TCI XPS, of the Transport Corporation of India (TCI) Group, is India’s leading express distribution service company offering single-
window door-to-door time definite solutions for customers’ express requirements. The company delivers packages of all sizes and weights to 13,000 locations in India and 200 countries abroad with time-committed service delivery. Textile and apparel is one of TCI’s major verticals. It has its dedicated team to service the same.
TCI XPS is currently involved in finished goods distribution on B2B and B2C model and its reverse movement. The company understands the complexities involved in servicing the textile industry, as the industry demands multi-location and multi-product movement of goods in a time-bound manner. It offers its customers the option of deliveries of critical and time-sensitive material to over 200 countries in courier and air cargo at competitive pricing with the option of using the gateway in the North, South, East and West.
TCI strongly believes that every customer is unique and hence requires tailor-made solutions to meet its specific business requirements. As the preferred logistics service provider (LSP), TCI establishes an understanding of the customer’s market needs, challenges and current infrastructure, after which it provides best-suited solutions.
In order to provide a smooth and efficient service to the textile industry, the logistics company has come up with a few tailor-made solutions like carton dimensions, where specific weight calculation facility is provided, which makes invoice raising process smooth and easy, bulk brake for cost efficiency for within the city deliveries, bar-coded stickers used for consignments for product wise identification, providing soft copy of bills, and soft copy of POD (proof of delivery) for faster processing of documentation, integration of customers ERP with TCI XPS server and a dedicated key account manager.
The company provides data integration facility, Electronic Data Integration (EDI), to its customers for multiple dockets booked in a day. The advantage of the EDI facility is that the uploaded data automatically transfers from the customer’s server to the company’s server. Direct access is given to customers for downloading daily MIS from the company’s server. Customers can capture specific data like style code, date of delivery, etc., from the server and can use it for raising their bills. The company has also set up a dedicated KAM (key account management) team which, if required, sits at the customer’s premises and tracks consignments 24×7.
TCI XPS does timely pick-up of consignment and speedy dispatch of it through efficient hub and spoke model to ensure that the 
products reach the market in a safe and time-bound manner. To address the issue of pilferage the company offers a unique service called ‘OPEN PICK UP AND OPEN DELIVERY’ wherein every piece is scanned at the customer point in front of the TCI and client representative and this again tallied at the delivery point. This has ensured 100 per cent accuracy in the safety of the material.
New trends in textile logistics
In order to benefit the customers and to maintain efficiency, logistics players are opting for stock keeping unit (SKU) identification tags or stickers in e-commerce warehouse. It was best suited to have barcodes on the inventory at the unit level. Real time vehicle tracking and material handling equipment will also play a major role in safe material handling and visibility.
TCI has installed Global Positioning System (GPS) on all its critical routes for monitoring and better route planning. This has helped the company in tracking consignments, meeting timelines, and optimizing productivity. The technology helps in the overall safety of the driver and the trucks. It monitors the driver behaviour on a daily basis and keeps a track on how fast or slow he is driving the vehicle and gives vital information for prevention of any accidents. It also keeps a check on fuel dispensing.
Since packaging has become an important aspect for customers, manufacturers have 
brought functions like secondary packaging closer to the customer to give them the flexibility to accommodate seasonal fluctuations until the last minute to meet current demands. Implementation of VAT has had warehouse consolidation, thereby reducing the warehousing cost, inventory management cost, the primary and secondary distribution cost and cutting the product delivery time.
The TCI Group, with revenues of over Rs. 2,200 crores, is India’s leading integrated supply chain and logistics solutions provider. With expertise developed over five decades it has an extensive network of over 1,000 company-owned offices, 9.75 mn. sq.ft. of warehousing space and a team of over 5,000 trained employees. With its customer-centric approach, world class resources, state-of-the-art technology and professional management, the group follows strong corporate governance and is committed to value creation for its stakeholders and social responsibilities.