The Future of Urban Logistics: Electric Vehicles and Last-Mile Solutions Leading the Way
The Future of Urban Logistics: Electric Vehicles and Last-Mile Solutions Leading the Way
The urban population in India, which stood at 34.9% of the total in 2020, is expected to double by 2050 according to United Nations projections. As the urban population swells and the challenges of logistics loom large, innovative solutions are emerging to reshape the way we navigate our cities.
At the forefront of this transformation are electric vehicles (EVs) and last-mile solutions, heralding a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and seamless delivery experiences.
Breaking the Fashion Mold: The Textile Industrys Path to Sustainability
Breaking the Fashion Mold: The Textile Industrys Path to Sustainability
Seventy-five per cent of all waste generated by the textile industry is disposed of in landfills globally, as per a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The report adds that less than one per cent of all textiles are eventually recycled back into clothes. This highlights the unfashionable situation that the textile industry finds itself in.
Estimated to contribute around eight per cent to global emissions, the industry is key in helping the world achieve its climate goals. Thankfully, the interconnected nature of the industry is enabling cooperation that transcends national borders.
Valve Failure Analysis-Investigating Causes, Impacts, and Preventive Measures
Valve Failure Analysis-Investigating Causes, Impacts, and Preventive Measures
Valves are critical components in industrial processes, regulating the flow of fluids and ensuring efficient operations. However, valve failures can have severe consequences, ranging from safety hazards to production disruptions and financial losses. This blog deals with the causes and impacts of valve failures and explores preventive measures to minimize their occurrence.
Understanding Valve Failure
Valve failures come in various forms, including leakage, blockage, malfunctions, and structural failures. According to one industry report, approximately 40% of valve failures are attributed to internal leakage, while 25% result from corrosion and erosion. The most common causes of valve failure include wear and tear, corrosion, improper installation, operational errors, and fluid conditions. It is estimated that around 80% of valve failures occur due to insufficient maintenance and poor operating practices. Early detection and analysis of valve failures are crucial to prevent more severe incidents and mitigate their impacts.
Impacts of Valve Failures
The impacts of valve failures extend beyond immediate safety concerns. A study found that valve failures can result in an average production loss of $30,000 per hour. Moreover, environmental risks, increased maintenance costs, and reputational damage are additional consequences that industries face when dealing with valve failures.
Valve Failure Analysis Techniques
To identify the root causes of valve failures, comprehensive analysis techniques are employed. These include
- Visual Inspection – involves examining the failed valve to identify visible signs of damage, such as corrosion, erosion, mechanical deformation, or wear. This initial assessment helps in determining if the failure was due to external factors or internal issues.
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) – methods are crucial for evaluating the integrity of valves without causing further damage. Techniques like ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, and liquid penetrant testing are employed to detect defects, cracks, or flaws within the valve structure.
- Metallurgical analysis – involves examining the valve material under a microscope to identify any metallurgical abnormalities or inconsistencies that may have contributed to the failure. This analysis helps in understanding the valve’s material properties, including strength, composition, and heat treatment.
- Fluid analysis – is employed to evaluate the fluid characteristics and their impact on valve performance. It involves examining fluid samples for contaminants, acidity, viscosity, or any other factors that may have led to valve degradation or malfunction.
- Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) – is a systematic approach to identify potential failure modes and their effects on valve performance. It involves evaluating various failure scenarios, their severity, and the likelihood of occurrence. This analysis aids in determining preventive measures to mitigate future failures.
In addition to these techniques, data logging, computer-aided design (CAD) simulations, and expert consultations are also utilized to enhance valve failure analysis.
Valve failure analysis is a crucial process for investigating the causes, impacts, and preventive measures related to valve failures. By employing techniques such as visual inspection, non-destructive testing, and failure mode analysis, industries gain valuable insights to enhance operational efficiency and safety. Implementing targeted preventive measures based on these analyses enables organizations to minimize disruptions, optimize maintenance practices, and improve valve system longevity. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing among industry professionals further advance valve failure analysis practices. Investing in this process ensures reliable operations and long-term success in various industries.
The Now and the Next of Building India’s Logistics and Transportation Sector Under the National Infrastructure Pipeline
The Now and the Next of Building India’s Logistics and Transportation Sector Under the National Infrastructure Pipeline
What Has Been the Progress in the Construction of Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in India till Now in 2023?
As of 2023, India has witnessed significant progress in the construction of transport and logistics infrastructure. The government has undertaken various initiatives to enhance connectivity and facilitate efficient movement of goods and people across the country.
Several notable developments have taken place recently. One of them is the construction of expressways, like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway. These expressways are built with the aim of decreasing travel time and to increase trade.
The expansion of the railway network, including dedicated freight corridors, has improved cargo transportation capabilities. Additionally, major ports have undergone expansion, enabling maritime trade.
The Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects have been implemented. This has increased the development of road and port infrastructure. This, in turn, has improved connectivity and stimulated economic growth.
What Are the Major Opportunities for EPC Infrastructure Companies in Transport and Logistics Systems Construction?
- Opportunities for EPC infrastructure companies in the construction of roads & bridges
There are 389 projects worth INR 382000 crores under conceptualization in the roads & bridges sub sector. There are 1210 projects worth INR 1128000 crores under development. Further there are 1580 projects worth INR 1478000 crores.
- Opportunities for EPC infrastructure companies in the construction of airports
In the airports and civil aviation sub-sector, there are 30 projects worth INR 37372 crores under conceptualization. Further, there are 13 projects worth INR 30709 crores under development and 70 projects worth INR 80781 crores under implementation.
- Opportunities for EPC infrastructure companies in the construction of ports & terminals
The ports & terminals sub-sector in India has 8 projects worth INR 3696 crores under conceptualization. There are 18 projects valued at INR 23651 crores in the ports & terminals sub-sector which are under development. Moreover, there are another 35 projects worth INR 19803 crores which are under implementation.
- Opportunities for EPC infrastructure companies in railways
The railway sub-sector has experienced several local manufacturing and sourcing projects in the last few years. These projects are in line with the Make in India policy initiative.
The most noteworthy accomplishment in Indian railways due to local manufacturing is the launch of the Vande Bharat express trains.
There are 69 projects worth INR 203000 crores under conceptualization and 96 projects worth INR 118603 crores under development. Further there are 74 projects of INR 1068000 crores under implementation.
- Opportunities for EPC infrastructure companies in building urban public transport systems
The public transport systems sub-sector in India has seen a massive spur in activity in recent years. The Government of India has set an ambitious goal. They plan to build 1000 kilometers of metro railway services across nine cities by 2030. This will revolutionize the way people travel in India.
There are 16 projects worth INR 15748 crores under conceptualization in the urban public transport systems sector. There are another 11 projects worth INR 67924 crores under development and 30 projects worth INR 416000 crores.
- Opportunities for EPC infrastructure companies in bulk material transportation systems
In recent times the Government of India has taken a slew of initiatives to build infrastructure for bulk material transportation. The most noteworthy projects in this sub-sector include the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
There are 80 projects in the bulk material transportation sub-sector worth INR 28394 crores currently being conceptualized. Additionally, 57 projects worth INR 89307 crores are in the process of development. Further there are 14 projects worth INR 17742 crores under implementation.
What Supply Chain Solutions Do EPC Infrastructure Companies Need to Leverage Opportunities in the Logistics & Transport Sector?
- Single Source of Truth for Collaboration Among All Stakeholders in the Supply Chain
EPC infrastructure projects in the logistics & transportation sub-sector have many moving parts. From conceptualization of the project to its commissioning, all stakeholders in the supply chain must rely on a single source of truth for material flow, work-in-progress, fund flow, and data flow.
These stakeholders include the EPC project developer, sub-contractor, raw materials and machinery supplier, and lender.
End-to-end digital transformation of the supply chain can enable stakeholders to identify congestion points, reasons behind the congestion, and take quick action to unclog bottleneck areas.
Here’s a use case on an award-winning digital procurement supply chain transformation from an EPC company which is part of a salt-to-sky conglomerate.
- Seamless Synchronization Across Logistics, Payment, and Delivery
Once all stakeholders in the supply chain are on the same page, the next step is to enable decision making and action. This calls for seamless synchronization among multiple processes in the procure-to-pay cycle.
These processes include the issue of purchase orders, requests for quote, onsite delivery of construction raw materials, consumables and MRO items, and finally, payments,
Procure-to-pay automation and integration can enable all stakeholders to make decisions, act fast, and execute the project as per the construction schedule.
- Agile Procurement of Construction Raw Materials and MRO Items as per the Bill of Quantities
40% of road projects face delays in project execution and construction, as per MoSPI reports. In 2023, the speed of national highway construction in India has improved to 24.14 KM per day. However, there is plenty of room for improvement.
A significant speed breaker in the logistics & transportation sector is the purchase requisition to purchase order (PR-to-PO) process. In some EPC infrastructure companies that still rely on manual processes, the PR-to-PO cycle time is 4 days.
Catalog-based buying can reduce the PR-to-PO cycle time for purchase of construction raw materials and MRO items to 3 minutes. What does that mean?
With catalog-based buying an EPC road developer can save 4 days. At the current rate of road construction, it can build an additional 96.56 KM.
For a road development project of 1 KM aggregate lead in the state of Uttar Pradesh, with greenfield alignment of 2 lanes +PS (BC, DBM, WMM & GSB), it can lead to additional revenue of INR 3.44 crores. Here’s a use-case on the agile procurement of steel TMT bars and AAC blocks with a turnaround time of 4 days.
- Alignment of Parts and Components as Per GAD/GFC Drawings
Another pain point faced by EPC infrastructure companies in the logistics & transportation sub-sector is the alignment of parts and components. There is very little margin for error in heavy, equipment, and general fabrication.
A solution that can serve EPC companies well is a digital project management solution. It allows users to track work-in-progress for fabrication requirements for roads, bridges, airports, tunnels, and ports.
It is important to lock the engineering and drawing and educate suppliers on the SLAs of a fabrication project from the word “go”.
A digital project management solution can enable EPC companies to monitor SLAs for quality metrics as per GAD/GFC drawings.
Here’s a use case on the alignment of parts as per GAD/GFC drawings for the fabrication of piers and pier cap shutterings from India’s first bullet train project on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
- Agile Best Price Discovery for Procurement of Construction Raw Materials and MRO Items
It is impossible for EPC companies to do away with spot buying, especially for the purchase of construction raw materials.
Major reasons for spot buying include high inventory carrying costs and the balance sheet impact of a delta due to a sudden change in the cost of capital.
A solution that can enable ease of doing business for infrastructure project developers and subcontractors working on construction projects for roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, and ports is an RFQ automation tool.
An RFQ automation tool allows users to request quotes of multiple line items as per all attributes in the bill of quantities, at one go.
It is even better if the RFQ automation tool can give instant quotes to users. It saves significant time on the best price discovery.
Here’s a use-case on agile best price discovery of structural steel by a leading EPC road developer in India.
- Granular Manufacturing Processes for Quality Fabricated Structures
What happens when fabricators build a large structure at one go? While it may appear to save time and costs on paper, the ground reality is different.
It is always safer to bulk break a large heavy fabrication project into a sum of parts. Granular manufacturing allows fabricators better monitoring of fabricated structures and easier course correction. The probability and costs of re-work are lower.
Here’s a use-case on a granular approach to manufacturing of pre-engineered buildings from 150 years+ old civil construction company in India.
The Catalog for EPC Project Developers and Sub-Contractors That Are Building India’s Logistics & Transportation Infrastructure
Moglix offers a comprehensive catalog of construction raw materials procurement, indirect procurement, and custom manufacturing solutions to EPC project developers and sub-contractors.
To know more about opportunities in the logistics & transportation sub-sector in India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline, download our e-book “Building India: The Infrastructure We Aspire for and the Supply Chain We Need, Second Edition.”
From Chaos to Precision: How Technology is Streamlining Construction Operations
From Chaos to Precision: How Technology is Streamlining Construction Operations
A transformative shift is underway in the construction landscape. With new-age digital solutions, companies are streamlining their supply chain and operations like never before, turning chaos into clockwork precision.
As per a McKinsey report, construction companies that integrate digital technologies in their supply chain and procurement processes can achieve productivity gains of up to 20% and cost reductions of up to 15%.
Navigating the Collaborative Future: Augmented Intelligence and Human-Machine Partnership
Navigating the Collaborative Future: Augmented Intelligence and Human-Machine Partnership
AU emerges as a powerful concept that seeks to enhance human intelligence rather than replace it with technology. By combining the unique strengths of humans and machines, AU unleashes greater cognitive performance and facilitates better decision-making.
The rapid advancement in this field is truly remarkable, with projections from MarketsandMarkets indicating that the global human augmentation market is set to reach a staggering USD 341.2 billion by 2026.
ET RetailTech Summit 2023
ET RetailTech Summit 2023
Date: May 25 ,2023
Organizer: Economic Times
About the Event: Recently Mr. Amit Gupta, Director of Moglix Fashion, shared his views on the topic of “Imperatives for Driving Seamless Omnichannel Experiences” at ETRetail Tech Summit 2023, Mumbai where he focused on how retailers can elevate their omnichannel experiences that are smooth, personalized, and convenient fostering customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth.
Credlix podcast with Quantico
Credlix podcast with Quantico
Date: May 19, 2023
Organizer: Credlix in collaboration with Quantico
About the Event: Uncover the keys to success and unlock boundless growth opportunities for your business!
Join us for an exclusive podcast where Pramit Joshi, Senior Director at Credlix, engages in a dynamic conversation with Shubhada Rao, Founder of QuantEco, and Vivek Kumar, Economist at QuantEco. Gain invaluable strategies and actionable tips for managing exports and thriving in the current climate.
CIPS MENA Conference and Excellence in Procurement Awards
CIPS MENA Conference and Excellence in Procurement Awards
Date: May 10, 2023
Organizer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
About the Event: Partha S Dash (Managing Director, Moglix) moderated an insightful session on the topic – “Collaboration or Competition: What’s more advantageous for business?” at the CIPS MENA Conference & Excellence in Procurement Awards in UAE.
PPE Chronicles: Ensuring Chemical Industry Safety Through PPE Effective Programs
PPE Chronicles: Ensuring Chemical Industry Safety Through PPE Effective Programs
Worker safety is paramount in any industry, especially in the chemical industry. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a vital role in safeguarding workers from potential hazards and minimizing the risks associated with chemical exposures. However, it is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of PPE programs to ensure optimal protection.
The Role of PPE in the Chemical Industry:
Chemical manufacturing and handling processes pose various hazards, including chemical spills, fumes, and corrosive substances. PPE acts as a critical line of defense, reducing the likelihood of injuries and long-term health effects. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), wearing appropriate PPE can reduce the risk of chemical-related injuries by 90%.
Understanding the Evaluation Process
Evaluating PPE programs involves analyzing several key elements. Incident analysis allows us to assess the effectiveness of PPE in mitigating or preventing accidents. Compliance tracking helps ensure that workers consistently adhere to PPE protocols, minimizing the chances of exposure. Gathering feedback from workers about their experiences with PPE provides valuable insights for improvement.
Assessing PPE Compliance and User Feedback:
Tracking and monitoring PPE compliance is crucial for evaluating program effectiveness. As per study companies with high compliance rates had significantly lower injury rates compared to those with poor compliance. Additionally, gathering feedback from workers through surveys and interviews helps identify areas for improvement, such as comfort, fit, and ease of use.
Analyzing Incidents and Accidents:
Examining past incidents and accidents helps us understand the role of PPE in preventing or mitigating injuries. Statistical data from the Chemical Safety Board showed that in 75% of chemical accidents resulting in severe injuries, the workers involved either did not wear PPE or wore inadequate protection. This highlights the critical importance of proper PPE usage in preventing accidents and reducing their severity.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Evaluation:
To measure the effectiveness of PPE programs, specific KPIs can be used. Incident rates, such as the number of chemical-related injuries or near misses, serve as valuable indicators. Conducting regular worker satisfaction surveys can provide insights into the perceived effectiveness and usability of PPE. These metrics help gauge the success of PPE programs and identify areas that require attention.
Continuous Improvement Strategies:
Continuous improvement is essential for enhancing PPE programs. Incorporating worker feedback, conducting regular training sessions, and staying updated on industry best practices are effective strategies. Initiatives like an annual PPE training program can significantly reduce PPE related incidents, demonstrating the value of ongoing improvement efforts.
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
Investing in PPE programs incurs costs, but the benefits outweigh them. According to the National Safety Council, the average cost of a chemical-related injury in the workplace is $40,000. Comparatively, the cost of providing appropriate PPE and implementing an effective program is significantly lower. By preventing accidents and reducing injuries, PPE programs result in long-term cost savings for companies.
Evaluating the effectiveness of PPE programs is vital to ensure the safety of workers in the chemical industry. Through incident analysis, compliance tracking, user feedback, and continuous improvement strategies, companies can optimize their PPE programs. By investing in worker safety and utilizing effective PPE, organizations can create safer working environments and prevent potentially devastating accidents. Also, it is an ongoing process, and staying proactive is key to protecting workers and minimizing risks in the chemical industry. At Moglix, you have access to the most comprehensive range of safety supplies and solutions. You can find a range of PPE solutions specifically designed for chemical industry. Contact us today and partner with us to build a safer environment.
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