Get to know Mr. Sivayogan, a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in international logistics, operations, supply chain management, and product procurement. With his extensive experience, he is now a key member of BND Inc.'s management team.

Can you tell me what a logistics manager mostly does?

Making sure that products migrate without a hitch is my main responsibility. I oversee a group of people that report back to me on departmental progress in areas such as accounting, shipment processing, and delivery route development.

Describe a normal day in your life.

My days are always different, but every day starts with a review of departmental performance with the CEO. After that, I make sure to reach out to my supply chain, logistics, transportation, warehouse, and scheduler teams in order to address any issues that may arise. Following that, we will proceed to strategize and plan further. When shipping products around the world, we have to pay close attention to detail.

The European and Asian market timings require me to be on call after my day ends at 5 p.m. EST, which is at 8 a.m. EST. That being said, I am not expect my employees to stay on call. 

Tell us about your favorite work-related memory.

A representative from the Ministry of Health contacted Mr. Choudhry to ask for an isolation gown when SARS became a pandemic. We were a small corporation back then, and isolation gowns were were not widely available. The larger medical supply companies, on the other hand, did not have them in stock. But we were certain that we could procure them. When they placed the order, we were eager to complete it.

From all the global conferences I’d attended, I had hundreds of business cards with observations written on the back of each one. SARS occurred before the internet was as efficient as it is now. I sat down and called suppliers all around the world until 2 a.m., completing the order and delivering the gowns to the healthcare department.

When you're not at work, what activities do you enjoy?

I value my friends and family and make an effort to spend time with them. Going to the gym is important to my wife and me because we want to be healthy. Also, I've just begun gardening and am thoroughly enjoying it.

Who are your favorite sports teams?

To be honest, I don't have a favourite sports figure to root for, but I do enjoy watching the NFL, the NBA and the FIFA World Cup. I follow the 49ers, Raptors, Brazil, and Argentina teams.

What changes have you seen in the supply chain and logistics since you joined BND nearly 25 years ago?

A great deal has transpired in the industry, and my role has become more interesting and valuable as a consequence of these developments, leading to an increase in consumer solutions.

For instance, digital records and paperwork are commonplace in every industrial sector. Direct manufacturer collaboration, is the trend that has changed our industry. In the past, we were required to use a trading firm, which added unnecessary expenses. 

Virtual trade shows are now possible, which has drastically changed product buying and sourcing. More routes are available due to the increased number of ports and ships worldwide.

With supply shortages and high demand for medical supplies across the country, how are you keeping up with orders?

Our long-standing relationships with manufacturers and logistics providers have been an integral component of our business model for more than four decades.

What’s the most significant misconception people might have about your job?

People often think I can do my job remotely, but that's not the case; on a regular basis, I have to travel to the warehouse and connect with other departments. Conversations are fun, and I really enjoy being on the team.