By automating administrative tasks, scheduling and inventory management, our operational efficiency has significantly improved. Our digital tabs, seamlessly integrated with our cloud network, provide move coordinators with instant access to packing information. This ensures that our partners and clients receive prompt, accurate information to help eliminate delays.

Any errors are swiftly detected, enabling timely rectification before packing is completed or shipments depart. For example, if prohibited items are packed, our coordinators can promptly verify this and instruct the crew to remove them from the packing list accessed via the cloud.

Further, this automation enhances coordination, saving valuable time previously spent on paperwork transfer between warehouse and office.

Mobile apps, coupled with emerging technologies like VR, are revolutionizing the customer experience. There has been a significant surge in app usage, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, with a global increase of 46% since 2021 (ref: Statista.com). This trend gives customers the convenience of accessing a wide range of services from the comfort of their homes, including shopping, gaming, food delivery, healthcare, and more.

In the moving industry, there’s an escalating need to adapt and offer enhanced experiences through apps. While existing apps facilitate obtaining quotes and comparing suppliers based on factors like price and service timeline, the next step is to provide comprehensive solutions within a single app. This entails incorporating features such as shipment tracking, CO2 emission calculations, and integrated invoicing, thereby offering customers a seamless and efficient experience from start to finish.

Automated surveys, chatbots and AI-assistants are positioned to revolutionise our workflow and greatly enhance efficiency. The smart use of AI will enable us to handle time-consuming tasks such as data assessment and evaluation, crafting business pitches and even language translation - all of which are pivotal in our business. 

By harnessing AI technology, our team can streamline processes and seamlessly share information with our partners, agents, and clients. This ensures that tasks are completed within critical timelines, benefiting our operations.

GAC Qatar has taken a holistic approach to sustainability, by integrating various technologies and initiatives to reduce our environmental impact. Our efforts include:

• CO2 calculator: We use a CO2 Calculator Sustainability platform to monitor carbon emissions, helping us make informed decisions and take significant steps toward reducing our carbon footprint. Our goal is to attain net carbon neutrality by 2050.

• Sustainable vehicles: We’ve invested in a fleet of sustainable vehicles, replacing older models with fuel-efficient trucks. This transition has significantly enhanced our fuel efficiency, saving approximately 160,000 litres annually.

• Sustainable water management: Adopting an environmentally responsible approach, we’ve implemented a condensate water system to collect and reuse AC drain water. This reclaimed water serves multiple purposes, including servicing AC units, cleaning the warehouse roof and other maintenance tasks. This innovative system conserves water and reduces the need for external sourcing, resulting in a saving of 78,475 gallons annually.

• GSAS Certified facility: Our newest office building and warehouse facility holds Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Certification, constructed with eco-friendly materials and featuring energy-saving elements like controlled thermal insulation and LED lighting. Moreover, the facility employs 100% recycled water, significantly reducing our environmental footprint.

• Reuse of packing materials: We maximize the utilisation of reclaimed materials for both local moves and exports, repurposing them for export packing when their quality permits. This initiative led to the recycling of 4,405kg of material last year.

• Digitalization: In our effort to reduce paper consumption and enhance operational efficiency, we’ve implemented a paperless system for export documents and checklists. We obtain digital signatures from clients, resulting in a significant 50% reduction in paper usage.

• Banning single-use plastics: We’ve replaced plastic cups and bottles with stainless steel water bottles and tumblers for our staff, while also offering eco-friendly bags as alternatives to plastic ones. Additionally, all corporate giveaways are now crafted from sustainable materials, aligning with our commitment to reducing plastic waste.

• Mangroves reforestation: Our dedication to environmental sustainability extends to initiatives such as participating in Mangroves Reforestation CSR activities. Some of our colleagues actively engage in reforestation efforts as part of this commitment.

• Community engagement: We actively engage with our community through initiatives such as blood donation drives in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation and partnerships with organizations like HOPE Qatar, aimed at supporting differently-abled children.

These initiatives showcase our dedication to sustainable practices, paving the way for a greener future.

While implementing sustainable practices, GAC Qatar has encountered various obstacles and challenges. Two key hurdles we’ve faced include:

• Finding the right suppliers: Securing sustainable suppliers who align with our environmental values and meet our quality standards has been a significant challenge. However, after thorough evaluation, we have successfully partnered with reputable suppliers of sustainable solutions, ensuring alignment with our goals and standards.

• Presenting the case to senior management: Convincing senior management of the benefits of sustainable practices required a strategic approach. We presented a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and a compelling case study highlighting the advantages of sustainability, including positive customer feedback, long-term financial gains and a strengthened corporate reputation which facilitated their buy-in to the program.

By addressing these obstacles with determination and strategic planning, we’ve effectively advanced our sustainable initiatives. In our commitment to environmental stewardship, our company has proactively taken steps to measure and document our carbon footprint and that of our supply chain. Through the utilisation of a CO2 calculator platform, we accurately assess emissions related to transportation fuel and electricity usage.

Our efforts extend beyond measurement, as we actively seek to reduce our carbon footprint by implementing strategies such as consumption reduction, exploring eco-friendly alternatives and providing employee training programs. By tracking and managing emissions, we are dedicated to achieving net carbon neutrality by 2050 through continuous improvement and commitment to sustainable practices.