Safexpress Pvt. Ltd. is accelerating its next phase of logistics transformation by combining artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digital visibility, network expansion and fleet modernisation to enhance operational efficiency and customer service.
The company’s evolving technology strategy builds on more than 25 years of experience with GPS-based vehicle tracking. What began as a service to help customers locate their consignments has now evolved into real-time shipment visibility, with customers increasingly expecting proactive solutions rather than basic tracking information.
Speaking about the company’s technology journey, Mr. Anil Syal, President, Safexpress Pvt. Ltd., said that customer expectations have changed significantly over the years. With real-time tracking and digital transparency becoming standard features, customers now expect logistics providers to explain delays and provide solutions immediately.
He highlighted that Safexpress offers 100% visibility of consignments, enabling customers to monitor shipments throughout their journey. This has fundamentally changed customer interactions, shifting the focus from locating goods to understanding delays and ensuring timely resolution.
AI and Automation to Transform Logistics Operations
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a major focus area in Safexpress’ technology roadmap. The company is deploying generative AI for customer interactions and exploring agentic AI to streamline internal processes.
Its internal initiative, SIA (Safexpress Intelligence Agent), is already operational, helping employees access information, data and analysis more efficiently to address customer requirements.
One of the key applications of agentic AI is invoice verification. Safexpress manages invoicing for more than 15,000 credit customers, many of whom have specific requirements relating to invoice formats, supporting information and documentation.
Although invoices are system-generated, the verification process previously involved considerable manual checking. The introduction of agentic AI has significantly reduced this requirement, improving processing speed and consistency while minimising the possibility of errors.
Mr. Syal noted that the manual checking workload has been reduced to a fraction of what it was a year ago.
However, he believes the real breakthrough will come when AI is meaningfully integrated into core logistics operations, where it can deliver substantial improvements in productivity and cost efficiency.
The company’s technology strategy also encompasses material-handling equipment, conveyors, forklifts, robotics and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Safexpress is already equipped with advanced material-handling infrastructure across its logistics hubs and continues to explore further automation opportunities.
Extensive Pan-India Network Strengthens Market Reach
Safexpress’ technology investments are supported by an extensive physical logistics network spanning the country.
The company operates approximately:
- 2,750 offices
- 853 gateways
- 105 large logistics hubs
- 15,000-plus vehicles
- 21.5 million sq. ft. of warehousing space
This integrated network enables Safexpress to handle shipments across multiple locations, including smaller and deeper markets, through a mesh-based transportation and distribution model.
Unlike conventional point-to-point transportation operations, the company’s network allows it to consolidate shipments, optimise vehicle movements and provide nationwide connectivity.
According to Mr. Syal, the ability to collect a shipment weighing just 40 kg and deliver it anywhere in India demonstrates the flexibility and strength of the company’s network.
He identified three major competitive advantages: the strength of its network, the infrastructure supporting it and the organisation’s commitment to service delivery.
Younger Fleet and EV Expansion Drive Sustainability
Fleet productivity and asset utilisation remain central to Safexpress’ operational strategy.
The company operates vehicles across a wide range of capacities, from approximately 800 kg payload vehicles to heavy vehicles capable of carrying up to 18 tonnes. Deployment is based on route requirements, cargo volumes and utilisation levels.
Safexpress follows a relatively short vehicle replacement cycle, generally replacing vehicles within three to four years. Consequently, the average age of its overall fleet is approximately 18–24 months.
The younger fleet helps the company maintain higher vehicle availability, minimise downtime and improve operating efficiency, particularly given the high-intensity utilisation of its assets.
The company has also been exploring alternative fuels for more than a decade, with CNG primarily used for intra-city transportation and LNG being evaluated to a smaller extent for inter-city operations.
Electric vehicles are now gaining traction, particularly in first-mile and last-mile logistics, where operating distances are shorter and more predictable.
Safexpress has set a short-term target of deploying 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs). The company has already added approximately 200 EVs over the past few months and expects deployment to increase substantially over the coming year.
While long-haul EV operations continue to face challenges relating to driving range, charging infrastructure and vehicle turnaround time, the company sees considerable opportunities in urban and regional distribution operations.
Mr. Syal indicated that the company’s EV deployment targets could be revised significantly once a clear strategy for line-haul electrification is established.
Operational Efficiency Remains the Immediate Priority
Safexpress’ immediate focus is on integrating established technologies with emerging solutions to improve productivity across its logistics operations.
The priorities include enhancing shipment visibility, deploying AI for process optimisation, strengthening automation, maintaining a younger fleet and adopting alternative fuels and EVs wherever operationally viable.
Looking further ahead, Mr. Syal pointed to the possibility of autonomous commercial vehicles operating on India’s National Highways as a significant development for the logistics industry.
Such technology could potentially improve road safety, address driver shortages, increase vehicle utilisation, reduce turnaround times and lower logistics costs.
While autonomous commercial transportation remains a longer-term possibility, Safexpress is concentrating on strengthening its existing capabilities and preparing its network for the next stage of logistics evolution.
With its extensive nationwide infrastructure, technology-led processes, fleet modernisation and growing EV deployment, Safexpress is positioning itself to improve service reliability, operational productivity and cost competitiveness in India’s evolving logistics sector.