For many Malaysian SMEs, operations can change overnight. One day, it’s steady business. The next urgent orders are coming in from multiple states, and every delivery still needs to arrive on time.
That’s when logistics stops being a back-end function and becomes part of the growth engine.
For iPainterDIY, one of Malaysia’s growing home improvement-focused SMEs, the surge in demand didn’t just mean more orders. It also meant more delivery routes, sudden spikes in volume, customers outside core coverage areas and renovation schedules that depend on exact delivery timing.
To keep up, iPainterDIY turned to Lalamove as an on-demand logistics support layer — helping the business scale delivery capacity when needed, without losing control over speed and reliability.
In home improvement, where timing is everything, that flexibility can make all the difference.
A delivery backup that works like a team
iPainterDIY began working with Lalamove during the pandemic, when demand for home improvement products increased significantly and unpredictably.
“At that time, we recognised that relying solely on an in-house logistics team would limit our ability to respond quickly,” iPainterDIY shared.
Many SMEs experience the same pressure as they grow. Internal fleets can work well in stable conditions, but they may struggle during sudden peaks in demand. Having additional delivery capacity available on demand can help businesses maintain service reliability without overcommitting resources.
For iPainterDIY, Lalamove became an extension of that, enabling them to respond quickly during demand spikes while keeping operations consistent during a key growth phase.
When it comes to renovation, timing matters
In renovation projects, speed isn’t just a bonus; it’s what keeps work moving. A single delayed delivery can push an entire job back by a day, especially when contractors are scheduled tightly or homeowners are working around fixed timelines.
That’s why same-day delivery can be especially valuable for urgent or last-minute requirements.
“Many of our customers operate on tight renovation schedules and prefer to begin work as soon as materials arrive,” iPainterDIY shared.
As customers expect transparency, Lalamove’s real-time tracking offers it for both the iPainter DIY internal team and their customers.
"It improves coordination, reduces uncertainty and helps us maintain a more predictable delivery experience overall.”
Logistics pressure peaks during sales
A delivery plan might work well on normal days. The real test often comes during high-volume periods such as payday campaigns, festive promotions or major sales.
“During large campaigns or promotional periods, order volumes can increase very quickly,” iPainterDIY said.
“In these situations, having access to an on-demand delivery network allows us to scale capacity almost immediately.”
Peak periods don’t just increase volume — they also bring increased operational risks for SMEs handling surges in demand. These risks include late deliveries, stockpiles, overwhelmed internal teams and customer complaints, which can ultimately result in refunds and cancellations.
Having on-demand delivery capacity, such as Lalamove, that can scale up quickly helps reduce bottlenecks and maintain service levels, without forcing a business to overhire or invest heavily in vehicles before demand is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, iPainterDIY also describes long-haul delivery as “supporting but important.” While the company continues to strengthen its own internal delivery capabilities, they also highlight the value of having Lalamove as a partner when needed.
A message to SMEs
When asked what they would say to other SMEs considering Lalamove beyond last-mile delivery, iPainterDIY gave a direct and grounded answer:
“As businesses grow, logistics complexity often increases faster than expected.”
For SMEs, iPainterDIY suggests thinking of platforms like Lalamove as a flexible support system for urgent, long-distance, or high-volume deliveries.
That way, businesses can scale efficiently while keeping focus on what matters most: their core operations and customer experience.
Because ultimately, the right on-demand logistics partner doesn’t just deliver customers' orders.
It helps move the business forward.
This On-Demand Delivery series is a collaboration with Lalamove
