OF SUPPLY CHAINS: SUMANTRA DASGUPTA’S VISION FOR DUCAB
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF SUPPLY CHAINS: SUMANTRA DASGUPTA’S VISION FOR DUCAB
DUCAB PROJECT DIRECTED BY: MUNIM SIKDER
In a world of ever-increasing complexity, managing a supply chain has evolved into a dynamic and multifaceted role that stretches far beyond logistics. With new technologies reshaping industries and global events introducing unpredictable challenges, supply chain leaders must possess a blend of agility, foresight, and an intimate understanding of both people and technology. At the helm of this transformation is Sumantra Dasgupta, the Executive Director of Supply Chain at DUCAB, one of the Middle East’s leading energy solutions companies.
In a recent conversation, Dasgupta shared his thoughts on how digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and humancentered leadership are revolutionizing the way supply chains operate. From his experiences in global industries to his current role at DUCAB, Dasgupta paints a vivid picture of a supply chain landscape that is in the midst of unprecedented change. His insights offer a roadmap for other leaders who are navigating similar challenges in a rapidly shifting business environment.
Ducab is at the forefront of the energy solutions industry, playing a critical role in the distribution of electrical power. Dasgupta describes the company as a key player in the energy transition movement, which is sweeping across industries globally as the world seeks alternatives to fossil fuels. Ducab’s two primary business units—Ducab Cables Business and Ducab Metals Business are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy infrastructure. From utilities to electric vehicles, data centers, and smart cities, Ducab is helping to lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future by integrating eco-friendly practices into its operations.
Through initiatives like reducing carbon emissions with their in-house Solar panels, incorporating recycled aluminium into their production and adopting energy-efficient manufacturing processes, Ducab ensures that its contribution to the energy transition is environmentally responsible.
Dasgupta joined Ducab a little over a year ago and oversees the group’s supply chain. His role encompasses planning, procurement, inventory, logistics, and more, giving him a comprehensive view of the company’s operations and strategic goals. For Dasgupta, this role represents the culmination of years of experience across industries that have seen their own revolutions—from automotive and oil & gas to now energy solutions.
Reflecting on his career, Dasgupta recalls his early days in the automotive industry in the United States, where he worked in hands-on roles on the shop floor. He spent years in process improvement, quality control, and other operational roles, which helped him develop a deep understanding of the intricacies of manufacturing. After earning his MBA, Dasgupta transitioned into supply chain management, where he found a new challenge in managing commercial aspects such as contracting, procurement, and outsourcing. These experiences provided him with a solid foundation to lead in industries undergoing rapid change, and he’s brought that knowledge into his role at Ducab.
PARTNERSHIPS
Bhag digital is the provider of a key MES system utilized particularly in the Electrical Cabling industry. Our collaboration started over 3 years ago- wherein they were chosen by Ducab amongst several other comparable system providers.
One of the key considerations was the expertise of Bhag Digital within the Cabling industry which has some specificities in high-volume production that are somewhat unique and require a distinct IT set up for data measurement and collection. Over the last few years, there has been very close collaboration between Bhag Digital and Ducab- wherein a dedicated team is permanently on-seat in Ducab and working closely with our operators, engineers, finance and IT teams to sort out the design, implementation and in-production trouble-shooting during the implementation of this significant change in the organization.
It has been a lot of work and there have been several challenges, but so far the partnership of Bhag Digital and Ducab has been able to overcome them and we are on course for a 100% company-wide implementation across all our business units over the next year.”
BHAG Digital: Powering Ducab’s Blade Project with UAE-Made Technology
As a key player in digital transformation, BHAG Digital, a Dubai-based company with 12 years of expertise in manufacturing digitalization, is leading the way for industrial innovation worldwide. Proudly headquartered in Dubai Internet City, our company is at the forefront of the UAE’s efforts to modernize industries and boost local technological solutions through the NextGenFDI program of the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Key Implementation Partner in Ducab’s Blade Project
In the Ducab Blade project, BHAG Digital served as the key implementation partner, helping Ducab integrate Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data analytics into their manufacturing processes. This transformation allowed Ducab to boost output by 21% without any capital investment in new production capacities, a testament to the efficiency gains made possible through digital transformation. Our partnership has significantly enhanced Ducab’s productivity and sustainability, in alignment with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy.
Our Solutions: Accessible and Plug-and-Use for All Manufacturers
At BHAG Digital, we recognize the challenges that both large enterprises and SMBs face in embarking on digital transformation. Big companies often hesitate due to the high initial costs, while SMBs may lack the resources to adopt advanced technologies. That’s why we’ve developed our plug-and-use solutions, designed to deliver AI-driven transformation with zero capital expenditure and fast time-to-value, measured in days rather than years.
BEEDIGIT
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legacy machines without digital interfaces, which are still widely used in real-world manufacturing environments. This flexibility makes it ideal for manufacturers looking to enhance their operations without the need for significant hardware upgrades. factory.online – This solution simplifies supply chain and operations management, enabling businesses to increase output, reduce inventory costs, and meet delivery schedules with ease. Designed with a user-friendly interface, factory.online ensures that even complex manufacturing processes are easy to manage.
Our solutions, BEEDIGIT and factory.online, are available globally as SaaS, offering a fast and cost-effective way to start digital transformation. With zero capital investment, businesses can rapidly implement these services in daily operations, gaining rapid insights and measurable results within days. This model allows companies of all sizes to optimize their operations, enhance productivity, and achieve growth without needing heavy infrastructure investments, making advanced technology accessible to a global audience.
A Trusted Partner for Your Digital Transformation
At BHAG Digital, our deep experience in manufacturing operations management allows us to deliver digital transformation solutions that are both powerful and cost-effective. Whether for large enterprises or SMBs, our solutions empower businesses to embrace AI and digital technologies with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. Through projects like Ducab Blade, we continue to demonstrate our ability to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence.
For more information, visit www.beedigit.com and www.factory.online
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What strikes Dasgupta most about today’s business environment is the sheer volatility. Globalization, geopolitical tensions, and technological disruption have created a world where the rules can change almost overnight. "You have to be prepared for instability and ambiguity," Dasgupta emphasizes, noting that even in relatively stable industries, companies must have contingency plans in place to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Whether it’s a global supply chain disruption, a new regulatory requirement, or the emergence of a game-changing technology, leaders must be nimble enough to pivot when necessary. This agility, he explains, is a key characteristic of successful supply chain leadership.
But agility alone isn’t enough. Dasgupta is quick to point out that in times of rapid change, empathy becomes an essential skill for leaders. “You can’t just charge ahead and expect everyone to follow,” he explains. In his experience, it’s critical to engage and carry people along on the journey, ensuring that they understand not just what is happening, but why. He draws on his own background, having worked his way up from the shop floor, to emphasize the importance of understanding the perspectives of all employees, from frontline workers to executives. “You need emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of today’s supply chains,” he says, adding that while it may be tempting to rush into digital transformation, a leader who doesn’t account for the human element will ultimately struggle to implement lasting change.
At Ducab, digital transformation has been a top priority, particularly as the company looks to remain competitive in the fast-changing energy solutions sector. Dasgupta speaks passionately about the promise of Industry 4.0—the new wave of automation and data exchange in manufacturing that includes the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and smart systems. Ducab has made significant strides in this area, particularly in its cable manufacturing facilities, where approximately 70% of operations have
been digitized. Machines are equipped with sensors that track key metrics such as energy consumption, line speed, and operational efficiency. This data is then fed into a central system that integrates with SAP, providing real-time insights into the performance of each machine and process.
Rather than replacing workers, Ducab’s digital initiatives are designed to reposition employees into more strategic roles, where their experience and knowledge can be used to analyze data and optimize processes. “It’s not about replacing people, it’s about empowering them,” he says. He points out that operators who used to manually control machines are now becoming data analysts, using the information generated by the machines to make more informed decisions. This shift requires a cultural change within the organization, but Dasgupta is confident that the longterm benefits outweigh the short-term disruptions.
Another major challenge in the digital transformation process is the sheer volume of data that modern manufacturing systems produce. Ducab’s sensors generate massive amounts of information, far more than any one individual could reasonably analyze. Dasgupta explains that while the company has made great strides in automating data collection, the next step is to harness the power of AI to sift through the data and extract meaningful insights. “There’s too much data for humans to process on their own,” he says, “which is why we’re looking at AI to help us make sense of it all.” This is an area where Dasgupta sees enormous potential for growth, as AI-driven analytics - such as Ducab’s factory of the future project, Blade, optimizes everything from machine maintenance to energy efficiency.
As Ducab continues to evolve, Dasgupta is focused on two main objectives for the company’s supply chain: building resilience and reducing operational costs. Resilience has become a buzzword in
supply chain management in recent years, especially in light of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global events. For Dasgupta, resilience means ensuring that Ducab has multiple options for everything, from suppliers to logistics providers, so that the company is never overly reliant on any single source. This diversification strategy, he explains, is crucial for mitigating risk in an unpredictable world.
Reducing operational costs, or OPEX, is another key focus area for Dasgupta. While cost-cutting may not be the most glamorous aspect of supply chain management, it is essential for maintaining competitiveness in a global market. At Ducab, this means leveraging technology to improve efficiency at every stage of the supply chain. Industry 4.0 tools, such as automated manufacturing systems and AI-driven analytics, are helping the company reduce waste, optimize resource use, and streamline processes.
Looking ahead, Dasgupta sees even more opportunities for Ducab to innovate and grow. The company’s digital transformation is far from complete, and there are still many areas where new technologies can be applied to further improve efficiency and sustainability. One area of particular interest is the use of AI to automate decision-making processes. While Ducab has made progress in automating data collection and analysis, many decisions are still made manually by employees who interpret the data. Dasgupta envisions a future where AI systems can make these decisions autonomously, freeing up employees to focus on higher-level strategic tasks.
Despite the increasing reliance on technology, Dasgupta remains committed to the human element of supply chain management. His years of experience working on the shop floor have given him a unique perspective on how technology can impact frontline workers He understands that the success of digital transformation is in making life easier for the people who operate the
SUPPLY CHAIN DUCAB
system and not just improving efficiency. “Technology should enhance human capability, not replace it,” he says. This philosophy underpins Ducab’s approach to digital transformation, where the goal is to empower employees to take on more strategic roles and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
Dasgupta is optimistic about the future of supply chain management. The industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by new technologies and the need for greater resilience in the face of global uncertainty. For Dasgupta, the key to success lies in striking the right balance between technology and people. By leveraging the power of digital tools while maintaining a strong focus on human-centered leadership, he believes that Ducab is wellpositioned to thrive in the years to come.
In a world where supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, leaders like Sumantra Dasgupta are showing the way forward. He believes that technology and people work hand-in-hand to create a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable future.
www.ducab.com
