Tag: Abhinav Singh

Business

Amarnath Banik: Driving Success as Amazon’s Trucking Partner in Northeast India

Jan 10, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Abhinav Singh, #Amarnath Banik, #Amazon's Trucking Partner

India, January 10, 2024: The rugged terrain in north-east India presents many challenges for truckers but is also filled with economic opportunities. Entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds are venturing into the industry to serve the growing needs of e-commerce and logistics industry, gradually paving the way for robust transportation networks. One such trailblazer is Amarnath Banik, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Guwahati. His journey with Amazon’s trucking partner program has not only transformed his family’s trucking business but has also helped his company earn a stellar reputation for navigating the unique geographical and infrastructural challenges of the region, making them an ideal partner.

Amarnath Banik, Amazon's Trucking Partner, Guwahati

Amarnath’s entrepreneurial journey began at an early age, kindled by the environment of his family’s successful trucking business established in 1984. In 2006, he joined his father’s business, and by 2015, he had established strong collaborations with several e-commerce companies, recognizing the potential of serving the growing online retail sector. The turning point came in 2019, when Amarnath learned about Amazon’s trucking partner program. To expand his business, he partnered with Amazon, initiating operations with a modest fleet of 50 trucks and 60 drivers.

Over the years, the business expanded into an impressive fleet exceeding 200 trucks and boasting a dedicated team of over 250 drivers. Operating in three established routes, his logistics network spans the entirety of the Northeast region, encompassing 13 cities such as Guwahati, Tinsukia, Shillong, and Kohima, among others. This partnership also reaffirms Amazon’s commitment to supporting local businesses by addressing logistical challenges and providing a robust platform for SMEs to thrive in their business.

Abhinav Singh, Vice President, Operations, Amazon India, says, “Amarnath’s remarkable journey as an Amazon trucking partner is an excellent example of the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels our nation’s progress. He has transformed not only his family business, but also the logistics landscape for the region and has enabled Amazon in delivering its promise of seamless deliveries to customers in many parts of north east India.”

Reflecting on his transformative partnership with Amazon, Amarnath Banik, Director, Amarnath Paribahan shares, “Being a part of Amazon’s trucking program has not only boosted my business but also provided me with unparalleled opportunities. Their support has allowed me to grow my business quickly while also improving our skills and knowledge. Amazon has provided me a versatile range of technology-driven products and value-added services (VAS). Leveraging VAS has empowered the growth of my business by facilitating convenient access to finance at reduced interest rates. This initiative has created opportunities that has significantly contributed to the expansion of my business.

Navigating through the northeast region presents several challenges, including landslides and heavy monsoon rains. These difficulties become particularly pronounced during peak seasons or events like Prime Day and the Great India Festival, when there is a surge in order demand. However, Amazon’s trucking partners overcome the daily challenges with local ties, skilled drivers, and a strong contingency plan. Amarnath ensures driver safety with backup routes, regular health check-ups, and comprehensive accident insurance, showcasing its unwavering commitment to drivers’ safety.

He possesses a deep understanding of Amazon’s array of technologies. For instance, he utilizes the Relay app (Relay for carrier and Relay for driver). Relay for Carrier gives visibility on all his trips and performance in real time. Relay for Drivers streamlines check-in, checkout, and real-time communication during contingencies, ensuring immediate support. Amarnath’s strength extends beyond his professional success and lies within his family. His wife efficiently handles the company’s finances, adding to their shared entrepreneurial journey. Backed by Amazon, Amarnath pioneers into new territories, embodying determination, collaboration, and technology’s boundless possibilities in entrepreneurship.

Naresh Pal Sharma logistics
Business World

Meet Naresh Pal Sharma, a Gurugram-based logistics entrepreneur who is a shining example of self-reliant India

Mar 30, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Abhinav Singh, #Director – Amazon Transportation Services, #Naresh Pal Sharma

With the logistics industry thriving for innovation, new growth opportunities in the sector have led to micro-sized businesses taking a central role in servicing Indian customers. As people continue to expect faster deliveries, companies like Amazon are strengthening all parts of their network, including their middle mile operations, which connects the fulfillment network with the delivery network. This has opened avenues for small businesses to leverage their on-ground knowledge and power the company’s ability to increase the speed of transportation between the two miles while serving as a median to connect India.

Tapping into this opportunity, many entrepreneurs have been able to build and scale their business with Amazon; Gurugram-based Naresh Pal Sharma is one among them.

Naresh, the owner of NRS Transport Services, started his professional journey as a truck driver in 1993. Despite a near-fatal accident in 1999, he powered through hardship to provide for his family and pursued his ambition of running a trucking business. This led him to enrolling with Amazon as a partner and he quickly oriented himself to Amazon’s operational guidelines for reliable deliveries.

His commitment resulted in success, allowing him to expand his fleet and employ close to 40 truck drivers. He says, “I know that we play an important role in transporting customer packages for an on time and safe delivery. I have a responsibility to uphold and this keeps me going. Working with Amazon India, I have truly discovered my entrepreneurial journey and to be able to help people in the process was more than I could imagine.”
The efforts of Naresh as well as his associates have not only ensured seamless deliveries but have also cemented the role of its backbone, enabling them to upscale and be self-reliant.

Abhinav Singh, Director – Amazon Transportation Services, said “Trucking partners are the backbone of our operations, powering our ability to increase the speed of transportation between fulfilment centres and the last mile. Theirs is a pivotal role in ensuring on-time deliveries and we are focussed on enabling them with cutting edge technology. In line with our commitment to aid small businesses across the country we have worked with our partners and custom built programs for them to gain financial flexibility, safe driving techniques, route knowledge, maintenance and procurement programs from large OEMs. Driver safety is our top priority, we have trained thousands of drivers this year on defensive driving, COVID safety and facility safety protocols. We have partnered with third-party companies to provide health and accidental insurance coverage for drivers that is reimbursed by Amazon. We believe that the idea of an atmanirbhar Bharat is powered by these enterprising businesses and are proud to be empowering them.”

While these partners continue to travel the length and breadth of India, health and safety remains to be a priority. Partners and associates are following all preventative health measures such as adherence to social distancing norms and use of face covering, among 100 other measures.

With the last year constraining operations for these trucking partners, the company introduced the Partner Support Fund that allows partners in the middle-mile to support more than 40,000 of their associates through financial hardships, and to help cover critical fixed costs and liquidity concerns. Amazon India also extended the ‘Amazon Relief Fund’ to all eligible trucking partners providing transportation support in the event of financial hardships.

Amazon India reveals a limited-edition Pride tape for its packaging to celebrate Pride Month
Business World

Amazon India Strengthens its Operational Footprint in Bihar: Launches its First Fulfilment Center

Sep 19, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Abhinav Singh, #Amazon India, #COVID, #Fulfilment Centre (FC)

Patna, September 2020: Ahead of the festive season, Amazon India announced the launch of its first Fulfilment Centre (FC), in Bihar. With more thana lakh cubic feet of storage space, the new fulfilment centre will be located in Patna and help better serve customers within the region and neighbouring states. The new FC is specialized for large appliances and furniture and will be instrumental in enabling sellers in Bihar to reach out to customers across the country, further boosting their market presence.

“We are consistently working on extending our reach to customers, across the country. At the outset of India’s biggest festive season, we are happy to expand our operational presence in Bihar which will help boost small and medium businesses and create work opportunities for people in the state. We are confident that the new Fulfilment Centre will provide a delightful experience to our customers with a wider range of products, as they continue to stay safe at their homes.” Said, Abhinav Singh, Director, Amazon Transportation Services, Amazon India.

Amazon has created one of the most advanced fulfilment networks and sellers in India have been benefitting from Amazon’s expertise in fulfilment, reliable nationwide delivery and customer service. When using Fulfilment By Amazon (FBA), sellers across India send their products to Amazon’s FCs and once an order is placed, Amazon picks, packs & ships the order to the customer, provides customer service and manages returns on behalf of the sellers. The new specialized FC in Bihar will store thousands of products in the large appliances category consisting of air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines & TVs and from a selection of products in the furniture category.

Amazon’s presence in Bihar:

• A fulfilment centre in Bihar with more than 1 lakh cubic feet of storage space
• A Sort Centre to sort and deliver packages to delivery stations
• Robust delivery network with more than 65 Amazon-owned and Service Partner delivery stations in the State
• More than 8000 sellers in Bihar
• Thousands of ‘I Have Space’ stores in Bihar
• Top categories include – Smartphones, large appliances, fashion, consumer electronics and grocery

Amazon India places tremendous value and focuses on the well-being and safety of its people across the fulfilment network. In light of current COVID situation, the company continues to work closely with the health officials and in line with Amazon’s global standards have implemented close to 100 changes in its operational processes, including social distancing and daily temperature checks on entry and exit at the work site for the health and safety of its people.

All customers on www.amazon.in and the Amazon mobile shopping app has easy and convenient access to over 200Million+ products across hundreds of categories. They benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, Amazon’s 24×7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee. They can also enjoy Amazon.in’s guaranteed next-day, two-day delivery and standard delivery on products fulfilled by Amazon.

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Business World

Amazon India Expands its Sort Centre Network ahead of the Festive Season

Sep 9, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Abhinav Singh, #Amazon’s logistics network, #Sort Centre Network

National, September 2020: In preparation for the festive season, Amazon India has announced the expansion of its sort centre network. The 5 new sort centres will be launched in Vishakhapatnam, Farukhnagar, Bangalore, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Apart from these new buildings, Amazon India will also expand8existing sort centres to increase its overall sortation area to more than 2.2 million square feet, across 19 states. With this expansion, Amazon India will strengthen its delivery speed and connectivity for customers and sellers, ahead of the festive season.

Sort centres are central to Amazon’s logistics network and help sort and deliver goods to Amazon delivery stations across the country. The Sort Centers sort customer packages before they are shipped to delivery stations. The sortation happens based on the location and mode of transportation of the package to customers. Amazon India uses technology and automation such as Sort Slides and Auto Sorters in its sortation network. Sort Slides allow fast manual sortation of packages and Auto Sorters are completely automated machines that perform end-to-end sorting of packages. This automated and expanded network helps increase the speed of transporting packages for customers and sellers in the country.

“Wherever they are, customers trust Amazon for fast, reliable and safe delivery of products. By expanding and investing in the Sort Centre network, we are positioned to ensure continued customer and seller delight, ahead of the upcoming festive season. This expansion will create hundreds of opportunities for individuals and ancillary industries especially during this time when economic growth is a priority for the country.” said Abhinav Singh, Director, Amazon Transportation Services, Amazon India.

In July 2020, Amazon India announced the expansion plans of its fulfilment network by adding 10 new Fulfilment Centres and expansion of 5 existing buildings, in 2020. The company continues to build its operational network to ensure a smarter, faster and more consistent experience for its customers and sellers across the country, leading up to the festive season.

All customers on www.amazon.in and the Amazon mobile shopping app have easy and convenient access to over 200 million+ products across hundreds of categories. They benefit from a safe and secure ordering experience, convenient electronic payments, Cash on Delivery, Amazon’s 24×7 customer service support, and a globally recognized and comprehensive 100% purchase protection provided by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee. They can also enjoy Amazon.in’s guaranteed next-day, two-day delivery and standard delivery on products fulfilled by Amazon.