Making a difference with people, processes, and technology

Supply chains continue to empower the world, especially across fast-moving markets, when they are designed in a way that enables cost reduction, increase in revenues and customer delight. Taking bold steps that can overhaul the manufacturing and distribution footprint of a company is often not that easy. Most leadership teams, therefore, implement incremental changes – missing out on a valuable opportunity in the process. To optimize the value chain and unlock the maximum effect, it is essential for companies to get the balance right between people, processes, and technologies. A holistic approach can enable these 3 pillars to function in a mutually supportive fashion.

In the experiences gained from working in logistics for more than two decades that encompasses sporting mega-events - the likes of Asian Games, World Athletic Championships, FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA Arab Cup, and many more - I find these basics to be extremely essential for the supply chain to function with a certain level of fluidity.

Drawing from the collective expertise of skilled logisticians and industry veterans who work at GWC, it was necessary to have purpose-built an operation that is worthy of a FIFA World Cup? in terms of its sophistication, magnitude, and the sheer volume of deliveries involved.

The People Factor: #TeamGWC

A human-centered supply chain model has been at the heart of GWC since the very beginning in 2004. Over the years, the company has focused on fostering supply chain talent across various

disciplines - port executives, skilled warehousemen, packing specialists, delivery drivers, installation crew, inventory experts, quality supervisors, and line managers to name a few. Building a strong people-driven workforce of 4,000+ spread across diverse geographies around the world and seasoned to tackle logistical challenges at scale.

Over the last two years since GWC was appointed as the Official Logistics Provider, the planning team has continued the onboarding of experienced professionals to meet the logistics requirements and expectations of the host nation, other key stakeholders, commercial affiliates, participating brands, etc.

Alongside this, the knowledge gap in the field of logistics is being addressed through globally recognised logistics and supply chain management training programmes resulting from academic partnerships with some of the most highly regarded institutions in Qatar. As more and more youngsters look at logistics as a viable career choice, such programmes have enabled the acquisition and skilling of new talent for large-scale mandates like the World Cup itself.

The Process Factor: #Deliver2022

‘Speed first’ is far more than a motto when it comes to logistics. It is a well-thought strategy that has been implemented by providers all over the world, in one form or another. Among them, is GWC. The presence of a speed-first approach is one of the few reasons why FIFA has placed its valuable trust in a homegrown Qatari logistics provider to handle the logistics behind the greatest single-sports event on the planet.

Being the sports logistics partner for an event of this scale and magnitude takes into account rigorously enforced communication continuity, the ability to forecast bottlenecks, and the resources to overcome them through contingency planning well in advance. Covering the hard miles for several mega events prior to this engagement with FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? has seasoned GWC’s processes. Emerging as a tangible strength that can be leveraged to achieve the desired results in terms of delivery volumes, lead times, minimal wastage, maximum reuse & recycling, dismantling after the tournament, etc.

It is an elaborate process - from the moment goods are shipped into Qatar to their import clearance at port, followed by transportation to one of GWC’s warehousing facilities where they are stored under ideal conditions, through to repacking and last mile delivery into the World Cup venues. A process that GWC has managed to master over the years with the integration of global benchmarking, continuous improvement programs, and movement audits into the supply chain.

The effort has been towards the singular goal of ensuring quality beyond compromise in what can be called mission Deliver 2022.

The Tech Factor: #Innovation

We are in the information age where technology forms the core of any and every operation. Whether we consider large complex supply chains or the smaller simplified ones, the role of technology in their success cannot be discounted today. With customer and end-user experience becoming key deliverables for logistics providers, the integration of aspects like tracking, real-time visibility, automation, and reporting is now a part and parcel of most value chains.

Established and developed on the foundation of ‘Delivering Logistics Innovation’, technology is paramount to the success of logistics and supply chain services at GWC. The effective implementation of an integrated suite of technological tools within the operations at various stages of the value chain enables us to deliver at-scale logistics mandates seamlessly.

Agility within the supply chain, predictive analysis of replenishments, operational control over goods movement, and customer order fulfilment are all facilitated by sophisticated solutions in place viz. Warehouse Management System (WMS), Transportation Management System (OMS), and Order Management System (OMS)

Setting a new benchmark in the logistics sector, a Control Tower approach has been implemented for tracking and delivering end-to-end logistical support for the FIFA World Cup?.

Leveraging the power of the Internet of Things (IoT), the company has connected all its assets including trucks, machines, warehouses, pallets, and even its manpower. Using innovative technologies, the company can now track its 1,600 specialist vehicles, 4,000-strong workforce, and 20 logistical hubs.

The ambitious project enables the company to ensure flawless execution of a broad spectrum of logistics services in the lead-up and during the world’s greatest sporting event and shines the spotlight on GWC’s role as the official logistics provider for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022?.