{"id":319862,"date":"2026-06-02T22:43:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T22:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/319862\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T22:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T22:43:20","slug":"dallas-wwex-group-and-austins-auctane-complete-merger-will-operate-as-shipstation-global-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/319862\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas&#8217; WWEX Group and Austin&#8217;s Auctane Complete Merger, Will Operate as\u00a0ShipStation Global \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                            <img width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/TomMadine_WWEXGroup-970.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"featured-caption\">Tom Madine, CEO of ShipStation Global [Photo: WWEX Group]<\/p>\n<p>Dallas-based third-party logistics provider WWEX Group and Austin-based global tech company Auctane\u2014which offers such products as ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, and Packlink\u2014have completed their merger, with the combined company now operating as ShipStation Global.<\/p>\n<p>ShipStation Global is backed by Chicago-based tech investment firm Thoma Bravo, with CVC Funds and other existing WWEX Group investors retaining a significant minority stake in the combined company.<\/p>\n<p>The companies announced plans for the merger when <a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/dallas-based-3pl-provider-wwex-group-to-be-acquired-by-chicagos-thoma-bravo\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thoma Bravo acquired WWEX Group<\/a> three months ago.<\/p>\n<p>Democratizing shipping tech and services<\/p>\n<p>The merger brings together WWEX Group\u2019s freight brokerage platform and network of more than 2,300 sales professionals with Auctane\u2019s AI-powered shipping software, global carrier connectivity, and automation capabilities. The combined company said it offers growing businesses \u201cthe operational power, technology, relationships, and scale\u201d that are typically only accessible to large enterprises.<\/p>\n<p>ShipStation Global CEO Tom Madine said \u201csmall and mid-sized businesses have been forced to stitch together multiple tools and relationships just to keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShipStation Global changes that,\u201d he added in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019re combining the best AI-powered shipping software in the market with one of the country\u2019s most powerful freight networks\u2014and we\u2019re building it specifically for the businesses that need it most. Today is the start of something that\u2019s been a long time coming.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The logistics industry is at a key juncture, the company noted. With technology and supply chains becoming increasingly complex, the gap between large enterprises and growing businesses continues to widen. ShipStation Global said it was built to close that gap by giving small and mid-sized businesses the data, intelligent automation, and expert support they need to stay agile and tap into value throughout the supply chain.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe combination of Auctane and WWEX Group comes at a pivotal moment, as AI fundamentally changes the way organizations are able to manage their shipping and logistics operations,\u201d said Brian Jaffee, a partner at Thoma Bravo.<\/p>\n<p>Jaffee said ShipStation Global \u201cbrings together AI-powered shipping software and best-in-class freight and parcel services in a way that gives businesses of every size the tools and scale to compete. We are excited to support the ShipStation Global team as they build the category-defining, intelligent platform for modern logistics.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Connecting checkout to doorstep<\/p>\n<p>Annually, ShipStation Global serves more than 3 million customers and moves over 3 billion shipments, utilizing a partner network of more than 75 less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers; 350 regional, national, and international carriers; 600 technology partners; and 45,000 truckload carriers. The company said it uses a single comprehensive platform to connect checkout to doorstep with logistics spanning parcel, LTL, truckload, and global shipping.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to continue our journey with WWEX Group as part of this new, expanded platform,\u201d said Aaron Dupuis, a managing partner at CVC. \u201cBy uniting WWEX Group\u2019s commercial engine with Auctane\u2019s global software footprint, we are creating a company with the reach, technology, and talent to deliver real results for customers\u2014and we look forward to supporting ShipStation Global\u2019s next chapter of growth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>ShipStation Global\u2019s portfolio includes ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, Packlink, Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, Unishippers, JEAR Logistics, and BLX Logistics. The company will be based in Texas, with offices in Dallas and Austin.<\/p>\n<p>Kirkland &amp; Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Thoma Bravo and Auctane. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley &amp; Co. LLC served as joint lead financial advisors to WWEX Group. Goldman Sachs &amp; Co. LLC and UBS Investment Bank also acted as financial advisors to WWEX Group. Latham &amp; Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to CVC and WWEX Group.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 0 10px 0;\">Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/calendar\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/calendar-lukpedclub_istockphoto_weekly-calendar-811171674_1027x1027.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch.\u00a0Here are our editors&#8217; picks. Plus, you&#8217;ll find more selections to &#8220;save the date.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/the-last-word-dallas-new-poet-laureate-kristoddie-woods-aka-black-ceasar-on-turning-readers-into-poets\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"967\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/22Ceasars-Poetry-Corner22-on-TikTok-967x464.png\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dallas&#8217; third poet laureate Kristoddie Woods steps in alongside youth poet laureate Cadence Diggs, a 17-year-old Booker T. Washington High School student, for a two-year term.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/dallas-office-at-smu-to-launch-in-august-with-klyde-warren-park-leader-as-ceo\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kit-Sawers-93-as-the-inaugural-CEO-of-The-Dallas-Office-and-a-vice-president-of-the-University.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The new office is designed to simplify how organizations work with SMU\u2014whether through research partnerships, workforce development, or student engagement.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/the-last-word-dla-pipers-danny-tobey-on-the-shift-from-chatbot-ai-to-agentic-ai\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screen-Shot-2017-10-01-at-12.42.04-PM-e1506880190392-264x4.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"The Last Word: DLA Piper's Danny Tobey on the Shift From Chatbot AI to Agentic AI\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The old human-in-the-loop rules really don&#8217;t work as well when you&#8217;re looking at ubiquitous, automated AI agents that are acting 24\/7 as digital workers.&#8221; Danny Tobey, M.D., J.D. Chair, AI and Data Analytics DLA Piper &#8230;speaking at Convergence AI Dallas on March 31 We&#8217;re moving &#8220;from an era of chatbot AI, where there is always a human at the receiving end of recommendations, to agentic and physical AI,&#8221; a world, Danny Tobey said, where AI &#8220;takes actions and makes decisions on behalf of humans&#8221; and &#8220;does so in ways that don&#8217;t always stop for human intervention, permission and understanding.&#8221; Companies\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/how-one-dfw-health-care-innovator-is-scaling-ai\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Steve-Miff-left-and-Mirna-Abyad-Baloul.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation CEO Steve Miff shares approach to transparency in its prediction models.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/ut-dallas-draper-pitch-competition-awards-record-330k-to-student-alumni-startups\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/UTD-Draper-Pitch-041426-.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nine student and alumni teams made the finals in three tracks: undergraduate, graduate student, and alumni. Winning ideas ranged from AI sales coaching to radiation mapping and noninvasive brain drug delivery as the university\u2019s entrepreneurship push continues to scale.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/the-last-word-mark-cuban-on-ai-and-6-more-takeaways-from-his-dallas-talk\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mark-Cuban-Convergence-AI_DRC.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cuban didn\u2019t hold back at Convergence AI Dallas, where his onstage conversation with Alex Kantrowitz delivered blunt advice and unfiltered insights.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/the-last-word-ceo-behind-a-blackstone-backed-dental-network-has-a-message-for-founders\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr.-Sulman-Ahmed.-Founder-Chairman-and-CEO-DECA-Dental.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The DECA Dental founder returned to his alma mater to keynote UT Dallas&#8217; record-breaking Draper Pitch Competition. He told student founders what it really takes.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/dotted-takes-big-win-at-united-way-of-metro-dallas-2026-pitch-competition\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-The-Pitch-005.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Dallas-based reproductive health platform offers a cycle-tracking app for logging cycles and managing conditions like endometriosis and PCOS. It was one of five finalists taking part in North Texas&#8217; premier social innovation competition.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/mark-cuban-on-ai-ceos-who-dont-embrace-ai-wont-be-ceos-for-long\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"970\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mark-Cuban-Alex-Kantrowitz-Convergence-AI-2026-DRC_1Y2A0853.jpg\" class=\"attachment-rp4wp-thumbnail-post size-rp4wp-thumbnail-post wp-post-image\" alt=\"\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mark Cuban has a message for any CEO still treating artificial intelligence as something to dabble in: You\u2019re going to be left behind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tom Madine, CEO of ShipStation Global [Photo: WWEX Group] Dallas-based third-party logistics provider WWEX Group and Austin-based global&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":189213,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[114699,75282,75283,114700,75284,102,104,103,75290,114701,75291,114702,75292,75294],"class_list":["post-319862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-aaron-dupuis","tag-auctane","tag-brian-jaffee","tag-cvc","tag-cvc-capital-partners","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news","tag-shipstation","tag-shipstation-global","tag-stamps-com","tag-thom-madine","tag-thoma-bravo","tag-wwex-group"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=319862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/189213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=319862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=319862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=319862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}