Subhasish Chakraborty

Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty started the franchisee-based business model in the Express industry with Desk to Desk Courier (DTDC). Under him, the company has now completed 25 years and has an efficient international network spanning 240+ global destinations. Through his franchise-based business model, many entrepreneurial dreams have been realized. This model has been emulated overseas and is also studied as a business case by leading management institutes. Mr. Chakraborty is a Gold Medalist in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta and has an Advanced Management Program diploma from ISB to his credit.
Apart from being CMD of DTDC Group of Companies, Mr. Chakraborty is also the Chairman of Millennium Motors Pvt. Ltd., SMS Courier Ltd., DCG Tech Limited and is the Managing Partner of Maxibond. He is also the Honorary Secretary of Express Industry Council of India. He has completed his Advance Management Program from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
Early life
Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty was born in a lower-middle class family in Kolkata to his parents, the Late Debesh Chandra Chakraborty & Mrs. Nilima Chakraborty. He pursued his Chemistry Honours from Ramakrishna Mission Residential College and freelanced at Peerless Insurance.
His early life was full of financial hardship. However, he pursued his higher studies, earned a scholarship to support his studies and eventually received a Gold medal in Chemistry Honours from Calcutta University during the year 1974.
Determined to make a change in the lives of lower middle class people, he realized that creating entrepreneurs was the only way to make a change in society. Initially, he joined a Financial Services company where he worked as a freelance insurance agent and later inducted others to help them become entrepreneurs themselves.
Subsequently, he moved to Bangalore, where he started a Chemical Distribution Agency. It was during this period that he realized that India lacked an efficient express distribution service, and he saw an enormous opportunity in it. He also realized that any distribution industry in India should ideally have a vast network to satisfy customer needs.
DTDC
Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty established Desk to Desk Courier, also known as DTDC in 26 July 1990, which has since been a house-hold name and is one of the largest express distribution companies in India. The ‘Franchisee Business Model’ was introduced for the first time in the Express Industry, which was unheard of at that point of time. The model gave the first mover advantage in terms of reach, which is a key requirement and the company's USP. This model has been highly successful, and has crossed the Indian shores to become the case study at various business schools in India and abroad
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Mr. Chakraborty visualized that only organized sector can provide such an all-inclusive service under one roof backed by an extensive network, dependable services and speedy delivery. He, therefore, proposed to open ‘Service Super Malls’, through which various service products could be extended to customers and help them save time for their families. His vision was “to make life easy for people” in the years to come.
The ‘sharing of wealth’ through the franchisee model has helped Mr. Chakraborty create entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for thousands of people. He has taken initiative in expanding the company's network in ‘B’ and ‘C’ category cities by offering subsidized rates for investment at the initial stage. He has extended his franchisee concept to the global level to help and cater to the business needs of the Indian community. DTDC has already appointed franchisees in UK, USA, UAE, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.
Desk to Desk Courier, today has 7 Zonal offices, 20 strategically located Regional Offices and over 430 operating facilities spread across India. It has a presence in more than 500 district headquarters through its large network of more than 8000+ offices and extends services to over 10,000 Pin codes while handling more than 12 million shipments every month.
It also has a significant global footprint and services 220 international locations including USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Hong Kong, Australia, China and all Asian countries, through its own operations, joint ventures and business associates.
Recently, they added outlets in China and Canada. Chakraborty also announced the purchase of a 52 per cent stake in Eurostar Express, the courier and logistics arm of Dubai's Eurostar Group. The two moves cost them $12 million (about Rs. 66.5 crore).
The company is close to finalizing a joint venture in Pakistan and opening its first center in Yangon, Myanmar. Global expansion is high on Chakraborty's agenda. The company has earmarked $30 million on its balance sheet for the Australia and Pakistan joint ventures, the Yangon centre, and future acquisitions.
Personal life
An ardent lover of football and cricket, he has served as the ex-president of DTDC Tollygunge Agragami, which is one of the top national level football clubs. He is also associated with the FEI Football Association and has also formed the DTDC Sports Club, which is affiliated to KSCA, Bangalore in the 1st Division League. Through these clubs, he sponsors young and talented aspiring football and cricket players. Some of these sponsored sportspersons are now representing National and State teams
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A music lover, he has sponsored numerous music concerts across the country and has supported musical event managers like, Music Circle, MAAM Entertainment, etc. Besides that, he has also provided logistics support for some of the India’s top rock bands, “Aurko” and “Alive Media”.
Alliance with Geopost Group
Geopost Group, a leading European Express Parcel Service provider is a strategic partner with DTDC since July 2013. Through this partnership, the company now has access to Geopost Group’s international network and its most prominent operating brand DPD which covers the world’s major markets. The Geopost Group consolidates the Express service subsidiaries of Le Groupe La Poste and is a major player in express services in Europe. It operates in over 230 countries on behalf of over 300,000 customers worldwide and is no. 1 in France and no. 2 at European level on the express parcel market.
Awards and Honours
* Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty has been chosen as one of the “Top 30 Innovative CEOs” by the prestigious Inc. India in November 2014
* Franchise India Holdings Ltd. conferred Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty with a “Lifetime Achievement’ award on 6 July 2013 at Delhi for his contribution to the Express industry and economic development of the country since the last 24 years
* DTDC was conferred with “Inspirational Leaders of New India Award” and “Power Brands Award” for the 2nd consecutive time at Las Vegas on 24 and 25 June 2013 hosted by Hon. Smt. Latha Rajinikanth and the very prestigious M/s. Planman Media Pvt. Ltd.
* ‘Best Franchisor’ Award in the country under the category Courier & Cargo 9 times, i.e., nine consecutive years from 2005 to 2009 and in 2011 and 2014 by Franchising World, a part of Franchise India Holdings Ltd.
* The Arch of Excellence Award from AIAA (All India Achievers Association) on 18th Oct at Bangalore
* Golden Europe Global Award for Quality and Commercial Prestige 2012 by International Organization, "Otherways Management and Consultants" at Paris on 16 July '12
* Rashtriya Udyog Rathna Award and Quality Brands 2012 - 14 Award by NEHRDO and Quality Brands at Mumbai on 20 June '12
* Entrepreneur of the Year (Consumer Services) Award for the year 2011 by Franchise India Holding Ltd. and Bloomberg/UTV in consideration of his continuous contribution in the field of Consumer Service
* Global Golden Indian Award and Gold Medal for the year 2011 by Institute of Economic Studies in recognition of his contribution to the Trade, Industry and Economical Development of the country
* Best Franchisor Award in the country under the category Courier & Cargo for 5 years in a row from 2005 to 2009 & 2011 awarded by Franchising World (part of Franchise India Holdings Ltd.)
* Udyog Rattan Award by Institute of Economic Studies for outstanding performance in industrial development in the country for the year 2009
* Was part of the CII Human Resources Management Mission to meet the best employers in the UK and make a presentation on “Best HR Practices” in the year February 2005
* Part of Business Delegation Team, headed by the then Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh for “India-Brazil-South Africa” (IBSA) during the year Sept 2006
* Was invited to be a panellist on a discussion during Entrepreneur India Summit 2011 along with cabinet Minister Shri. Virbhadra Singh, Hon'ble Minister, MSME Ministry and other top level executives on the topic “Entrepreneurial Opportunities in India”, organized by Franchise India in July 2011
CSR Initiatives
Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty’s franchisee concept is considered to be the largest contribution to the Indian economy.
He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhiji and his principles and took up the mission of creating and sharing wealth amongst thousands of people by giving them a chance to be entrepreneurs, and in turn creating job opportunities. There are over 6,400 independent entrepreneurs today in India, USA, UK, Singapore, UAE and Australia.
He has not restricted the reach and scope of entrepreneurial opportunities to metro/district level alone but in rural areas as well, through its special project entitled GICA (Greater India Channel Associates). GICA provides extensive training on express industry, soft skills, entrepreneurial skills, marketing skills, et al, to the rural youth. He wishes to contribute to the rural India by appointing at least one franchisee at subsidized rates in each taluka to help them stand on their own feet.
Supporting Army Widows
DTDC supports wounded heroes of the war. A special project, DTDC’s AWWA (Army Widow Welfare Association) was showcased to the President of India and is now being rolled out as a business model for the re-settlement of ex-army people.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Subhasish Chakraborty has combined philanthropy with Community Based Development. Shri Subhasish Chakraborty Foundation (SSCF) has associated with various NGOs and Institutes that address fundamental needs of the society relating to health, hygiene, and education, empowerment of lesser privileged people, differently abled (physically disabled), women, children and senior citizens.
Rural Electrification
In 2013, in association with AOL (Art of Living), the SSCF took an initiative to celebrate Diwali in a unique way. Through SSCF, DTDC selected a remote village called Kanneri Colony in BR Hills, Yellandur Taluk, Chamarajnagar District, located in the very interiors of Karnataka state with maximum population from the backward tribe and is deprived of electricity. With installation of solar grids completed, electricity supply to the remote village was released by mid of January 2014. This first of its kind initiative, it was duly appreciated and approved by the Ministry of Energy.
DTDC’s association with World Vision
In a bid to address the basic concern of illiteracy in the nation, he has joined hands with World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. DTDC currently sponsors 25 children who prominently belong to rural areas across India.
Mr. Chakraborty is driving Go-Green initiatives that involve the commitment to plant 11,000 trees every year, energy conservation in its offices and fleet vehicles, and reducing the overall carbon footprint of its operations through recycling.
SSCF is running Nayi Disha, with a view to create a new dimension for the lives of physically disable and underprivileged in Noida. Some of the people trained at Nayi Disha have already been absorbed by the channel partners.

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