A Day in the Life of Shipping & Receiving

Ever wonder what happens between the moment you click “place order” and the shipment arriving at your facility? Shipping and receiving is the heartbeat of any business, ensuring products flow smoothly in and out, but it’s often a hidden world most people never think about. At a small, family-owned business like Eagle Crusher, this process is especially unique. With fewer hands and tighter coordination, every shipment—whether incoming stock or outgoing orders—requires precision, teamwork, and quick problem-solving. In this story, we’ll take you behind the scenes of a typical day in our shipping and receiving department, offering a rare glimpse into the hustle, organization, and challenges that go into keeping things running smoothly. It’s a world where no two days are the same, and even the smallest tasks have a big impact. 

Receiving 

At Eagle Crusher, the Receiving Department plays a vital role in ensuring the company runs smoothly by managing every ordered item that comes through the doors—whether it’s critical components for building machines or replacement parts for customer orders. As Don, Parts Expeditor, puts it, “it’s the first part of the process for it all.” Simply put, nothing at Eagle Crusher happens without first passing through this department. From inspecting shipments to ensuring everything is accounted for, the receiving team serves as the gatekeepers, setting the foundation for production and fulfillment. Their work ensures that every part arrives on time, in good condition, and ready to be used—keeping both production lines and customer expectations moving forward. 

Gary oversees the organization of all incoming items, ensuring everything is in its proper place. Once sorted, Don steps in to delegate the items to the appropriate departments, keeping the flow of materials smooth and efficient. Together, their teamwork ensures that every part reaches the right hands at the right time. 

Shipping 

The Shipping Department is responsible for ensuring that every order leaving our parts department is accurately assembled and efficiently shipped. Their work covers a wide range—from single, oversized parts that require a dedicated truck to complex orders containing hundreds of items packed across multiple boxes and pallets. Every detail matters, from selecting the right carriers to meeting shipping deadlines, ensuring that customers receive what they need, when they need it. Shipping Coordinators Justin and Rickey offered a glimpse into a typical day in this fast-paced environment. Managing numerous orders a day, they work around the clock to provide you with your orders in no time. “When you think about all the steps that go into putting an order together, it can be a long day,” said Rickey. Let’s look into some of the steps it takes to fulfil an order. 

After their morning coffee, the shipping team dives straight into “hot orders”—those that must be included in the day’s shipment. They begin by reviewing the order forms and devising a plan to efficiently gather each item listed. 

With precision and care, the team carefully packs each item, balancing speed with the delicacy required to ensure everything arrives in perfect condition. 

Every order is double-checked to confirm accuracy before moving on to final packaging. 

Depending on the shipment’s needs, boxes are secured using cellophane, tape, and binding to keep items safe during transit. 

Once the orders are packed and ready to go, the team collaborates with Wendy, the Logistics Administrator, who schedules the shipments and ensures they’re on track to reach their destination on time. This seamless coordination ensures that every customer’s order leaves on schedule and arrives without a hitch. 

Then the process restarts with the next order. When asked about his thoughts about his typical day, Justin mentioned, “it’s fun. Sometimes it gets busy, but it’s always fun with this team.” 

Behind the Scenes 

The Shipping and Receiving departments are the unsung heroes of any business, acting as the backbone that keeps operations flowing smoothly. From ensuring essential materials arrive on time to getting finished products out the door, their work impacts every aspect of the company—from production efficiency to customer satisfaction. Without their attention to detail, coordination, and dedication, delays, errors, and disruptions would ripple through the entire operation. “They take pride in what they do back here.” Mick, Shipping & Receiving Supervisor. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the hard work these teams put in each day, often behind the scenes. Their efforts to ensure that business can meet deadlines, maintain quality, and keep customers happy make them a critical part of Eagle Crusher’s success.