Following an ownership transition and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform migration, Herschel Parts needed a more efficient way to manage shipping operations across parcel and LTL carriers. By implementing Descartes Pacejet™ alongside NetSuite, the company streamlined shipping workflows, eliminated manual processes, improved visibility, and equipped employees to make more informed carrier decisions.
Meet Herschel Parts
Founded in 1887, Herschel Parts is a global manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket agricultural replacement parts. The company serves distributors, dealers, and end-user farmers through both B2B and B2C sales channels. Many of the products sold by Herschel are manufactured in-house, helping support farmers and agricultural businesses across the United States and Canada.
“You know, it’s funny when we say that we’ve been here since 1887. There aren’t many of us like that anymore. We make high-quality products that people need and will continue to need. You know, farmers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
Lori Archibold, Enterprise Systems Manager, Herschel Parts
The Turning Point
When Herschel was acquired in 2024, the company was required to transition away from JD Edwards and implement a new ERP system. Leaders selected NetSuite as the foundation for future growth, but they also recognized an opportunity to modernize shipping operations at the same time.
Before implementing Descartes Pacejet, shipping teams relied on disconnected systems, manual entry of tracking numbers, and time-consuming administrative processes. Employees frequently had to reconcile information between shipping platforms and their ERP system, creating inefficiencies and limiting visibility.
“The streamlined integration between NetSuite and Pacejet, how they talk to each other and work with each other, has been huge for us. It has taken out a lot of extra work,” shares Archibold.
Partnering with Descartes
As Herschel evaluated solutions to support its NetSuite implementation, Descartes Pacejet emerged as a natural fit because of its close integration with the ERP platform and ability to support both parcel and LTL shipping workflows.
The company quickly adopted the solution across warehouse operations and saw employees embrace the simplified shipping process.
Archibold recalls, “When we first started out in the warehouse, my pickers and packers were just amazed by the ease of use. ‘Is this it? This is all we have to do?’ Yep, straightforward, and it’s done.”
She also credits the Descartes team for helping the company through implementation and ongoing support.
“I love the chat feature. That, to me, is one of the best things ever. Everybody that I’ve dealt with at Descartes has been super easy to work with and very knowledgeable.”
What Changed: The Impact of the Partnership
By connecting shipping operations directly to NetSuite, Herschel eliminated manual processes, improved visibility, and gained better control over carrier selection. Teams now spend less time managing shipment data and more time serving customers.
Eliminated manual tracking entry
Tracking numbers and shipment information automatically flow back into NetSuite, eliminating manual entry and reducing opportunities for human error.
Improved customer visibility
Customer service teams can immediately access shipment information and tracking numbers without waiting for overnight updates.
Identified cost-saving strategies
Integrated rate shopping allows employees to compare carrier options and identify the best shipping method based on shipment characteristics.
Streamlined shipping workflows
Shipping documents, shipment confirmations, and invoicing data move automatically between systems, reducing administrative effort.
In Their Words
“This has been a huge asset for us because of the cost savings. We used to send out a bunch of parcels. Now we know, based on our dimensions, our weights, and what we’re shipping, this should actually go LTL. We thought this could ship with parcel carriers, and it could, but we discovered that some services are horribly expensive, and it’s sometimes much better to go LTL.”
“We know what our rates are,” Archibold states with satisfaction. “We can compare them and pick the provider that fits us best. All the shipping documents are created for us in Pacejet, and then everything comes right back into NetSuite.”
“Now with Pacejet and NetSuite,” she concludes, “we don’t have any of the headaches.”
Looking Ahead
As Herschel continues expanding global operations following its acquisition, the company is extending fulfillment capabilities across locations in the United States and Canada. Leaders are also exploring additional workflow enhancements and shipping capabilities to support future growth.
“We’re going to start serving as a fulfillment center for our Canadian customers to help them grow their market in the US,” Archibold shares.
With almost 200 years in the agriculture business, Herschel is still breaking new ground.
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