WWEX Group and Auctane complete merger, creating ShipStation Global
WWEX Group, a leading third party logistics provider of parcel and freight services, and Auctane, a global technology company known for products including ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, and Packlink, have announced the successful completion of their merger. The combined company will operate as ShipStation Global and is backed by Thoma Bravo, the software focused investment firm. CVC Funds and other existing WWEX Group investors retain a significant minority stake in the combined company.
The merger unites WWEX Group’s freight brokerage platform and network of more than 2300 sales professionals with Auctane’s AI powered shipping software, global carrier connectivity, and automation capabilities. Together, the combined company gives growing businesses the operational power, technology, relationships, and scale that have historically been accessible only to the largest players in the industry.
‘Small and mid sized businesses have been forced to stitch together multiple tools and relationships just to keep up,’ said Tom Madine, CEO of ShipStation Global. ‘ShipStation Global changes that. We are combining the best AI powered shipping software in the market with one of the country’s most powerful freight networks – and we are building it specifically for the businesses that need it most. Today is the start of something that has been a long time coming.’
The logistics industry is at an inflection point. As technology advances and supply chains grow more complex, the gap between large enterprises and growing businesses continues to widen. ShipStation Global was built to close that gap by giving small and mid sized businesses the data, intelligent automation, and expert support they need to remain nimble and unlock value across the entire supply chain.
ShipStation Global serves more than three million customers and moves over three billion shipments per year, leveraging a partner network of more than 75 less than truckload (LTL) carriers; 350 regional, national, and international carriers; 600 technology partners; and 45,000 truckload carriers. The company connects logistics across parcel, LTL, truckload, and global shipping all in a single, integrated platform.
‘The combination of Auctane and WWEX Group comes at a pivotal moment, as AI fundamentally changes the way organizations are able to manage their shipping and logistics operations,’ said Brian Jaffee, a partner at Thoma Bravo.
‘ShipStation Global brings together AI powered shipping software and best in class freight and parcel services in a way that gives businesses of every size the tools and scale to compete. We are excited to support the ShipStation Global team as it builds the category defining, intelligent platform for modern logistics.’
‘We are thrilled to continue our journey with WWEX Group as part of this new, expanded platform,’ said Aaron Dupuis, a managing partner at CVC. ‘By uniting WWEX Group’s commercial engine with Auctane’s global software footprint, we are creating a company with the reach, technology, and talent to deliver real results for customers – and we look forward to supporting ShipStation Global’s next chapter of growth.’
ShipStation Global’s portfolio includes ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, Packlink, Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, Unishippers, Jear Logistics, and BLX Logistics. The Company will be based in Texas, with offices in Dallas and Austin.
