Navigating the vast and complex landscape of India’s logistics industry can be a daunting task. India’s logistics sector is a bustling marketplace, teeming with numerous companies vying for a piece of the pie. Among them, a select few have risen to the top, setting benchmarks in efficiency, innovation, and customer service.
In this article, we’ll be shedding light on the top 10 logistics companies in India. These are the industry giants who’ve made significant strides in their operations, offering a wide range of services from warehousing to transportation and supply chain management. They’ve not only made their mark domestically, but also on a global scale.
Logistic Industry in India
- The logistics industry in India accounts for about 14.4% of the country’s GDP.
- More than 22 million people rely on the logistics industry for their income.
- In 2019, the Indian logistics sector was valued at Rs. 15.1 lakh crore (US$ 190 billion).
- The unorganised sector amounts to 99% of the logistics sector.
- India scored 90.3% in the United UNESCAP’s Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation conducted in 2021, which is a significant improvement from the score it secured in 2019 of 78.5%.
- The Indian logistics industry was valued at US$ 250 billion in 2021, with the market predicted to increase to an astounding US$ 380 billion by 2025, at a healthy 10%-12% year-on-year growth rate.
- The Indian warehousing market is predicted to reach US$ 34.99 billion (Rs. 2,872.10 billion), expanding at a CAGR of 15.64% from 2022 to 2027.
- The India Freight and Logistics Market size is estimated at 288.18 billion USD in 2023, and is expected to reach 484.43 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.04% during the forecast period (2023-2029).
- The logistics sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5% between FY2019 and FY2024.
- The sector employs around 22 million people and is expected to create another 1.2 million jobs by 2025.
- The logistics industry in India is growing at an unprecedented rate, with the value of the logistics sector in 2021 standing at 250 billion USD and by 2025 it will reach around 380 billion USD.
For those interested in exploring more about India’s transportation sector, our detailed article on shipping companies in India offers valuable insights.
Apart from logistics, the broader transportation sector plays a vital role. Learn more about other transportation companies in India shaping this industry.
Logistic Companies in India
- Shiprocket Fulfillment
- FM Logistics
- TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited
- Gati
- Mahindra Logistics
- Ekart Logistics
- Blue Dart
- DTDC
- Ecom Express
- DHL
Company | Revenue (FY 2022) |
---|---|
FM Logistics | ₹1,27,000 crores |
TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited | Rs. 10,235 crores |
Gati | Rs. 1,505 Crores |
Mahindra Logistics | INR 3,621 crores |
Ekart Logistics | Rs 4,422 crore |
Blue Dart | ₹1,293 crores |
DTDC | INR 500 crores |
DHL Logistics | Over Rs 5,000 crore |
1. Shiprocket Fulfilment
A game-changer in the logistics industry, Shiprocket Fulfilment is one of the top 10 logistics companies in India. Renowned for its cutting-edge technology, they’ve revolutionised the way businesses approach logistics, and have set the bar high in terms of efficiency and customer service.
What sets Shiprocket apart is their end-to-end logistics solution. They offer:
- Order processing
- Warehousing
- Packaging
- Shipping
And it’s not just about getting your goods from point A to B. Shiprocket goes the extra mile to provide a seamless and integrated experience for its clients. This includes real-time tracking, data analytics, and dedicated customer support, ensuring that businesses are always in control and can make informed decisions.
Shiprocket’s global reach is another notable aspect. They’ve managed to create a network that spans across multiple countries, making them a preferred choice for businesses looking to expand internationally.
In terms of innovation, Shiprocket is a pioneer. They’re constantly pushing the boundaries and introducing new solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Their commitment to innovation is evident in their advanced warehousing system, which is designed to optimise storage space, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
So, whether you’re a small business owner looking for a reliable logistics partner or a multinational corporation seeking to streamline your supply chain, Shiprocket Fulfilment is worth considering.
2. FM Logistics
A key player in the Indian logistics sector, FM Logistic reported impressive revenues of approximately ₹1,27,000 crores in the fiscal year 2021-2022. With earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) touching ₹2,640 crores, the company’s financial performance is a testament to its efficient operations and superior services.
In terms of manpower, FM Logistic boasts a strong workforce of around 5,000 individuals in India. Providing a broad spectrum of supply chain solutions, the company is a preferred choice for businesses across sectors. Their services span warehousing, e-commerce and retail order picking, co-packing, domestic and international transportation, and control tower services.
FM Logistic’s commitment to omnichannel commerce has earned them a strong clientele including top Indian companies like Godrej & Boyce. Based in Pune, the company has made a mark in the Indian market with a growth rate of 30% recorded in 2022.
In the same year, FM Logistic India bagged the prestigious SCALE Award for outstanding performance in Industrial and Retail Warehousing. Their partnerships have also been noteworthy, with successful collaborations with Maxi Zoo in France, handling supply and e-commerce orders.
Founded in France in 1967, FM Logistic has grown to become a global force in the logistics sector. The company’s operations extend to 14 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. FM Logistic is among the top 3 contract logistics service providers in India.
In line with their commitment to innovation, FM Logistic has invested heavily in research and development. Their focus is on developing more sustainable supply chains and supporting complex business start-ups and automation projects. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, with accolades such as the “Best Carrier & Forwarding Agent for 2022-2023” by Godrej & Boyce adding to their list of achievements.
3. TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited
TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited, a pioneer in outsourced logistics in India, has made significant strides since its inception in 1992. Renowned for its end-to-end supply chain management services, the company also offers global forwarding and last-mile solutions, integrated supply chain and network solutions, and customised tech-enabled services.
In the financial year 2022-23, TVS Supply Chain Solutions’ revenue from operations skyrocketed to Rs. 10,235.38 crores, registering a CAGR of 21.50%. Despite facing a net loss of Rs 65 crore in the first quarter of 2023, the company’s dedication to delivering top-notch service remains undeterred. With more than 100 years of experience in tackling supply chain challenges, it serves over 55 Fortune Global 500 customers and employs over 18,000 professionals.
The company’s global headquarters is situated at 58, Eldams Road, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Through strategic acquisitions, including Rico Couriers, Rico Group, Rico Technology, and Transtar International Freight, the company has expanded its reach and become a fully integrated global supply chain provider.
TVS Supply Chain Solutions’ commitment to innovation is also evident in its Research and Development. The adoption of a range of technologies has enabled it to deliver secure, agile and resilient supply chain solutions. A landmark deal with the UK-based ‘Centrica plc’ to transform their Supply Chain is a testament to the company’s innovative capabilities.
R. Dinesh, the Executive Vice Chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions, was elected as President for the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2023-24, further solidifying the company’s position in the industry.
4. Gati
Gati, established in 1989, has grown into a prominent brand within India’s expansive logistics sector, which contributes to 14.4% of the country’s GDP and is valued at USD$150 billion. Gati’s extensive presence and services suggest its significant role in this industry.
In 2022, Gati reported a 14% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue, which totalled Rs. 1,505 Crores. The company’s gross profit rose by 6% to Rs. 356 Crores, with gross profit margins sitting at 23.7%. This growth is supported by over 5500 employees and a diverse range of services including Express Distribution, Special Services, Transportation Services, and End to End Logistics. The company’s resources extend to 4000+ vehicles on road, 3 marine vessels, and 7000+ business partners.
Gati’s customer base is also impressive, with over 9000 clients including top names in healthcare, engineering, automotive, and consumer durable industry. It’s worth noting the company’s determination to stay ahead through technological advances. This commitment to innovation is exemplified by the launch of GEMS 2.0 software, designed to upgrade major functions like finance, CRM, and management data for report generation and performance analysis.
Venturing into partnerships, Gati joined forces with Japan’s Kintetsu World Express to form KWE Gati-Kintetsu Express Private Limited. This union sees KWE holding a 30% stake, while Gati retains the remaining 70%. With its headquarters in Kondapur, Hyderabad, the company continues to explore new avenues for growth and efficiency, underlined by its ongoing focus on digitisation and process automation.
Gati’s services to consumer goods industries highlight the importance of logistics in diverse sectors. Discover more about consumer durable companies in India that rely heavily on efficient logistics.
5. Mahindra Logistics
In the fiscal year 2022, Mahindra Logistics reported a revenue of INR 3,621 crores, with a profit after tax of INR 24.44 crores. With less than 25 employees, the company still manages to serve over 300 corporate customers across various industries. These include automobiles, engineering, consumer goods, and e-commerce.
Mahindra Logistics provides diverse tech-enabled logistics solutions to cater to complex requirements. Such integration of technology is part of its holistic approach to supply chain solutions. The company also runs an incubator program, co-creating future-ready tech-powered solutions with the Indian start-up ecosystem.
The company’s corporate office is located at 10th & 11th Floor, Arena Space, Plot No 20, Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road, Near Majas Depot, Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai- 400060, Maharashtra, India.
Founded over a decade ago, Mahindra Logistics has grown to become a leading 3PL service provider in India. It operates under Mahindra Partners, the $1 billion private equity division of the $19 billion Mahindra Group.
One of the major achievements of Mahindra Logistics is its successful addition of new clients and warehousing capacities each quarter. Another notable achievement is its venture into last-mile small package deliveries through EV, which helped it capture the strong growth in the express delivery segment.
In partnership with Ascendas-Firstspace, Mahindra Logistics is setting up a new 1 million square feet multi-client warehouse park in Talegaon, Pune. The entire development will be spread over three phases with the first phase of 0.5 million square feet to be operational by the end of FY2024.
It’s known for its commitment to integrating technology into its supply chain solutions and its incubator program, which co-creates future-ready solutions with the Indian start-up ecosystem.
The automobile sector is another key client for logistics companies. Read about leading automobile companies in India here.
6. Ekart Logistics
Among the top logistics companies in India, Ekart Logistics deserves special attention. With its headquarters in Bangalore, Karnataka, this logistics giant has approximately 11,000 employees.
Notably, Ekart Logistics reported a significant revenue increase of 78% in the financial year 2019, from Rs 2,488.7 crore to Rs 4,422.2 crore. An impressive 88.8% of its operating revenues were generated from delivering goods for the Walmart-owned Flipkart group of companies. The remaining 11.02% came from providing warehouse services to the group.
What sets Ekart Logistics apart is its comprehensive range of services. It’s renowned for providing end-to-end supply chain solutions to businesses, including warehouse space, order management, integrated logistics, and inventory management. This spectrum of services extends to a wide range of categories, such as mobile phones and both international and domestic apparel brands.
The Flipkart group of companies is the primary client for Ekart Logistics, accounting for most of its operating revenues. However, Ekart also caters to other businesses by providing warehouse services and end-to-end supply chain solutions.
In terms of major achievements, Ekart Logistics has been hailed as Flipkart’s secret sauce, giving it an edge over other e-commerce marketplaces. In 2022, the company launched warehousing-as-a-service for brands, manufacturers, and retailers across different industries.
Ekart held the position as the largest e-commerce focused logistics firm in India in FY19. This is a testament to its continued growth and commitment to innovating its operational activities.
Ekart’s significant contribution to the e-commerce and retail sectors underscores the interconnectedness of these industries. Explore the top retail companies in India here.
7. Blue Dart
Blue Dart is a major player in the express logistics industry in India, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Founded in 1983 by Tushar Jani, Khushroo Dubash, and Clyde Cooper, the company has consistently shown a commitment to innovation and technology. In 2002, it formed a business alliance with DHL Express which later invested €120 million in 2004, becoming a major shareholder.
For the quarter ending June 30, 2022, Blue Dart reported a revenue from operations of ₹1,293 crores, marking a growth of 49.6% over the same quarter of the previous year. The company’s net profit for the same period was ₹119 crores, a four-fold increase from the previous year.
Blue Dart has a robust workforce, boasting over 10,001 employees as of 2023. The company offers a wide range of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, and customs clearance. It provides secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 55,400+ locations in India, serving a wide range of stakeholders with its customer-centric approach.
The company has been recognized as one of ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, and ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia. It has also been voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’. In 2022, it won the Social Impact Award at the 11th edition of the ACEF Asian Leaders Awards for its GoHelp initiative.
As part of its social commitment, Blue Dart has partnered with St. Jude India ChildCare Centres, providing holistic support to young cancer patients at their new Mira Road center. The company also operates a subsidiary cargo airline, Blue Dart Aviation, that operates in South Asian countries.
Logistics is crucial for the pharma industry too. Get insights on the top pharma companies in India that depend on efficient logistics.
8. DTDC
Next on our list is DTDC, a leading express parcel service provider in India. Founded in 1990, DTDC operates out of its headquarters in Bangalore, Karnataka, and employs approximately 50,000 people as of 2023. Over the years, DTDC has made significant strides in its digital transformation journey, introducing a mobile app for tracking first and last-mile deliveries and accumulating massive amounts of operations data.
DTDC reported an operating revenue of over INR 500 crores for the financial year ending on March 31, 2022. The impressive increase from the company’s FY21 revenue of INR 1,231 crores showcases the growth and efficiency of this logistics giant.
The company offers a vast array of services including freight, transportation, logistics management, warehousing, and distribution. Their integrated technology platform, multi-vendor management, cross-border management, and eFulfillment services further enhance their comprehensive service portfolio.
DTDC has always been a pioneer in forming strategic partnerships that drive growth. An example is their partnership with Europe’s DPD group, backed by Le Groupe La Poste, the French Postal organisation. This alliance has helped DTDC diversify its solutions for parcels, offering services like express domestic and international, supply chain solutions, 3PL, warehousing, e-commerce, E-Fulfilment, and cross border solutions.
The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in their investment in digital transformation. They’ve built a data warehouse using Amazon Redshift for revenue analytics and implemented self-service reporting tools. This dedication to improvement has led to several recognitions, including the Best Express Logistics of the Year by Entrepreneur India and the Most Trusted Brand of India by Zee Business in 2022.
DTDC’s foray into the international market includes acquisitions of a 52 percent stake in Eurostar Express of Eurostar Group in the UAE in 2012, and 70% of Nikkos Logistics in 2013. Subhasish Chakraborty, the founder, serves as the Chairman & Managing Director, leading the company towards new heights of success.
Logistics firms like DTDC serve various industries, including footwear. For insights into this sector, visit our article on footwear companies in India.
9. Ecom Express
Delving into the world of Ecom Express, you’ll find a company that’s made massive strides in the Indian logistics sector. Established in 2012, the company has grown significantly, delivering nearly 1.6 billion shipments to 95% of Indian households. Its operations span 2,700+ cities and towns, serving 27,000+ pin codes throughout India. It boasts a robust workforce with over 50,000 employees as of 2022.
Ecom Express offers comprehensive logistics solutions under its flagship service, Ecom Express Services (EXS). This includes first-mile pickup, processing, network operation, last-mile delivery, reverse logistics, and returns management. There’s also the Ecom Fulfilment Services (EFS) that offers a complete suite of supply chain, storage, and fulfilment solutions. Additionally, the company has branched out into e-KYC, cash collection, and document management and verification services under Ecom Digital Services (EDS). This arm of the business caters to BFSI, retail, and other businesses in India.
The company’s impressive client base includes e-commerce marketplaces, platforms, D2C brands, and small and large online sellers. Despite this broad client base, business is concentrated with a few large clients.
Ecom Express has shown commitment to sustainability through partnerships with companies like Flipkart, receiving institutional orders for its HiLoad electric three-wheelers. This is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to meet their sustainability goals.
Ecom Express has been recognised as one of India’s Top 6 Best Workplaces in Transportation & Logistics 2022 by the Great Place to Work® Institute. This recognition is testament to the positive work environment that the company has cultivated.
Despite a 30% revenue jump to Rs 2,127 crore in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, the company’s expenses also grew by 40% to Rs 2,269 crore from Rs 1,613 crore in the previous year. This pushed the company back into a loss. However, with its robust technology, AI/ML, and data sciences capabilities supporting a proprietary tech-stack and dedicated supply chain environment, Ecom Express is poised for a reliable customer experience.
10. DHL Logistics
DHL Logistics has made impressive strides in the Indian market. The annual revenue of DHL Express in India has seen significant growth, increasing from less than Rs 3,000 crore in 2013 to over Rs 5,000 crore in 2022.
The company’s workforce is a testament to its growth. As of 2022, DHL Express employed around 4,000 people in India, with plans to double the workforce to around 25,000 people by 2026. This substantial workforce contributes to the wide range of services DHL offers, including document and parcel shipping, cargo shipping, and enterprise logistics services. They also have expertise in consumer goods supply chains, covering consumer durables, FMCG, print, media, entertainment, and perishables.
DHL Logistics operates from its headquarters in Mumbai and caters to various sectors in India, including e-commerce, retail, consumer, manufacturing, and automotive.
In 2022, DHL Supply Chain announced a significant investment of EUR 500 million (INR 4000 Crores) in India. This venture aims to boost capacity, workforce, and sustainability initiatives, adding 12 million sq ft of warehousing space, which will take its total capacity to about 22-million sq ft by 2026.
DHL Logistics has a history of offering innovative solutions for complex logistics tasks in sports, arts, and culture arenas as an Official Logistics Partner. Furthermore, the company has shown a strong strategic focus on digitalisation and ESG, demonstrating a commitment to research and development.
DHL Group’s recognitions include being named a Top Employer in 2023 and DHL Supply Chain Global being named a Leader in the 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Third-party Logistics. Additionally, DHL Supply Chain and DHL Express are notable subsidiaries of DHL Group operating in India.
In addition to logistics, courier services play a vital role in India’s economy. Find out about the leading courier companies in India.
Conclusion on Logistics Companies in India
You’ve journeyed with us through India’s top 10 logistics companies. From Shiprocket Fulfilment’s innovative solutions to FM Logistic’s expansive network, it’s clear that India’s logistics sector is thriving. Companies like TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited, Gati, Mahindra Logistics, Ekart Logistics, Blue Dart, and DTDC have all made their mark.
These companies are not just leading the logistics sector in India, they’re shaping its future. Through innovation, dedication, and a commitment to sustainability, they’re ensuring that India’s logistics sector continues to grow and thrive.