In today’s fast-paced logistics environment, warehouses and distribution centers (DCs) rely on accurate measurements of their products and shipments to keep operations humming—a trend that has been driving demand for dimensioning systems since the busy Covid-19 years and is poised to continue in 2026 and beyond.
Dimensioning system market revenue is projected to grow more than 9%, on average, over the next several years, led by demand for automated dimensioning systems in logistics and warehousing environments, according to October data from researcher Verified Market Reports, which predicts the segment’s global market value will reach $2.5 billion by 2033. Surging e-commerce volumes, the accompanying growth in demand for automated warehouse equipment, and recent changes to commonly used freight classification guidelines are all helping to drive the trend, according to American makers of dimensioning systems, who say they are seeing strong demand for their products—especially as companies struggle to address market pressures with a shrinking labor pool.
“Across all of material handling, we are seeing an increased need for automation because there is a shortage of skilled labor,” explains Travis Peltier, chief revenue officer at Cubiscan, which makes dimensioning systems for shippers, third-party logistics service (3PL) providers, carriers, and others. “So, almost daily, we are getting people coming to us asking for our devices.”
John Lawn, director of the strategic business unit for dimensioning at Rice Lake Weighing Systems, agrees, emphasizing demand on both the carrier and shipper sides of the aisle.
“We have had really significant investments in our dimensioning systems from LTL [less-than-truckload] carriers for a number of years,” Lawn says, explaining that carriers are seeking to automate the freight auditing process, which helps them verify the accuracy of the shipment information shippers provide. “Shippers are continuing to try to automate as well. And dimensioning is a pivotal technology for [them, too].”
IMPROVING ACCURACY, EASING TENSIONS
Equipment makers argue that automated dimensioning systems improve the accuracy of freight information while also easing tensions between shippers and carriers—tensions that often result from inaccurate information. Many warehouses still manually dimension their freight, using a tape measure to record the height, width, and length of items. This is both time-consuming and error-prone, and often causes shipments to be misclassified—which carriers then catch during the auditing process, resulting in reclassification and, quite often, additional charges to the shipper.
Today’s technology can ease those headaches.
To understand how automated systems address those challenges, it helps to know a little bit about the two main types of automated dimensioners: pallet dimensioning systems and parcel dimensioners. Pallet dimensioning systems calculate the volume of a pallet load before it goes into a trailer, container, or warehouse. They are typically mounted in place so that a pallet can be moved by forklift to the system, where it is scanned, weighed, and dimensioned, according to information from automated dimensioning system provider Cargo Spectre.
Parcel dimensioners are scaled-down systems that are used to scan individual packages. As Cargo Spectre explains, an operator places a parcel or item on the dimensioning system, which then measures and weighs the product. The equipment can be stationary—positioned at a packing station, for example—or placed on a cart and wheeled around the distribution center.
Thanks to advancing technology, both types of systems are more accurate than ever before and can help alleviate the time-consuming process of manually dimensioning freight. As a further example of measuring advancements, there are also in-line dimensioning systems that incorporate conveyors, allowing items to be dimensioned without stopping as they roll past the dimensioner.
“Technology has advanced significantly,’” says Peltier. “Our [research and development] department is extremely busy just testing new sensing technology, for example. All the time, every day, they are speaking with different vendors—whether it’s about a new camera or [some other component].”
By way of illustration, Peltier points to advances in the sensors used in dimensioning systems. “When Cubiscan first started, we were using ultrasonic sensors and could only measure cubed items. We still use that device today, and it works very well. But we could only measure cubed items in a warehouse for receiving [applications].
“Now we have a device that can measure irregular shapes to a resolution of 1 millimeter—it can even measure a contact lens.”
Lawn agrees that the combination of advanced sensors, cameras, and software is pushing the industry forward. Earlier this year, Rice Lake introduced an in-motion pallet dimensioner that allows a forklift to pass under the system from any angle, dimensioning the load while the forklift is moving. There is no scan tunnel to enter and no need to stop, which speeds the dimensioning process.
Such advances are feeding an automation movement that is helping to alleviate labor pressures while also working to improve those all-important trading partner relationships.
“[It’s extremely difficult] for a customer to accurately dimension their freight with a tape measure, especially for irregular or oddly shaped freight,” Lawn explains. “The dimensioner is more accurate than people. Trust the dimensioner, and you’ll have fewer reclassifications and fewer invoice corrections as a result.”
ADJUSTING TO NEW GUIDELINES
Broader industry action to more accurately classify freight is driving demand for dimensioning technology as well. This past summer, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) released changes to its widely used National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system, a tool for setting prices that is used daily by shippers and carriers of LTL freight. The changes seek to simplify freight classification by grouping similar items together and assigning most classes based solely on density—a calculation of space and weight—rather than a combination of factors, which previously included handling, liability, and stowability characteristics.
A density-based system is easier to understand and use, Lawn says, and puts a greater focus on the need for accurate dimensioning. An overarching demand for enhanced operational efficiency and cost reduction in supply chains—which is highlighted in the Verified Market Reports data—comes into play as well.
“The NMFC classification system changing to density is definitely driving sales of dimensioning systems,” Lawn says, emphasizing shippers’ need to more accurately classify freight to avoid costly chargebacks.
By some industry estimates, carriers can recover millions in annual revenue by using dimensioners to audit freight and subsequently charge shippers for misclassifications.
Shippers can prevent those additional charges by getting it right on their end, up front.
As Peltier explains: “Our mantra is, ‘The quality of your data matters.’ Because if you’re off by just a small amount, it can mean a really big bill.”
