Legacy companies are the ones that have stood the test of time. Jeena & Company is one such organization that has been standing tall since 1900 and is a renowned name in the logistics and supply chain industry.
Nari Katgara, part of the 5th generation of the family, is one of the significant driving forces behind Jeena’s international expansion. As a country development manager, the organization has seen remarkable success under his astute leadership. Let’s delve into the journey of Jeena & Company, the legacy of the Katgara family, and Nari Katgara’s insights into the logistics and supply chain industry.
Transforming Logistics in India and Beyond
Established in 1900 by Pallonji Katgara, Jeena & Company, a family-owned business, has grown into a global leader. It provides end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions.
Nari Katgara’s journey with the company began as a fifth-generation member of the founding family. Raised in a family passionate about logistics, he felt a deep calling to join the company. His inspiration was clear – he wanted to revolutionize the traditional logistics landscape in India.
In 2019, the company expanded globally, starting with its first international office in Australia. The Jeena management wanted someone from the founding family to hold the reins, and that’s exactly when Nari was entrusted with the responsibility of leading Jeena Global Pty Ltd, the sister company.
Nari Katgara asserts, “Ever since, it has been a wonderful journey. All this while, I have learned the nitty-gritty of logistics and supply chain management. With my skilled backend team in India, I have been able to handle end-to-end processes in Australia single-handedly. I’m glad that despite the volume of responsibilities I shoulder, I have been able to offer customer-centric solutions at all times.”
Learning from the Best
Nari Katgara’s journey has been a constant learning experience. He attributes his knowledge to the guidance of the best leaders in logistics, including his father and uncles.
“The more we are exposed to practical situations, the more adept we become at handling operational issues.”
Logistics and supply chain management are complex fields, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. Nari Katgara’s tenure at Jeena Global allowed him to apply his knowledge effectively, and he looks back on his journey with gratitude.
His work combines customer retention with new acquisitions. However, his responsibilities extend beyond customer relations. Nari conducts industry research and manages operations, sales, and finance remotely. This multifaceted role is a significant achievement, and it underscores his commitment to the company’s success.
Innovation: The Driver of Success
Companies that embrace innovation are often the ones that thrive. It’s not merely about introducing new products or services but about fostering a culture that encourages creativity, experimentation, and the pursuit of novel ideas.
Innovations can lead to breakthroughs in processes, products, or even business models, allowing companies to stay ahead of the curve and cater to the ever-changing needs of their customers. This undeniable truth remains at the core of Jeena & Company.
“Innovation is one of the three value pillars that Jeena & Company stands for.”
Nari Katgara recognizes that sustainable growth is unattainable without a commitment to innovation. In fact, without continuous innovation, a company risks stagnation. As a result, it serves as the foundational principle of Jeena’s operational framework, whether in India or Australia. This steadfast commitment drives the company to continually develop its offerings and solutions, ensuring its relevance in an ever-changing business landscape.
Adapting to Post-Covid Scenarios
The Covid-19 pandemic transformed businesses worldwide. It forced companies of all sizes and industries to adapt swiftly or risk obsolescence. Supply chains faced challenges, emphasizing the need for resilience and diversification.
Nari Katgara mentions that people started to notice the importance of logistics during the crisis. He says, “Truth be told, logistics have got a due recognition during the pandemic. People across the globe realized that logistics is the lifeblood of the world economy.”
As businesses have already witnessed the worst, conquered the nemesis, and emerged victorious, they are now better prepared and equipped to face any obstacles that might come their way. They now prioritize contingency planning, better equipping themselves to face future challenges. This transformation has been a significant turning point for the logistics industry.
Challenges and Success
Within the business world, each sector has its own requirements and challenges. Some issues drastically effect across a range of industries and sectors. Every business strives to maintain the quality of its customer relationships, the vibrancy of its brand, and the satisfaction of its workforce. A successful company overcomes obstacles to set itself apart from its competitors.
A similar level of challenge was faced by Jeena & Company. Shifting his base from India to Australia when there was an urgent need for someone to take charge of the business was indeed the biggest challenge for Nari, as he hadn’t been with the family business in India for long.
Having said that, deciphering customer behavior and expectations in an international destination was also a challenge that he faced during his initial days. However, these challenges introduced him to unexplored horizons and aided him in pushing his boundaries.
Nari Katgara attributes Jeena & Company and Jeena Global’s success to the quality of its services and ethics. According to him, without uncompromised values and excellence in services, it is next to impossible for any company to survive for more than 12 decades.
“It is a matter of pride for all of us that Jeena & Company has not only survived but also thrived in the last 123 years.”
The Power of the Team
The company’s workforce is its biggest power! Jeena & Company boasts a team of over 1000 logistics architects across 27+ offices in India. Nari Katgara prioritizes hiring individuals eager to grow with the company.
The company’s pan India team comprises highly-skilled and experienced professionals. The team’s diverse experience in various logistics verticals contributes significantly to the company’s success.
Nari Katgara adds, “At Jeena, long-standing relationships are valued, be it at the customer level, agent level, or employee level. The average stint of employees here has been recorded to be 10 years, which speaks volumes about the company’s and employees’ growth potential. We ensure all the necessary support is given to establish the growth of employees within the organization. Parallelly, our team goes beyond their way to ensure that our company climbs the ladder of success.”
Tailored Solutions for Success
Being the oldest Customs House Agent, Jeena & Company is a leading name in the industry. It is a proud go-to solutions provider when it comes to freight forwarding and customs clearance.
The company offers a plethora of services and solutions spanning the entire spectrum of logistics and supply chains. They range from air and sea freight forwarding, customs clearance and compliance, door-to-door freight, project logistics, 3PL, warehousing, contract logistics, transportation, time and temperature-sensitive logistics, and multimodal logistics to several value-added services.
Nari Katgara asserts, “We have never believed in offering mere services. Our workforce consists of logistics architects who curate tailored solutions to meet the requirements of our customers. We maintain long-standing relationships with our customers and industry stakeholders instead of focusing on ad hoc transactions which certainly puts our company ahead of the curve in this competitive market.”
Taking the Company Forward
Being quick to adapt and change is important for a company’s progress. Jeena & Company has always been good at that, which helped it to thrive in a dynamic environment. Now, Nari Katgara wants the company to get even more agile in every aspect of the business.
“Technology also has a pivotal role to play in a company’s growth.”
Jeena has always been at the forefront of embracing the latest technology and innovation. With some of the path-breaking technology initiatives in the pipeline, it is aiming to achieve complete automation in workflow. Also, with the pace at which the company is working on being more sustainable with expansion plans in place, Nari thinks that the company will continue to show growth trends in the near future.
Word of the Wise
Nari Katgara’s favorite quote reflects his approach to life and business: “Break the thumb that makes the rules thereof.” He believes in doing things differently, striving for innovative solutions that break away from convention.
We found a business leader in Nari Katgara who has a passion for logistics, a commitment to innovation, and a vision for global success. Under his guidance, Jeena & Company continues to be a force to reckon with within the world of logistics and supply chain management. Watch out for Nari Katgara and the remarkable journey of Jeena & Company as they redefine excellence in the industry.
