Pvt Ltd, GKS Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Extreme Engineering, Dynaflex Private Ltd, Transmode Shipping Services Pvt Ltd, S. S & Company, Kirby Building Solutions, Trackon Telematics Pvt Ltd. and more

When INIS was asked as to how they manage the rising expectations of the exhibitors each year at the event, they replied, “Our mission has always been to conceptualize and organize events that capture the transition and evolution of the industry, to make the participants not only exhibit their products but also witness and become part of the new world order, vis-à-vis the dynamics of the needs and demands across the continuum.”

“We’ve given SMEs a platform to look at the possibilities to grow. With the economy walking a slower stead, effective marketing acquires an even more prominent centre stage, especially now where the companies have cut down most budgets on marketing. Events are the best place where these companies are exposed to their potential buyers.”

With the vision to provide opportunities for the SMEs in this sector, the SME Expos of Logistics & Material Handling 2009 was dedicated to meet the expectation of the exhibitors and visitors, giving them the perfect place to do business with a promise that people will definitely take home with them the knowledge, leads and of course, pleasant memories.

Source: Transport Weekly