The merger of WWEX and Auctane creates one of the supply chain industry’s largest AI-enabled logistics platforms as companies race to expand through acquisitions and automation. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)
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.
The all-cash transaction added more than 50 AI agents designed specifically for logistics execution and orchestration, enabling automated tasks such as appointment scheduling, proof-of-delivery retrieval, claims initiation and exception management. project44 executives said the acquisition supports the company’s vision of creating an AI-native supply chain platform.
Echo Global Logistics announced in January that it had agreed to acquire Reno, Nevada-based ITS Logistics, creating a combined company with approximately $5.4 billion in pro forma annual revenue.
Echo executives said the deal would combine ITS’ specialized logistics solutions with Echo’s technology platform, analytics and AI capabilities while expanding the company’s scale across North America.
Recent logistics and supply chain mergers and acquisitions
- Acquirer / Merger Target: WWEX Group + Auctane
Date Announced: June 2026
Strategic Focus: AI-enabled logistics platform combining freight, parcel and shipping software
Deal Value: Not disclosed - Acquirer / Merger Target: Coupa + Tonkean
Date Announced: May 2026
Strategic Focus: Workflow orchestration, AI agents, procurement automation
Deal Value: Not disclosed - Acquirer / Merger Target: Coupa + Rossum
Date Announced: May 2026
Strategic Focus: Intelligent document processing and AI-powered trade workflows
Deal Value: Not disclosed - Acquirer / Merger Target: project44 + LunaPath.ai
Date Announced: April 2026
Strategic Focus: AI agents for logistics execution and supply chain orchestration
Deal Value: Undisclosed all-cash deal - Acquirer / Merger Target: Echo Global Logistics + ITS Logistics
Date Announced: January 2026
Strategic Focus: Scale expansion, multimodal logistics, AI and transportation technology
Deal Value: Creates combined company with ~$5.4 billion revenue
Several major logistics-related deals announced in 2026 have centered on one of two themes: AI-enabled automation or platform scale.
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Source: FreightWaves
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
