Greater opportunities expected for B2B white glove delivery in 2021

Image: Jim Allen (FreightWaves)

Major parcel carriers have prioritized small package deliveries as increased demand for consumer deliverables has outstripped their capacity to deliver larger parcels. John Hagi, AIT Worldwide Logistics’ director of residential delivery and special services, expects this trend will continue through peak season and into next year.

“Our customers are telling us that they’re re-evaluating their supply chain decisions,” Hagi said. “Parcel carriers today are focused more on margins than market share.”

2020 has been a challenging year for commercial white glove delivery in the B2B (business-to-business) sector as employees at many companies continue to work remotely. But trends are likely to change. For example, Hagi says there will be more opportunities for B2B white glove delivery of medical and dental equipment in 2021 as patients feel it’s safer to resume in-person visits with doctors and dentists.

Hagi also suggests that white glove B2B dwarfs the B2C (business-to-consumer) segment and he foresees a rise in demand for B2B services as more companies embrace work-from-home configurations for their workforces. He added that white glove services may help companies improve onboarding for remote employees with turnkey solutions.

“Six months to a year ago, work-from-home really wasn’t that popular with companies.” Hagi said. “The pandemic forced that hand.”

Hagi added that the challenge now becomes how companies can make the onboarding experience great by helping new hires feel connected with their employers. He believes this can be achieved with in-home delivery and assembly of remote office workspace elements and technology requirements.

“It really builds a strong relationship between employees and their employers,” Hagi said.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Jack Glenn

Jack Glenn is a sponsored content writer for FreightWaves and lives in Chattanooga, TN with his golden retriever, Beau. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.