COVER STORY
Madhav Kurup, CEO, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics—MENA, receiving the Logistics Innovation Award from Anitha Nandini, Consul–Commerce, Press & Information, Consulate General of India, at the recent BNC Publishing-sponsored Indian Innovator Awards 2014 in Dubai.
line of thought and emulation. It is about pulling together in unison, synergy, consistency and harmony,” he asserted. Our Corporate DNA defines who we are, the way in which our culture and our way of conducting business are unique. “Our brand distinguishes us and it is the individuality and diversity of our employees that ultimately empowers us. We are F.A.M.I.L.Y. At Hellmann, we are committed to supporting diversity in a constantly changing environment, which is shaped by globalization, changes in values and demographics, and continuously increasing complexities,” he emphasized. The industry is also getting increasingly crowded as more players enter the ring. There is oversupply of service providers, margins are dwindling and the downturn has adversely impacted business and sharpened competition but Kurup’s concerns are more banal than business. “Traditionally the supply chain & logistics industry in the region has been largely reactive rather than proactive and that has proven detrimental to the trade. It would almost seem that many companies are in the logistics space not by choice but by default or for lack of better opportunities in other industry sectors,” he maintains. Another concern he echoed was the lack of good-calibre, well-qualified talent to the industry that is not attracting the crème de la crème of the finest brains in the business. Kurup challenged companies to make the industry amenable and attractive to young professionals who intend to make a career and to make logistics the profession of choice to budding talent. Kurup also envisions Hellmann to become a logistics provider of choice to an increasingly bigger clientele that seek to harness its services. “Our work culture follows a corporate work ethic that is conducive to fostering a strong and professional relationship with our clients, working hard & efficiently to meeting needs and building customers’ trust, building momentum and consolidating partnerships along the way. We now have the business acumen, assets, expertise, experience and skills to provide a high quality service and to care for our clients’ interests,” he concluded.
Entrepreneur Indian Innovators Awards 2014 Madhav Kurup, CEO-MENA, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, was the recipient of the recent Logistics Innovation Award at the inaugural Entrepreneur Indian Innovator Awards 2014, hosted by Entrepreneur Middle East at a glittering, well-attended and sit-down dinner ceremony held at the Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Kurup received his Logistics Innovation Award amid applause from the Chief Guest, Anitha Nandini, Consul– Commerce, Press and Information, Consulate General of India in Dubai, UAE, who presided over the event as the Chief Guest and keynote speaker On the occasion of the first annual Entrepreneur Indian Innovator Awards, BNC Publishing as part of the Entrepreneur MENA Franchise and Publishers of Logistics News Middle East, awarded businesses and individuals across multiple categories in December 2014. The recipients of the Indian Innovators have established themselves as clear industry leaders who have made significant contributions to the Middle East business arena, and set the benchmark for corporations operating across the region. In his speech addressing the gathering on behalf of BNC Publishing, Director Wissam Younane, highlighted the wealth of talent, resource and noted the ingenuity, innovation and inspiration of the Indian expatriate business and professional community. “SMEs act as the cornerstones of flourishing economies- it is said that any truly healthy commercial space has a wealth of both multinationals and SMEs working hand in hand. The same can be said about you, the innovators distinguished this evening. In this room, both large scale and small scale enterprises are represented, and you are the force behind the growth of the emerging economies that we are successfully operating in today,” he affirmed. The Award was presented to industry veteran Madhav Kurup for his stellar and sustained contribution to the supply chain and logistics industry during his long and accomplishments-laden career in the UAE. Speaking exclusively to Logistics News Middle East, Madhav Kurup remarked: “I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition. I was away travelling when officials broke the good news and I was delighted. I also believe that this was a direct tribute to Hellmann Logistics since it has shaped my career over the past over six years. I thank BNC Publishing for this initiative and was proud to share the platform at the Entrepreneur Indian Innovator Awards 2014, with other prominent and distinguished of my compatriots.” Logistics News ME | January 2015 | 25