Balmer Lawrie Steps Up Rail, 3PL Operations to Strengthen Domestic Logistics

Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd is expanding its domestic logistics operations, including rail logistics and third-party logistics (3PL), as geopolitical tensions, tariff protectionism and supply-chain disruptions reshape global trade.

Addressing the company’s 109th Annual General Meeting on Monday, Chairman Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri said Balmer Lawrie was adapting to an increasingly volatile global environment, where geopolitical developments and national security considerations were influencing trade flows.

The company is strengthening its supply-chain network with greater emphasis on domestic operations. Its logistics business already provides integrated services through container freight stations, warehouses and specialised cold-chain facilities. The newly launched rail logistics business is expected to emerge as an important growth driver, Palchaudhuri said. Balmer Lawrie is also aligning its Travel & Vacations business with the expansion of domestic tourism. Its tour packages, retail vacations and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) offerings are being tailored to meet changing travel demand.

According to the company, domestic tourism visits increased 52.7 per cent between January and September 2025, highlighting the growing importance of the domestic market. Palchaudhuri said the company was seeking to build greater resilience by focusing on domestic economic activity and reducing its exposure to disruptions in international trade. Technology adoption will remain another key priority as Balmer Lawrie approaches its 160th year. The chairman identified its long-standing resilience, alignment with national priorities and technology-driven transformation as key features of its next phase.

Among other businesses, the Chemicals division posted its highest-ever turnover and profit in FY 2025-26, while the Industrial Packaging division continued technological upgrades across six manufacturing plants. The Greases & Lubricants business is developing eco-friendly and synthetic lubricants. The Travel & Vacations division recorded a 25 per cent rise in registrations on the exclusive government employee travel portal, while ticketing volumes grew 15 per cent year-on-year.

Its vacations, retail and MICE businesses also recorded their highest-ever gross toplines. The expansion comes amid global supply-chain disruptions, rising tariffs and the Gulf crisis, which Palchaudhuri said had made uncertainty the “new normal.”