Interview of President, CJ Darcl, Mr Pardeep Bansal
November 26, 2024
In a candid conversation with President of CJ Darcl, Mr Pardeep Bansal, we explore the transformation of India’s logistics sector. From a humble ₹55 crore turnover in 1996 to a ₹5,000 crore powerhouse today, CJ Darcl has evolved into a leading multimodal logistics provider, covering road, rail, air, and coastal transportation. In this edition of Stainless Post, Supriya Sundriyal from Corporate Communications speaks with Mr Bansal as he emphasizes the logistics sector’s immense potential, urging professionals to seize opportunities in warehousing, transportation, and more, as logistics emerges as a key driver of India’s growth story.
Please tell us about yourself and about your company. What are your main products and target markets?
Thank you, Supriya. I am Pradeep Bansal, President of CJ Darcl Logistics. I joined the company in 1996. At that time, the company had a turnover of ₹55 crore, and today it is close to ₹5,000 crore. Let me share more about the company. It was established in 1975, and after 1986, we began working with corporate clients like Indian Oil and Assam Oil. In 1989, we started working with Jindal Stainless.
Currently, the company owns 1,000 vehicles, and we collaborate with 8.5 lakh market-hired vehicles to provide pan-India services. We handle approximately 19 lakh tonnes of cargo annually. Through our 190 branches, we cover 5,000–6,000 locations across the country, with a customer base of around 5,000.
In logistics services, we specialize in full truckload transportation, handling goods like iron, steel, coal, polymers, FMCG products, and white goods. Our services include road transportation via trucks and multimodal transport combining road and rail.
How have you seen the evolution of the logistics services in India? What are some of the key challenges that logistics industry face today?
There is a significant difference between the time I joined and today. Earlier, the road infrastructure was almost non-existent, but now there has been substantial improvement. Vehicles that used to take 7-8 days to deliver goods to Mumbai now complete the delivery in just 3–4 days. Wet check posts and RT check posts are a thing of the past. Employment opportunities are improving day by day.
The capacity of vehicles, which used to be 12-15 tonnes, has now increased to 40 tonnes, and there are discussions to further enhance this capacity in the future. Additionally, a lot of development is happening in the area of alternate fuels. The government is actively working on reducing carbon emissions and focusing on LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and EV (electric vehicle) technologies.
How has the logistics industry embraced stainless steel as an input material? What makes stainless steel the most suitable material?
Earlier, stainless steel didn’t have much impact due to its cost, but now its usage has started increasing. Recently, we collaborated with Jindal Stainless to develop 50 fully stainless steel containers, which are part of a larger fleet of 32-feet-high cube containers. This has given us a payload benefit of around 500 kg, thanks to the higher strength and lower thickness of stainless steel. Compared to mild steel, stainless steel offers greater strength and rust prevention, ensuring better durability and a longer lifespan.
When did your association with Jindal Stainless begin? What sets Jindal Stainless apart?
In my view, our association with Jindal Stainless began in 1989. When we connected with OP Jindal and our chairman, Mr KK Agarwal, we started by transporting their store materials and raw materials to the Jindal Hisar plant from across India. This included working with the Jindal Raigarh plant and the Visakhapatnam ferrochrome plant. We also transported goods from the port city to their facilities. Today, we work with all Jindal Stainless plants across India.
Our relationship with Jindal Stainless feels like more than just a business collaboration—it feels like family. We have always considered the company as our own, never feeling like it was separate from us. This sense of belonging allows us to work with complete confidence and a free flow of trust. The transparency and commitment Jindal Stainless demonstrates are equally beneficial to us, creating a strong, mutually advantageous partnership.
What advice would you give to professionals who wish to join the logistics industry and impact the society positively?
People often have the perception that logistics doesn’t offer good service or a promising career, but that’s no longer the case. Logistics now has a strong demand and has become much more professional. Many well-trained professionals, including MBAs, are entering the field through reputed institutes. The potential in this industry is immense. Whether it’s raw materials, warehousing, full truckload (FTL) services, or air shipments, with honesty, commitment, and the right team, logistics offers tremendous opportunities for growth and success.
