Golden Aero Logistics ensures maximum uptime with Eicher’s vehicles, proactive maintenance, and real-time fleet monitoring, writes Richa Tyagi.

The pillars of success

Golden Aero’s success comes from its strong focus on working efficiently and providing excellent customer support. By prioritising these two areas, the company has been able to meet the logistics needs of a wide range of clients, including government organisations, private companies, and large corporations. “Operational efficiency and great customer support have always been our priority and focusing sincerely on these two aspects has majorly driven growth and success at Golden Aero,” said Pritpal Singh Datta, Director of Golden Aero Logistics & Concierge Services Pvt Ltd.

Strategic partnership with VE Commercial Vehicles

Golden Aero Logistics & Concierge Services Pvt Ltd’s partnership with VECV began in 2012 and has since become a cornerstone of their success. According to Pritpal, “We find VECV’s vehicles highly beneficial for our transport business due to their high average and low maintenance. This has led us to purchase more of their vehicles, and we have now become one of their key account customers. We use Eicher vehicles across our operations and are actively involved in their R&D process whenever they plan to launch a new product. They have taken feedback at every stage to create a high-quality product, and we hope the newly launched vehicle succeeds. Our relationship with VECV is mutually beneficial, and they even showcased a prototype vehicle to us during the development phase.”

Pritpal emphasised that while many OEMs contribute to their growth, VECV stands out because they truly understand the importance of Golden Aero’s business and the value of their time. “Whenever I highlight concerns about vehicle breakdowns and the resulting downtime, VECV takes it very seriously. They provide us with monthly data on vehicle breakdowns, detailing the issues and ensuring repairs are completed within a specific timeframe. This level of commitment and transparency is what sets VECV apart and makes them an invaluable partner,” he added. Golden Aero recently bought Eicher LMD CNG vehicles, Pro 2059XP CNG, Pro 2075 CNG, and Pro 2109 CNG for DHL operations, deployed at Mumbai and Bangalore.

Pritpal further shared, “We have already deployed Eicher’s EVs, such as the Titan and Eicher Pro 2055 models, with Amazonin Delhi NCR. Recently, we placed an order for 25 more Eicher vehicles, including the Pro X, which will be delivered in the next three months. Last month, Eicher launched the Pro X, adding to their range of advanced EV options.”

Cost-benefit analysis of EVs vs ICE vehicles

The adoption of EVs has proven to be cost-effective for Golden Aero. Lower fuel consumption, reduced operational expenses, and the elimination of fuel theft have contributed to significant savings. Additionally, the automatic nature of EVs has enhanced driver comfort, leading to higher driver satisfaction and retention. These factors have collectively improved the company’s operational efficiency and profitability.

Leveraging technology for fleet management

To manage its large fleet, Golden Aero has set up a dedicated control room with a team that tracks all vehicles. The company also employs on-road supervisors who provide real-time feedback. If the tracking team notices issues like a vehicle running slow, being off-schedule, or experiencing a breakdown, site supervisors gather reports and maintain the data. Additionally, all new EVs come equipped with advanced technology and software, ensuring they operate efficiently within their designated parameters. “The myEicher app has been extremely useful for us,” Pritpal added. “For EVs, it provides information on battery status and distance covered, while for ICE vehicles, it tracks average performance and monitors driver behaviour. These features help us assess driving patterns and determine when a driver change is needed. The app is a valuable tool for managing our fleet effectively.”

Also, VECV’s myEicher app offers detailed insights into vehicle kilometres, average performance, live location, service due dates, and service bills. “These details help us analyse vehicle efficiency and optimise asset management. We are more than willing to subscribe to the system after the free trials,” shared Pritpal.

Revenue distribution

Golden Aero’s revenue is diversified across multiple sectors, with e-commerce accounting for 40 per cent, MNCs for 30 per cent, FMCG for 20 per cent, and the automobile sector for 10 per cent. The company has observed a shift in demand and freight realisation, with the rise of e-commerce.

After-sales service and uptime

“Among all the brands we work with, Eicher’s service stands out as exceptional. The reason is that I don’t have to reach out to Eicher when a vehicle is not working, they proactively check with us. If we overlook vehicle maintenance, Eicher reminds us, and I immediately instruct my team to inspect all vehicles. This proactive approach is incredibly helpful and beneficial. We never have to chase them to resolve issues,” shared Pritpal.

He added, “We purchase spare parts from garages, but our vehicles typically go to Eicher’s authorised dealers for maintenance. While Eicher’s spare parts are slightly more expensive, the maintenance requirements are lower, making it manageable for us.”

Pritpal also highlighted how Eicher supports them during peak seasons. “During festive seasons, when vehicle usage is high and breakdowns are more frequent, Eicher inspects our fleet in advance, which is extremely beneficial. We also face driver shortages during these times, but since we know the extent of the shortage in advance, we can plan accordingly. Eicher provides driver training, and we have our own team that regularly briefs drivers to ensure smooth operations.”

He further shared an experience with Eicher’s leadership. “Eicher always takes our suggestions seriously. Once, during the launch of a new vehicle, I met with Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO of VECV. During our discussion, I suggested that instead of focusing heavily on sales, they should prioritise their maintenance team and ensure customers receive well-maintained vehicles. I believed that sales would naturally increase as a result. He appreciated the idea, and I later learned that he implemented my suggestion,” Pritpal concluded.

Industry challenges and future outlook

Despite its success, Golden Aero faces industry-wide challenges, including driver shortages and the need for cost stabilisation in the transition from BSIV to BSVI standards. “Many issues, such as route optimisation, road infrastructure, and toll systems, have been addressed by the government. However, two major challenges remain: first, the shortage of drivers, and second, the industry’s struggle to stabilise costs. The sudden cost increase from BSIV to BSVI standards has not been matched by a corresponding rise in prices. The market is still operating on BSIV cost structures, and this needs to be resolved,” said Pritpal.

He also highlighted concerns about driver safety and comfort. “In our industry, driver security and safety are often overlooked. While Eicher has taken initiatives to improve driver safety and comfort, features like cruise control are not very practical on Indian roads. The more Eicher enhances its vehicles, the more beneficial it will be for us. We trust Eicher’s products and often recommend their vehicles to others,” Pritpal added.