Through its strategic partnerships with top global brands, DIMO has been pivotal in catering to diverse sectors, ranging from food and beverages to ports and airports while fuelling the dreams and aspirations of these industries with advanced integrated warehousing solutions and material handling solutions. Their comprehensive services, spanning from warehouse design to its complete execution, have also made strides across the region. Observing the global tilt towards automation and big data, Ranawana envisions Sri Lanka rising as Asia’s next logistics epicentre, with DIMO aiming to be at the forefront of this evolution.
How has DIMO elevated the industrial sector in Sri Lanka by providing the necessary infrastructure for integrated warehousing and material handling solutions?
DIMO stands as a multifaceted conglomerate, boasting over four decades of expertise in providing material handling solutions across warehousing, port, and dock sectors in Sri Lanka. Our long-standing partnership with Komatsu a global leader from Japan in construction, mining equipment, and material handling has empowered us to offer top- tier products and services. This collaboration has catered to a myriad of loyal customers over the years.
In the early ’80s, foreseeing Sri Lanka’s potential for industrial growth across various sectors, including exports, we took the initiative to expand our network and added numerous principals and suppliers to present an integrated solutions concept. This extended not just to Sri Lanka but also to neighbouring nations like the Maldives, India, and Bangladesh.
Our comprehensive portfolio encompasses offerings from globally renowned brands. This includes storage and conveyor systems from SSI Schaefer in Germany, STILL’s electric-powered lift trucks, MHE Blue Giant’s Dock equipment, Haulotte’s aerial work platforms, and Gondolas for building and warehouse maintenance. Our capabilities range from the initial conceptual design of a warehouse or storage facility to its full realization. This includes building and civil construction, bolstered by our C1 and C4 accreditations in the field.
Customers across various industries in Sri Lanka—ranging from food and beverages to textiles, ceramics, ports, airports, and more—have been relying on DIMO’s services. Through us, they can tap into the expertise of our global principals, fulfilling their warehousing and material handling needs. Whether starting with conventional systems or upgrading to automated solutions, these businesses have consistently elevated their operational standards with DIMO’s support throughout the years.
What are the latest trends in the integrated warehousing solutions sphere in the international arena?
Over the past decade, international industries have been engrossed in conversations about warehouse automation, especially since the pandemic’s onset. This pivotal event has reshaped industries, prompting them to reconsider their supply chain strategies in response to changing consumer behaviours and the e-commerce boom.
A crucial element in this transformation is the rise of omnichannel logistics. Bolstered by advancements like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), barcode scanners, mobile devices, and advanced e-commerce platforms, this approach integrates multiple sales channels—online, offline, and mobile. The goal is simple: elevate customer satisfaction, fine-tune inventory management, and streamline order fulfilment.
The push for automation has also been unmistakable. Sophisticated systems, including robots, conveyors, sorters, and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), are now mainstays in many warehouses. They boost speed, precision, and efficiency while trimming operational costs and minimizing human errors. It’s vital, however, to remember that the success of such automation depends on choosing the right technology aligned with a business’s growth phase.
Additionally, big data has become instrumental in shaping logistics strategies. By leveraging advanced analytics, businesses can now sift through vast amounts of data from transactions, social media, and other sources. These insights aid in making strategic decisions, refining forecasts, and fine-tuning warehouse management plans.
Integrated warehousing solutions play an integral part in supply chain management in any business. How do you see the tendency of local industries to adopt the latest technologies in upgrading their warehousing infrastructure?
Industries today are keenly focusing on bolstering their warehousing infrastructure with cutting-edge technologies. This pivot stems from the need to meet the modern customer’s demands: faster deliveries, reduced costs, exceptional quality, and tailored experiences. To secure a competitive edge, businesses are funnelling investments into technological solutions that outperform conventional approaches.
The push for modernization is fuelled by mounting challenges like globalization, diversification, and the unpredictable nature of market disruptions. Amidst these complexities, the quest for heightened productivity, profitability, and sustainability is more pressing than ever.
I envision a future where Artificial Intelligence (AI) will seamlessly weave into the fabric of local supply chain operations. Imagine a world where forecasts consider a myriad of factors, where stock decisions are influenced by global trends and even weather patterns, and where real-time feedback from end consumers guides daily operational plans. The era where AI shapes and defines supply chain processes is just on the horizon.
What is the ship-to-shelf concept and how does DIMO review the material handling segment in Sri Lanka?
DIMO pioneered the ship-to-shelf concept, a holistic approach designed to streamline the entire logistics and material handling process. This concept encapsulates everything from the moment a ship arrives at the port to the point where a consumer picks up a product from a shelf, and even re-export procedures.
The scope of the ship-to-shelf concept is expansive. It begins with the arrival of goods on a ship and encompasses their unloading, storage, and internal transportation within production facilities. The journey continues through finished goods storage, and finally to the retail shelf where consumers make their purchases. DIMO offers a comprehensive range of solutions to support this flow: from quay cranes, rubber-tired and rail-mounted gantries for container management, to a diverse array of lift trucks that range from basic pallet trucks to advanced IC engine or electric-powered models. The offerings also include order pickers, stacker cranes, and a variety of shelving and racking systems suited for both palletized and non-palletized goods. Automated systems further enhance the efficiency of the entire logistics operation.
What makes this concept especially impactful is that businesses can reap the benefits from a single, trustworthy source. They can access top-tier products and services designed for the unique requirements of different market segments. Embracing the ship-to-shelf concept has enabled industries to evolve, continuously adopting innovative approaches to their operations.
How do you see the future growth of integrated warehousing and material handling businesses in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka’s customers have demonstrated an impressive trajectory in warehousing advancements, transitioning from conventional lift trucks to sophisticated racking systems, and now adopting both semi and fully-automated systems in line with international benchmarks. This evolution mirrors the nation’s industrial growth and fluctuates in tandem with the country’s GDP momentum, which is projected to surpass past benchmarks in the upcoming years.
Furthermore, with Sri Lanka poised to emerge as Asia’s logistics nexus, we can expect a surge in investments. Industry frontrunners in logistics are likely to establish and enhance facilities, especially in light of the port development in Colombo and other strategic locations. This anticipated upswing in logistics infrastructure and activity augments the potential for the growth of the integrated warehousing business in Sri Lanka.
Regionally, the warehousing and material handling sectors are on the cusp of significant, sustained growth. A study by ResearchAndMarkets.com predicts that the warehouse automation market in the Asia-Pacific region will grow at a CAGR of 15.5% from 2020 to 2027. This robust growth trajectory stems from an increasing appetite for automation in various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and logistics.