REINVENTING STEEL FULFILMENT

Al-powered dark stores are redefining industrial fulfillment in India's steel supply chain

- By Dhananjay Goel, Director, Enlight Metals

India's steel and metals sector is undergoing a digital transformation that extends far beyond production efficiency. A new generation of AI-powered fulfilment hubs often referred to as “dark stores” in logistics parlance is quietly reshaping how materials move through the industrial value chain. These intelligent distribution nodes, once associated primarily with consumer retail, are now redefining the speed, precision, and economics of industrial fulfilment for steel manufacturers, processors, and downstream suppliers.

The traditional steel supply chain has long been defined by its scale large warehouses, bulk movement, and centralised storage points located near ports or industrial clusters. While efficient for long-haul logistics, this model often falls short in meeting the growing demand for agility and precision among fabricators, automotive OEMs, and infrastructure projects that now require smaller, more frequent deliveries.

INTEGRATING AI

The integration of artificial intelligence into warehousing and distribution is addressing this very gap. AI-driven micro-fulfilment hubs are emerging as strategic nodes within the industrial network, allowing faster, data-informed allocation of steel coils, billets, or finished components based on regional demand signals.