WHITE GLOVE SERVICE: Anything But Standard

In the transportation world, some projects are as complex as they are important. They may require extra coordination and time-sensitive delivery, specialized equipment, installation, cleanup, or other special attention. This is referred to as White Glove, and it’s a premium service provided by logistics companies with the appropriate know-how and resources. You may also hear the terms “first mile” or “last/final mile.” This simply refers to the care and expertise needed during these specific periods of the cargo’s journey.

There are a number of factors that are a part of White Glove. “Special handling” is the umbrella under which many processes are included, such as rigging, crating, uncrating, and debris removal. And it requires a level of versatility. White Glove shipments could include medical devices, trade show material, concert or event equipment, retail displays, mobile kiosks, or even products intended for home delivery. Most of the time, the cargo is either high-value, can have many moving parts, or requires some high level of coordination, assembly and/or disassembly. It’s important to note that the higher the value of the cargo, the better insurance coverage is needed by the carrier.

In order to execute these White Glove services, logistics companies need to, not only be detail-oriented, but also have systems in place that provide visibility at every stage. This means a robust online tracking system. If a service provider is contracting with multiple carriers for a given project, then visibility, coordination, and communication become paramount.

Hand-in-hand with the internal communication is the external communication. That means possibly providing the same level of visibility to the client, or just ensuring that all instructions are clearly specified, and requirements are being met. Not all White Glove projects are created equal, and there could be a lot of variables and need for customization.

Special equipment is an important factor in these types of projects. In many cases, lift gates on trucks are essential. The carrier also needs to be aware of cargo capacity, platform measurements, and ramp size.

In the end, perhaps the greatest underlying quality needed is dedication. A logistics company, and its carriers, must be committed to seeing the project through to the end. Aeronet Worldwide^® has been handling White Glove projects for a few decades, and has the expertise to put together a specialized plan to satisfy all requirements.