Connect with us

Concrete

We are working towards next-gen route optimisation

Published

on

Shares

Anuradha Parakala, Co-founder, Chief Strategy and Product Officer, Fleetronix Systems, discusses with Kanika Mathur how optimising cement logistics with smart data solutions helps drive efficiency.

AI-powered route optimisation, real-time tracking and predictive maintenance are some of the ways in which Fleetronix Systems is helping fleet operators cut fuel consumption and lower emissions. As a women-led enterprise, how Fleetronix is shaping the future of sustainable transportation with innovation and inclusivity, are some of the key highlights that Anuradha Parakala, Co-founder, Chief Strategy and Product Officer, speaks on in this interview.

How is Fleetronix leveraging data-driven technology to enhance sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint in
cement logistics?
Imagine a fleet of trucks that is moving cement every day. Some of the trucks are taking the longer routes, some are sitting idle with engines running and some are overloaded, burning extra fuel. What if you could see all this happening in real time and fix it before the resources are wasted? That’s exactly what Fleetronix does with data-driven logistics.

Our technology helps cement manufacturers with the following:

  • Optimise routes: Trucks take the most efficient paths, reducing fuel waste.
  • Monitor fuel consumption: We track every drop of fuel used, cutting unnecessary emissions.
  • Reduce idling: If a truck is idling for too long, our system alerts fleet managers instantly.

What role does Fleetronix Megatrack play in optimising fleet efficiency and promoting eco-friendly transportation?
Fleetronix Megatrack is at the heart of our green logistics strategy. Think of it as a smart assistant that watches over your trucks 24/7.

Here’s what it does:

  • Tells drivers how to save fuel. If they accelerate too fast or brake too hard, Megatrack gives real-time feedback.Finds the smartest routes. It avoids congestion and suggests fuel-efficient paths.
  • Alerts for unnecessary stops. If a truck is idling too long, it notifies managers to take action.
  • Provides eco-driving assistance and real-time feedback to drivers on acceleration, braking and speed control, encouraging fuel-efficient driving habits.

How can geofencing and real-time tracking help cement manufacturers implement greener supply chain practices?
Geofencing is like setting an invisible boundary around important locations – cement plants, warehouses and customer sites.
Why does this matter?

  • No unnecessary detours: Ensures trucks operate within designated green corridors, avoiding congested routes that increase fuel consumption.
  • Less waiting time: Cement plants can prepare for arrivals, reducing truck idling.
  • Eco-friendly scheduling: Helps cement plants manage shipments efficiently, reducing waiting times and preventing unnecessary engine idling.
  • Restricted zone compliance: Prevents unauthorised detours through environmentally sensitive areas, supporting eco-conscious operations.

What innovations has Fleetronix introduced to improve vehicle maintenance and regulatory compliance while supporting green logistics goals?
At Fleetronix, we are constantly looking ahead to the future of logistics, and we see a massive opportunity in using technology to make fleet management smarter and more sustainable. Right now, fleet maintenance is often reactive – issues are fixed after they cause downtime. But we envision a future where predictive maintenance becomes the norm. Our goal is to develop a system that identifies potential problems before they turn into costly breakdowns, ensuring trucks run efficiently and reducing unnecessary emissions.
Regulatory compliance is another challenge we want to simplify. Instead of fleet managers juggling paperwork and last-minute audits, we are working on automated compliance monitoring – a system that keeps track of emission norms, safety regulations, and maintenance schedules seamlessly.
As the industry moves towards hybrid and electric vehicles, we see Fleetronix playing a key role in optimising fleet transitions – from smart route planning that maximises battery efficiency to integrated tracking for EV charging. Our vision is clear: healthier trucks, lower emissions, and a logistics industry that’s not just efficient, but truly sustainable. And we are actively building the technology to make it happen.

How does Fleetronix’s approach to load optimisation help reduce waste, fuel usage and emissions?
If a truck carries too little, you need more trips. If it’s overloaded, it burns more fuel and wears out faster. Neither is good for business or the environment. Fleetronix uses AI-based load optimisation tools to:

  • Ensure each vehicle carries an optimal load, reducing the number of trips needed.
  • Avoids excessive fuel burn caused by improperly loaded trucks.
  • Minimise the environmental impact by ensuring every truck moves efficiently.

In short, smarter loading = greener logistics.

As a company founded by women entrepreneurs, how is Fleetronix driving innovation in sustainable logistics for cement?
When we started Fleetronix, we didn’t just want to run a logistics company – we wanted to change how logistics works. As women entrepreneurs, we bring a fresh perspective – one that’s tech-driven, sustainability-focused and people-first. We envision a world where cement transportation is smarter, cleaner and more sustainable. Our goal is to develop AI-powered systems that predict and prevent inefficiencies, cutting down emissions before they happen.

  • We are working towards next-gen route optimisation, where fleets automatically choose the most fuel-efficient paths, reducing waste and environmental impact.
  • We aim to integrate EV and hybrid trucks seamlessly into supply chains, making green logistics the industry standard, not the exception.
  • We are committed to making logistics more inclusive because innovation prospers when diverse perspectives come together.

Concrete

Shree Cement Targets Above Industry Volume Growth In FY27

Chairman says firm will favour organic expansion and higher dividends

Published

on

By

Shares

Shree Cement expects to outpace the industry in the financial year 2026-27 as it pursues organic expansion and pricing discipline following a recent investor conference. The chairman said the company has completed a pricing realignment and recovered volumes lost during that exercise. Management signalled a clear preference for internal investments rather than acquisitions to support growth.

The company reported that capacity additions and demand growth across core markets are expected to underpin stronger volume performance, with a target of growing volumes at around 1.1 times the industry growth rate. Cash levels are likely to decline as capital expenditure progresses and shareholder distributions increase, the chairman indicated. The board has prioritised higher dividends over a buyback as a means of reducing excess cash.

Shree Cement described a market shift towards value and affordability rather than a race to the lowest price, which links demand expansion more closely with pricing. Historically, prices have risen at around three per cent annually over long periods, the company noted, and while prices may increase faster this year because of cost pressures from geopolitical tensions, a material improvement in industry profitability is not anticipated. In North India, the company expects additional capacity to be absorbed as demand grows, estimating a requirement of roughly 10 million (mn) tonne (t) of incremental demand annually.

The next phase of expansion will focus on the north, west, east and northeast regions, with existing projects and planned capacities viewed as sufficient to meet future demand without pursuing acquisitions. Management said it has already regained lost volumes while sustaining higher prices and will continue to monitor regional opportunities, including a possible investment in West Bengal pending clarity on industrial policy. The company, which has a current market capitalisation of Rs 852,948.9 mn, has seen its shares lose more than 20 per cent over the past year.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Ramco Cements’ Hard Worker Campaign Wins Seven Awards

Campaign earns honours for direction, editing and cinematography

Published

on

By

Shares
The Hard Worker campaign by The Ramco Cements has secured seven honours at the Good Ads Matter Awards 2026, adding to its growing list of accolades and reinforcing its standing among the year’s most recognised advertising campaigns.
The awards were presented during the Good Ads Matter Awards Night 2026 held at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai. The campaign received recognition across multiple categories, highlighting excellence in direction, editing, cinematography and storytelling.
Among the honours, the campaign won Silver in the Campaign of the Year – Direction category, while filmmaker Prakash Varma was named Director of the Year for the films Tortoise & Hare and Eco Plaster. Tortoise & Hare also received Silver awards for Best Editing and Best Colour Grading, along with a Bronze award for Best Cinematography. Eco Plaster earned Bronze awards in the Best Direction – Narrative and Best Direction – Humour categories.
Both films extended their award-winning run, with Eco Plaster being recognised for its narrative centred on water conservation through innovative construction solutions, while Tortoise & Hare was honoured for its storytelling and craft execution.
The Hard Worker campaign was built around the idea that hard work deserves recognition and respect. Through culturally rooted and emotionally engaging stories, the campaign has connected with consumers, engineers, masons and the wider construction community across the country.
Commenting on the achievement, A V Dharmakrishnan, CEO of The Ramco Cements Limited, said that the continued recognition across leading creative platforms reflects the company’s commitment to meaningful and authentic communication rooted in the values of the people it serves.
Balaji K Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, The Ramco Cements Limited, said the awards recognise the craftsmanship behind the storytelling, from direction and cinematography to editing and narrative execution.
Following recognition at both the Kyoorius Creative Awards and the Good Ads Matter Awards, the Hard Worker campaign continues to demonstrate the impact of purpose-driven storytelling combined with strong creative execution and consumer relevance.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Cement Makers Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Growth

Published

on

By

Shares

World Environment Day spotlight on innovation and circularity

On World Environment Day, the Indian cement industry reiterated its commitment to supporting India’s climate ambitions through sustainable manufacturing, resource efficiency and the adoption of cleaner technologies.

The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) said the sector remains aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitments and is accelerating efforts to reduce its environmental footprint while supporting the country’s infrastructure and development agenda.

Parth Jindal, President, CMA and Managing Director, JSW Cement, said the industry is increasingly adopting cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency and expanding the use of alternative fuels and raw materials. He also highlighted the growing importance of circular economy practices, where industrial by-products and waste streams from one sector are utilised as resources in another.

“The Indian Cement Industry is aligned to the Government’s commitments on carbon mitigation and is accelerating the adoption of cleaner technologies, resource efficiency and circular economy practices while actively exploring the potential of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) as a critical pathway for deep decarbonisation,” said Jindal.

He added that coprocessing industrial waste and by-products helps conserve natural resources, reduce disposal requirements and lower the environmental footprint across multiple sectors.

According to Jindal, sustainability is no longer limited to manufacturing processes but is increasingly influencing investment decisions, innovation strategies and long-term growth plans within the industry.

Echoing similar views, Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA and Managing Director, JK Cement, said sustainable development extends beyond emissions reduction and must also focus on responsible resource utilisation and waste minimisation.

“Sustainability in the built environment cannot be measured by emissions alone. It is equally about how efficiently we use resources, how effectively we minimise waste and how responsibly we create the infrastructure that will serve future generations,” said Singhania.

He noted that the cement industry is advancing its sustainability agenda through greater resource efficiency, increased circularity, technological innovation and continuous improvements in manufacturing practices. As a key contributor to India’s infrastructure development, the sector has a critical role to play in balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting India’s climate goals while delivering the materials required for resilient, durable and sustainable infrastructure.

 

Continue Reading

Video Thumbnail
â–¶

    SIGN-UP FOR OUR GENERAL NEWSLETTER


    Trending News

    SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

     

    Don't miss out on valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like minded professionals.

     


      This will close in 0 seconds