Subish Surendran was born into a poor household that lived in a Thane chawl . His family’s life eventually changed when his father bought a vehicle and established a transport business.
Subish traveled to Dubai aged 21 to work for a logistics company after graduating.
After ten years in logistics, he founded Time Global Shipping LLC in Dubai aged 31. His company now generates Rs 220 crore.
Time Global Shipping provides ocean, air, and road freight services. They trade new and old shipping containers of all kinds.
They serve FMCG, Retail, Electronics, Healthcare, Automotive, and Food & Beverage clients through 5,000+ agents in 175 countries. Shipping containers number roughly 1500 for the company.
Time Global Shipping started with three Dubai employees and now has 150 worldwide. In India, it has six offices: Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Vizag, Mundra, Tuticorin, and one in Spain and Indonesia.
Subish told The Weekend Leader his story, like many first-generation entrepreneurs.
Subish recounts his childhood when his father was a mechanic at Patel Roadways, a truck garage. When Subish was in Class three, his father acquired a truck and established a transport business.
Family circumstances improved, so they moved from a chawl to a flat. “I believe we moved a bit towards middle class,” he says.
Subish’s father worked hard to give his children the best education.
“He struggled to raise us nicely, but we never felt it. “He got us good schools,” recalls Subish.
Subish attended Thane’s St. John The Baptist High School through Class 10. After Class 12, he attended NES Ratnam College in Bhandup for a B.Com degree, which he earned in 2008.
Subish’s father helped him acquire a part-time job at Water Ways Logistics in Masjid Bandar, Mumbai, during his second year of B.Com.
“In college, I took a local train to work after morning classes. A logistics firm paid me Rs 2500 per month for paperwork. This introduced me to logistics, Subish says.
Subish was recognized for her efforts. Subish’s uncle Shekhar Narayanan, who was close to the family, suggested him try Dubai. Subish and his uncle left for Dubai two days after graduation on November 17, 2008.
Subish got a job with US-based Vanguard Logistics Co. in Dubai with his uncle’s support. He earned Rs. 56,000 per month handling import papers.
“He helped me get this job a day after arriving in Dubai. Since Dubai is expensive, I shared a flat with 10 roommates at first. “By month-end, I had little money and survived on Kuboos bread (a popular Dubai bread brand) and curd.
“Many flatmates had similar experiences. My stomach was sometimes empty at night. But I never requested money.”
Due to the Dubai recession, Subish was laid off within six months. He may return home or get a new career. Subish joined Caravel Logistics LLC.
Managers Sunil Meerasa and Sudheer K accepted me. He says he was engaged as a customer care executive at Rs. 65,000 (about 3000 dirhams) each month.
From 2009 to 2016, he rose at Caravel. Starting as a sales executive, he rose to senior sales executive, deputy sales manager, and sales manager.
I constantly outperformed expectations. Subish, who learned shipping and logistics at Caravel, claims his income rose from 3000 to 26,000 dirhams.
In 2016, he became an entrepreneur. After leaving Caravel, he sold his Nissan-Infiniti QZ 70 SUV and started ‘Time Global Shipping’ with Rs 33 lakh in savings.
From a 400-square-foot office on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, Time Global Shipping began with three employees, including Subish. Subish managed all sales.
In 2018, the team moved to a 3500 sq ft office in Oud Metha, Dubai, after growing to 50 members in two years.
“I managed marketing and still do. My Caravel contact Gulf Trading LLC was my first client. Old clientele who supported me made up a large part of my business “.
Subish’s company transported Covid vaccinations from Switzerland to West Africa during the outbreak. Subish said the outbreak helped his business. They earned a lot distributing medical supplies and vaccines.
Shipping corporations had a monopoly as alternative transport modes stalled, resulting in significant price hikes and extraordinary company development.
Subish feels lucky to have started his firm with his money, not loans. His company continuously reinvests earnings.
Besides the UK office, he aims to develop operations throughout South East Asia and Europe. His goal in India is to grow his business.
Personal note: Subish has sent his father a specific sum every month for years. He gave his father a Mercedes-Benz GLA200 for his 60th birthday in 2020.
Sujitha Surendran, Subish’s younger sister, works in Morgan Stanley’s Bengaluru finance department. His six-year-old daughter Riddhi Subish attends school.
He routinely visits his Mumbai-based parents. With his company founded in 2016, he considers his daughter Riddhi his fortunate charm.
Conclusion:-
First-generation entrepreneur Subish Surendran founded Time Global Shipping LLC aged 31. The company trades new and used shipping containers of all types and provides ocean, air, and road freight services. Time Global Shipping serves FMCG, Retail, Electronics, Healthcare, Automotive, and Food & Beverage clients in 175 countries with over 5,000 agents. His father was a truck garage mechanic in Thane, Mumbai, where Subish began his journey. He joined a logistics company in Dubai aged 21. At 31, Subish founded Time Global Shipping LLC after ten years in logistics. Time Global Shipping employs 150 people worldwide and generates Rs 220 crore.
