In continuation of the above question, creating a ‘Make in India' brand will need consistency and excellence of manufacturing as well as engineering across the supply chain ecosystem. What are the key challenges in achieving this and how can companies overcome these challenges?

The major challenge in achieving this is the many clearances required for
starting and maintaining businesses considering the volumes are still low
scale. In addition the infrastructure required to prosper like roads, railways, consistent and stable power supply, progressive labour laws, skilled labour availability are yet significant challenges.

The companies can leverage CII bodies and representation for single window clearance. Partnership with Government to create an eco system which helps the industries to grow and benefit the consumer's is very important.

While it is still at very early stages in India, Industry 4.0 is inevitable if we are to compete and succeed at the global arena. How should companies re-align their supply chain strategies to be ready for Industry 4.0?

Companies can re-align their supply chain strategies by automating their factories such as sensor based triggers for VMI for vendors, automated dispatches, process automation for order booking and execution, maps for locations leading to better planning, using GPS, RFID tags on products and
seamless order flow and execution. With the data analytics tools, the process capabilities and cycle time data will be more accurate to estimate delivery timelines and hence make more accurate estimates for order fulfilment. This can be leveraged for better planning and gain on efficiencies across the supply chain.

Today, there is considerable awareness about going green and reducing carbon footprint. However, one aspect that companies might be overlooking is the energy spent in the various links of the supply chain. How can companies manage their supply chains energy efficiently to reduce their carbon footprints?

Going Green is the need of the hour and at Godrej & Boyce we are every bit of concerned on being sustainable. Companies can manage their supply chains energy efficiently by use of railways, CNG fuel for secondary dispatches, use of large body vehicles, multi axle vehicles etc.
Another important aspect is power savings through natural lighting and turbo ventilators inside warehouse, green building warehouse construction, water harvesting, improve TLF utilization and network realignment.
Companies should regularly measure and report against Scope-3 of GHG emissions, measure transporters through rating system in their green conformance, consolidation across divisions. There should be strict rules at warehouse and docking points on no vehicle idling.