The industrial machinery and components sector is the backbone of construction, manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure. Whether you're shipping a hydraulic system for heavy-duty excavation equipment or a high-precision CNC machine part, the logistics behind these shipments are anything but straightforward.
Companies like John Deere, STIHL, A. O. Smith, Simpson Strong-Tie, and Trumpf rely on efficient shipping strategies to meet delivery timelines, control costs, and maintain smooth production schedules.
However, challenges such as handling oversized shipments, navigating complex global supply chains, and managing fluctuating freight costs make shipping in this industry particularly demanding. By taking a smarter approach to logistics, you can streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve delivery reliability.
This guide explores the key challenges, best practices, and how technology solutions like ShipERP help manufacturers ship smarter.
Industrial machines and their components aren't small or lightweight—many are oversized, fragile, and require special handling. Unlike standard freight, these shipments often demand:
For example, a company shipping a 10,000-pound metal stamping press must work with a freight provider that specializes in heavy-haul trucking, ensuring proper crating, weight distribution, and transit insurance. If mismanaged, such shipments can result in damage, delays, and costly freight claims.
Industrial manufacturers often source raw materials, components, and machinery from multiple global suppliers. This complexity makes customs clearance, trade compliance, and inventory tracking major challenges.
For example, HS Code 8431.49 is used for parts and components in earth-moving, mining, construction, and industrial equipment manufacturing. This HS Code covers:
Using the correct HS Code helps manufacturers avoid unexpected import/export duties, customs delays, and penalties. Without end-to-end visibility and proactive shipping management, manufacturers risk production stoppages due to delayed components.
Industrial machinery shipments are cost-heavy, particularly due to fluctuating fuel surcharges, labor shortages, and supply chain inefficiencies. Freight pricing continues to be volatile due to:
By automating carrier selection and optimizing freight spend, manufacturers can minimize costs while maintaining delivery timelines.
Not all freight options are equal when it comes to industrial machinery and components. The right mode of transport depends on:
Given the intricacies of shipping industrial components—from precision parts to high-value assemblies—manufacturers need a system that can automate carrier selection, streamline shipment processing, and optimize costs across smaller, time-sensitive loads.
Whether you're using SAP ERP or operating on a non-SAP platform, ShipERP Cloud offers a flexible, real-time multi-carrier shipping solution tailored to handle parcel and LTL shipments with ease.
With ShipERP, you can:
Automatically select the most efficient carrier based on service level, cost, and delivery timeline.
Compare real-time rates across supported parcel and LTL carriers to ensure cost-effective shipping.
Generate export documentation and ensure compliance, reducing the risk of customs-related delays.
Track shipments in real-time, maintaining visibility into the movement of critical components and supporting production continuity.
For manufacturers shipping industrial machines and components internationally, ensuring export compliance is a critical step in the logistics process. U.S. Foreign Trade Regulations require that any shipment valued over $2,500 must be reported through the Automated Export System (AES). Failing to file accurate export documentation can result in shipment delays, penalties, and potential legal issues—all of which can disrupt supply chain operations.
Industrial equipment exports often involve:
With ShipAES, manufacturers can automate the export filing process directly within SAP platforms, ensuring shipments meet regulatory requirements without manual intervention.
By integrating ShipAES, manufacturers can reduce export filing time, lower compliance costs, and streamline international shipments, ensuring their machinery and components reach global customers without delays.
Relying on a single freight carrier for all industrial machine shipments can lead to supply chain disruptions if that carrier faces capacity shortages, strikes, or price hikes.
With ShipERP’s multi-carrier integration, manufacturers can:
By integrating multiple carriers, companies gain flexibility, negotiate better rates, and ensure timely delivery of equipment and components.
In the industrial machinery and components industry, even a minor delay in shipping can disrupt an entire production cycle. A missing CNC spindle, hydraulic pump, or conveyor motor could halt manufacturing lines, causing costly downtime and missed deadlines. To avoid these setbacks, manufacturers need more than just basic shipment tracking—they need detailed shipping performance insights that help them anticipate and resolve logistics issues before they impact operations.
With ShipERP Spotlight, manufacturers gain access to real-time shipping analytics tailored to the industrial equipment supply chain, providing:
By incorporating real-time data and analytics, manufacturers can eliminate inefficiencies, reduce shipping costs, and improve on-time deliveries—all critical factors in keeping production schedules on track.
When A. O. Smith, a leading manufacturer, needed to improve shipping speed and handle increased shipment volume, they turned to ShipERP. Their goal was to reduce delays, optimize carrier selection, and streamline shipping operations.
With ShipERP’s automated shipping and real-time carrier integration, A. O. Smith was able to:
Want to learn how A. O. Smith optimized their shipping process? Download the full case study: Improving Shipping Speed & Shipment Volume
Shipping industrial machines and components doesn’t have to be complex. By optimizing your shipping strategy, you can:
With the right technology-driven logistics solutions, manufacturers can streamline shipping, avoid costly delays, and maintain efficient production schedules.
Ship smarter, ship faster, and keep your supply chain moving with ShipERP. Contact us today!