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The Textile Magazine
JUly 2012
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121
He said the focus areas for the com-
pany in India would be investment in
air capacity, distribution and “indus-
try-specific product innovation” such
as aviation and life sciences. There
are plans to pump in up to Euro 300
million into Indian operations in the
coming years.
Asked how much the ongoing
turmoil in the Eurozone will impact
business from India to Europe, he
said: “Europe and the euro are chal-
lenges that can be solved and did
not feel this was a cause for worry
as emerging markets will produce
growth rates in the high single digits
this year. While conceding that there
was a bit of a slowdown in Europe,
the company is optimistic of the
future”.
Responding to a question as to
whether DHL Express would merge
with Blue Dart Express Ltd., he said
India is a key focus area for the group, and “one of our
key plans is to cross-sell the various DHL brands in
India”. (DHL Express (Singapore) Pvt. Ltd. holds 81
per cent stake in Blue Dart Express.)
DHL Express is the parent company that holds a
majority stake in Blue Dart Express. It has no plans
to merge the two entities and the latter would remain
a separate brand. While DHL would be the umbrella
brand under which all services would be bundled to
derive synergies, he said, “we will keep Blue Dart
Express Ltd. as a separate brand”.
Both have a combined retail footprint of over 475
service points for domestic and international express
services. They are also developing offerings like Temp
Controlled Logistics products, Go-green carbon neutral
product and a pilot product Smart Truck, and the ‘win-
win partnership’ gave the combination an edge over
competition.
New modern facility in Coimbatore
The new facility covering an area of over 4,500 sq.
ft. has been set up in Coimbatore as per international
standards to process higher volume of shipments with
improved transit time. The facility is expected to bring
in better operating efficiency, reduce transit time, and
focus on safe and secure delivery.
Mr. Monteiro also disclosed that the company is
recording a double-digit growth in business in the
southern region. South India contributed to 30 per cent
of its revenue and Coimbatore is a key market in the
South. “The new service centre will bring in better op-
erating efficiency for our customers in Coimbatore and
reinforce DHL’s leading position in the international
time definite delivery.”
DHL Express services a wide variety of exporters
and importers in the textile and apparel manufacturing
and engineering, rubber and plastics, electronics and
electrical sectors and major financial institutions.
Asked if the company is contemplating introduction
of direct airfreight service from Coimbatore, Mr. Mon-
teiro said, “if the volumes permitted and an opportu-
nity does come up, the company would definitely look
at it”.
w
Mr. R.S. Subramanian, Country Head, DHL Express India
logistics