Western Carriers India
WCIL · Logistics > Logistics Listing date: Sept. 24, 2024

Western Carriers (India) Limited was incorporated as ‘Western Carriers (India) Private Limited’ in Kolkata, West Bengal as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956, pursuant to a certificate of incorporation dated March 23, 2011, issued by the Deputy Registrar of Companies, West Bengal. Subsequently, the company was converted into a public limited company pursuant to a special resolution passed in the extraordinary general meeting of its Shareholders held on February 11, 2013 and consequently, the name of the company was changed to its present name, ‘Western Carriers (India) Limited’, and a fresh certificate of incorporation dated February 28, 2013 was issued by the RoC, to the Company. Rajendra Sethia, the Promoter Selling Shareholder, transferred his business carried under the name and style ‘Western Carriers’ to the Company on a going concern basis with effect from July 1, 2013.

The company is the largest private, multi-modal, rail focused, 4PL asset-light logistics company in India in terms of container volumes handled/operated by private players in Fiscal 2023. Its domestic and EXIM market share, based upon container volumes handled, was 6% and 2%, respectively, in Fiscal 2023. It has several years of experience in road, rail and sea / river multi-modal movement for domestic as well as EXIM cargo in and out of India. The metrics set out below reflect the scale and growth of its operations. It operates on a scalable, asset-light business model which enables it to provide differentiated 3PL and 4PL solutions. It endeavours to address complexities (in terms of scale of operations and logistics requirements) by creating customised, one-stop/single-window, end-to-end and integrated logistics solutions for its customers, which involve a variety of value-added services across the supply chain. 

Its Promoter, Rajendra Sethia, established his logistics business as a rail-focused logistics business in 1972, which was later acquired by the Company in 2013. Over the last 50 years, the business has continued to evolve to provide end-to-end, customised, multi-modal logistics solutions across the supply chain integrating road, railway, water and air logistics along with a customised suite of value-added services.

Business area of the company

The company is a player in the Indian logistics industry and engaged in providing single, multimodal and other transportation services, warehousing and other ancilliary services.

Awards, accreditations, certifications and recognitions

  • 2011: Recognised as the leading CHA of the year 2010-11 - CFS/VZP by CONCOR for south central region. 
  • 2011: Recognised as the leading domestic customer of the year 2010-11 - CFS/VZP by CONCOR for south central region. 
  • 2011: Recognised as the leading business associate of the year 2010-11 - ICD/DESUR by CONCOR for south central region. 
  • 2012: Awarded CONCOR EXIM star award under special award category for north central region by CONCOR. 
  • 2013: Awarded ‘Logistic Excellence Award’ for contribution in managing regional distribution center and transportation for eastern region by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare India. 
  • 2014: Awarded ‘Best Rail Operator-2014’ by MCC PTA India Corp. Private Limited.
  • 2014: Certificate of excellence for ‘Best Business Associate - Domestic’ category from CONCOR for handling highest volume (in TEUs) as business associates - domestic at Chanderiya. 
  • 2015: Awarded ‘Best Rail Transport Partner for the Year 2015’ by MCC PTA India Corp Private Limited. 
  • 2015: Awarded CONCOR EXIM star award under special award category for north central region by CONCOR. 
  • 2015: Recognised for outstanding contribution under the category of ‘Support for New Trials’ by Tata Steel Limited. 
  • 2017: Certificate of appreciation for proficient efforts to strengthen Hindalco’s aluminium export business from Kolkata, Haldia and Visakhapatnam ports from Hindalco Industries Limited.
  • 2017: Certificate of appreciation for being a major contributor in Hindalco Industries Limited, Sambalpur cluster’s journey of excellence in supply chain management from Hindalco Industries Limited, Sambalpur cluster. 
  • 2018: Certificate of achievement for ‘Best 3PL Partner’ from Bharat Aluminium Company Limited and Vedanta Limited Recognised as ‘Emerging Customs House Agent’ of containerised cargo at Kolkata dock system by Kolkata Port Trust. 
  • 2019: Certificate of appreciation for successfully exporting containers to Germany from Jindal Stainless Limited. 
  • 2021: Awarded BALCO Monthly CEO award for ‘Best Business Partner’ by Bharat Aluminium Company Limited and Vedanta Limited. 
  • 2022: Appreciation award for outstanding services and timeliness and for diligence and commitment towards Hindalco Industries Limited, Belagavi Works from Hindalco Industries Limited, Belagavi. 
  • 2022: Certificate of appreciation in recognition of superior performance in the category of most valued partner- transportation from Jamshedpur Continuous Annealing and Processing Company Private Limited. 
  • 2024: Certificate of recognition as leading logistic organisation of West Bengal by Times Business Awards West Bengal 2024.

History and milestones

  • 2013 Rajendra Sethia, the Promoter Selling Shareholder, transferred his proprietorship business carried under the name and style ‘Western Carriers’ to the company on a going concern basis with effect from July 1, 2013. 
  • 2015: The license to transact business as customs broker all over India was endorsed in the name of Western Carriers (India) Limited by the Commissioner of Customs, Custom House, Kolkata, West Bengal. 
  • 2015: The company became supply partner for EXIM movement for a large steel company. 
  • 2018: The company became supply chain partner for EXIM movement for a large zinc company. 
  • 2019: The company was certified by the Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs, Ministry of Finance as compliant with international supply chain security standards and was granted the Authorised Economic Operator-LO (Customs Broker) certification. 
  • 2020: The company achieved turnover of around Rs 100 crore in Fiscal 2020. 
  • 2022: The company received an order from a large aluminum company to cater to its integrated multimodal logistics requirement.