LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION
SHETU MARKETING COMPANY
In 1989, NAAFCO Group established a separate entity, Shetu Marketing Company (SEMCO), as the marketing and distribution company for Shetu Pesticides & NAAFCO (fertilizer) products. It operates depots (incorporating both office and warehousing facilities) in 11 locations throughout Bangladesh: Bogra, Natore, Rangpur, Dinajpur (all north-west), Jessore, Barisal (West & South-west), Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sreemangal, Comilla, and Chittagong (central and east). The above 11 depots ensure supply to the whole country through a network of 1,000 distributors who control about 25,000 retailers. They are supported by 36 cars, 34 delivery vehicles (from 2mt-15mt capacity), 2 pickups, 2 jeep, and 170 motorcycles.
SEMCO does not make direct sales to either retailers or farmers. SEMCO field-staff monitor their distributor & retailer points, contact farmers, organize field meetings, demonstrations and liaise with local agricultural officials. During season time additional temporary staffs are hired to widen farmer outreach. Apart from field sales SEMCO also makes direct sales to institutions such as tea plantations and government/semi-government bodies. The depots are all equipped with projectors, customized ERP software, and now phone based ERP systems are being rolled out to field staff. Customer service is supported by a call center with customer database.