Hospitality Purchasing Manager’s Forum (HPMF) concluded a unique international e-panel discussion on the subject “Reboot ! Road Ahead in Supply Chain”.The purpose of the discussion was to examine the current and post lockdown situations in the hospitality industry for procurement professionals and to arrive at a consensus on the course of action to be taken by the fraternity once the lockdown opens.
The panellists were drawn from highly experienced and senior cross section of the hospitality procurement profession from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Middle East. Conceived and arranged by Dr. Nitin Shankar Nagrale, Founder and General Secretary of HPMF and Raavish Jhala, CTO, the discussion saw an unprecedented attendance of more than 100 people comprises of HPMF members, vendors and others interested in the profession. More and more people would like to join but due to technical constrain it was not possible hence lots of request for a repeat.
The panel was moderated by Jaideep Gupta, Director, Aanyah Management and had as its panelists – Dr. Sanjay Goyal, VP SCM - Lite Bite Foods Ltd & Vice Chairman of HPMF; Sanjay Verghese, Director of Materials and Food Safety - The Imperial, Delhi; Bhanu Pratap, Director Procurement - Atlantis the Palm, Middle East; Biplab Das Bharati, Senior GM - Ambuja Neotia Group, Kolkata & head of HPMF East Chapter; Jagath Rodrigo, Materials Manager - Taj Bentota, Sri Lanka; Kumaar Koirala, Materials Manager - Annapurna Group, Nepal & President, HPMF Nepal Chapter; Rajesh Nair, Materials Manager, Grand Hyatt Kochi & head of HPMF Kerala Chapter and Sunil Kuttan, DGM Supply Chain - Gourmet Investments, India.
Bharati set the ball rolling with his precise analysis of the worrying possibility of manpower curtailment due to the expected dismal business levels in hotels and his take on how to sustain the manpower costs without loss of jobs.
Bhanu Pratap gave a clinical analysis of the situation in the Middle East and emphasised that use of technology and support from the government for hospitality infrastructure has gone a long way in ensuring that Dubai and Middle East have the situation under control.
Sanjay Verghese, who is an expert in food safety highlighted the steps to be taken post the lockdown situation and how important it was for the hospitality industry to promote hygiene and safety amongst their staff and associates.
Rajesh Nair dwelled on the subject of inventory and cost management during and post lockdown and the importance of vendor communication and management for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders in the industry.
Kumaar Koirala gave an overview of the current situation in Nepal and his take on the post COVID situation. Although currently bleak, he said that the country was positive that the effect of the calamity would be under control and Nepal would once again emerge as one of the leading tourist destinations in South Asia.
Sunil Kuttan gave a precise overview of the restaurant scenario and the importance of tightening the belt without compromising on the quality and hygiene aspects of the restaurant business.
All the participants emphasised the need for assistance from the Government to this industry which caters to over 1.7 million jobs across the country and contributes to nearly USD 300 billion to the Indian GDP. It was also decided that HPMF would come up with a white paper on the main points of the discussion and formulate SOPs for its members globally so that the Hospitality Procurement Profession can contribute significantly to their organisation and country during and post this unprecedented situation.
Dr. Nagrale said, “HPMF will continue to pioneer and explore ways and means of empowering its fraternity through focussed platforms which will address all such issues faced by our industry.”
Dr. Nagrale added HPMF has always been in the forefront when it comes to highlighting hospitality procurement issues and to promote learning amongst its 3000 plus members spread all over the world.
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