BVC Group - Bon Voyage

The BVC Group, is a name to reckon with in the field of logistics for gems and jewellery industry. Since the past 50 years, the company has been successfully providing complete logistic and transport solution to the industry. The company is celebrating the golden jubilee year with expansions of business and a number of CSR activities.

The company boasts of zero-shipment loss in last 50 years. Reiterating company’s objective, Uday B Chinai said, “Irrespective of the change in time and ways of conducting business, our objective has remained same throughout and that is to lead in specialised logistics and to provide end-to-end solution to corporate while maximising value for all stakeholders. We have always aimed at setting benchmarks in service quality, stakeholder satisfaction and growth rates in the industry.” The company has been a pioneer in the field of Invaluable Asset Movement Solutions and provides critical services like custom clearance, international logistics, domestic door-to-door, exhibition management, vault service, tours and travels and more. The group has an enviable global connectivity and host a joint venture with the world-renowned G4S services. And in India, the company has recently ventured into domestic delivery services and it has launched security and movement solutions for the jewellery exhibition industry. The company now boasts of having a network spread across 78 cities in India and is now expanding to take the figure to 110.

Uday Chinai recalled, “Post independence in 1960, when the International trade was still in its nascent stage, my father provided a unique service. During that time, custom clearance was a huge task and people had to run from pillar to post to get the work done. My father, Bhagwanji Valabhji Chinai introduced a service, where the clearance was taken care of by us. This came as much needed respite to the businessman, who could then save their time and effort. The BVC Group pioneered the first EDP systems in India, which facilitated error free processing of documentation through computerised multi-user systems.”

The group is the first one in India to extend services to SEEPZ and EOU clients. Talking about the forthcoming even India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), Chinai said, “BVC is the first entity to manage the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) in India, in association with The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).”

The group claims fastest delivery in the industry. Recalling the old days and ways of business then, Chinai said, “Earlier, people had time and one business would take lot of time, now people don’t even want to wait for an hour. They want same day export. While earlier it was easy to work, but the changes and challenges have now made work more fun. Moreover, our business has adapted itself to times and still has ever growing clientele. The present time is more professional I find it better.” The company not only performs well in the market but it has also shouldered its responsibility of being a corporate citizen perfectly. Through its various CSR activities, BVC Group has helped society in terms of medical facility, education and animal welfare. “Since past 15 years we have been donating 17,000 books every year. Apart from that, we have donated ambulance and dialysis machine. Education has remained our priority and we have lot of work in that field. Animal welfare is also one aspect where we contribute our share. For animal welfare, we donate money to organisations that take care of old and sick animals.”

Apart from various CSR activities, the company makes sure that the internal public, that is, employees should also be happy and content. “We believe, our employees are assets and therefore we don’t hesitate from spending or investing in them.” Among their HR policies, two of the policies make them unique employers—first, they offer loan to their employees on zero per cent interest and second, even if they invest in training their staff, there is no contract binding the staff to work for them after the training. “We give loans to our employees on zero per cent interest and the amount is deducted from their salary and bonus. While there is no cap to the amount of loan, however, we decide on the amount only after a proper discussion and evaluation of the situation. There is no document submission required for the loan, just one form has to be filled and the job is done. Also about out no-contract policy, we know that this makes us vulnerable in the market and people might try and poach our employees, however, so far our employees have been very loyal to us. Attrition rate has been negligible and it does not require binding them in a contract. Trust does the work of contract for us. We trust our employees and they trust us,” smiles Chinai.

Uday Chinai’s son Bhavik Chinai is the new addition to the business, who, with his expertise and new vision is dedicated to add value to the business and make it more professional.

Around 40% of international trade of gems and jewellery of India is handled by BVC, which transports goods worth Rs 200,000 crore annually. They are now expanding its product specialisation from gems and jewellery to air parts and are also improving its general cargo division. The 50-year-young company has a lot more in the pipeline in terms of new and improved services.