Danish freight forwarder appoints former Maersk executive Vikash Agarwal to lead India operations as company targets multinational and domestic customers
Fast-growing freight forwarder Scan Global Logistics (SGL) is expanding into India for the first time with plans to open a total of three offices.
The company will open a head office for the country in Mumbai and two further units in Chennai and Delhi, with plans to add new locations in the future.
Vikash Agarwal will lead the team as SGL chief executive for India. Before joining SGL, Agarwal served as managing director for South Asia at AP Moller–Maersk, overseeing operations across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives.
Prior to that, he held various senior roles at CEVA Logistics.
Explaining the expansion, SGL said that India is the fifth-largest economy in the world, with an annual GDP growth of 6-7%. By 2075, India is expected to be the second-largest economy in the world.
SGL global chief executive Allan Melgaard said: “It has been a high priority for SGL to establish a presence in India for a long time. We are initially launching operations in three locations, but our ambitions are high, and we plan to open several additional offices within a short time.
“To participate in the ongoing rapid development, not only in India but in the region, we see a tremendous opportunity for further growth and expansion that will benefit both existing and new customers.”
He added: “It has taken a bit longer than expected to enter India, but we needed to find people who share our purpose as well as our view on customers and entrepreneurship, rather than opening without the right fit. We found the team now, and we are confident that we have made the right decision.”
The company said it would serve both multinational companies operating in India and Indian companies expanding internationally, offering "tailored solutions that align with the country’s dynamic economic growth".
The company has been growing rapidly. Over the past year, SGL has strengthened its presence through key acquisitions, including Blu Brasil in Brazil, Foppiani Shipping & Logistics in Italy, and ITN Logistics in Canada.
"Establishing operations in India is a strategic next step, a market with vast opportunities in a rapidly growing economy where international customers increasingly operate and source goods," SGL said.
