Automating hazardous materials compliance with Microsoft Dynamics 365

Kem Krest operates a complex network of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities across the United States and Canada, supplying lubricants, chemicals and other products to the automotive, heavy-duty and powersports industries. Shipping these products means navigating an equally complex web of hazardous materials regulations that vary by transportation method, including ground, air and ocean freight.

As Kem Krest continued its Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management (D365 F&SCM) transformation, one challenge stood above the rest: creating compliant hazardous materials shipping documentation efficiently and accurately.

We worked with Kem Krest to address this challenge, developing an integrated solution that modernized this critical process while laying the foundation for future growth.

A complex shipping environment

Although Kem Krest had transportation management capabilities in place, its previous solution couldn’t generate the hazardous materials documentation required for shipping compliance. Instead, employees manually prepared the legally required paperwork for every hazardous shipment.

The challenge was particularly complex because Kem Krest ships hazardous materials over land, sea and air throughout North America and beyond. Each transportation mode requires its own set of shipping papers, labels and regulatory documentation, all based on the specific chemicals being transported and the applicable compliance requirements. Preparing that documentation manually was labor-intensive, slowed fulfillment and increased the potential for errors in a highly regulated process.

As the company expanded its D365 implementation across multiple facilities, it needed a scalable solution that could centralize hazardous materials data, automate documentation and support consistent compliance across its growing operations.

Building an integrated solution

To address these challenges, we implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365’s hazardous materials functionality as the central repository for product and compliance data while integrating it with RateLinx transportation management system to automate document generation.

Now, when a shipment is processed, Dynamics 365 stores all of the required hazardous materials information. Through a custom API integration, RateLinx automatically retrieves that data and generates the required shipping labels and regulatory documents with a single action.

It’s simple to use, but it was not simple to implement.

What appears to users as a simple click required extensive behind-the-scenes development by the Sikich team, including:

• Implementing D365 hazardous materials functionality
• Designing and mapping complex compliance data
• Developing a custom API between D365 and RateLinx
• Creating comprehensive testing scenarios to validate the solution across shipping methods and facilities

Managing complexity across multiple implementations

The integration wasn’t limited to a single facility.

While Sikich was rolling out D365 for Kem Krest’s Indiana operations, the RateLinx implementation was being deployed across multiple facilities in Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada. Our team worked closely with Kem Krest to coordinate these efforts, requiring careful planning, phased rollouts and close collaboration to minimize risk while maintaining project momentum.

Despite the complexity of running multiple initiatives simultaneously, the implementation was successfully completed and became the standard approach across Kem Krest’s operations.

“This wasn’t just another software implementation. We were solving a very specific operational and compliance challenge that affects our business every day. Working with Sikich, we built a solution that has become the standard across our operations and gives us confidence that we’re shipping hazardous materials accurately and efficiently,” said Pete Gothard, SR ERP analyst, Kem Krest.

Time saved, faster workflows, strong compliance

Today, Kem Krest has standardized hazardous materials document generation through its D365 and RateLinx integration.

The solution has:

• Eliminated manual creation of hazardous materials shipping documents
• Simplified compliance across multiple transportation methods
• Improved shipping efficiency through automated document generation
• Created a scalable foundation for additional facility rollouts
• Positioned Kem Krest to continue expanding its Dynamics 365 capabilities across North America and beyond

“Automating hazardous materials documentation has made a meaningful difference for our operations. Instead of relying on manual processes, our team can focus on moving products efficiently while knowing the required documentation is generated consistently and accurately,” said Pete Gothard, SR ERP analyst, Kem Krest.

Looking ahead

Kem Krest continues expanding its Dynamics 365 footprint, with additional facility rollouts underway. As the company grows, the integrated hazardous materials solution provides a scalable platform that supports operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and future digital transformation initiatives.

Are you curious how Sikich can help your organization manage a complex shipping environment with D365 F&SCM? Reach out to us today.