Understanding logistics and moving terminology can help you make informed decisions about your relocation and supply chain needs. Below is a comprehensive glossary of the services and industry terms you'll encounter when working with RLD Relocation & Logistics.
A
Air-Ride Suspension
A truck suspension system that uses air bags instead of traditional springs to provide a smoother ride and reduce vibration during transport. This protects sensitive items like electronics, artwork, and medical equipment from damage caused by road shock and vibration.
Asset-Based Carrier
A transportation company that owns and operates its own fleet of trucks and equipment, providing direct control over service quality and reliability. Unlike brokers who arrange transportation through third parties, asset-based carriers like RLD have complete oversight of the moving process.
Auto Transport
The service of transporting vehicles from one location to another using specialized car carriers. RLD offers 1-3 day turnaround for auto transport with our asset-based fleet.
C
CHAMPS Program
A GSA-approved program that allows government and military employees to choose their own moving company for relocations. RLD is an approved CHAMPS participant, providing qualified services for federal employees.
Climate-Controlled Storage
Warehouse storage that maintains consistent temperature and humidity levels to protect sensitive items from environmental damage. RLD's entire warehouse facility is climate-controlled to safeguard your assets.
Commercial Moving
The process of relocating businesses, offices, and commercial facilities. This includes moving office furniture, equipment, files, and IT infrastructure while minimizing downtime and disruption to operations.
Corporate Relocation
Comprehensive services provided to companies relocating employees, including household goods moving, home finding assistance, destination services, and expense management. Also known as employee relocation.
Cross-Docking
A logistics practice where goods are transferred directly from incoming trucks to outgoing trucks with minimal or no storage time in between. This streamlines distribution, reduces warehousing costs, and accelerates delivery times.
Custom Crating
Building specialized wooden or protective crates designed to fit specific items that require extra protection during transport, such as artwork, electronics, machinery, or fragile high-value items.
D
Decommissioning
The process of closing down and clearing out a facility, including removal of furniture, equipment, and materials. This often includes recycling, liquidation, and proper disposal of unwanted items.
Deluxing
A fulfillment service that involves unpacking products, inspecting them for quality or damage, and rewrapping or repackaging them according to specific requirements before distribution or storage.
Destination Services
Support services provided to relocating employees to help them settle into their new location, including home finding, school searches, community orientation tours, and spouse/partner career assistance.
F
FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment)
Movable furniture, fixtures, and equipment used in businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry. This includes items like hotel room furniture, restaurant equipment, and lobby fixtures.
Final Mile Delivery
The last leg of the delivery process, bringing goods from a distribution center or warehouse directly to the end customer or final destination. Often includes specialized handling and placement services.
Freight Forwarder
A company that arranges the transportation and logistics of goods on behalf of shippers, coordinating with carriers and handling documentation for domestic and international shipments.
FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone / Federal Trade Zone)
A designated area within the United States where businesses can import goods and defer, reduce, or eliminate customs duties and tariffs. RLD's facility is designated as FTZ 181, providing significant cost savings for international shipments.
Fulfillment Services
Complete order processing services including receiving, storage, inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping of products. Essential for e-commerce and distribution operations.
G
GPS Tracking
Global Positioning System technology used to monitor the real-time location of shipments and vehicles, providing accurate delivery updates and enhanced security throughout the transportation process.
Groupage
The practice of consolidating multiple smaller shipments from different customers into one larger shipment to reduce transportation costs and improve efficiency. Also known as consolidated shipping.
GSA (General Services Administration)
The federal agency that manages government contracts and services. GSA approval allows companies to provide services to federal government agencies and employees.
I
ISO Certification
International Organization for Standardization certification that demonstrates a company meets specific quality management standards. RLD is ISO certified in the furniture category, ensuring the highest standards of care and service.
Inventory Management
The systematic tracking and control of stored goods using technology like barcode scanning and real-time reporting systems to provide accurate visibility of assets.
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Logistics
The comprehensive management of how goods are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination. Includes planning, implementation, and control of the entire supply chain.
Lump Sum Relocation
A corporate relocation program where the employee receives a fixed amount of money to manage their own move, giving them flexibility in how they use relocation funds.
N
NTS (Non-Temporary Storage)
Military-approved storage facilities authorized to store household goods for military personnel during deployments or between duty stations. RLD is one of only 10 NTS-approved facilities in Northeast Ohio.
O
Office Relocation
The process of moving a business office from one location to another, including disassembly and reassembly of furniture, IT equipment handling, and coordination to minimize business downtime.
P
PCS (Permanent Change of Station)
A military term for the relocation of military personnel to a new duty station. Includes household goods moving and often involves storage during the transition.
Project Management
Dedicated oversight and coordination of complex moves or logistics projects by an experienced professional who creates detailed plans, manages timelines, and ensures successful execution.
R
Reverse Logistics
The process of managing the return flow of goods from customers back through the supply chain, including returns, recalls, recycling, and disposal. Optimizes efficiency and minimizes waste.
RMC (Relocation Management Company)
A company that provides comprehensive corporate and employee relocation services, including policy development, move coordination, home finding, destination services, and expense management. RLD is a full-service RMC.
S
Specialty Transportation
Specialized moving services for high-value, sensitive, or oversized items that require extra care and expertise, such as medical equipment, fine art, trade show exhibits, and entertainment equipment.
Supply Chain Management
The coordination and optimization of the entire flow of goods from origin to final destination, including sourcing, warehousing, inventory management, transportation, and distribution.
T
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Outsourced logistics services where a company handles warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, and transportation on behalf of other businesses. RLD provides comprehensive 3PL solutions.
Trade Show Services
Specialized logistics services for trade shows and events, including transportation, setup, and teardown of exhibits and materials. Requires precise timing and coordination.
Transloading
The process of transferring goods from one mode of transportation to another (e.g., from rail to truck) during the shipping process to optimize efficiency and reach final destinations.
V
Vaulted Storage
Individual, secure storage units within a warehouse facility that provide dedicated space for a customer's goods, offering enhanced security and organization.
W
Warehousing
The storage of goods in a secure facility, often including additional services like inventory management, order fulfillment, and distribution. RLD operates a 14-acre, climate-controlled warehouse campus.
White Glove Service
Premium delivery service that includes inside delivery, unpacking, furniture assembly, precise placement, home protection (floor and wall protection), and debris removal. Ideal for high-end furniture, appliances, and specialty items requiring extra care.
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