“It feels like family”: trust, detail and dedication in logistics

Dahlgren Duck is a distinguished American company known for sourcing and delivering high-end custom luxury furnishings to private homes, estates, and vacation properties. Every item is tailored to their customer’s unique vision, with a focus on quality and precision. This attention to detail has earned Dahlgren Duck a trusted reputation in the global luxury market.

“Our customers know what they want. We partner with designers hired by luxury homeowners who have a very specific picture in mind. It's up to us to flesh out the details,” says Lori Smith, Global supply chain director. This close collaboration ensures that each project is carried out with care, making the process both rewarding and personal.
 

An eye for detail

"A critical partner in this process is Kuehne+Nagel. Their teams manage quality control and logistics for Dahlgren Duck throughout Europe. Each item, such as chandeliers, accessories, luxury dinnerware, and even custom works of art, passes through Kuehne+Nagel’s fulfilment centre in Doesburg, the Netherlands. There, every piece is carefully inspected. This is extremely important to us, because our customers expect the best of the best,” says Lori. “Of course, something can always break or go wrong during transport, so we want to know as soon as possible. We operate out of the United States so we need critical eyes in Europe.” Once quality control is complete, Kuehne+Nagel sorts products according to the project brief. “For example, per room, so that we can quickly transport it to the right place on location,” she explains. “In this way, both Dahlgren Duck and Kuehne+Nagel own the logistics for our customers.”
 

Feels like family

Lori speaks highly of the team at Kuehne+Nagel. “Jon is phenomenal,” she says with a laugh. “He identifies quality problems, thinks with us, and prevents mistakes. He once discovered damaged works of art before they were shipped.” Yoni, another Kuehne+Nagel colleague, also plays a key role. “We can always reach out to her if we have a challenge.” This year alone, Lori has met the Kuehne+Nagel team in Europe on three occasions. “It feels like family,” she says. “We work together from the same level of commitment and professionalism. There’s an inherent trust between our teams, with a shared goal of exceptional customer service for the Dahlgren Duck customer base. Having a team built on trust, consistency, and commitment has created that family feel. It shows in the work we deliver to our clients: excellence and peace of mind.”

Expanding the partnership

The partnership with Kuehne+Nagel now extends beyond the Netherlands. “We also have logistical relationships in Dubai for storage. And who knows, more hubs may follow,” says Smith. “This is the right time, because the foundation is in place.” Dahlgren Duck is seeing growing demand from markets such as the UK, Spain, France, Italy, and the Middle East. “Both teams are excited about what’s next. We share the same values and focus on delivering exceptional service.”