Why SMEs Choose Record Express for Bulky Deliveries
Why Belgian SMEs choose Record Express for bulky deliveries. SEND PARCELHome / Our Business Areas / Industry /
Belgian SMEs pick Record Express for bulky deliveries because we keep costs predictable, protect goods with professional two-person handling, and give clear ETAs with proof-of-delivery.
Small teams get the benefits of a large network without fixed fleet costs.
Start with a six to eight week pilot on a single lane, move partial pallets into planned departures, and track four KPIs, cost per stop, first-time success, damage rate, and customer satisfaction.
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Key figures at a glance
What SMEs actually need from a bulky delivery partner
Most SMEs do not have spare warehouse staff, their own vehicles, or time to chase carriers.
They need predictable pricing, careful handling for large items, and simple booking that just works.
Bulky consignments demand two-person delivery, tail-lift access, smart routing in cities, and appointment windows that customers accept.
The partner must provide all of this without locking the business into long contracts or complex IT projects.
Record Express focuses on three outcomes for small and mid-sized companies in Belgium, fewer failed deliveries, lower overall cost per stop, and happier customers who leave positive reviews.
We do this with planned departures, right-sized vehicles, and trained crews who take photos and gather electronic signatures at delivery.
How Record Express fits SME operations
| SME pain point | What we do | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Unpredictable costs on partial loads | Move ad-hoc shipments to two or three weekly consolidated departures by region | Better utilisation and lower €/stop |
| Damages on large or fragile items | Two-person delivery, floor protection, reusable blankets and corner guards, photo proof | Fewer claims, faster resolutions |
| Missed deliveries and unhappy customers | Appointment booking and SMS ETA with live driver link | Higher first-time success, fewer redeliveries |
| Admin and chasing PODs | Electronic POD and photo archive accessible to your team | Minutes instead of days to answer queries |
| Seasonal peaks | Flexible capacity from our network without fixed fleet costs | You scale up or down without waste |
Three short case examples from Belgian SMEs
1. Furniture studio, Ghent
A five-person studio shipped handmade tables and cabinets nationwide.
Ad-hoc couriers damaged items and missed time windows.
We introduced two weekly consolidated departures and two-person delivery with floor protection.
First-time success rose from 89% to 98% and damage claims dropped below 1%.
The studio now quotes reliable delivery dates on its website without overpaying for next-day.
2. Gym equipment retailer, Antwerp
The team offered home installs on treadmills and racks but struggled with vehicle access and dwell time.
Our planners scheduled 4-hour windows and right-sized vans for dense zones.
Average cost per stop fell 18% and the team sold more in-home installs because delivery was dependable.
3. DIY supplier, Liège
The business shipped long and awkward items to consumers and trade customers.
We combined cross-dock consolidation with appointment slots and reusable protection.
Returns dropped by a third and customer reviews improved within two months.
Service options SMEs typically use
| Service | Best for | What is included | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bulky delivery | Large boxed items, kerbside or doorway | One or two-person crew, tail-lift, SMS ETA, electronic POD | Lowest cost option for robust items |
| White-glove | Premium furniture, appliances needing careful handling | Two-person crew, room-of-choice, assembly, packaging removal | Cuts returns and boosts reviews |
| Evening or Saturday slots | Busy households or businesses | Out-of-hours delivery, live ETA | Useful for reducing failed attempts |
| Reverse collection | Returns, repairs, old item take-back | Collection on same visit, recovery routing | Saves extra trips and improves sustainability |
What getting started looks like
- Week 1, quick data snapshot, recent deliveries, failed attempts, damages, average stop density.
- Week 2, choose one region and set two weekly departures with cut-off times.
- Week 3, enable appointment booking and SMS ETA. Share a simple delivery prep checklist with your customers.
- Week 4, go live and track KPIs. Photograph every delivery and store electronic PODs.
- Week 5–6, fix the top two failure reasons and add white-glove on products that drive most claims.
- Week 7–8, expand to the next region and review pricing against the new utilisation levels.
KPIs SMEs should watch every week
| KPI | Target | How to calculate | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per stop | Down 10–25% after consolidation | Total delivery spend divided by completed stops | Shows efficiency gains in euros |
| First-time delivery rate | ≥ 95% | Delivered on first attempt over total orders | Fewer redeliveries, better reviews |
| Damage rate | ≤ 1.0% | Claims over deliveries | Protects margin and brand |
| Customer satisfaction | ≥ 4.5 out of 5 | Post-delivery rating or NPS | Predicts repeat business |
Ready to pilot a lane?
We will set up a simple plan with clear pricing and weekly reporting.
Speak to the Record Express team.
FAQ
Do I need a long contract to start?
No. Most SMEs start with a six to eight week pilot on one region, then expand once the numbers are proven.
Can you handle fragile or premium items?
Yes. We offer two-person white-glove delivery, room-of-choice, assembly, and packaging removal to reduce returns and protect reviews.
How soon can customers get an ETA?
Customers receive an SMS with a live tracking link on the day of delivery, and a reminder the day before for booked slots.
What systems do I need to integrate?
None to start. We provide booking and tracking links. If you want API integration later, our team will assist.
How quickly will I see savings?
Most SMEs see lower cost per stop and fewer failed deliveries within the first month after moving to planned departures and appointment scheduling.
Sources & Further Reading
Record Express was awarded a 59/100 score by EcoVadis, the global leader in sustainability ratings.
