In Conversation With Supreme Petrochem Ltd.

Supreme Petrochem Ltd. (SPL) is India’s largest producer and exporter of polystyrene polymer (plastic granules) based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. In Indian market it has shares of more than 50%. SPL is also the largest exporter of PS from India, exporting to over 93 countries around the globe.

We spoke to Manoj Chawan, Manager - Exports & Imports, at Supreme Petrochem. They have been associated with ODeX for over 3 years and were one of the first exporters, who joined our platform. They are using e-VGM & e-DO.

 

 

ODeX: What were some challenges that you faced in daily operations, both before and after ODeX Implementation?

Initially, we faced issues with the manual documentation of VGM for Exports and Delivery Order for Imports clearance. It was tedious for us to follow up with CHAs and Shipping Lines. We had a large dependency on our financial team, along with communicating with our bankers to pay the shipping lines in a traditional way. This definitely impacted the way we were able to make DO payments for import consignments.

We look at the time-saving analysis from two perspectives- invoicing and payments.

Initially getting an invoice from the shipping line would take 1-2 days, but with ODeX it takes only 4 hours. “With ODeX it happens at a click of a button”. It's an 84% increase in saving time.

Even for making payments, right from internal processes, where different teams need to be informed and approve transactions, along with getting the CHA involved, once used to take 8 hours, and it now takes 2 minutes with ODeX. Which is a 99.6% increase in time saved. Because we are using a VAN account, we have found the whole process of ODeX, hassle free. It was a one-time effort to set it up and install, but after that it was smooth sailing.

 

 

ODeX: Why did Supreme Petrochem decide to integrate with e-VGM by ODeX with SAP? Were there any performance metric set to monitor efficiency gains and how effective were they?

We have had a VGM integration with SAP for over 2 years and there was no issue.

Being a bulk exporter, we were in search of a system solutions for the new process (VGM) which involved minimum additional manpower in the organisation. We came across ODeX to mitigate our requirement. While integrating e-VGM with our SAP system, we were able to expedite the exports process at a single click of button.

Within no time, we have seen our VGM entry gets verified. We were also able to apply for a Form 13 (custom gate pass) to gate-in our containers within the prescribed time frame without any additional cost.

ODeX is an effective solution. There were no challenges faced. It integrated smoothly with our existing SAP system and succeeded after just 2 tests.

 

 

ODEX: Can you tell us something about the efficiency you have seen with regards to VGM integration?

We have been able to apply for a Form 13 immediately. We are saving cost, especially because weighbridges have been registered with ODeX. We have also been able to eliminate manual entries into the system, which has led to a reduction in data entry errors. Since we have integrated ODeX with our existing SAP platform, we have single window access to all the shipping lines that we interact with. One other benefit that we’re happy about is the amount of paper we have been able to save because we don’t need to send VGM hardcopies for VGM submission.

 

 

ODeX: On imports, what have you subscribed to, with ODeX? Why?

With successful implementation of e-VGM, we approached ODeX for imports solution as well. We have been using e-DO. It helped us with accounting entries because the journal ledger entries matched.

 

 

ODeX: What has been the impact of ODeX on documentation in Supply Chain? Has there been any changes/improvement in your workflow post-implementation?

The lead time for import documentation has improved and we are able to do more shipments under DPD. Because there is so much time saved, we have been able to expand and increase our business. Our bandwidth has increased.

 

 

ODeX: What services would you want to integrate in the future?

With the successful services offered by ODeX in case of e-VGM and e-DO, we look forward for payment mechanism for all our shipping vendors keeping GST implications in mind. Currently, we are working on e-Form 13 for our export shipments.

 

 

ODeX: How has our CRM support team helped to smoothen on-boarding process and quicken operations?

We have always received prompt response from ODeX team to resolve our queries.