CIO Bulletin

LDK Logistics skills in planning and execution of complex White Glove, non-dock deliveries are regularly trusted and tested

A non-asset based logistics provider (or third party logistics provider -- “3PL”) realizes that every client has different priorities for their logistics operations, and since they do not need to utilize an inventory of assets to remain profitable, non-asset based third party logistics companies exhibit a flexibility in supply chain solutions that asset based logistics providers do not. LDK Logistics is one such flexible 3PL focused on a very interesting niche – White Glove Logistics.

LDK Logistics is a non-asset based Logistics Management company founded on the motive of providing exceptional service that are innovative, flexible, flawless and exceeds expectations.

The firm is the Inside Delivery Agent of choice for the most discerning customers, be it High Tech Computer, Medical Equipment, Telecommunications, Retail, Kiosks, Display, Trade Show or other High Value / High Visibility items and situations. LDK skills in planning and execution of complex White Glove, non-dock deliveries are regularly trusted and tested by those who know best.

LDK was originally formed to fulfill a unique requirement in the logistics/transport sector. The firm’s focus has always been on providing exemplary customer service for organizations that need very high-end white glove first/final mile services. Very few companies address the growing need for such expertise in handling high value, often fragile freight from the delivery truck into the facility where the equipment is actually used.

We interviewed Richard Waryn, CEO, to learn information about the company and its approach

What makes LDK Logistics different from others in the space?

Our customer service focus is second to none. Every customer has a dedicated transportation/customer service manager who understands the customer’s need fully. In many cases they have been interacting for many years and have an intimate understanding of the customers’ requirements.

Why are your solutions relevant in today’s age? Could you give us some context?

Our solutions are more relevant than ever. As technology continues to improve, medical equipment requirements grow, and customers demand higher levels of delivery services, LDK has proven to be a great partner in outsourcing complex logistics processes that are not the core competency of most of our customers.

Tell us about your full range of offerings.

Technology

As life cycle shortens and businesses change, the demand for quick but precise handling of exchanges, replacements and surrenders of many different types of equipment is growing. LDK has experience in all levels of handling these types of high touch high tech transactions. From large volume moves that require security and itemization, to small one-off recoveries, we are prepared to meet your asset recovery needs. We have the knowledge of best practices to ensure success in recovery of field assets, Dock/Inside/Desktop, completion of the necessary inventories, direction of disposal and permanent data destruction, pack (box, crate, palletize) and preparation for transportation. We offer these services throughout the country and our clients get the benefit of a single customer service point for this high service activity.

Medical Equipment

Site specifics are important in every situation but none more so than many of the medical offices, university labs and hospital situations that need to be managed with care during the final mile delivery and installation of medical equipment. We specialize in final mile logistics and our customers count on us to provide white glove service when handling the transportation and delivery of their high value medical equipment. Why risk second rate service in full view of these professional and demanding customers. Our crews are well versed in the issues surrounding the assistance of technicians and working in the environments where this equipment is installed. Installation and/or de-installation of this sensitive and high value equipment is handled in the professional manner that the surroundings require and the customer expects. We have the knowledge, equipment and experience to ensure that the services exceed expectations. Don’t trust your reputation to anything less.

High Value In-Home Deliveries

These are typically items that require special handling to ensure that they are delivered undamaged. They may balso nvolve some l;evel of in-home set-up. Examples include massage chairs, theatre seating, antiques and other high value goods.

Could you tell us about the technologies that power your offerings?

LDK has developed in-house proprietary enterprise software that allows for full customization of the customer experience. We also use specialized third-party software that integrates into our overall environment.

How important are partnerships to your company?

Very important. We work with a network of over 1200 agents around the US and Canada. They are critical to our operations and to providing the levels of service our customers demand.

Tell us about the company’s work culture. How do you provide value to your employees at the workplace?

LDK’s most important assets are our people. Our customer service managers have an extremely in-depth understanding of our customers’ logistics needs and their white glove delivery options. We support our people with weekly training sessions, online tools, and a full suite of benefits to ensure that our employees stay health and engaged.

We have an open door, informal communication style that encourages employees to share ideas and challenges both with each other and directly with supervisors. Pre-Covid we also did various team building exercises off site and intend to resume these now that we are entering a post-pandemic phase.

How have you innovated during these times of the COVID-19 pandemic? How has the pandemic affected the company?

Our biggest innovation during COVID is that we set up work-stations for all of our employees at home and implemented safety protocols at the office to ensure that everyone felt comfortable and safe. We discovered that using technology has enabled our team to stay connected with each other and with our customers and that there was no discernable impact on productivity. We plan to maintain some form of modified flex time scheduling into the future.

Have there been any setbacks in LDK’s journey so far?

The global pandemic was perhaps the most challenging time that LDK has faced largely due to the uncertainty at the onset. LDK took a large hit on in-home deliveries but fortunately our B2B business stayed steady and in fact even increased in the latter half of the year.

What can we expect from LDK in the near future? Are you availing your services in more places in near future?

We are continuously striving to improve our service offerings. We will soon be rolling out a new set of software capabilities that will impact the ease with which customers can interact with LDK. We are also setting up a sister company that will be offering on-white glove transportation across the USA.

Meet the CEO

Richard is a seasoned entrepreneur and private equity professional with experience buying, growing and exiting from a wide variety of early to mid-stage growth companies and real estate deals. He founded Centurion Capital in London in 2003, a mid-market buyout firm targeting deals in a variety of sectors including retail, financial services, distribution and real estate. Richard was also a Managing Director of Dubai Capital Group’s private equity activities in the CIS Region where he helped to set up and run a private equity fund group affiliated with Dubai’s Sovereign Wealth Fund. Richard was the co-founder of several successful emerging market funds including Troika Capital Partners’ $300 million (Moscow) Russia New Horizon Fund targeting private equity investments in Russia; and the €150 million European New Horizon Fund (London) targeting private equity investments in Central Europe and Russia.

Most notably he acquired LDK Logistics (www.LDKLogistics.com), an established national white glove logistics company headquartered in Aurora. Richard was also an adjunct professor of International Finance at Johns Hopkins University and at the Georgetown University School of Management, both in Washington D.C. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a BS with honors from the University of Toronto.