Leading 3PL provider, WWEX Group, and Auctane, the company behind shipping solutions including Metapack and ShipStation, have completed their merger.

The move will combine WWEX Group’s freight brokerage platform and network with Auctane’s AI-powered shipping software, global carrier connectivity and automation capabilities, to create ShipStation Global.

The combined company aims to give growing brands the operational power, technology, relationships and scale that have historically been accessible only to the largest players.

As the logistics industry reaches an inflection point – with tech and supply chains becoming more complex – the gap between large enterprises and growing brands is widening. ShipStation Global seeks to address that gap, offering small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) the data, intelligent automation and expert support needed for agility, allowing them to unlock value across their supply chains.

“SMBs 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, combining AI-powered shipping software with powerful freight networks.”

“The combination of Auctane and WWEX Group comes as AI changes the way organisations manage shipping and logistics,” said Brian Jaffee, Partner at Thoma Bravo. “ShipStation Global brings together AI-powered shipping software and best-in-class freight and parcel services that gives businesses of every size the tools and scale to compete.”

ShipStation Global’s portfolio will now include ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, Packlink, Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, Unishippers, JEAR Logistics and BLX Logistics.