Atlanta-based Stord, provider of high-volume fulfillment services and e-commerce technology for leading brands, announced today it has completed its acquisition of Atlanta-based Ware2Go, a UPS subsidiary comprised of a nationwide network of certified warehouses and technology to streamline fulfillment across sales channels, and a flexible business model that eliminates long-term contracts and order minimums.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Stord officials said that bringing Ware2Go into the fold brings 21 new fulfillment centers into its network, coupled with Ware2Go’s end-to-end platform comprised of WMS, OMS, and CEX technology, while also growing into one of the largest fulfillment networks, in terms of volume and reach. What’s more, Stord said it will also now have 2.5 million square-feet of fulfillment sectors through this acquisition, adding that it complements Stord’s 11-node North American footprint and existing carrier network.
Established in 2018, Ware2Go’s primary focus is on asset-light, D2C and B2B fulfillment across various sectors, including ready-to-drink beverages, skin care, supplements, and electronics, among others. Its service offerings include: direct-to-consumer shipping, seller fulfilled prime (SFP), retail compliant B2B shipments, warehouse operations, distributed inventory, order orchestration, parcel and transportation.
“We are in a unique period for e-commerce and retail as brands struggle to manage through shifting global trade policies. Even with macro uncertainty, e-commerce end consumers still expect rapid delivery, perfect order accuracy, easy returns, and more,” said Sean Henry, CEO and co-founder of Stord, in a statement. “This acquisition of Ware2Go is a strategic investment that expands our U.S. domestic footprint and capabilities while strengthening our partnership with UPS. This partnership will allow us to deploy our technology across the Ware2Go network, enhance offerings for our joint customers, and combine our scale to be one of the largest fulfillment networks in North America.”
A Stord spokesman told LM that Stord is always actively assessing the landscape for strategic acquisitions that will help the company achieve its mission.
“Ware2Go was an excellent addition to Stord given their expansive network that fills in key markets and their impressive customer base,” he said. “With our technologies and operational efficiencies, we believe we can drive even greater outcomes for our existing customers and future customers. With the addition of 21 new sites, we can offer Stord customers even greater flexibility and targeted access to important markets to reduce transit times and costs. This also further bolster Stord’s ability to offer warehouse space during a time when brands are holding more inventory in the U.S.”
And he added that Stord will work to quickly onramp and integrate the transitioning Ware2Go team with Stord’s existing employees and systems. Precise timelines on this process will vary from team to team, he noted.
“This deal helps move us closer to our mission—of leveling the playing field so brands of all sizes can deliver the same Prime-like logistics end consumers expect on every order, every time, at scale,” said the Stord spokesman. “Incorporating established fulfillment teams and centers with our own existing network is a massive accelerator of value for our existing and future customers.”
And Archita Prasad, President at UPS Digital said that Ware2Go customers will benefit from Stord’s market-leading scale and reputation, backed by their comprehensive suite of technology-driven solutions.
This acquisition comes on the heels of Stord announcing earlier this month that it has raised more than $200 million at a $1.5B valuation in a Series E equity funding led by Strike Capital, with additional support via growth debt facility from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and ORIX USA.
In its funding announcement, Stord observed that the company’s maturation from an asset-light fulfillment network to a comprehensive omnichannel commerce enablement provider has saved online retailers hundreds of millions of dollars across parcel and other fulfillment fees. And, it added, that since 2021, Stord has grown contracted revenue 10x, shipped billions of units, and dramatically improved the shipping experience for countless consumers—all while powering $6B+ of commerce and reaching around 11.5% of US households in 2024.
