No-risk big patio door shipping from Europe to the U.S. Case study from New York
Is it possible to safely ship windows from Europe to the U.S. on time, without feeling dependent and risking losing your money? What about big patio doors in particular?
Many things can go wrong: goods may be damaged during a long journey, delays may disrupt your construction schedule and even windows may not reach you at all!
If you have any of those fears, you should read a story of a construction director from New York who had similar concerns and also a bad experience with using a middleman to import European windows.
What did our customer and his company gain?
NO DELAYS
He received the windows on time. 97% of our deliveries are made on time declared in the invoice.
NO BROKEN PANES
Windows and big patio doors we ship to the U.S. are carefully secured according to proven procedures.
DELIVERY TO THE JOB SITE
Windows were delivered directly to the construction site. Unloading was the only thing he had to do.
Who is our customer?
Customer: construction director
Development-construction company
Project: single-family residence
Location: New York, US
Experience in the field: over 10+ years
Company size: big company, running several projects simultaneously
Experience in importing windows: No
Problems to solve: shipping of unsecured windows and construction schedule delays
When I met our customer at first, he was upset after his previous experiences with purchasing European windows. While the product quality was great, the organization was a failure:
- windows for single building site arrived in a few separated containers, each of them at a different time,
- delivery was late,
- panes were broken,
- the construction schedule was delayed because of it,
- he had to be at the disposal of the middleman and had no knowledge about the windows.
And because of working with a middleman, he had no other way to get the windows. He decided to find a supplier specializing in importing European windows to the U.S.
He contacted us and I became his business consultant. We had a video meeting to discuss all the key factors, problems, and important goals to achieve for his business. After bad experiences with importing windows through a middleman, he needed us to:
- be as sure about the delivery as possible,
- ensure delivery time,
- be responsive.
My client already knew the energy efficiency of European windows. They are so much farther than American windows. If you don’t know the quality of European windows yet, you can order a window corner sample from debesto sample shop to check it out.
Challenges of the project: super modern windows and doors at affordable prices
The project was a super modern residence in the New York area. The company intended to build this house and then sell it. All the windows and doors had to look premium and have great performance for the comfort of future homeowners. The goal was to fit a budget to have a profitable margin after the sale.
We had to find a windows and patio doors system that:
- fits a luxury residence,
- meets technical requirements,
- is in the dark color,
- has large glazing,
- operates very easily and comfortable.
The solution: Patio doors transported disassembled: damage-free, easy to unload
After business consultation I had a picture of my client’s goals and needs. Together with my team mates: Jakub Chwałek technologist and Jacek Łyczewski logistician we focused on:
- achieving financial goals,
- meeting technical requirements,
- solving problems with safe and efficient shipping windows to the U.S.
For the luxury residence project, it was crucial to install windows with a premium look and great parameters.
We recommended durable and resistant aluminum systems for doors, windows, and patio doors: Aluprof MB-70 and Aluprof MB-77HS lift and slide patio doors (with thermal break systems). We’ve chosen windows and doors of high-standard quality and affordable price (up to 40% cheaper than in the U.S.) to make the investment profitable.
At debesto we offer a few options for delivery. For my customer it was important not to worry about the timing and safety of transported goods. We recommended debesto delivery to the construction site.
When it came to planning the shipping, debesto logistician Jacek analyzed the order to prepare optimal and secure transportation of big patio doors.
We deliver all windows and doors carefully protected on special wooden stands.
However, from my experience, I know that the largest glass patio doors are safest to be transported disassembled, meaning the frame and the glass panes are separate. This reduces the likelihood of any damage during the shipping and unloading.
When working with our customers, we take into account the unloading of big, heavy windows and doors in the U.S., not only our packing products into the container in Europe.
The result: hassle-free delivery of luxury aluminum patio doors
Before meeting the debesto team, our customer had problems with organizational chaos with containers, construction schedule delays caused by broken panes, no free access to European windows.
After cooperation with us, he gained delivery by one container at a time and secured cargo. Because at debesto we specialize in importing windows and patio doors, we know exacly how to secure goods for shipping. In particular with big patio doors, for instance in size 12 by 7 feet, like those from New York.
Moreover, we take a very practical approach to shipping windows, taking into account many aspects such as unloading in the U.S. to avoid damages and construction schedule delays.
How does our client feel about working with debesto?
I was using another third party just an independent person in the States, it was a windows broker. It was creating just a middleman situation where he wasn’t in control of the actual product that he was delivering.
And my goal for the company was to find the first point source. I looked through different European companies that ship to the States. I had a couple of interviews and I found debesto.
I loved everything that was offered by debesto and the idea of collecting and shipping windows. So I gave them a shot. Some projects later, here we are, and many more projects are coming as well.
In our cooperation, I appreciate the responsiveness and the speed of replies.
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