Page 30 - ITLN May June 2023 Magazine

Feature
Aerospace
Logistics

revenue for shippers, MRO companies, “With multiple stakeholders
and airlines,” he added. involved in the supply chain, from
Rahul Mehra, co-founder of Roadcast order placement to the return loop, the
Tech Solutions, a tech platform built for incorporation of digital technologies can
asset monitoring, fleet management, provide a seamless experience of an end-
and vehicle tracking and provides to-end supply chain network,” he added.
services to aerospace logistics Some of the digital technologies that
aggregators notes that more than for he mentioned include improved visibility,
manufacturing parts there is demand artificial intelligence, advanced satellite
for spare parts in India. technology, blockchain and immersive
“These logistics companies are technologies.
setting up local warehouses close Talking about the use of AI, he said,
to facilities where they can keep an “Automating manual processes and
inventory of spare parts so that the minimising human error are the main
distribution time is minimum.” We are working goals of AI adoption in the aerospace
He also reports that the aerospace on models so that industry. By identifying novel patterns
industry is following a just-in-time companies can keep and connections, AI, machine learning,
model of manufacturing. the supply chain lean, and computer vision, among other
“Most of these parts are imported don't have to invest too AI-related technologies, offer insights
and are often procured through into the data. This helps with several
chartered planes. Most of the much in inventory and operations, including route optimization,
manufacturers are practising just-in- can practice just-in- asset utilization, and increasing fuel
time manufacturing. They do not want time manufacturing efficiency. As a result, the technology
to maintain any inventory because the processes. supports crucial judgement calls during
part size is huge and warehousing is autonomous flight operations.”
very expensive because they are close to Rahul Mehra Mehra and Roadcast are planning
major cities,” he said. Roadcast Tech Solutions to launch a specialised platform for
“The primary business is to help with the demands of aerospace logistics
the movement of spare parts and the companies and similar industries.
second is to assist manufacturers to logistics automation platform. They are “Our platform was more built
practice just-in-time manufacturing,” using predictive modules which will towards a planned supply chain.
he added. tell them that the movement of aircraft Everything is fixed or scheduled. For
Mehra also mentioned how these is higher, maintenance will go up and example, if today my warehouse will
companies use demand forecasting this is the kind of part that they will deliver to 10 facilities, that planning is
tools to support the aerospace require,” he added. already done six months in advance.
manufacturing and spare parts Kumar also pointed out that But when you want to do real-time
business. shippers, MRO companies, and airlines planning, like what will I do in the next
“Based on real-time requirements, have specific demands when it comes to three days or the next four days? For
the parts are sourced. Logistics aerospace logistics movements in India. that, you need to accumulate a lot of
companies also help them to get in “They require specialized handling of data and predictive modules that will
touch with suppliers. So it is not just aerospace components and parts during give the right result.
about transportation but also managing transportation to ensure their safety and “We are working on these models
the entire supply chain,” he said. prevent damage. This may include the so that our platform can be leveraged
“Logistics companies help them use of specialized packaging, handling by these logistics partners or supply
identify suppliers for spare parts, equipment, and transportation modes. chains. We want to create a model by
which city they are based in, the kind They also need permits and approvals which companies can keep the supply
of inventory that they keep, and the in India that are subject to several chain lean, don't have to invest too
inventory that the logistics company regulatory requirements, including much in inventory and they can practice
will keep based on the demand from customs clearance, security screening, just-in-time manufacturing processes.
the manufacturer or the maintenance and documentation Hence, shippers, If they place an order the system
company. Based on that manufacturers MRO companies, and airlines require should be intelligent enough to identify
will maintain the inventory using logistics providers to comply with these the nearest supplier with the lowest
demand forecasting tools. For instance, regulations to ensure smooth and logistics cost and where they can keep
a company like IndiGo requires 20 units efficient movement of their shipments.” the inventory,” he added.
of a specific part every week because However, Kumar also noted that Thus, the Indian aerospace logistics
they know that out of 100 aircraft, 20 for the aerospace logistics industry to industry is poised not only to scale
will require the replacement of that be successful, the business must be but also to prepare itself to be more
one part. These companies are using sustainable and not purely driven by the competitive with new technologies and
high-end platforms integrated with the temporary surge. advanced processes.
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