The warehousing and transportation industry has experienced unprecedented demand nationwide. Yet, with the growth in Florida’s residential and hospitality sectors, the uptick throughout the sunshine state has been particularly challenging. For much of 2021, many of the receiving warehouses throughout the state were forced to close their doors to new shipments and customers. Why? Because many big orders were stockpiling and not being installed due to supply chain issues for construction projects big and small. This, compounded with the lack of qualified labor to properly receive, inspect, and transport the goods for installation, created a backlog that caused many designers to scramble for new partners and space.
Headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, White Glove Moving Storage and Delivery was proud to have stayed open throughout the pandemic and never shut its doors to existing customers. Celebrating twenty years of continued service to the interior design community, these professional receivers and installers doubled down in 2021 and acquired an additional warehouse to accommodate the requests of new and existing commercial clients. With nearly 63,000 sq. ft. of climate and humidity-controlled, racked storage space; the team has been able to systematically streamline the freight shipments and provide the skilled staff needed to keep items organized by account and expertly installed onsite for projects statewide.
“At one point, it felt like the boxes were stacked clear to the ceiling,” explained White Glove Moving, Storage & Delivery president, Caleb Clements. “It required consolidating freight deliveries to Monday through Thursday and extra days to upload items into customer’s online accounts but with good communication our clients understood and were clearly grateful for the willingness we had to keep receiving when many others would not.”
Presently, the backlog of supplies trickling into the country is still creating stresses on many warehouses and installation teams in Florida. Yet, there seems to be some light shining through the tunnel these days. With an increase in wages and incentives throughout the country, there is a trickle of qualified drivers coming back to the workforce helping to get goods where they need to go. Additionally, many local municipalities are in support of revitalization projects and are approving them to help keep the job markets viable. Thus, keeping a few things in mind will help your upcoming design endeavor run smoothly and provide realistic expectations to you and your end user:
- With foreign manufacturing in limbo, plan to start placing your orders months in advance not weeks. An experienced ff&e professional team like White Glove can provide package pricing for your projects which includes the extra months of storage as well as a set monthly rate so there are no surprises to your customer when it comes to executing an on-time unveiling.
- Get comfortable with technology. At White Glove, an online software system is used providing each client with their own, unique username and password. This provides 24/7 access to see what has arrived and the quality of the piece. Though most clients opt for the clear and blatant damage when it comes to inspection of new, boxed goods; it’s important to trust your receivers to be your eyes. Should something appear damaged, the team of professionals quickly open it and documents damages with pictures and details within the portal to help designers start the process of replacement or repair.
- Be mindful of rising costs such as fuel and materials so that these expenses can be accounted for in your own proposals. Unlike White Glove, many providers leave these items as a separate variable rather than a hard number you can build around; be sure to ask.
- Plan with as much notice as possible. Bigger installations of commercial projects such as hotels, clubhouses or assisted living facilities requires the expertise of truly, trained teams. Therefore, providing upwards of six weeks advance notice for installation is preferred to ensure designers and their end clients get exactly what they want rather than being fit into the schedule piecemeal. Larger residential installations benefit from at least four weeks advance notice.
Florida is the exception to the rules for housing and commercial growth. As a state gifted with sunny days, we thrive in months when other parts of the country are hunkering down, and the rate of travel coupled with relocation is not slowing. As with most things these days, it is important to practice patience in every aspect of the design assignment and with proper planning and effective communication a happy outcome is achievable. Relying on industry pros with years of experience affords you a better chance of that result. At White Glove Moving, Storage & Delivery, they are here to receive, inspect, store and install your expertly sourced goods throughout Florida with ease and efficiency.
866-GLOVE10
www.whitegloveusa.com
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