Page 24 - ITLN January - February 2024 Issue for the Website

Interview
Amarnath
Banik

A trucking

business

saga from

North East

Amarnath Paribahan is a 40-year-old family trucking business based in Guwahati, Assam
and it grew from a fleet of 50 trucks and 60 drivers to 200 trucks and 250 drivers after joining
hands with Amazon India. Director of Amarnath Paribahan Amarnath Banik recently spoke
to ITLN about the early years of the business, nuances of North East and its future plans.
Libin Chacko Kurian

Tell us about the beginnings of the trucking partner programme. It was all trips and performance metrics,
family trucking business and how a significant moment as I recognized while Relay for Drivers simplifies
it evolved in the 80s and 90s. the immense potential for growth and processes like check-in, checkout,
Our family's trucking business has a saw an opportunity to contribute and real-time communication
rich history, dating back to 1984. It's to the thriving e-commerce and in emergencies, guaranteeing
a journey that spans decades and is logistics industries. prompt assistance.
rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit In the beginning, we embarked on Amazon's support has not only
that defines our family. The early this journey with a modest fleet of increased our operational capacity
years were a foundation-building 50 trucks and a team of 60 dedicated but also introduced innovative
period, and we ventured into the drivers. With Amazon’s trucking tools, significantly streamlining
logistics and transportation industry partner programme, we were able our processes. Our strategy also
with a vision for success. to reshape our family's trucking involves fostering local ties within the
As time passed, our business business. The programme not only North East, and establishing strong
evolved, responding to the dynamic facilitated the expansion of our fleet relationships with communities
changes in the market. The 1980s and to over 200 trucks but also opened and businesses to enhance our
1990s were pivotal decades where we doors to a range of technology-driven understanding of local dynamics.
solidified our presence in the trucking products and valuable services. This network contributes to smoother
business. These years set the stage Amazon's offering of value-added operations. Recognizing the unique
for my personal involvement in the services (VAS) eased our entry to challenges, especially the need for
family legacy, as I joined in 2006, convenient and lower-interest-rate skilled drivers in challenging terrains,
ready to contribute to the industry that financing, serving as a crucial factor we've prioritized comprehensive
had become a significant part of our in the significant expansion of our recruitment and training
family's identity. business. Additionally, the utilization programmes. This ensures our
of Relay app, also played a key role in team is well-prepared to overcome
Tell us about how you learned overcoming our everyday challenges. specific regional challenges. To
about Amazon’s trucking partner The Relay app, comprising Relay address unexpected disruptions,
programme and how it changed for Carrier and Relay for Driver, strategic backup routes have been
your business. contributes to the improvement implemented, providing alternatives
In 2019, my business took a significant of operational efficiency. Relay for when faced with unforeseen
turn when I learned about Amazon's Carrier provides instant visibility into circumstances. This proactive
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January - February 2024 www.itln.in