For Oman-based enterprise OQ, the PlastIndia show in New Delhi is a tremendous opportunity to showcase its ability to support the local plastics market and the wider Asian region.
OQ, which specializes in PP and PE grades for flexible and rigid packaging solutions, continues to build on the strength of its global and regional supply chain networks that enable it to serve customers throughout the Indian subcontinent.
In the past few years, the company has increased the volume of containers shipped per month from 900 to around 4,500 – a growth of more than 400%. During the same period, OQ has improved its operations in eight ports across India and another two ports within the Indian subcontinent.
The company says its team now has the ability to distribute at least 40% of its shipment to Mundra and Nhava Sheva directly with two days of transit as opposed to 10-15 days in the past. It is also able to serve all inland container depot (ICD) destinations in India.
This steady growth has been enabled by a series of strategic partnerships with logistics and transportation companies, five operating in the sea container business and another three which handle OQ’s inland trucking needs, the company says.
Dawood Al Rahbi, vice-president, Global Supply Chain, said: “We are better placed to provide efficient, agile and reliable shipping to our customers in the Indian market. “As the highly anticipated PlastIndia event approaches this February, OQ affirms its commitment that we are here to do business and support the development of the region’s polymer industry. We see huge potential here and want to play our part in realizing that potential.”
Scheduled for 1-5 February in New Delhi, PlastIndia has grown into a must-attend event for both the regional and global plastics industry, with plastics producers, processors and users of plastics gathered under one roof to explore opportunities and build new relationships.
OQ’s supply chain and logistics operations are overseen by a team of 34 employees, 20% have focused roles in supporting the ISC market. The team is spread across Muscat, Suhar and Singapore, those in Muscat being primarily responsible for handling shipments for the Indian subcontinent and are available on a 24-hour basis to address customer requirements in the region.
This reflects on OQ’s priority of India being a very strategic market. The company says its capacity and resilience building across the supply chain in recent years has enabled it to serve India-based customers in an efficient and agile manner. For example, key OQ customers have been already taking advantage of the features of auto shipment intimation. This feature has been well -received by OQ customers who receive an automated email upon completion of an order with details along with sailing and expected arrival dates.
“We have come a long way since we had just three employees managing all logistics out of Muscat,” Al Rahbi added.
“We are the first to launch this automated service in India. We are well-placed to face the challenges that may impact the industry in the future. For example, shorter transit times present a challenge of making shipping documents available to customers on time – we already have systems and processes in place to ensure that our customers in India are served promptly and efficiently each and every time.”
The company’s representatives will be present at the upcoming PlastIndia exhibition at Hall 2 – C4.
