Logistic Industry Analysis, Bhutan.
Logistic Industry Analysis, Bhutan.
Logistic Industry Analysis, Bhutan.
Industry Analysis
On
Topic: E-Commerce Logistics, “bundle.bt”, the first online logistic company, A Start-Up
MBA, Semester I
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................6
2. Background........................................................................................................................................7
3.1.1 Strength...................................................................................................................................14
3.1.2 Weaknesses..............................................................................................................................15
3.1.3 Opportunities..........................................................................................................................16
3.1.4 Threat......................................................................................................................................19
Conclusion................................................................................................................................................25
References................................................................................................................................................26
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Company Logo
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1. Introduction
Bhutan is developing fast; it is so that the change is inevitably more diverse in nature. People are
quickly adapting to the change and want more of what the western world are
enjoying[ CITATION Öjr09 \l 1033 ]. Customers nowadays opt for faster delivery options and it
has become an important element to retain the customers. With digitization taking hold and
customer experience evolving[ CITATION Nor05 \l 1033 ], the logistics1 industry in Bhutan is
most of the businesses over the world, the businesses in Bhutan is no acceptation. With E-
Commerce Industry growing, logistics could be stated as the success driving factor for the
Industry. New technology is being adopted to come up with new and collaborative operating
models to increase the efficiency of the existing or new models[ CITATION PWC19 \l 1033 ].
opportunities, moving products and services with speed and efficiency. The e-commerce logistic
solves the irony of Bhutan’s logistic problem; a small country with a geographical area of 38,394
km sq. and a population of 700,000 people, yet sending and getting things delivered is
The Logistics Industry includes activities like storage, freight management, supply chain
management, managing vendors and partners, transportation, handling damage claims and much
more [ CITATION Nor05 \l 1033 ]. Lately, a new entrant bundle.bt have entered the market of
logistic which is the first to operate as an e-commerce logistic business and with recent
1
Logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of
consumption in order to meet requirements of customers or corporations.[CITATION Wik19 \l 1033 ]
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development in other industries the acceleration in the growth of Logistics Industry makes it a
virtuous cycle2 for business operating in this industry. A lot of opportunities and risk lies with the
changing industrial scenario of Bhutan. New technology, new market entrants, new customer
expectations, and new business models are key factors which are driving the
2. Background
The logistics in Bhutan has been a problem for a long time [ CITATION Kaf \l 1033 ]. The first
logistic handler have been the Bhutan Postal Service which was first launched on 10th October
1962 with the opening of a post office in Phuentsholing, second came the Tamu Worldwide
Shipping Pvt. Ltd in 2002 which offer courier and cargo services to the doorstep of its valued
customers across the country and around the world at a reasonable and competitive rate and
thirdly the Druk Logistic. Further, there are not many companies and firms taking advantage of
the market[ CITATION Öjr09 \l 1033 ] . Buses or Taxi Services do most of the logistics for smaller
consignments and for bigger consignments there are private companies and corporations like
Druk logistic and Tamu Worldwide Shipping Pvt. Ltd, but these businesses work offline.
There are hundreds of vehicles travelling across the country often with no or less load while
there are thousands who have parcels to deliver but helpless to stop vehicles on the highways
because they don't know each other. In the logistic industry the bundle.bt, an online logistics
portal have comes in, to verify and spots car owners (Bundlers) and senders and their parcel who
sign up at bundle.bt to make up for the absence of vibrant and much need courier service in the
country[ CITATION fac19 \l 1033 ]. All one would need to do was to just log in to bundle.bt or call
them about the package the package that one want them to pick up or drop. Thus, e-commerce
2
A virtuous circle is one where a good event feeds on itself to improve business further. It is a positive
feedback loop[ CITATION Vir17 \l 1033 ].
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logistic services such as theirs have helped the people in finding a reasonable way to do logistics
and have helped the industry to scan and rethink the dynamics of Technological Business
Company VMO
VISION: “Revolutionize the system of Logistics!”
MISSION: “bundle.bt is the only online logistics portal in Bhutan with an accessible, reliable
and a systematic online ecosystem combined with a symbiotic logistics, which will be
the
Objectives:
3
Benchmarking is the practice of comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry
bests and best practices from other companies. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time and cost.
[ CITATION Wik191 \l 1033 ]
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iii. Build trust in our brand in the 3-month trial run
v. Link up with at least three shopping websites or pages[ CITATION Öjr09 \l 1033 ]
iv. To create a pathway for Bhutanese products to reach worldwide customers [ CITATION Öjr09 \l
1033 ]
The expectation of Customers are increasing greatly, both individuals and in businesses expect to
get goods faster, more flexibly, and in a cost efficient manner. Manufacturing is becoming more
and more customized, which is good for customers but hard work for the logistics industry. Add
it all up and the industry is under acute and growing pressure to deliver a better service at an ever
lower cost.
One of the most significant trends for the logistics industry is growth of the industry itself, not
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The U.S. Census statistics for 2002 showed that the logistic industry includes 12,637
establishments nationally representing over 639,000 employees and total gross revenues of
nearly 18 billion dollars which represents the growth of logistic internationally which gives
Bhutan a better un-explored market segment of e-commerce within Bhutan to take on the trend
Another big factor in the mix is an increasingly competitive environment. Some of the industries
own customers are starting up logistics operations of their own, and new entrants to the industry
are finding ways to sculpt out the more profitable elements of the value chain by exploiting
digital technology. Partnerships at business level, the whole business in the industry is redefining
collaboration. FedEx, DHL, Freight, PARCLE and EMS are some of the major leading
international logistic corporation who have been partnering with small logistic business houses in
Bhutan. The Physical Internet4 promises great things for the industry, coming along with
The expanding business environment requires companies to continually evaluate the way they do
business and to be flexible. Operating within this global environment requires high speed
connectivity and a workforce that knows how to effectively utilize the technology to maximize
benefits. Industries also require to be adaptive and flexible to meet the needs, not only of local or
regional customers, but also at the international level in terms of customers, partners, and counter
4
In logistics, the Physical Internet is an open global logistics system founded on physical, digital,
and operational interconnectivity, through encapsulation, interfaces and protocols. It attempts to
achieve this by applying concepts from internet data transfer to real-world shipping processes.
[ CITATION Wik192 \l 1033 ]
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Third Party Logistics (3PL)
In the growing business environment business try to reduce risk and manage growth
strategically. Many companies are choosing to outsource the logistics portion of operations and
this has resulted in the growth of Third Party Logistics (3PL) firms. 3PLs provide all of the
logistics, transportation, and warehousing functions for companies, eliminating /reduces the need
for capital investment on behalf of the company and in providing an attractive alternative to in-
Financial pressures
The logistic companies need to continually meet revenue growth projections which impacts the
financial pressure on the company and is hence, the major factor impacting the companies. In
order to develop and grow, companies need to increase productivity but without increase in cost
while still providing services and support. Competitive advantages needs to be achieved to
strengthen their future growth and success. Financial pressures are also driving companies to
locate in regions with multiple modes of transportation. The logistics platform is changing
because logistics companies have optimized the use of current resources, primarily vehicle-
oriented, and in order to gain the next level of savings for customers, must seek to incorporate
Automation
5
Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or
vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation (e.g., rail, ship, and truck), without any handling
of the freight itself when changing modes[ CITATION Wik193 \l 1033 ].
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Labour is a critical element of any logistics operating model, and up till now there’s always been
a trade-off between service levels and costs. But automation breaks down this equation, allowing
firms to offer better service and save money at the same time. Some of the industry’s most labour
intensive processes are on the way to being fully or partially automated, from outpost to last-mile
delivery.
Another important trend is driven by higher customer expectations and the subsequent growth in
demand for more logistic services. Value added services such as e-commerce and order
fulfillment are the customer expectations which are increasing the pressure on logistics
companies to provide service of value. These types of services can offer greater profitability than
Technology
The expansion of technology and its impact on business operations has not circumvented the
logistics industry. The use of technology within the industry includes connectivity, use of online
applications, handheld mobile devices app and the use of collaboration especially with supply
chain partners through internet. A competitive edge and necessity for any logistics company is to
use technology to increase their value addition both in terms of services and operations. The lack
of a ‘digital culture’ and training is thus the biggest challenge for logistics companies.
Skilled workforce
The infusion of dynamics of technology into the logistics industry has led to a greater need for
programming application and websites and also skilled workforce with knowledge and
experience to maximize the value added of technology. The E-commerce logistics workforce
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needs to have increasingly higher levels of computing and technology skills. All occupations
within the logistics industry must have technology skills regardless of whether they are material
industry, the workforce must be technologically proficient and responsive to new and expanding
3. Business Environment
Strength Weakness
system
Opportunity Threat
Designing a portal and the virtuous cycle. Other logistics company posing strong
Organizing Public Events- Corporate Social Difficulty in finding reliable and trustable
Responsibility transporters
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Government support for Entrepreneur
Occasion
3.1.1 Strength
Business entering the online logistic industry in Bhutan will have the secondary early mover
advantage as there is only one Start-up company so far operating online which is bundle.bt. The
opportunity in this industry segment is high as there is high market growth and the development
in other industries have caused the acceleration in the growth of Logistics Industry making it a
Broadband Policy during the 59th Lhengye Zhungtshog held on December 9, 2014 [ CITATION
Bhu15 \l 1033 ] have helped majority of the Bhutanese population to avail internet. The easy
access to internet plays a major role in online logistic business. With the availability of internet
in hand, the online platform for logistic industry is a strength to be taken advantage of.
6
A virtuous circle is one where a good event feeds on itself to improve business further. It is a
positive feedback loop. A virtuous circle can be small operating over days or it can drive a whole
company’s strategy for decades
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3.1.2 Weaknesses
Entering the online logistic industry requires entrepreneurs to be programmers, as a website has
to be designed and an app too. Logistics offline businesses that are going to take the major brunt
of the movement of logistic to online logistic service[ CITATION Nor05 \l 1033 ], may it back by
more aggressively going online itself through its deep pockets and creating their own online
logistic app.
Entering online logistic industry requires much of work experience [ CITATION Öjr09 \l 1033 ] in
terms of work environment and techniques of the e-commerce industry. So, getting used to such
The submission of the paperwork and knowing where is a headache for any business [ CITATION
Öjr09 \l 1033 ]. The lack of idea on the bureaucratic system serves as a weakness for the industry
as the knowledge about the bureaucratic system is important before even starting a business
operation. This is important to know the sustainability of the industry within the bureaucratic
3.1.3 Opportunities
The market growth of online logistic industry is an opportunity to design a portal that is
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the market leader. There is a virtuous cycle of having higher traffic owing to the presence of
higher growth in different industries and dependence of Bhutanese on the internet. Higher
industrial growth and internet user creates the possibility of higher use of online logistic service,
which in turn attracts many users for the ease of one-click logistics service.
2. Expansion strategy
Business in this industry can capitalized its strength of strong public relation, linkages, and
recognition to take on the opportunity of an expansion strategy by launching their new venture
within and abroad. The venturing of Bundling to India in the joyous occasion of the Birth
Anniversary of His Majesty Drukgyal Zhiba is an example. This helps business in this industry
to take advantage of both the market growth and market share to reach out to the “star” position
The continual improvement in the internet infrastructure including broadband access, Internet
service penetration, falling prices of internet access, availability of internet facilities and
increasing awareness among the general population of the ease and convenience of using Internet
For example, Bundle.bt have taken the opportunity to organize Bhutan’s biggest cleanup
campaign named “Mission Trash” (Öjr, 2009) which called every Bhutanese to participate in the
nationwide cleaning campaign. Such events not only help to build itself as a responsible business
in the industry towards the society but will also help in gaining access to market their service
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5. Strategic alliance
There are already notable examples of market players operating collaboratively. Companies like
FedEx and DHL have been partnering with Bhutan national postal service ltd and small local
players for many years. But with the advent of new technology, collaboration can become much
more dynamic.
In the globalization of the world the major logistic firms build alliances with small logistic
operators from different nations. The untapped strategic alliance in logistic market of Bhutan is
an opportunity for any business in this industry. For example, On 22nd April 2019 bundle.bt
partnered with KART Freight (Öjr, 2009) which will not only help bundle.bt to reach out to
logistic delivery to and from India. The industry capitalization of the Bhutanese market segment
in India is a major move to take on the opportunity on this segment being the first mover.
Bhutan is facing a lot of problem in terms of good logistics. Therefore, it gives a wider platform
to the logistic industry to be exploited through technical and innovative skills. The untapped
platform by the logistic industry in Bhutan can be of greater use in solving this problem through
WEBFLOW enables the users to design and develop a website without having a knowledge of
programming language or codes. Hence, the development of the website will not be a bigger
issue. Online logistic industries can take advantage of the diverse software which enables users
to develop standard website and applications with guidance and this would cut the cost of
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8. Government support for Entrepreneur
This is the best time in Bhutan to start a business as the government is fully supporting the small
starts up in providing loans or grants and enabling good environment with incubation
facilities[ CITATION Öjr09 \l 1033 ]. This give the logistic industry an outmost opportunity through
incubation facilities to make not only vibrant business model but also helps in linking with
greater data of investors who intend to invest in businesses, hence, giving access to financing.
The E-Commerce market is booming exponentially across the world. Every products and service
are becoming online and part of the internet connecting customers and sellers in a global scale.
The E-commerce platform have made it convenient for people for easy access and use of the e-
commerce platform already. The logistic industry can take this advantage of the use of e-
commerce platform by going online to serve the logistic needs with a one-click service.
10. Occasion
Occasions are opportunities for any business unit. Online logistic Industry can use occasional
marketing strategy to attract and to retain more customers like bundle.bt, the first online logistic
business in the logistic industry. It have used occasion marketing to make the best use of the
occasion to sell their services. They have used International women's day by giving a 5% off for
the ladies on the Powerbank gadget from their partner Gadgets Bhutan (Öjr, 2009) which was to
Bundle.bt have taken an innovative step by taking on the opportunity of vacancy announcement
of Mangdechhu Hydro Energy Ltd. Applicants of the vacancy announced needed to travel all the
way to Trongsa to submit the application and documents. The painstaking path and expense to
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travel all the way to Trongsa was the advantage for bundle.bt and did the delivery of the
3.1.4 Threat
There are other logistics company currently running which might pose a great threat to the
business. Those companies are Tamu Worldwide Shipping Pvt. Ltd, Bhutan Postal Service and
Druk logistics. Currently, the private companies only serve for big consignments and sending
parcels abroad but they might seize the opportunity in small consignments and challenge our
business. The possibility of the old or new entrants offering online logistic service remains also
remain high.
As online logistic Industry enable bridging facilities for the customers and partners with a
symbiotic transport service, it might be difficult to find more reliable and reasonable partners.
There is the presence of the threat in the breakdown of services owing to interruptions in
networks and systems. Since online services are operated externally there is also the threat of
hacking taking place which might not only make it difficult for logistic industry to operate but
can also disclose the information of their clients for the hacker’s personal use.
4. New Entrants
The dynamic of technological environment has given rise to new business models, often driven
by start-ups that enter the logistics industry. New ‘sharing’ business models could have as much
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of an impact on the industry as new technology. The industry’s current customers and suppliers
may end up being the biggest new entrants to the logistics industry, and many of the new entrants
are looking to use new technology to enter the industry [ CITATION PWC19 \l 1033 ].
Sharing the PI(e): The growth of collaborative working allows the current market leaders to
retain their dominance. This could for example see a greater use of ‘Physical Internet’ (or ‘PI’)
Start-up, shake up: New entrants in the form of startups make a bigger impact and is the most
challenging and costly, in particular, becomes more uneven, take advantage of new technologies
like application platform. These start-ups collaborate with incumbents and complement their
service offers.
retail customers and suppliers become players in the logistics market themselves, not just
managing their own logistics but turning that expertise into a profitable business model.
Scale matters: The current market leaders compete for a dominant market position by acquiring
scale through consolidation and innovation through the untapped platform of logistic in Bhutan.
Recommendation:
1: Select targets for industry attraction
There are several approaches to identifying target market and it is consider appropriate for any
country to have a target market for the appropriate focus in industry market segment. With
several approaches to identifying targets, logistics industry attraction to the region would
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increase with the use of such approaches. One of the approach is to seek out to identify
For effective establishment of logistics industry to the region, it should develop a comprehensive
marketing plan that addresses targets audiences, marketing materials, relationship development
and implementation. The marketing plan of the company should include three key components
The environmental scan and competitive regional analysis are the focus of this industry analysis
report and provide the background and information that shape and impact Industry decisions.
The next step is to formulating marketing objectives and developing an appropriate marketing
strategy. The country should not only identify who they want to target (companies, real estate
developers, other logistic operators and suppliers and specific public), but the role of various
marketing approaches (direct mail, trade shows, relationship development, etc.). The marketing
strategy should include identification of the audience, selection and role of media and materials,
4) Action/Implementation Plan
The last component is the action or implementation plan which identifies the activities or tasks
that need to be accomplished and the individual(s) who are to be engaged with the activity. A set
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of goals and objective should may accompany the implementation plan such as dates, timelines
and interviews.
The comprehensive incentive package is an important element of the regions industry attraction
program. The country needs to develop knowledge of and expertise in the grant programs and
other funding sources available at the regional and state level which can leverage to assist local
government and companies in infrastructure and construction costs. This not only identifies grant
funding opportunities but also assistance in completions of grant applications and business
agreements as needed. Increased involvement with organization through strategic alliance with
company such as Freight, FedEx and DHL can be beneficial in identifying the opportunities in
logistic industry.
With number of initiatives currently underway the region’s ability to increase business attraction
efforts will be significantly impacted. Bhutan will benefit from the expansion of high speed
higher education initiatives and offerings. The value and importance of higher education to
The logistics for agriculture and food produce is indeed, somewhat difficult. Handling the
logistics of such products, operators are faced with taking accountability for all actions
conducted throughout the entire chain. The logistic industry should be able to safeguard the
quality and well-being of all products (including livestock) as well as to create a sustainable
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solution for their clients (allowing them to maintain control of their market by being an attractive
source financially), whilst, of course, not compromising their standards of service. Over the
years the importance of logistics for the agri-food industry, has become more recognized by
organizations globally. Wherever you are in the world, it is vital that the quality of raw materials
is upheld at all times and reaches the end destination in a consumable state. Employing logistics
related management and assimilation procedures can offer greatly improved sustainability to the
logistic industry. Applying more cost effective and resourceful models into everyday logistics
will prove crucial for benefiting the general economic development of a country as well as the
environmental benefits that will be gained along the way.[ CITATION The18 \l 1033 ]
Conclusion
Bhutan is inherently well positioned within the broader region in terms of both access to major
markets and transportation infrastructure by being sandwiched between two major Asian nation
namely China and India. However, location cannot be sufficient for success of the business
attraction efforts. The need for the region is to be more proactive in efforts to target, attract and
retain the business in the County through more comprehensive development activities such as
marketing programs, partnerships and relationship development and advocacy for growing the
regions infrastructure. Over the past decade Bhutan has developed and improved infrastructural
characteristics that can provide a regional competitiveness for business attraction. Some of these
characteristics include the improvements and expansion of the Thimphu-Phuntsholing high way
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and airport, the expansion of Paro airport, the proposed expansion of broadband
further development of higher education opportunities by the government. Yet the region has
unemployed and underemployed workforce, which can also be positive in terms of labor
availability.
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