Many traditional couriers went out of business when the internet decimated the document delivery business, but Esquire Express found a new and growing market for same-day delivery of tangible goods in the retail and health sectors, among others.
Esquire typically partners with 3PL providers to provide last-mile delivery to the 3PL’s customers. “Most 3PLs are asset light or have no assets, so they partner with companies like Esquire. We handle Southeast Florida for a number of 3PLs and their national retail customers,” says Howard. “The 3PL integrates its technology with the retailer and we integrate our systems with the 3PL, so it is all seamless to the customer. As we make pickups or complete deliveries, that information is reported back to the customer in real time.”
The document delivery business taught Howard about managing peaks because lawyers always wait until the last minute to file, he says. “Around 3:00 in the afternoon phones would ring off the hook and somehow we would complete 300 or so deliveries between 3:00 and 4:30. That taught me how to position people and ramp up for peak hours, which is an advantage in retail deliveries,” he says. “People who place an order during the day from the office want delivery after they get home, so we have a huge spike from 5:00 to 7:00.”
Howard says the best way for delivery carriers to leverage their strengths is to find a good 3PL partner. “It is in my best interest as a last-mile delivery company to partner with as many quality 3PLs as possible,” he says. “Relationships change and if you partner with a lot of 3PLs, there is a good chance you will retain the business.”
