colombian logistics startup, quick, reaches chile
Contxto – Last August, the Colombian logistics startup Quick, opened an office in Mexico City to expand its operations there. Now it’s headed into Chile, according to a recent press release.
Launched in 2014, the startup is on a mission to modernize the cargo industry through its platform and assortment of technology-based solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI), according to the statement.
Currently, the startup hosts a fleet of over 5,500 Quickers, or staff tasked with running operations via its platform.
Related article: Colombian logistics startup Quick opens Mexico City office
Logistics startup
Quick is another logitech looking to ease the supply chain process whether goods are being moved by land, air, or sea.
And size doesn’t matter.
That’s why the Colombian startup has supply chain solutions for major merchandise distribution and holding, as well as last-mile deliveries for budding e-commerce businesses. It uses AI tech for multiple purposes including route planning, georeferencing, identifying the best vehicle for a delivery and optimizing its capacity.
In recent correspondence with Contxto, the startup revealed that Chile was chosen as their target market because of “[its] great potential in transport, e-commerce, and national and international cargo.”
The logitech also explained that, for the moment their focus is centered on improving the user experience (UX) as well as strengthening their foothold in Mexico and Chile. In the future, it may enter the Brazilian market.
Related article: Brazil wants to build customs connectivity with blockchain
Technology trends in logistics
If there’s something that keeps business owners frantically phoning their customs broker, trucking company, or whomever else is responsible for the delivery of their merchandise it’s poor visibility.
This is due to the highly fragmented state of the logistics industry. An ugly reality which naturally leads to inconsistent communication.
To keep tabs on all this supply chain chaos, logistics startups for smaller-sized businesses (especially for e-commerce) like Loggi and Vueltap have risen.
Meanwhile, there are startups for more mid to large-sized businesses like Quick and Nowports. The latter shows all the signs of wanting to become the Latin American equivalent of San Francisco unicorn, Flexport.
What will separate the winners from the losers?
As someone who previously worked in a logistics startup, I’d say experimenting and then adopting new technology will be pivotal.
First, there’s AI. And I’m not just talking about self-driving vehicles. But rather, the use of machine learning for route optimization, preemptive planning, automation in task assignments, to name a few.
Another opportunity area is via blockchain. Thanks to a digital ledger that cannot be modified by just anyone, and that’s shared within a network, there’s more visibility as to where merchandise is within the supply chain. Nonetheless, to apply this type of technology, multiple parties must cooperate to develop the grid.
Some customs authorities in Latin America are deploying blockchain. But it’s still in a pilot phase. Should it prove successful, others may pick up on it. And hopefully, it will spread into other participants within the supply chain.
Related articles: Tech and startups in Chile!
-ML
