Does your shipment require extra care?
As shipping networks grow more complex and customer expectations continue to rise, standard delivery methods don’t always meet the needs of today’s shippers. Large, fragile or high-value products often require a higher level of care not only during transit, but at the point of delivery. White glove delivery provides an added layer of precision, professionalism and customer experience.
Continue reading to learn about white glove delivery, how it’s applied and what sets ArcBest apart from the competition.
What is white glove delivery?
White glove shipping is a premium delivery service that goes beyond curbside or dock delivery. Instead of leaving freight at the entrance, trained delivery professionals bring items inside, place them in a designated location and perform additional services.
Common white glove services include inside delivery, room-of-choice placement, basic setup or installation, and removal of packaging materials.
Sectors that benefit from white glove services
This solution is ideal when the product, environment or customer expectations require more attention than standard shipping can provide. White glove services are widely used across several industries, including:
Retail and e-commerce. Furniture, appliances, fitness equipment and premium consumer goods often require careful handling, inside placement and debris removal to meet customer expectations.
Healthcare. Medical devices and diagnostic equipment benefit from controlled handling, scheduled delivery and professional placement within clinical or administrative environments.
Hospitality and commercial spaces. Hotels, offices and institutional facilities rely on white glove delivery to ensure products are delivered and set up with minimal disruption to daily operations.
The delivery process, step by step
While services can be customized, most white glove deliveries follow a structured process that looks like this:
Schedule delivery
Prior to delivery, the receiver is contacted to schedule a specific appointment window. This helps reduce missed deliveries, improves on-time performance and ensures the location is prepared to receive the shipment.
Room-of-choice placement
The shipment is carefully placed in the designated room or area specified by the receiver. This step reduces the need for additional handling and ensures the product is positioned exactly where it’s needed.
Setup or basic installation
Depending on the product and service level selected, delivery teams may perform basic setup or installation. This can include unpacking, assembling components or positioning the item for immediate use.
Debris and packaging removal
All cartons, pallets and packaging materials are removed from the site. This leaves the space clean and finished, eliminating disposal concerns from the end user or customer.
ArcBest drives excellence through white glove delivery
ArcBest combines nationwide coverage, final-mile expertise and advanced logistics technology to deliver reliable white glove service at scale. Trained delivery teams focus on safe handling, clear communication and professional execution at every stop.
Learn more about ArcBest final-mile solutions here.
Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to help with your next white glove delivery.
