Shipping industrial equipment isn’t exactly an easy task. It requires in-depth planning, specialized packing, and specific documentation. All that doesn’t even account for equipment that needs to get to a remote destination, or across a border. Those are challenges in and of themselves. You can avoid many of these issues by choosing the right delivery service provider.
Industrial equipment includes heavy machinery, tools, hardware (electrical, building, plumbing), dangerous goods, building supplies, construction equipment, spare parts, and more.
When you need your delivery right-on-time…
What is “just in time”?
Just in time (JIT) delivery is just that—getting your equipment delivered right on time. JIT practices minimize waste, while maximizing value for all parties involved. Delivering goods to the customer on an as-needed basis is the core of JIT—this practice avoids overproduction. Overproduction can lead to unnecessary costs incurred by production, resources and storage. Transporting excess equipment to storage facilities where it sits waiting to be sold will continue to incur costs such as storage fees and take up needed space. JIT also avoids underproduction as equipment is produced, packaged and delivered according to demand, so customers won’t be kept waiting from a lack of supply.
What tools are available to accomplish JIT?
Satisfying all parties takes more than precise planning and clear procedures. Where available, delivery providers can leverage real-time tracking technology, helping to build trust for their customers. An example of this technology is a GPS container tracking device. The device (which is stuck to the ribs or lock of a container) will activate whenever it detects movement. It then sends a GPS fix of its location via the nearest satellite. Tracking allows everyone involved complete visibility into package details, including final delivery, at any given time.
When shipping heavy industrial equipment…
What are some of the priorities when moving heavy equipment?
Packaging is an important part of maintaining integrity for any item in transport. When shipping heavy equipment, it’s crucial that your equipment is packaged exactly how it needs to be. The right packaging materials and processes will help your items reach their final destination intact. However, it’s not just your equipment that needs to be safe. Human handlers are always exposed to the dangers of oversized packages.
What packaging materials should I use for heavy equipment?
It doesn’t matter how sturdy your equipment is if you don’t put it in the right package for its journey. There are many different materials available and all have their own strengths. For example, exterior packaging material can be plastic, wood, or steel. There’s an abundance of interior packaging materials available too. A good delivery provider will be able to provide you with the best materials for packaging, but be sure to do your own research on what packaging works best for each item.
How do you safely handle heavy equipment?
Ensuring the safety of the people who handle your goods is a top priority. When moving heavy industrial equipment, the keys to safety are communication and awareness. A delivery provider should have sufficient experience and training in handling particularly heavy equipment. Simple solutions such as working in teams, or having a trained spotter during a move, goes a long way in preventing injuries.
How do you ship heavy equipment?
The final piece of the puzzle is getting your stuff from one location to the next. When shipping heavy equipment, consider a delivery provider with flatbed trailers, as they’re known for their versatility. A step deck trailer will help with your taller loads. Picking a dry van trailer is a great choice for your more robust commodities. The right vehicle will help your goods arrive at their destination without a scratch. Choose a delivery provider who can offer a variety of transportation options.
When you’re transporting dangerous goods…
What is considered a dangerous good?
A substance that poses a risk to health, safety, property or the environment, it’s highly likely you’re handling a dangerous good.
What are some examples of dangerous goods?
Transport Canada regulates the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and lists nine classes of hazardous materials.
What are some of the common attributes of dangerous goods?
- explosive
- gaseous
- flammable
- combustible
- oxidizing
- toxic
- radioactive
- corrosive
- misc. – ex. shipping lithium batteries, dry ice, etc.
How do you handle dangerous goods?
Transport Canada requires that businesses train employees before they handle dangerous goods. By earning Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certifications, you’ll know that your employees are qualified to get their jobs done safely, before handing off to a delivery provider with dangerous goods certified employees. Purolator accepts more classes of dangerous goods than any other small-parcel carrier in Canada. Check out our dangerous goods shipping options or, reach out to one of our industrial representatives.
What are some dangerous goods transportation regulations?
There are a lot of regulations to fulfill when you’re transporting dangerous goods. Yet, there are ways to partially bypass them. If your industrial equipment is less than 30kg per package and the transporter has less than 500kg on the truck, then you might meet the 500kg exemption. The exemption only applies to certain classes of dangerous goods, and only if they are being transported by ground. That means you don’t have to prepare shipping documents – freeing yourself up from a lot of paperwork.
When you need to ship industrial equipment across the U.S. border…
What are the requirements to transport equipment over the U.S. border?
Moving your industrial equipment over the border isn’t easy. The Canada Border Services Agency has a checklist of requirements that must be fulfilled before your goods are legally permitted to cross into the U.S. Be warned, it’s a long list, and your company might not have the time to invest in filling it out each time.
Do you need a broker to clear customs?
Instead, consider looking for a delivery provider that offers customs broker services. There’s nothing more important than choosing the right delivery provider to take your equipment to another country. A broker will reduce the chance of penalties or delays, allowing your package to reach its cross-border destination on time.
When your destination is a remote location…
What should you look for before shipping somewhere remote?
When your delivery destination for your non-dangerous good heavy equipment is a remote location, speedy delivery options and real-time tracking are vital services. That’s why it’s important that your delivery service provider has a large courier network.
How fast can you ship to a remote location?
If what you need is speed to a remote location, air cargo for non-dangerous goods shipping is for you. Most providers will offer air options that will get your urgent deliveries to their destination as fast as possible. Be sure to look for providers that offer last mile of delivery ground service as part of the delivery.
However, for the majority of goods, an expedited freight service is sufficient for most deliveries. With the right planning, shipments can still reach a JIT delivery schedule. It’s a much more economic option and total visibility is often guaranteed.
Purolator can assist you with your industrial shipments.
- Job site delivery
- Morning delivery guarantee
- Storage containers and locker boxes
- Transparent tracking
- Guaranteed next-day options
When moving your industrial equipment, get it right every time.
There are a lot of factors to consider when moving your industrial equipment from point A to B. Understanding JIT practices, packing and transport solutions, TDG training, remote destination services and cross-border expertise is just the beginning of securing an efficient delivery. That’s why it’s so important that your delivery provider covers all these considerations. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more comforting than knowing that your equipment is in safe hands.