The CEO of Pakistan’s fastest growing logistics start up, Muhammad Uns, talks about what makes Swyft a success and of the country’s budding eCommerce potential
Tell us about your business model and what Swyft Logistics aims to achieve?
Swyft is the first, technology and data-driven last-mile delivery service in Pakistan. We aspire to reinvent logistics in Pakistan by staying a step ahead of our competition. By employing a system different from the contemporaries in the industry, Swyft provides a better, quick, and efficient flow of goods.
We make sure that both vendors and consumers have access to real time tracking and traceability, hence, ensuring a smooth last mile experience and remarkable customer service. The reason why our clientele is expanding and uber satisfied is predominantly due to our low return rates, flexible payment schedules, zero fake cancellations and more. We make sure that each vendor that joins hands with us grows and prospers, be it a market veteran or a brand-new venture.
How is the logistics sector changing in Pakistan?
With the emergence of eCommerce and rising digital literacy among consumers, our logistics industry has been changing significantly in the recent years. Factors such as rising disposable incomes, dual-income households, and constant urbanisation have encouraged customers across diverse economies to follow upcoming logistics trends.
This has further resulted in the rapid development of retail channels requiring efficient inventory management and warehousing solutions for helping the customers to make informed purchase decisions. The growing complexity and dynamic nature of supply chains require progressively advanced information technology solutions.
Hence, the latest developments in the logistics’ industry involve technology-based management to reduce expenses and increase efficiency. As a result of this, many organisations will have to reshape their entire business to become more active with an efficient infrastructure at the heart of a successful customer-centric business.
What are the biggest challenges you face?
Being a start-up established in 2019, a major issue that we initially encountered while entering the logistics market in Pakistan, was that it had been already monopolised by old conventional last-mile companies.
One of our major concerns was establishing trust between our newly formed company and the clientele. The fact that made this task more difficult, was that we were expected to offer our premium services at highly competitive rates. Since we don’t outsource our services, we are not Pan Pakistan, like most of our competitors who have already established vast networks throughout the country.
However, we have come a long way! We have expanded to more than 55 cities and towns and our clientele base is growing day by day. We’re hopeful that these challenges won’t be as big of an obstacle in our journey anymore like they were when we first started.
How has the pandemic impacted the sector?
The pandemic proved to be a nightmare for most sectors of the economy, due to the decrease in trade, mobility and falling demand for goods and services. However, fortunately for Swyft and most of the logistics industry, this was a blessing in disguise and huge an opportunity for growth and prosperity.
Restrictions in mobility and frequent lockdowns led to the eCommerce industry booming. Sales of online businesses doubled, followed by a spike in the demand for our logistic services. Since, trade activities were restricted, this created a very favorable environment for local startups to flourish. Our coverage and outreach of not only major cities but also smaller towns and cities, gave us a huge advantage over other courier services which only delivered products to major cities.
Where do you see the logistics sector in Pakistan in the next five years?
The Pakistani logistics industry is still young and has a lot of potential for growth. With the eCommerce industry in Pakistan at boom, it is inevitable that the courier logistics sector will expand. The pandemic has made the Pakistani population resort to the eCommerce industry to fulfill their shopping needs, and this has increased consumer expectations from the courier companies.
A host of start-ups have entered the industry and companies are realising the dire need of supply chain and logistics factors. Third party logistics companies have only recently started to derive and use data to achieve greater efficiencies. The increased interest of private companies in the logistics industry promises an elevated momentum in the growth of logistics and transportation industry.
What’s in the pipeline for Swyft Logistics?
There are numerous milestones that we look forward to achieving. Having a nationwide presence is on the table for Swyft. We are currently looking forward to expanding across Pakistan. Taking pride in being the most tech-oriented logistics provider in the industry, we are also looking forward to harnessing the reins of the automated warehousing and fulfillment sector.
This will enable us to provide value added services to our vendors and would help us set a benchmark in the industry, alongside, tapping into the retail sector and explore further opportunities. Leadership and teamwork go hand-in-hand. Therefore, at Swyft, we create a comfortable and positive work environment that inspires us to learn, grow and excel every day.