Homedirect USA Furniture Home Delivery For The New Retail Marketplace

Furniture World Magazine

GeoLogistics Network Solutions, Inc. (GNS) announced the formation of HomeDirect USA, one of North America's largest distribution networks focused on specialized handling and value-added home delivery. Created to meet the rapidly growing technology-driven, home delivery retail business, HomeDirect USA provides that vital third-party logistics link in the supply chain between a manufacturer's reputation and the customer's brand loyalty. This new business unit underscores GNS's commitment to providing the most comprehensive, technology-driven transportation and logistics services to the retail industry. "Our goal is nothing short of delivering on our client's reputation," said Brian Gallagher, vice president of HomeDirect USA. "the reason for that has everything to do with the changing marketplace. There was a time when client-customer contact took place in the retail shop, or showroom. If the customer is shopping online, the only representative for that client may be the delivery person. If HomeDirect USA is filling that role, then we have to be the best we can be, an ambassador for our clients. We're entrusted to fulfill the customer's orders and we deliver on that trust." Web-based commerce is fueling the demand for home delivery, and physically removes the retailer from the sales process. Today, retailers require fully integrated, third-party home delivery solutions with comprehensive customer service in order to build loyalty and ensure customer satisfaction. "We don't just have the solution," said Jim Grieger, Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Development of HomeDirect USA, "we are the solution. HomeDirect USA provides white-glove service to any home in the continental United States. That means we deliver our customer's goods, unpack it, set it up, including their RTA products, and then remove the packing materials. Our goal is to be a complete answer to our customer's service needs." Keeping pace with today's technology, HomeDirect USA developed a fully integrated information tracking system to monitor supply chain activity. That system handles everything from basic tracking and tracing to exception reporting. The HomeDirect USA system tracks product in multiple ways, always providing visibility of all shipments. In fact, inventory can be managed across all 71 HomeDirect USA Distribution Centers throughout the nation and key shipment events are updated with the actual date and time the event took place for better inventory control. In addition, all HomeDirect USA orders, whether new or returned, are placed and tracked electronically, via the web or through manual keying. Electronic communication is also used to explain reasons for return or refusals. And to help minimize unnecessary returns, HomeDirect USA offers a deluxing option. Homedirect USA has over seven hundred air-ride local trucks working in all the major markets throughout the country and more than 500 air-ride trucks working within the ltl linehaul network, special markets and truckload divisions. The company currently provides distribution and linehaul services through timelok (a fixed-schedule delivery system that uses a hub-and-spoke routing system) to route deliveries through their network of 71 nationwide distribution centers. Homedirect USA's complete line of services includes: threshold, over-the-threshold and delivery to any home in the us; warehousing; inventory control; uniformed, trained personnel; lift-gated local vehicles; assembly; Saturday and evening deliveries along with customer and product surveys. HomeDirect USA is a separate Division of GeoLogistics Network Solutions, Inc., formerly Bekins High Value Products Worldwide Logistics Division. GeoLogistics Network Solutions is one of the largest North American integrated networks that provides logistics services and solutions to business-to-business and business-to-consumer manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of electronics and specialty retail products. The niche business is focused on products requiring specialized handling, value-added, or time-sensitive services. GeoLogistics Network Solutions Inc. and Bekins Van Lines LLC are owned by GeoLogistics Corporation, one of the largest non-asset based global logistics providers headquartered in North America, with $1.6 billion in annual revenues. More information may be obtained at the company's website at www.homedirectusa.com.