Specialist delivery company Panther Warehousing has invested in an IT upgrade to keep customers happy by keeping them completely in the loop about the expected arrival time of deliveries.
The fast-growing company has led the two-man, white glove delivery sector by adopting services which originated in the parcel delivery sector and adapting them to suit its customers’ needs.
As well as offering next-day delivery, with ordering up to 10pm the night before, it offers a nominated day delivery service for those who wish to plan ahead for the arrival of a large item such as a bed or kitchen appliance.
The latest innovation is to send customers a message at the point of ordering confirming the date of delivery. This is in addition to messages sent the day before, confirming the date, and then the night before, advising of a two-hour delivery window.
Colin McCarthy, Managing Director, Panther Warehousing, said: “We want to keep in constant communication with the end customer to make sure they have a choice and that our deliveries are as easy and convenient for them as possible.
“Our aim is to take the stress out of delivery and put the end customer in control so they can enjoy their purchases from day one. It is for this reason we offer nominated day delivery and provide customers a two-hour delivery window.
“We aim to take every step to minimise disruption which is why our drivers ring up when they are five miles away. Our new improved messaging service is, we believe, a first in our industry and we will continue to listen to our customers to provide what their customers want.”
Panther’s approach has been phenomenally successful, as customers responded to its unique service of two-man and one-man assisted white glove home delivery services to a number of online and multi-channel furniture and white goods retailers.
The company was named as one of the UK’s fastest growing private companies in the Real Business Hot 100 2016, and earlier last year underwent a £17 million management buy-out by mid-market private equity firm LDC. Based in Northampton, Panther operates a nationwide network supported by eight strategic hubs.
Among the services which set Panther apart is a facility in its IT which bars a driver from finding out details about the next delivery until he has sent in a required report from the current delivery – ensuring no corners are cut. An alarm is also activated if the driver fails to make the essential “on our way” call to the next customer, again ensuring that service standards are upheld on every delivery.
Once at the end customer’s home, Panther will deliver goods to a room of choice, carefully unpack and remove all the packaging, and can even install wet or dry assemblies. Saturday and Sunday deliveries are available, as are Bank Holiday collections.
