The key to my success has been my relationships with people. If you can make your dream their dream and, their dream your dream, it’s easy to work and grow together in business.”

Hey everyone,

I want to share the inspiring story of Subhasish Chakraborty, who went from a middle-class background to founding a billion-dollar company. Born into a modest family, Subhasish developed a strong interest in science and worked hard to balance part-time jobs with his studies.

His dedication to chemistry paid off when he graduated with a gold medal. Subhasish’s story shows that success is achievable with unwavering effort.

Today, he leads a company worth ₹2,000 crore, recognized both in India and internationally.

From Chemistry to Courier: The Unplanned Transition

Subhasish Chakraborty, the founder and current Chairman and Managing Director of DTDC, was born in Kolkata. He pursued his studies in chemistry at Ramakrishna Mission Residential College.

During his college years, he worked part-time with Peerless, a large insurance company. Although Peerless was well-known in Eastern India, it struggled to establish a foothold in the South. In 1981, the company sent Subhasish to Bangalore to expand its business there.

Despite his efforts in the insurance sector, he yearned to start his own business. Although he had knowledge of the insurance sector, his real interest lay in chemicals.

In 1987, after six years in the insurance industry, Subhasish left his job to start a chemical distribution company. However, the venture did not succeed, primarily due to inefficiencies in postal services, which created significant problems in dealing with courier companies.

Subhasish realized there was a substantial gap between postal services and customer needs. This insight led him to pivot from chemicals to the courier business, and on July 26, 1990, DTDC (Desk to Desk Courier & Cargo) was born.

Overcoming Financial Hurdles: A Story of Perseverance

Initially focusing on major cities, Subhasish soon recognized that the demand for courier services was higher in smaller towns. He targeted places like Mysore, Mangalore, and Hubli, along with smaller towns in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

Starting with an investment of ₹20,000 in 1990, the business faced numerous challenges. Banks refused to lend money due to the lack of venture capital. Determined to keep the business running, Subhasish sold his mother’s jewelry. However, this solution was short-lived, and soon financial troubles resurfaced.

In 1991, Subhasish hit upon a game-changing idea: the franchise model. He divided the regions into zones, with each regional branch managing about 30 franchises. DTDC provided software and computer systems to its franchises, enabling real-time order tracking.

This innovation addressed a long-standing customer need, allowing senders to track their parcels in real-time. The franchise model proved successful, and the business began to thrive.

Expanding Reach: From Local to Global

Starting in South India, DTDC now covers 14,000 pin codes. The company offers delivery services to both retail customers and businesses, with a network of 14,000 physical customer access points, 96% of which are in India. Internationally, DTDC serves 220 destinations worldwide.

Sustained Growth and Major Milestones

DTDC’s growth has been remarkable. The company boasts major clients like Wipro, Infosys, and Tata Group. By 2006, DTDC had 3,700 franchises and a revenue of ₹125 crore. An investment of ₹70 crore from Reliance Capital helped the company reach a valuation of ₹180 crore.

By 2010, the number of franchises grew to 5,000, with sales reaching ₹450 crore.

In 2013, DTDC acquired a 70% stake in Nikkos Logistics and launched DotZot, India’s first delivery network for e-commerce companies. In 2015, the company established an automated logistics hub in Hyderabad.

By 2018, DTDC was shipping over 150 million parcels annually, with 10,700 franchise partners. Despite competition, DTDC holds approximately 15% of the market share.

The company’s estimated revenue is around ₹2,000 crore, although this figure is not publicly confirmed. There have been reports of a potential ₹3,000 crore IPO, though it has not yet materialized.

Subhasish Chakraborty’s journey from a gold medalist in chemistry to the founder of a leading courier company underscores the power of perseverance and innovation. His story is a testament to the fact that with hard work and a willingness to adapt, remarkable success is possible.

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