CHENNAI: TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) (NSE: TVSSCS, BSE: 543965), a leading global supply chain solutions provider and one of India’s largest and fastest-growing integrated supply chain companies, today announced the formation of a joint venture with ALA Group, an Italy-based aerospace and defence supply-chain integrator, to address opportunities in India’s fast-growing aerospace and defence sectors. TVS SCS will hold a 51% stake in the JV, while ALA will own the remaining 49%. The JV is expected to emerge as a significant growth driver for TVS SCS in India, with cumulative revenues projected to exceed ₹2,000 Cr by 2031.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year, TVS SCS and ALA Group witnessed strong engagement and active interest from multiple industry participants across the aerospace and defence ecosystem. This momentum accelerated the decision to formalise the partnership through a dedicated joint venture platform.

Aerospace and defence supply-chain solutions globally are characterised by specialised procurement, inventory management, and mission-critical fulfilment capabilities, making them structurally higher-margin businesses with strong returns on capital employed (RoCE). Quality companies in this sector have consistently delivered strong profitability metrics, with PBT margins in the range of 8-9%, reflective of this high-value segment.

The JV will initially focus on opportunities in India, while TVS SCS and ALA will continue to evaluate opportunities to support aerospace and defence supply-chain requirements across select international markets over time.

R. Dinesh, Executive Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said, “This joint venture marks our entry into the high-growth and globally significant aerospace and defence supply chain market. India is emerging as one of the most important growth engines for the global aerospace and defence industry, driven by localisation initiatives, strategic investments, and expanding international collaborations between India and key global aerospace and defence ecosystems.

He further added, “ALA brings deep domain expertise, strong global customer relationships and proven capabilities in specialised aerospace and defence supply chain solutions, which complement TVS SCS’ extensive network, digital capabilities and execution strength. Together, we are building a scalable and future-ready platform for global aerospace and defence companies to serve Indian requirements for both the aerospace and defence sectors.”

Vittorio Genna, Vice President and Co-Founder, ALA Group, added, “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace and defence markets, driven by increasing defence modernisation programmes and expanding global partnerships. We have strong customer relationships across the aerospace sector, and many global companies in this sector are actively evaluating and expanding their presence in India, creating significant opportunities for specialised supply chain services.

Through this partnership with TVS SCS, we will be well-positioned to support the evolving requirements of our global customers in India. In TVS SCS, we have found a partner with deep market understanding, a strong domestic network, proven execution capabilities, and a trusted brand. Their strong operational and technology-led execution capabilities, combined with extensive supply chain infrastructure, make them an ideal partner to build a scalable and differentiated aerospace and defence logistics platform.”

Says Vikas Chadha, Global Chief Executive Officer, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, “The industry is characterised by stringent certification, compliance and traceability requirements, creating a need for specialised supply chain capabilities. Our strong presence in India, extensive supply chain infrastructure, and experience in working with complex customer and regulatory ecosystems, together with ALA’s global aerospace and defence expertise, create a compelling platform to help customers navigate these complexities more efficiently. Given the specialised and high-value nature of this business, we expect the venture to become profitable within its first twelve months of operations and be a meaningful contributor to our growth and profitability in India.”

Mauro Romano, CEO of ALA MENA, said, “Our experience across global aerospace and defence programmes has demonstrated the growing importance of integrated procurement and inventory management solutions. India represents a strategically important market for long-term growth, and this partnership provides a strong platform to support customers with localised and globally integrated supply chain solutions.”

The joint venture will specialise in end-to-end integrated supply chain solutions, including sourcing and supply of aerospace and defence components, kitting and sub-assembly operations, as well as consolidation, imports, warehousing, and delivery. India’s defence logistics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8.6%.

Building on proven Defence and Utilities Credentials

TVS SCS brings deep supply chain experience from its long-standing Defence and Utility sector operations in Europe, and accounts for over 30% of the company’s Europe business. The company has been supporting the UK Ministry of Defence and leading defence prime contractors for several years, managing approximately 250,000 NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) and fulfilling around 1 million defence demands annually through a global supplier base of over 1,000 vendors. Its defence operations span land, sea, and air platforms and are governed by stringent quality, security, and compliance standards, supported by digitally enabled logistics systems that enhance visibility, resilience, and operational readiness. TVS SCS also works closely with defence prime contractors on multi-year programmes, reinforcing its credentials as a trusted global defence logistics partner.

ALA Group, on the other hand, brings more than 35 years of experience as a specialised aerospace and defence supply-chain integrator, supporting leading OEMs, MROs, and defence programmes across Europe, North America, and selected international markets. Headquartered in Italy, ALA operates a global network of commercial offices and state-of-the-art logistics and kitting facilities, supporting major global aerospace and defence platforms and programmes. The various players in this sector are Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Safran Group, Rolls-Royce, Collins Aerospace, and Thales Group, among others. Many of these global aerospace and defence companies are also expanding their partnerships and joint ventures with Indian companies as part of their long-term localisation and manufacturing strategies in India.

The ALA Group supports a wide range of aerospace and defence platforms across air, land, and naval domains, providing certified spare-parts distribution, inventory optimisation, kitting, Direct Line Feed, consignment stock, and defence-grade logistics engineering services. ALA’s operations are governed by stringent quality, security, compliance standards, and operational readiness. This proven capability positions ALA as a trusted partner for complex, regulated aerospace and defence supply chains, enabling scalable and compliant solutions across multiple geographies. ALA is also at the forefront of technology, investing heavily in cybersecurity and maintaining exceptionally high-level security infrastructure. It is the only company in the Aerospace & Defence sector to track and certify products with legally binding value using patented IAC (Instant Automatic Certification) technology worldwide.

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The PropIndex APR-JUN 2025 report delves into a nuanced market characterized by distinct regional variations and unwavering buyer confidence, predominantly fueled by aggressive infrastructure development across the country.

The report reflects steady end-user demand and investor confidence, with values now settling into a more stable growth pattern. The report identifies a clear divergence in buyer preferences: IT-driven cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gurugram, and Noida are seeing higher demand for spacious 2BHK and 3BHK homes (approx 80%), contributing to appreciation in larger unit sizes. Conversely, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) remains driven by compact homes, with a strong preference for 1BHK and 2BHK units.

Major infrastructure projects are key drivers of appreciation, with Pune (39.4% YoY), Greater Noida (35.3% YoY), and Kolkata (33.2% YoY) demonstrating strong capital value appreciation due to enhanced connectivity. Projects like the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link are fundamentally reshaping property values.

This quarter, the market observed a notable shift in supply dynamics, with the QoQ supply growth being subdued, marking its lowest increase in the past five quarters, following a period of consistent surge. Although overall demand remains consistent, a notable supply-demand imbalance is present within the affordable housing segment. Demand for units priced under ₹30 lakh and 1BHK configurations continues to exceed available inventory, contributing to competitive pricing in these categories. Premium properties, while seeing interest, have a more balanced supply-demand dynamic.

Commenting on the report, Prasun Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer, Magicbricks, said, “The Q2 2025 PropIndex indicates a maturing Indian real estate market, driven by genuine end-user demand and the transformative impact of infrastructure. The significant capital value appreciation, particularly the 23.9% YoY growth, underscores the sector’s strength. While the overall growth is highly encouraging, the regional nuances highlight evolving buyer preferences and the ongoing need for developers to align supply with specific market demands, especially in the affordable housing segment. We anticipate this positive trajectory to continue, with infrastructure remaining a key growth engine.”

The Magicbricks PropIndex is a quarterly report tracking price trends and demand shifts in key Indian cities, providing comprehensive insights for homebuyers, sellers, investors, and policymakers.

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Building upon its extensive expertise in artillery systems and its prior collaboration with AM General, KSSL continues to establish itself as a key player in the global defense industry. The company had recently entered an agreement with AM General to co-develop a wide range of next-generation artillery solutions, including mounted, towed, and ultra-light gun systems in both 105mm and 155mm calibers.

During the ongoing IDEX event in Abu Dhabi, Baba Kalyani, the Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd., expressed, “The delivery of critical defense systems manufactured in India to the United States marks a significant milestone. At KSSL, we take immense pride in being the first Indian firm to provide cannons to the U.S. This achievement highlights our expertise and represents a significant step forward in our goal to become a leading provider of artillery solutions on a global scale. This agreement reflects the trust and confidence that prominent defense leaders, like AM General, have in our capabilities. It also emphasizes our dedication to offering innovative, battle-tested solutions that address the demands of modern warfare.”

AM General, a global leader in military vehicle platforms, has been actively exploring next-generation artillery solutions. The company’s prior collaboration with KSSL on artillery platforms has paved the way for this deeper engagement.

John Chadbourne, Executive Vice President, AM General, shares, “This Letter of Intent with KSSL represents an important step in expanding our strategic partnership. Given KSSL’s proven artillery capabilities and our shared commitment to technological innovation, we see tremendous potential in bringing advanced artillery solutions to the U.S. defense forces. AM General and Mandus are looking forward to exploring this collaboration with Kalyani Group to ultimately deliver Advanced Mobile Artillery Capabilities.”

This initiative also comes after the India-U.S. bilateral defense meeting, reaffirming the growing strategic partnership between the two nations and their joint efforts in strengthening defense-industrial cooperation. It also underscores India’s growing defense manufacturing footprint and its emergence as a trusted supplier of advanced weaponry to global markets.

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PUNE: The Indian Institute of Materials Management (IIMM), Pune Branch organized the 9th Annual Supply Chain Management Awards Ceremony on at The O Hotel, Koregaon Park. The awards are held every year to recognize the best practices in Supply Chain Management (SCM) in Manufacturing and logistics sectors and healthcare institutions & conferred awards.

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman, of Praj Industries Ltd, was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Harish Kumar Sharma, National President, of the Indian Institute of Materials Management (IIMM), Mr. Surendra Deodhar, National Secretary and Treasurer (NST) IIMM, the team of Pune branch Suhas Gawas, Chairman, Prasad Rao, Vice Chairman, Arjunsingh Rajput, Honorary Secretary, Suhas Gare, Honorary Treasurer, K R Nair National Councilor & VP West, Terrence Fernandes, National Councilor & Program Convenor, Mohan Nair, National Councilor, Amit Borkar, National Councilor & Shripad Kadam, Immediate Past Chairman, IIMM Pune, were present on the occasion along with the executive committee members and a  galaxy of dignitaries & guests.

A souvenir was also released to commemorate the occasion.

The annual awards include recognizing the work of various companies in the manufacturing and logistic sectors through a jury selection process and the conferred awards. 

For best SCM practices in the manufacturing sector, Godrej  Boyce Mfg. Ltd. (Godrej Lawkim Motors) received the award in the large enterprise category while Suttatti Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. was given the award in the medium enterprise category.

MRC Logistics (India) Pvt. Ltd. received the award for best road service provider, while Om Vijayvargiya of Schaeffler India Ltd was presented the supply chain leadership excellence award. 

ICMR-National Institute of Virology which has been playing a pivotal role in the research of viruses was conferred with the best public sector organization.  Bhartiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust which is an integrated cancer research and treatment centre was awarded the best healthcare organization. The unsung hero award was conferred on Ekansh Trust, Founder Anita Iyer, whose main focus is on empowering people with disabilities and related issues.

Women make their mark in supply chain management.

To recognize the role of women in the Supply Chain, (in an organization & an individual working in an organization), the Pune branch instituted a new award category – Women Contribution in Supply Chain.

Women’s Contribution in Supply Chain award was awarded to Esquire Healthcare and Logistics Pvt. Ltd, Pune (Organization) and Sharmila Kesarkar, Head-Supply Chain, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, (Individual).

The prizes to the winners of the Kaizen Competition, the first of its kind organized by the Pune branch were also presented at the awards function.

Harish Kumar Sharma, National President, of the Indian Institute of Materials hailed the work of IIMM Pune and their contribution to the supply chain industry. He presented the President’s medal to Suhas Gawas, Chairman IIMM, Pune along with Arjunsingh Rajput, Suhas Gare, and Harshal Bardiya, the executive committee members of the Pune branch. 

Suhas Gawas, Chairman IIMM, Pune in his welcome address said that IIMM has a legacy of six decades with 54 branches. IIMM Pune was one of the first branches to recognize the work of individuals and organizations for their excellence in supply chain management.

The program was supported by Diamond Sponsor-Mileage Logistics Pvt Ltd, Gold Sponsors – MAN Logistics (India) Pvt Ltd and Bansali Metalloys, Silver Sponsors Ensigns Software and Communications, Cotmac Electronics & Genie Auto Products Pvt. Ltd, Bronze Sponsors Jainex Industrial Corporation, Anil Metals, Tranter India Pvt Ltd, Ashwani Metals and EagleBurgmann India Pvt. Ltd.

The program concluded with some light moments of humor from KR Nair.

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The announcement coincides with the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Dubai. The growing participation in the program promises to greatly expand access to renewable energy in the semiconductor space. The first-of-its-kind program was first announced in July, with sponsors Intel and Applied Materials.

According to a recent study by the SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortium, the semiconductor industry’s carbon footprint was equivalent to 500Mt of CO2 in 2021, with 16% coming from the supply chain. By transitioning suppliers onto lower-carbon sources of energy and supporting them in other decarbonization actions like electrification, the industry can make a significant impact on its overall Scope 3 emissions.

“We are delighted to welcome Google, ASM, and HP to the Catalyze program. Their decision to join supports the ambition to accelerate the decarbonization of supply chains,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman, of Schneider Electric. “Scope 3 emissions have proven a challenge to track and manage, but the Catalyze program enables companies and their suppliers to engage and collaborate in their energy transition and decarbonization.“

The Catalyze program strives to combine energy purchasing power across the semiconductor value chain to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects, provide suppliers with the opportunity to participate in the market for utility-scale power purchase agreements, enable any company that supplies to a Catalyze sponsor to join across the IT supply landscape, increase awareness of the availability of renewable energy in specific global regions where the semiconductor value chain is operational, and leverage numerous educational and digital technology platform engagements to drive measurable actions in supply chain decarbonization.

The growing participation in the Catalyze program promises to greatly expand access to renewable energy in the semiconductor space, to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and overall Scope 3 emissions.

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INDIA: Criteo (Nasdaq: CRTO), the commerce media company, today announced the launch of Commerce Grid, a first-of-its-kind supply-side platform (SSP) purpose-built for agencies and publishers looking to efficiently connect media and commerce with programmatic.

Commerce Grid differentiates itself from other SSPs by bringing Criteo’s proprietary Commerce Audiences to both buyers and sellers on the supply side for the first time. When packaged with premium inventory, ad buyers can target these audiences—built from Criteo’s leading AI technology that analyzes billions of real-time commerce signals—through their preferred demand-side platform (DSP) to engage with potential customers across all channels, devices, and stages of their shopping journey. Publishers also gain access to other Criteo assets, including shoppable formats and commerce insights.

According to McKinsey, commerce media has the potential to generate over $1.3 trillion of enterprise value in the United States alone by 2026, with $50 billion up for grabs by publishers.

“Commerce Grid is another milestone in our transformational roadmap, enabling our existing and future clients to engage in the massive commerce media opportunity,” said Brian Gleason, Chief Revenue Officer at Criteo. “While publishers recognize the opportunity, they’ve also struggled to find a clear path on how to access commerce budgets and buyers. With Commerce Grid, we’re able to connect them directly to commerce demand and opportunities, while giving agencies and brands the flexibility to access desired commerce segments, coupled with premium supply, through their preferred demand platforms.” 

Connecting Agencies with Premium Audiences to Drive Commerce Outcomes

Omnicom Media Group (OMG), the media services division of leading global marketing and corporate communications company Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), served as an exclusive agency partner for the launch.

“Commerce Grid marks a significant step forward for the industry by enabling both flexibility and performance,” said Megan Pagliuca, Chief Activation Officer at OMG. “This gives us a new opportunity to find and reach the right audiences by leveraging existing buying systems and workflows to deliver superior commerce outcomes for our clients.”

Enriching Inventory to Drive Yield for Premium Publishers

For publishers, Commerce Grid provides a market-first opportunity to leverage Criteo’s powerful commerce insights to enhance the value and relevance of their inventory to attract growing commerce ad dollars. Commerce Grid also empowers publishers with robust commerce tools and insights to enhance ad offerings and inform content strategy to support existing commerce efforts and maximize overall revenue.

Commerce Grid is a part of Criteo’s Commerce Media Platform solution suite for clients, accelerated by the company’s strategic acquisition of IPONWEB in 2022. The platform brings together IPONWEB’s The MediaGrid SSP with Criteo’s legacy Direct Bidder solution. It’s currently available in the U.S. with additional global markets, features, and functionalities to be rolled out in the coming months.

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