Online postage and shipping software solutions provider Stamps.com has bought MetaPack for £175m (US$230m).
Metapack, the e-commerce delivery technology company, will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Stamps.com. To date, Stamps.com has been focused on the development of its core USA-based market, but hopes its new acquisition will expand its strategy to maximize MetaPack’s international footprint.
Stamps.com hopes the merging of its postage online and shipping software products in the SME market and MetaPack’s platform in the retail enterprise space will result in new opportunities for the combined business and enhance services for customers of both organizations.
In the short term, Stamps.com expects MetaPack to operate autonomously, with day-to-day operations continuing as normal. No changes to the management team are being made and there will be no platform affect on peak stability or uptime. In the future, the company expects to invest in the platform to continue developing MetaPack’s customer proposition.
Patrick Wall, founder of MetaPack, commented, “This announcement is excellent news for our customers, partners and employees. We’re very proud to become part of the wider Stamps.com group and in so doing, offer our customers continuity, greater product depth and an even stronger global proposition.
“E-commerce will continue to drive huge change in retailing and MetaPack is now best positioned to meet market needs all over the world. I’ve no doubt the best years are still to come.”
Ken McBride, chairman and CEO of Stamps.com, added, “The acquisition of MetaPack represents a significant strategic investment in our global e-commerce shipping business.
“MetaPack has significant business in Europe, complementing Stamps.com’s strong position in the USA. Metapack also serves the largest enterprises and retailers, complementing Stamps.com’s traditional focus on smaller businesses.
“Together, the two companies will be better able to provide innovative solutions in an increasingly global e-commerce world to customers of all sizes and in all geographies.”