Retailers' exposure to restrictions until the normalization process has led the society to digital in all their shopping, including their basic needs. While many sectors were affected by the restrictions, companies that made good use of the changing conditions were able to turn the crisis into an opportunity. GKN Cargo, the fast-growing player of the cargo industry, increased the monthly shipment number from 500 thousand before the global epidemic to 1,6 million during the epidemic. By the end of the year, it aims to reach 2 million monthly shipments. Gökhan Akyürek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GKN Cargo, talked about his success in the cargo sector, the future of the sector and its importance.
Digitalization has started to affect all sectors directly. More than 10 years after the first digital platform went into service in Turkey, dozens of new platforms were opened. New innovative initiatives came to life, and these initiatives managed to carry their nationwide success abroad.
Evaluating digitalization well, GKN Cargo read the restrictions that started with the global epidemic and turned its route from retail to digital. Carrying 500 thousand packages per month before the pandemic, GKN Cargo managed to increase this number to 1,6 million during the pandemic process.
“THE SHOPPING MALL CLOSING WAS TERRIBLE BUT WE BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF DIGITAL”
Gökhan Akyürek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GKN Cargo, stated that the transformation that started with the pandemic was a difficult day for the retail industry on March 19, when it was announced that the shopping centers were closed. The cessation of sales of the retail sector meant that the business stopped for us, who carried out the logistics, but it did not happen. We have always trusted the power of digital, but we could not have predicted that things would turn so quickly. We have seen by experience how easily people can change their habits when it comes to their essential needs. When we entered the normalization period on June 19, our package number decreased a little. This showed us how much stronger digital shopping has become. The normalization we experienced in 2021, compared to the normalization experienced in the summer of 2020, has started to breathe in the retail sector as it provides continuity. With the revival of the retail industry, we reached 1,6 million shipments. At the moment, we can say that both retail and digital sales are getting stronger by looking at the logistics. If we do not experience any surprises, we can reach 2 million submissions per month.”
“WE HAVE BECOME A BUILDING SERVING WITH 81 TRANSFER CENTERS IN 8 CITIES”
Gökhan Akyürek stated that the growth they experienced is healthy and that the planning works flawlessly as new destinations are opened, “Logistics business requires good planning and therefore punctuality. I can say that we are working hard to manage the growth we have achieved in a short period of one year during the epidemic. Today, we are present in 142 provinces with our 81 vehicles. We can reach 81 and 8 transfer centers in 24 hours. In the last periods of 2022, we aim to reach the end consumer with GKN Cargo's micro distribution service to all 81 provinces. ” he said.
“WE RECEIVE DEMANDS FROM FOREIGN CAPITAL”
Stating that their success attracted the attention of foreign investors, Akyürek said, “Our logistics infrastructure and shipping figures caught the attention of foreign investors. Finally, we received an offer from the French Fund Group company, but as GKN Cargo, we aim to grow entirely with equity capital. We aim to globalize in the future, and therefore to receive investment. Currently, our plan is to grow with our own capital until 2023 and create a single-partner structure covering all parts of Turkey.”
“THE AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT HAS 15 THOUSAND APPLICATIONS IN 3 DAYS”
Gökhan Akyürek said that they were thinking of becoming an agency and that's why they were collecting demand: "With a limited announcement, 15 thousand people applied to become our agency in 3 days. Our expectations from our agencies are 'experience in the cargo sector, supporting the vehicle portfolio according to the needs of the cargo sector, and having a warehouse in the current location with suitable conditions'. An important problem of the cargo sector today is the rapid growth through agency without a centralized structure. The reason for the problems and complaints about the sector is uncontrolled and fast agency," he concluded.
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