Machine downtime and supply bottlenecks for machines and machine spare parts – what to do?

Every manufacturing company is familiar with this situation: production is running at full speed and the delivery date is approaching. Nothing is worse than an unplanned machine breakdown or a lack of machine spare parts. This makes reliable and fast delivery all the more important in order to minimise machine downtime and prevent any delivery bottlenecks within manufacturing companies.

In 2024, the EU27 countries imported machinery products worth around €42.3 billion from China.¹ Millions of people are employed in the mechanical engineering and machine building industry in Europe, which makes smooth shipping all the more important.

Spare parts logistics: the challenges for SMEs in Europe

For small and medium-sized craft and manufacturing businesses² in particular, machines and components are the most valuable capital goods and often ensure the existence of the company. If, for example, just one machine in the production process comes to a standstill, the entire production process can be halted for an indefinite period of time.

In addition to the high costs of procuring spare parts and repairs, or even replacing the entire machine, there are also losses in production and goods. Delivery dates can no longer be met. Delivery difficulties in procuring certain products or product groups exacerbate the situation.

Entire machines or machine spare parts must then be delivered quickly and any delivery difficulties on the part of the companies must be dealt with flexibly – a case for emergency logistics or an express delivery.

Procurement of machines, machine spare parts and components

Machine failure often comes unexpectedly and very few companies are prepared for it. When a service call occurs, it costs time, especially with regard to the procurement and delivery times of spare parts or entire machines. Every minute until the urgently needed products arrive and the damage is finally repaired costs companies money.

‘Fast shipping and reliable delivery in service emergencies are then a top priority for our customers,’ says Dirk Christlieb, Sales Manager at LetMeShip. “Mechanics and technicians are often already on site, as was recently the case with one of our customers in China, but the necessary machine spare parts had not yet arrived. Just keeping the repair personnel on standby incurred additional costs (accommodation, salaries, etc.). Added to this was the concern that the spare parts would arrive safely and undamaged at the site of operation. It is precisely these customer requirements that we always find a solution for in our day-to-day business with our multi-carrier shipping solution.”

Another way to procure machines and/or spare parts is directly from the manufacturer, authorised dealer or designated supplier. This is because machine parts often have to match the specifications of the machine exactly and are part of the manufacturer’s warranty and/or maintenance contracts to ensure proper performance. In most cases, shipping is arranged by the manufacturer, but this can also take time.

Alternatives for quickly replacing spare parts or machines include rental machines or using machine spare parts from other manufacturers, which are available in various online shops, including custom-made parts. We have compiled information on the requirements you should be aware of when temporarly importing goods, such as a rental machine, in a separate article.

A key factor in the procurement process in B2B companies is the speed and ease of handling shipping processes. This is especially true in the case of a (one-off) emergency. LetMeShip specialises in shipping for the machine construction industry, among other things.

As a corporate customer, LetMeShip gives you direct access to many experienced shipping service providers who, in addition to spare parts logistics and emergency logistics, also take care of the customs process. In addition, our personal customer service team is available by telephone if you have any questions about the required trade documents or the most suitable shipping method for you.

All reputable carriers ensure that your goods arrive as quickly as possible, regardless of whether you are importing from within the EU or overseas. The price comparison tool also allows you to see delivery times transparently and plan your repair measures accordingly.