25 Years of Partnership: How ALW scaled internationally with Dedola’s trusted logistics support
Architectural Lighting Works (ALW) is a premier manufacturer of architectural lighting products. Since the late 1990s, ALW has relied on consistent global freight to supply its custom-designed fixtures across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. With its own factory in China and 50+ containers shipped annually, logistics is the backbone of its international growth.
The Challenge: Why ALW needed a long-term partner
In the early years of growth, ALW faced an increasingly complex freight environment—more container shipments, shifting international customs regulations, and growing trade lane diversification. From China to Japan, to Australia, to Europe, the logistics demands were growing fast.
They needed a partner to:
- Consolidate international shipments efficiently
- Navigate changing duty and tariff classifications
- Provide responsive support at every phase of expansion
“Complex international expansion comes with complexity in freight—customs, documentation, visibility. We needed someone we could trust.”
The Solution: How Dedola became ALW’s global anchor
DGL became ALW’s freight partner early on—and has remained a trusted provider across decades of transformation. From full-container load (FCL) shipments out of China to intra-Asia and Europe-bound cargo, Dedola managed every trade lane with precision.
Services provided:
- FCL shipping for 50+ containers per year
- Customs brokerage and tariff reclassification
- Asia-Pacific and European freight forwarding
- Real-time tracking and digital shipment visibility
- Strategic consulting for tariff minimization
Technology support:
- Shipment tracking and customs transparency through TrakItPRO
- Ongoing improvements to client portal and data access
Human support:
- A 25-year relationship with DGL leader Nigel, who became a trusted advisor
- Direct access to responsive, knowledgeable support teams
The Results: What ALW gained
Longevity, Trust & Visibility
- 25+ years of uninterrupted partnership
- Deep institutional knowledge of ALW’s freight needs
- Shipment tracking evolved with tech improvements
- Never left in the dark—always one contact away from answers
Cost-Efficient, Consistent Results
- Proven history of operational consistency
- Trusted guidance through regulatory changes
- Balanced speed, savings, and service
Scalable Global Freight & Customs Support
- Reliable movement of 20–25 containers annually from China
- New trade lanes enabled: Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe
- Clear customs classification and no surprise delays
- Avoided overpayment through proactive tariff strategies
“I can think of very few companies I’ve used for 25 years. That speaks to their level of integrity, reliability, and ease of doing business.”
