Last mile service delivery: A strong finish for beverages

Wine connoisseurs and beer enthusiasts judge a beverage on the quality of its finish, the last impression it leaves on your palate as you swallow it.  

The finish is one of the most important qualities that affects how much you like the wine, beer or spirit and will influence your future selections.

This same principle can also be applied to your beverage logistics and last mile service delivery.

What is last mile service delivery? 

The final hurdle in global supply chain logistics is delivery. Without a strong finish, everything that came before it can be inconsequential. Last mile service delivery is about wholesale delivery – getting the product to restaurants, bars and retail establishments. 

What is the process for last mile service delivery?

There are several steps that need to happen from when a customer places an order until it is received. 

Step 1: The order is digitally recorded into the carrier’s system.

Step 2: The order arrives at the transportation hub.

Step 3: The order is assigned a specific route and delivery person.

Step 4: The order is scanned and loaded onto a vehicle for delivery.

Step 5: The order is delivered to the customer’s location, where proof of delivery is collected.

How important is last mile service delivery?

Nearly 60% of consumers are willing to pay more for speedy delivery, and that number will only grow as we become more reliant on e-commerce.

Businesses must find ways to improve their last mile service delivery to stay competitive and meet consumers’ expectations.

What are the challenges?

Did you know the last mile is responsible for 53% of total shipping costs, making it the most expensive part of the delivery process?

But this isn’t the only challenge businesses face when it comes to last mile service delivery. Other challenges include:

• Decreasing turnaround times to execute same-day deliveries.

• Lowering carbon emissions.

• Simplifying complex delivery logistics.

Despite the challenges, there are ways to improve your last mile service delivery so that you can provide a better experience for your customers – and stand out from the competition.

How can technology improve last mile service delivery?

Technology can help you solve some of the most common delivery challenges, such as:

• Tracking and tracing: GPS tracking devices can help you monitor your drivers in real-time so that you know exactly where they are and when they will arrive at their destination. This information can be shared with customers to track their orders and receive updates on the expected delivery time.
  

• Route planning and optimization: There are many software solutions that can help you plan the most efficient routes for your drivers. Some of these solutions even consider traffic conditions and weather to avoid delays.
  

• Customer communication: Automated text or email notifications can keep customers updated on their order status and provide them with an estimated delivery time. 

These are some ways technology can help you improve your last mile service delivery. Implementing these solutions can overcome some of the most common challenges and ensure a strong finish for your customers.

How Hillebrand Gori can help

Last mile service delivery is particularly important to our Californian brewers and vintners, who produce a large percentage of their nation’s finest wine and beer. 

Around 240 million 9L equivalent cases of Californian crafted wine were consumed within the US in 2020. Production was around 635.5 million gallons / 2.9 billion liters (Statista). 

Elly Hartshorn, Last Mile Operations Director at Hillebrand Gori, discusses our west coast service.

“Our last mile team in the US managed over 34,000 SKUs, delivering over 465,000 boxes of product worth almost $100 million (2020). The service is so popular, it has a waiting list.  

Why? It’s because we backed our service with a really powerful customer portal. It goes beyond our network of highly secure, temperature-controlled warehouses and dedicated fleet of temperature-controlled trucks. We give our customers the ability to answer questions about inventory levels and order whereabouts. Producers, brokers, on-premise and off-premise partners involved in the order can monitor the product's journey and ETA, with live tracking and photo confirmation upon delivery. No other local provider does that. 

Hillebrand Gori is also a ‘neutral’ service provider. We’re not owned by large wine distributors which is often the case with other delivery operators within the industry. So with us, we don’t prioritize anything other than good service and on-time delivery for everyone. 

We offer next-day services, estimated delivery windows and even show you what number delivery you are in your driver’s daily schedule.”

Last mile service delivery: Why the final steps matter

Last mile service delivery is about speed, but it’s also about experience.  

It’s a game-changer when delivery drivers are familiar with the nuances of the trade – and that is reassuring to any producer or distributor of high-quality beverages like craft beer, wine and spirits. Each stage of your supply chain is important, but none more so than the final delivery of your product to its ultimate destination.

Make sure you work with a logistics partner who understands your business, and who can provide a comprehensive last mile solution that meets your specific needs. Hillebrand Gori has the experience, the infrastructure and the people to get your product where it needs to be – on time and in perfect condition.

Contact us today to find out more about our last mile service delivery solutions.