The digital marketplace for intra-city logistics launches operations in third city after Mumbai & Hyderabad
· SmartShift is a technology enabled platform that connects cargo owners and transporters for on-demand logistics requirements
· Since its launch in October 2015 it has garnered over 12,000 stakeholders and clocks approximately 1,200 transactions every day
· Currently operational across Mumbai and Hyderabad and now launching operations in Bengaluru
· Aims to add value to 1 million stakeholders in 3 years
February 21, 2017, Bengaluru: SmartShift, the digital mobility start-up from the US$ 17.8 billion Mahindra Group, today announced the launch of its operations in Bengaluru, its third city after successful launches in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Aimed at enabling efficiencies in the last mile logistics space, SmartShift acts as a platform for cargo owners and transporters to work with each other, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship.
SmartShift is an intra-city digital load exchange platform for cargo owners and transporters, enabling them to efficiently transport cargo from point A to point B. Cargo owners (both businesses and individual users) can access the SmartShift service through a world class mobile app (available on Android), the website or the dedicated call centre. The key differentiator that SmartShift brings to this space is the feature of “Reverse Bidding”. This implies that the app successfully emulates the bargaining process between cargo owners and transporters, allowing them to close the deal at a mutually acceptable price.
In just 16 months since launch, SmartShift has emerged as the number 1 industry player in both Mumbai and Hyderabad and has become the preferred choice for over 12,000 stakeholders, clocking approximately 1,200 transactions a day. The team is now geared towards its next ambitious milestone of creating a community of 1 million stakeholders over the next 3 years.
Speaking at the launch of SmartShift in Bengaluru, Kausalya Nandakumar, CEO, SmartShift, said, “We are delighted to start our operations in the city of Bengaluru and further expand our geographical footprint. As one of the top five markets for commercial vehicles, with a high rate of smartphone adoption in both cargo owner and the transporter community, Bengaluru holds immense potential for a digital platform like ours. Our pilot operations in the market have clearly indicated the latent need to bring significant cost efficiencies in last mile logistics, with high willingness of both owners and transporters to try aggregation platforms.”
Ms. Nandakumar further added, “According to a report, the logistics industry in India is pegged at $130 billion with 35%-40% of it being in the intra-city space. It is also estimated that 18 lakh small commercial vehicles complete millions of transactions daily, across the country. Going ahead we will not only focus on enabling improved business productivity for our customers but shall continually nurture customer relationships, moving beyond mere transactional business.”
With SmartShift, Mahindra offers transparent pricing, an efficient simple one-click booking process and the ability to track cargo after dispatch. As one of the biggest players in the CV industry, Mahindra understands and recognises this ecosystem and its dynamics. As the first intrapreneurial start-up incubated within the Mahindra Group, SmartShift combines the process, governance and discipline of a large mature business with the tenacity, nimbleness and fierce competitiveness of a start-up. The young team strongly leverages the multi-disciplinary mentorship of the Mahindra Group and unmatched privileged access to 150 Mahindra group companies, working as a seamless logistics solution partner in the ‘One Mahindra’ ecosystem.
The unique SmartShift service allows cargo owners to:
· Book a vehicle in less than 3 minutes
· Negotiate the best price through a unique first of its kind “BID” feature
· Choose from a range of certified and trained SmartShifters
· Track the selected SmartShifter to ensure that his consignment is delivered safely and securely
Simultaneously, the SmartShift service allows cargo transporters to:
· Get more business through faster and easier order taking technology
· Get the option of accepting or declining a delivery request based on pricing or the availability of vehicles
· Get the opportunity to explore and expand to other markets
· Look forward to a higher earning potential
About Mahindra
The Mahindra Group is a USD 17.8 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It has a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company, by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, components, commercial vehicles, consulting services, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, steel, aerospace, defence and two wheelers. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 200,000 people across 100 countries.
Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com / Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise