DHL introduces innovative trucking solution across India

May 28, 2018: Deutsche Post DHL Group has introduced an innovative trucking solution across an extensive linehaul express road network in India - DHL SmarTrucking.

This move comes as a result of the logistics giant aiming to accelerate the development of technology-enabled logistics solutions around the world, under its newly formed board department, Corporate Incubations, which was launched in April this year.

Neeraj Bansal has been appointed as the CEO of DHL SmarTrucking, who will be responsible for leading the company’s growth in India.

“India is an incredibly important market for Deutsche Post DHL Group. Presently, road freight comprises the majority of the total freight movement and is the largest transportation segment in India,” says Juergen Gerdes, Board Member for Corporate Incubations, Deutsche Post DHL Group.

“With greater efficiency from DHL SmarTrucking, we expect to transport 100,000 tonnes of cargo and cover a distance of approximately 4 million kilometers across India daily.”

Following a successful three-month pilot that covered over 2,770,000 kilometers, this newly introduced solution leverages Internet of Things (IoT) technology and data-driven insights for route optimisation.

IoT-enabled sensors monitored through the company’s centralised control tower provide real-time temperature and consignment tracking. Information alerts and status updates are also sent to customers and DHL SmarTrucking’s operations teams through the customer portal and external and internal mobile applications.

Utilising an innovative and agile model, drivers are rotated at predetermined stops located across the country, with the original driver returning to the point of origin with another truckload.

“This transportation model not only helps optimise efficiency but also reduces fatigue among drivers who spend less time on the road, enabling them to go home to their families every two to three days,” says Malcolm Monteiro, CEO, DHL eCommerce India. “Additionally, with the demand for temperature controlled transportation in India estimated to grow at 15 percent per annum from 2016 to 2020, DHL SmarTrucking allows our customers in India to scale up and streamline their business operations to meet consumers’ needs.”

With temperature control capabilities that are fully compliant with international standards, solutions such as DHL SmarTrucking and DHL SmarTrucking Coldchain for temperature-controlled products, provide road freight solutions for all sectors, including the automotive, dairy, e-commerce, packaged foods, pharmaceuticals and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) industries.

“Leveraging the potential of the infrastructural transformations in India’s logistics ecosystem and our innovations through DHL SmarTrucking, we can help Indian businesses reach customers and markets in a faster and more secure way,” stated Neeraj Bansal.