Dallas-based third-party logistics provider WWEX Group has agreed to be acquired by Thoma Bravo, a leading technology-focused investment firm headquartered in Chicago.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. After the acquisition closes, Thoma Bravo will combine WWEX Group with its existing portfolio company Auctane, a leading global technology company offering intelligent shipping and fulfillment products such as ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, and Packlink.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for us,” Tom Madine, CEO of WWEX Group, said in a statement. “By combining WWEX Group’s brands and our position as a leading provider of parcel and freight services with Auctane’s global ecosystem of e-commerce shipping software, we are creating a platform of tremendous potential. Our customers will benefit from deeper technology capabilities and the expanded resources of a combined company built to support their growth.”
More on the companies and the deal
WWEX Group got its name in 2023 as a master brand for third-party logistics providers Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, and Unishipper, years after big acquisitions brought them all together. Those three companies continued to operate under their go-to-market names.
Thoma Bravo—which has additional offices in Dallas, San Francisco, Miami, and London—is acquiring WWEX Group from a group of investors that includes CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII, Providence Equity Partners, Ridgemont Equity Partners and PSG. As part of this transaction, CVC Funds and other existing WWEX Group investors will roll over part of their equity in WWEX Group and retain a significant minority position in the combined company, Thoma Bravo said.
“We’re grateful for the continued support of our investors and look forward to working with Thoma Bravo and Auctane to drive this next chapter of innovation,” Madine said.
‘The next generation of AI-enabled logistics’
The combined company will be one of the largest and most diversified logistics and shipping technology platforms. The combination will bring together leaders in shipping software and physical freight brokerage to create a comprehensive, AI-enabled end-to-end logistics solution.
By uniting Auctane’s cloud-based software, global carrier connectivity and intelligent automation capabilities with WWEX Group’s vast logistics expertise and powerful commercial engine, the combined company will seamlessly connect checkout to doorstep across parcel, LTL, truckload and global shipping. Thoma Bravo said that the combination will provide extensive scale, unified data visibility, expanded carrier access, and AI-powered decision support—enabling businesses of all sizes to optimize costs, deal with margin pressures, and grow efficiently across the entire logistics value chain.
“This combination brings together two complementary leaders at a pivotal moment for the logistics industry,” said Brian Jaffee, a partner at Thoma Bravo. “Auctane’s category-defining shipping software and WWEX Group’s scaled parcel and freight service offerings create an integrated solution with the data, distribution and volume necessary to help customers drive smarter decision-making and superior execution across the logistics lifecycle. Together, we believe the company is uniquely positioned to define the next generation of AI-enabled logistics.”
Auctane leadership agreed.
“Our mission has always been to enable our customers’ growth,” said Auctane CEO Al Ko. “By uniting Auctane’s intelligent shipping platform with WWEX Group’s parcel and freight service offerings and scale, we’re creating the most powerful end-to-end logistics ecosystem in the market, one that will redefine what’s possible for modern shippers.”
Investor reaction, timeline, and advisors
“We’re 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 logistics technology leader with the scale to innovate faster and serve customers more effectively than ever before.”
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to Thoma Bravo and Auctane. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as joint lead financial advisors to WWEX Group. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and UBS Investment Bank are also acting as financial advisors to WWEX Group. Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to CVC and WWEX Group.
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