Kirby Building Systems, a global leader in pre-engineered steel building solutions and a subsidiary of Alghanim Industries, has taken a significant step in digitalising its logistics and supply chain operations through a strategic partnership with GoComet, a leading supply chain visibility platform. Operating across diverse geographies including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Vietnam, and India, Kirby manages the movement of thousands of metric tons of materials annually. The company’s transition to a fully digitalised supply chain reflects a broader commitment to innovation and operational excellence, prompted by the disruptions witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Historically reliant on traditional logistics practices such as manual calls and emails, Kirby recognised the pressing need for enhanced visibility and efficiency, especially highlighted by the challenges of port congestion and shipment delays during the pandemic. Bawan Priyadarshana, Senior Manager of Supply Chain at Kirby Building Systems, explained that the pandemic underscored the vulnerability of manual processes, prompting an evaluation of multiple global visibility providers. After extensive trials gauging integration capabilities, data accuracy, and cost effectiveness, GoComet emerged as the ideal partner.
The implementation of GoComet’s GoTrack and GoPilot platforms has provided Kirby with a unified dashboard delivering real-time visibility into ocean freight and on-ground logistics. This visibility extends across all shipments, enabling both internal teams and external stakeholders to closely monitor supply chain operations. The benefits of this digitalisation have been tangible: Kirby now achieves 100% ETA precision, enhancing planning accuracy system-wide. Team members save over 60 minutes daily as the need for repetitive status coordination is eliminated. Furthermore, live updates have significantly reduced transport disputes by providing clear documentation and tracking evidence, simultaneously boosting customer trust through transparent, timely communication.
Priyadarshana cited a real-world example where GoComet’s system allowed the team to promptly manage a shipment unexpectedly held at a transshipment port. The real-time updates facilitated immediate customer communication backed by verified data, enabling Kirby to uphold delivery commitments and protect customer confidence during challenging circumstances.
This technological transformation has extended beyond systems to embrace cultural change within the company. Initially hesitant drivers have adapted to digital workflows by uploading proof of delivery and flagging issues proactively, fostering accountability and reducing delays. According to Priyadarshana, Kirby remains committed to exploring further automation and technological innovations aligned with its customer-centric, forward-looking philosophy.
GoComet CEO Chitransh Sahai praised the collaboration, stating that “the right technology, aligned with a forward-thinking team, can drive measurable outcomes and long-term value,” underscoring the critical role of digital tools in modern supply chain management.
Kirby’s digital evolution is part of a larger trend within the company, which has embraced digital construction techniques through the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. Its adoption of BIM 360 via Autodesk Construction Cloud has standardised processes and saved over 20,000 hours on construction activities, enhancing collaboration across international operations. This integration of 3D modelling, AR, and robotics into construction aligns with Kirby’s broader strategy of leveraging technology to improve both efficiency and precision. Additionally, the company explores artificial intelligence to advance design, manufacturing, and supply chain aspects within the Pre-Engineered Steel Building sector, aiming to innovate throughout the project lifecycle.
Founded in 1976 as a joint venture, Kirby Building Systems—with manufacturing facilities across Kuwait, the UAE, India, and Vietnam, and a production capacity exceeding 400,000 metric tons per year—has a vast footprint comprising over 70 sales offices and more than 300 certified installers worldwide. The firm has constructed over 65,000 steel buildings, including landmark projects like the Renault Nissan factory in India, the world’s largest single pre-engineered steel building.
Kirby’s success in supply chain digitalisation exemplifies how industrial companies can harness AI-driven, integrated platforms to overcome logistical complexities, enhance transparency, reduce manual workloads, and build customer trust. As supply chains grow ever more intricate in a globalised economy, Kirby’s partnership with GoComet highlights the critical importance of embracing advanced technology to drive operational resilience and strategic advantage.
In sum, Kirby Building Systems is not only modernising its supply chain processes but also cultivating a technology-enabled culture poised for future innovations, reinforcing its status as a leader in the pre-engineered steel building industry and a pioneer in digital logistics transformation.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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