As MachShip celebrates its 10th anniversary, Chief Revenue Officer, Sam Rowse, speaks to MHD about how the platform has integrated itself into more than 250 Australian carriers’ logistics operations.
Adaptability and responsiveness are crucial to logistics, especially when meeting market demands for sustained success. MachShip, founded in July 2014, epitomises this adaptability.
Initially targeting the 4PL (fourth- party logistics) market, MachShip has grown into a platform that caters to enterprise-level B2B and e-commerce sectors.
This evolution has been shaped by the dynamic and demanding nature of the 4PL industry, driving MachShip to continually expand and enhance its capabilities.
THE GENESIS OF MACHSHIP: MEETING 4PL DEMANDS
When MachShip first entered the logistics technology market, it targeted 4PL providers.
“We found ourselves working with
two pioneering 4PLs who were our initial customers,” says Sam Rowse, Chief Revenue Officer, MachShip.
“At that point in time we had multi-carrier connectivity and a good breadth of features. But their demands were really high, pushing us to grow our capability suite.”
These initial customers were market leaders with high expectations, setting the bar for MachShip’s capabilities.
“Their demands pushed us to connect with more carriers and grow that carrier network,” explains Sam. “They needed Dangerous Goods capabilities, robust invoice reconciliation, and parent-child company structures.
“Over time, they helped define our roadmap.”
EVOLUTION THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TECHNOLOGY
Over the past decade, MachShip has witnessed an evolution in the 4PL industry. Initially, the focus was on competitive rates.
“What we’ve seen in the last 10 years is this expansion of a 4PL’s capabilities beyond just competitive rates,” says Sam. “It’s grown from competitive rates to customer service and technology.”
This shift in focus drove MachShip to enhance its platform continually.
“Our 4PL customers needed us to provide excellent customer service and cutting-edge technology,” adds Sam. “They pushed us to be a great product, integrating more carriers and improving our features. We’ve evolved alongside them.”
This evolution has cemented MachShip’s reputation as a purpose-built solution for 4PLs, with its capabilities now extending to enterprise-level B2B and e-commerce sectors.
REAL-WORLD IMPACT: CARRIER INVOICE RECONCILIATION
One of MachShip’s standout features is its carrier invoice reconciliation. This capability has delivered savings for customers.
A recent example is Global Truck Imports, a 4PL and carrier. Its general manager reported saving more than $4,000 per month through MachShip’s carrier invoice reconciliation.
“MachShip identified cost discrepancies, saving this business $50,000 in their first year,” says Sam. “This is significantly more than their subscription, providing a multiple times return on investment.”
Before using MachShip, businesses often relied on spreadsheets or spot-checking to identify discrepancies. MachShip automates this process, reducing it from many hours or even days to mere seconds.
“It becomes a regular part of the finance operations of a business,” adds Sam.
This automation and efficiency are crucial for 4PLs and other businesses managing complex logistics operations.
SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY WITH OVER 250 CARRIERS
MachShip’s integration with more than 250 Australian carriers ensures seamless connectivity and performance, even for businesses managing complex logistics across multiple sites.
MachShip accommodates each carrier’s integration requirements, whether API-based, file-based, or even email-based. This flexibility ensures that MachShip can connect with any carrier, regardless of their technological sophistication.
“We fit in without intruding. Carriers love us for that,” says Sam. “We always ensure that their labels are compliant and tracking information is pulled back into our system for consolidated visibility.”
PIONEERING SUSTAINABILITY: THE FREIGHT CARBON CALCULATOR
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the logistics industry, and MachShip is poised to contribute with its upcoming freight carbon calculator.
“Sustainability is a frequent agenda item in board meetings now, and it’s taken seriously,” adds Sam.
“The carbon calculator will provide businesses with visibility into their carbon footprint, empowering them to make informed decisions.
“MachShip’s extensive data collection from freight movements gives us the confidence to create a robust, data driven carbon calculator. It will be meaningful and deliver actionable insights. This tool aligns with MachShip’s commitment to supporting businesses in their sustainability efforts.”
MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE IN FREIGHT MANAGEMENT
MachShip’s independence in freight management is a core part of its DNA.
“We’re not a broker, and we don’t have relationships at a rate level with carriers,” explains Sam. “This independence is crucial because a large part of our customer base consists of 4PLs.”
This independence allows MachShip to connect with a range of carriers, providing greater market reach and value to its customers.
The same principle applies to ERP, WMS, and e-commerce platform integrations.
“We partner with businesses but never on an exclusive basis,” adds Sam. “Logistics is integral to the economy and limiting ourselves to a few brands would reduce the value we provide to the Australian logistics market.”
This brand-agnostic approach ensures that MachShip can serve a broad array of customers and industries.
CELEBRATING A DECADE OF INNOVATION
As MachShip celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2024, it stands as a testament to how listening
to market demands and evolving accordingly can lead to sustained success.
Over the past financial year, MachShip has processed more than one million consignments monthly and managed over one billion dollars in freight spend annually. Its platform is used by over 3500 businesses, including major Australian brands.
“We’ve come a long way in the past 10 years, driven by the demands of our customers and our commitment to providing a comprehensive logistics management solution,” says Sam.
MachShip’s journey from a promising start-up to an industry leader underscores the importance of adaptability, customer service, and technological innovation in the logistics sector.
MachShip’s story is one of evolution driven by customer demands and market needs.
From its beginnings in the 4PL market to its current role as a comprehensive solution for enterprise-level B2B and e-commerce logistics, MachShip has consistently adapted and grown. Its commitment to independence, sustainability, and seamless connectivity positions it as a pioneering force in the logistics industry.
As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, MachShip looks forward to continuing its journey of innovation and excellence in logistics management.
To read more about MachShip, click here