Dallas-based WWEX Group and shipping software provider Auctane have completed their merger, creating a new company called ShipStation Global that executives say will become one of the industry’s most comprehensive AI-enabled logistics platforms for small and midsize businesses.
The newly formed company combines WWEX Group’s freight brokerage and transportation services network with Auctane’s portfolio of shipping technology products, including ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack and Packlink.
The merged company is backed by private equity firm Thoma Bravo, while CVC Funds and other WWEX investors retain minority stakes.
“Small and mid-sized businesses have been forced to stitch together multiple tools and relationships just to keep up,” ShipStation Global CEO Tom Madine said in a news release. “We’re combining the best AI-powered shipping software in the market with one of the country’s most powerful freight networks.”
The merger creates a logistics platform serving more than 3 million customers and handling over 3 billion shipments annually. ShipStation Global’s network includes more than 75 less-than-truckload carriers, 350 regional, national and international carriers, 600 technology partners and approximately 45,000 truckload carriers.
The platform connects parcel, LTL, truckload and international shipping services through a single interface.
ShipStation Global’s portfolio includes ShipStation, Stamps.com, Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, Metapack, Packlink, Unishippers, JEAR Logistics and BLX Logistics. The company will be headquartered in Texas with offices in Dallas and Austin.
Thoma Bravo, one of the world’s largest technology-focused investment firms, acquired WWEX Group in March.
AI driving a new wave of logistics consolidation
The ShipStation Global launch comes amid a surge of mergers and acquisitions across the logistics, supply chain and transportation technology sectors as companies seek to strengthen artificial intelligence capabilities and expand end-to-end service offerings.
One of the most active acquirers this year has been Coupa. In May, the cloud-based spend management platform announced the acquisition of workflow automation startup Tonkean, just days after acquiring intelligent document processing provider Rossum.
Coupa executives said the deals will help power the company’s growing “agentic trade network,” designed to automate procurement, invoicing and supplier transactions across global supply chains. Financial terms of both acquisitions were not disclosed.
Transportation visibility provider project44 also expanded its AI capabilities in April through the acquisition of LunaPath.ai.
