Isflox Logistics is leveraging on digital solutions to satisfy clients – Israel Akpan
Mr Israel Akpan is the chief executive officer of Isflox Logistics Limited. He is a quintessential and astute businessman who has contributed immensely to the growth of Logistics business in Nigeria and Africa. In this interview with Tunji Faleye, he talks about logistics industry, the proficiencies of Isflox Logistics Limited, challenges and sundry issues in the logistics industry in Nigeria. Excerpt.
Kindly assess logistics industry in the last one year in Nigeria.
The logistics industry in Nigeria has experienced significant growth and challenges over the last few decades as a result of poor road infrastructure and network across the country. Despite facing these difficulties & challenges, the sector has shown resilience and adaptability.
Some of the few challenges include infrastructure Issues. Nigeria’s logistics industry continues to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, including poor road networks, inefficient ports management and limited warehousing capacity across the country.
There are also security concerns. Judging from the perspective of rampant insecurity issues, such as kidnapping and banditry have seriously increased the risks of doing business in the country, affecting logistics operations and supply chain management.
There is general economic instability. Today and in this very dispensation, the immediate removal of fuel subsidies has led to a surge in fuel prices, impacting logistics costs and overall economic stability across all business sectors in the country.
In spite these challenges, there are still noticeable growth and opportunities. The Nigerian government has invested heavily in infrastructure development, including the reconstruction/re-dualization of highways across the country and the expansion of ports, which is expected to improve logistics efficiency.
The adoption of digital technologies, such as automated warehousing solutions and integrated logistics platforms, is transforming the logistics landscape in Nigeria.
The rise of e-commerce in Nigeria has created new opportunities for logistics providers, with companies like DHL, Red Star Express (FedEx) expanding their e-commerce logistics operations.
Also, the freight transport segment has emerged as the largest and fastest-growing segment in Nigeria’s logistics market, driven by investments in transportation infrastructure and growing trade volumes.
Interestingly, the manufacturing segment dominates the logistics market, accounting for approximately 39% of the market share, driven by foreign direct investment and government initiatives.
While the logistics industry in Nigeria faces significant challenges, it also presents opportunities for growth and investment. As the sector continues to evolve, it is essential for logistics services providers to adapt to changing market trends and invest in digital transformation and infrastructure development.
Kindly tell us the meaning of Isflox Logistics Limited.
ISFLOX simply means – (Integrated Services, Freight & Logistics Operations). So, that is the acronym exact meaning. ISFLOX Logistics Limited provides diverse range of general Logistics & support services, which includes, but not limited to the following: general transportation networking and delivery services, travels & tours services, airport protocol service, general outsourcing services, warehousing and storage, car rental & staff bus leasing services/management. Others include, supply chain management, freight forwarding & haulage services, other human resources and human capital development services and management, general contractors, etc.
What are the corporate values and philosophy of Isflox Logistics Limited?
Isflox Logistics Limited’s corporate values and philosophy are what drive our business. Our Common Core values include, integrity: emphasizing honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in all interactions.
Others fall in the following segment: Innovation: Encouraging creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement to stay ahead in the industry.
Customer Satisfaction: Prioritizing customer needs, providing excellent & unprecedented services the first time and always to our customers, ensuring timely delivery, and we always keep our customers’ priorities straight.
Teamwork: Fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and open communication among team of employees.
Accountability: Emphasizing responsibility, ownership, and accountability for actions and results.
Safety: Ensuring the safety and security of people, goods, and the environment we operate in.
Quality Assurance: Maintaining high standards of quality in our service delivery, operations, and customer interactions.
What informed the choice of logistics where Isflox Logistics Limited play?
The choice of general logistics as Isflox Logistics Limited’s key sector is basically informed by several factors: The first one is economic growth: Logistics plays a critical role in facilitating economic growth by enabling the efficient movement of goods, products, and resources.
Global trade is also very important. Of course, the increasing volume of global trade has created a high demand for logistics services across the globe, making it an attractive sector for investment and growth.
Also, infrastructure development has also improved. Investments in transportation infrastructure such as roads, seaports and airports, have actually, over time improved the efficiency and capacity of logistics operations in Nigeria in particular.
There is also increase in technological advancement. If you should take an excursion tour around our airports and seaports in Omagwa and Onne in Rivers State and then MMIA and Apapa in Lagos State, you will see massive adoption of digital technologies, such as automation and data analytics systems in place, and this modern technological development has rapidly transformed the logistics industry/sector, making it more efficient, transparent and customer-centric.
The rise of consumer expectations is another factor. The rise of e-commerce has created new expectations for fast, reliable, and flexible delivery options and systems, driving innovation and growth in the logistics sector across the world.
The logistics sector in Nigeria for more than a decade now is a significant employer, providing job opportunities in various roles, ranging from drivers to warehouse staff to logistics managers and analysts, etc.
Interestingly companies that excel in logistics can gain a competitive advantage in their respective markets, making it an attractive sector for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves.
Nigeria as a case study, the logistics sector is critical for economic diversification: Logistics sector can support the growth of non-oil sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, Etc. Investments in logistics infrastructure can improve the country’s transportation network, facilitating trade and economic growth.
The logistics sector can provide employment opportunities for Nigeria’s growing population. Efficient logistics can simplify trade procedures, reducing costs and increasing the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.
The above-mentioned factors can effectively contribute to the importance of logistics in Nigeria, hence logistics becomes a choice key sector for Isflox Logistics Limited which we strongly believe that government will provide an enabling environment for it to thrive by God’s special grace.
What is the competitive advantage of Isflox Logistics Limited over other competitors in the industry?
Isflox Logistics Limited’s competitive advantage in the industry over other competitors is simple. We leverage on and adopting the best customers services business ethics, model/principles and enforcing global best practices in our daily operations.
To stand out in a crowded market, Isflox Logistics Limited focuses on developing capabilities that enhance its operations efficiency, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. Other potential areas where Isflox Logistics Limited has a competitive edge include: Cost advantages: We offer competitive pricing, reducing transportation costs and optimizing warehousing expenses whenever such needs or services demands come our way.
We provide fast and reliable delivery options, ensuring timely pickups and drop-offs and maintaining a high on-time delivery rate. Even where we experience hitches, our damage control mechanism is top notched.
Isflox Logistics Limited tailored logistics solutions to meet specific customer’s needs, offering flexible delivery options, and being adaptable to changing market conditions.
Isflox Logistics Limited has over time invested in digital technologies, such as automation and data analytics, in order to streamline operations, enhance visibility, and improve customer experience & satisfaction.
We painstakingly build and maintain strong business relationships and collaborations with some major industry giants as well as suppliers, carriers, transporters and other logistics providers to ensure a robust and reliable logistics service delivery network by extension render unprecedented services to our customers across board.
We prioritize environmentally friendly practices, reduce drastically environmental degradation where we operate in, and promote sustainable logistics solutions to appeal to eco-conscious customers.
These are some of the factors that gives Isflox Logistics Limited competitive advantage over other logistics services providers or players in the industry. We always endeavour to offer our services with unique combination of services approach.
Kindly tell us some of the achievements Isflox Logistics has recorded so far in the industry.
Well, Isflox Logistics Limited has over the years of its operations recorded some remarkable operational achievements as a general logistics and support services organisation. As a general logistics organisation who understands its onus, Isflox Logistics Limited deliberately ensures effective customers service delivery to its customers at all times without compromising its service delivery options standards with consistent deployment of the following service solutions such as;
Innovative solutions: At Isflox Logistics Limited, we deliberately implement cutting-edge technologies, such as automation, data analytics systems, to enhance our logistics operations.
Achieving high levels of operational excellence, efficiency is our watchword, to ensure fast delivery turnaround times, low error rates and zero customer defection, optimized effective supply chain management.
Guaranteeing positive feedback or awards for excellent customer service, such as timely responses, proactive issue resolution, or personalized support. We ensure that our operations team prioritize and maintain excellent customer service model at all times.
We received awards or recognition from reputable digital organizations, such as Vconnect, for outstanding contributions to the logistics industry.
In 2016, Isflox Logistics Limited fully participated in and played a leading role in community peace co-existence initiative as a result of the fracas that erupted between the local car hire team and the Corporate Car Rental Services companies in Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Rivers State. We had effectively in several occasions promoted environmental sustainability and supported in providing logistics for humanitarian initiatives during the COVID19 pandemic era in Nigeria.
Enumerate some of the clients your organisation had worked for and those you are still working for at present?
Isflox Logistics Limited’s clientele keep increasing steadily by the day as a general logistics services provider, and we have worked with/for some reputable organizations such as 9Nja Online, BDMS GLOBAL LTD UK, SM Digital Systems. We have also worked for The Royalline Nigeria, JARA – EDLP. The Royalline Technologies Limited, Etc.
Also we have clients in farming, agricultural processing, or exporting sector, such as The Promised Land Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited and others. We have clients in healthcare and pharmaceutical companies and oil and gas companies:
Kindly tell us some innovative ideas Isflox Logistics Limited is bringing into logistics industry.
Isflox Logistics Limited’s innovative ideas are enormous, I must say with our lean resources. Isflox Logistics Limited still plans to explore the following logistics solutions in the course of our operations. Implementing AI-powered algorithms to optimize route planning, predict delivery times, and detect potential operations issues.
We are seriously working around the clock to see how to deploy a blockchain technology that will ensure transparent, tamper-proof, and efficient supply chain management systems. We are actually in search for partnership or investors in this regard.
Work in progress to deploy into our operations IoT sensors and devices to track shipments, monitor warehouse conditions/inventory, and improve overall logistics efficiency.
We are tirelessly working assiduously to deploy biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials to minimize waste and promote environmental sustainability.
We are currently working on and developing user-friendly mobile apps and self-service platforms for our customers to manage their shipments, track packages, and access logistics information.
Work is also in progress to deploy an automated system in warehouses and logistics facilities that we are working on to engage in the nearest future in order to streamline logistics operations processes, reduce labor costs, and improve accuracy. We have, as a matter of importance working to utilize data analytics and business intelligence to optimize logistics operations, identify bottlenecks, and improve overall efficiency in our operations across board.
We are assiduously working on exploring the use of sophisticated power motor bikes and Mini buses in order to enhance our warehouse services, management, operations and last-mile delivery.
How is Isflox Logistics leveraging on digital solutions to remain relevant in a fast-involving industry in Nigeria?
Isflox Logistics Limited is leveraging on digital solutions to remain relevant in Nigeria’s fast-evolving logistics industry. As earlier said in the course of this interview, we are seriously working to deploy AI-powered algorithms to optimize route planning, predict delivery times and detect potential operations issues.
We have started utilizing GPS tracking, sensors and data analytics systems to provide real-time updates on shipments and improve overall logistics operations efficiency.
We offer convenient, secured and contactless payment options to enhance customer experience. We have already started working on deploying a logistics app with real-time tracking, smart payment options and 24/7 Customer Support Services Channels.
We will in no distant future introduce digital solutions such as infotainment services, e-business and person-to-person tracking solutions for an efficient logistics service delivery in our operations across board.
What innovative and creative ideas Isflox Logistics Limited is planning to deploy in the year 2025 and beyond?
Interestingly, Isflox Logistics Limited is actually working on series of innovative ideas & concepts that will ultimately shape up the logistics sector generally in Nigeria in 2025 and BEYOND.
Isflox Logistics Limited is increasingly investing in digital technologies to streamline its processes, enhance customer experience, satisfaction and improve operational efficiency.
Isflox Logistics Limited has long decided from inception upon its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, to play a crucial role in general logistics revolution in Nigeria’s logistics sector by enabling automation, predictive analytics logistical solutions and personalized customer experiences in its operations.
With growing concerns about climate change, Isflox Logistics Limited is uncompromisingly focusing on sustainable best global practices in its general operations, such as renewable energy and circular economy models to name but a few, in order to enhance efficiency in its operations.
Daily working on integrating different models of transportation into a single platform, is increasingly becoming important for Isflox Logistics Limited to guarantee efficiency and flexibility in its logistics operations in Nigeria and across the shores of Nigeria all things being equal.
Other innovative concepts that Isflox Logistics Limited is considerably looking into in the nearest future includes: Implementing AI-powered warehouse management systems in order to optimize real-time inventory management, reduce discrepancies, and improve efficiency in our daily operations.
Investing in an alternative model of IoT sensors and devices in our operations in order optimize operating costs in our daily general operations.
Developing a digital twin in our logistics operations in order to simulate and optimize processes, reduce risks and build a high level of responsiveness in our services delivery turnaround times
And lastly, we are seriously looking forward to exploring the use of blockchain technology to enhance operations transparency, security and efficiency in our supply chain management systems partnering TechMentors Skills Empowerment Foundation for deployment of this technology as soon as possible.
What are your projections for Isflox Logistics Limited for the next 5 to 10 years?
Well well well, to this end, Isflox Logistics Limited is expected to keep growing, soaring higher and higher in its general operations, and driven by factors such as increasing demand for E-commerce, improving infrastructure, adoption of digital technologies.
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