How Transport Macharis has been committed to the eCMR for over two years

At Transport Macharis, innovation is not about digitizing because it is mandatory, but because it works. The family business, where fourth-generation Bram Macharis is increasingly responsible for operations, has been using Pionira’s eCMR for its Belgian transports for over two years. The choice was made deliberately, with one clear goal: to work more efficiently and increase the quality of transport documents.

Transport Macharis transports a wide range of goods with a strong focus on tautliners and full truckloads. Since last year, they have also been doing this with 2 electric trucks. Quality is always central.“Everyone knows that eCMR will one day become the standard. The only question is when. We did not want to wait until it became mandatory, but rather reap the benefits now.”

A smooth implementation

At the start, Transport Macharis immediately opted for an integration with their TMS system. As a result, eCMRs are automatically linked to transport orders, which eliminates many administrative actions. According to Bram, the implementation was surprisingly fast. “The system is intuitive. After a brief explanation, everyone was up to speed quickly.”

The drivers also experience the benefits daily. Via the tablet in their truck, they complete the eCMR digitally, largely eliminating paperwork. “They prefer to be hands-on. It is one administrative task that disappears.”

Fewer errors, higher quality

Today, Bram sees the greatest added value in the quality of the transport documents. Where previously data was regularly missing or had to be checked afterwards, the eCMR prevents many of those errors. “Mandatory fields can no longer be skipped and data such as the number of pallets is automatically transferred from the transport order. As a result, far fewer manual errors occur.”

Although scanning and archiving paper documents is eliminated, checking transport orders remains an important human task. “We haven’t had to cut any jobs. Administration continues to check the orders, but today they start with much more accurate data.”

 

The challenge is not in the technology

Within Transport Macharis, the transition went smoothly. According to Bram, the biggest challenge lies with customers who still cling to their existing processes.

For customers such as Indaver, the entire process is now digital. For other customers, Transport Macharis uses a hybrid approach: the eCMR is automatically created from their TMS, after which the customer can still print the document if desired.

“Many companies are familiar with eCMR, but only want to switch when it becomes mandatory.” Bram compares it to the introduction of PEPPOL. “If PEPPOL had not become mandatory, far fewer companies would be working with it today. You see the same wait-and-see attitude with eCMR.”

 

Just get started

Despite those challenges, Bram is convinced that starting early pays off. By building experience today, Transport Macharis is already reaping the benefits of more efficient administration and higher quality documents. “Just do it. You benefit from it today.”