On this occasion of Father’s Day, we come together to celebrate the profound bond between fathers and their children within the vibrant realm of cargo and logistics. Today, we shine a light on a remarkable family dynamic, where a dedicated father, alongside his daughter and son, has traversed the paths of business and kinship hand in hand. Through their shared experiences, unwavering support, and collaborative efforts, they have woven an extraordinary tapestry that intertwines the worlds of family and the legacy of Activair Airfreight. Apace Digital Cargo reached out to C K Govil, Managing Director, Activair Airfreight, his daughter, Chandrima Govil, Business Development Management, Activair Airfreight and his son, Abhiyank Govil, Director Sales and Operations, who shared their remarkable experiences of working side by side in Activair Airfreight. Here are the excerpts:
How has your shared passion for the logistics industry influenced your decision to work together?
C K Govil: Their drive and intelligence to take Activair to greater heights encouraged me to train them so they would take charge one day. I see them working hard every day for our company, which makes me proud of the decision to work together.
Chandrima: We always saw our father working hard in the industry, dedicating his life to his work, and earning the respect that he did. From childhood days, we could foresee myself working in the same domain as him, and that’s where we ended up being. Today, we share the passion for growing Activair together and making it the go-to brand for all things logistics in the Indian air cargo industry.
Abhiyank: I always had a passion for travel, exploring the world, getting acquainted with people around the world & learning new perspectives. I wanted to become a pilot and was always fascinated by aircrafts and how they operated. I have seen my father build the business from ground up. His passion for the industry, his never say die attitude, and dedication towards clients inspired me to work in the industry.
What are some of the unique challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered while working in the logistics sector as a father and son team?
C K Govil: When the lockdown started, to have staff work offline and organise workstations, get laptops with internet access, and avoid retrenching any member were the biggest challenges. We had to ensure giving them work and salary so they could support their family during the crisis.
Chandrima: Catering to different clients and vendors like airlines, shipping lines need different skill sets. Since we both cater to them differently, it all works out for us.
Abhiyank: Differences in point of view leads to clashes and we agree to disagree at times but end up doing what’s best for the business and our operations.
How do you leverage your combined experience and knowledge to tackle complex logistics issues and deliver exceptional results?
C K Govil: They are both highly ambitious and self-motivated, which helps them in decision-making for Activair. They connect with clients and ensure that each shipment and every project receive the importance they deserve.
Chandrima: We have learnt the value of time and commitment to the client from him. And we apply that learning to daily business affairs. That has helped us expand our services and clientele to international borders and earn accolades for around three decades of service.
Abhiyank: It is the right balance of old and new. His experience is leveraged, and my new school of thought adds to the mix. We employ the age-old customer service that we are known for, along with modern day technologies, so that customers always get the best of both worlds. What I have learnt from him is that in this industry, customer is king. My father never compromises on quality delivered to the customer for a lower price.
Can you share any instances where your father/son’s expertise in logistics has impressed or inspired you?
C K Govil: Yes, our whole team got together and gave their 100% to achieve this milestone, and we made it a huge success. Now we are looking at more such projects in the near future. I am confident that with their passion and determination, they will carve their niche in this industry and take Activair to unimaginable heights.
Abhiyank: In early days, one of the most historic launches of Harry Potter was managed by our company in the early 2000’s. We lived in the age of limited connectivity then and had no mobile phones. Executing such a huge launch simultaneously cross the country was a massive achievement. The sheer coordination planning and delivery that went behind the launch was extremely inspiring. He was highly appreciated by customers and distributors alike. I was proud to tell all my friends in school that we handled the logistics of one of the most sought-after books in the world!
