IKEA Stores to Rollout Omnichannel Fulfillment Solution
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, owner and operator of 482 IKEA stores and e-commerce in 31 counties has acquired Made4net, a global provider of cloud-based Warehouse Management System (WMS) & end-to-end supply chain execution software.
The Made4net omnichannel fulfillment solution will be deployed across IKEA stores and fulfillment points to modernize and future proof omnichannel operations. Ingka's backing will also boost investment in Made4net's product innovation, customer support resources, and global market position.
Made4net will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary from its headquarters in New Jersey, U.S., and its six global offices where the company supports hundreds of global customers.
As a customer, IKEA will apply Made4net technology to enhance how the retailer interacts with its consumers in a new era of omnichannel commerce, providing a more flexible way to shop, order and deliver products in a sustainable way. Made4net's SCExpert platform will in the long-term power IKEA's worldwide fulfillment centers and store operations to deliver faster, more accurate order fulfillment and improved supply chain visibility.
"Our business currently requires a better fulfilment operations system with more accurate data that better supports handling for our customers," said Tolga Öncu, head of retail, Ingka Group. "Our goal is to become leaders of life at home, serving more people in an omnichannel reality, whenever and however customers choose to meet us."
"The Made4net platform has had a long customer track record for fast implementation and the ability to pivot quickly with changing business and market dynamics," said Duff Davidson, Made4net CEO. "We're excited to expand those capabilities for all of our customers through the increased backing of Ingka and also look forward to transforming the future of unified commerce by helping IKEA's global retail network deliver on its omnichannel fulfillment vision."
The acquisition by Ingka Investments ends a two-year hold period of Made4net by Thompson Street Capital Partners, which made an initial growth investment in the company in January 2021. Made4net CEO, Duff Davidson, and the leadership team will stay on to manage the company.
"We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished with the entire Made4net team over the past couple years, meaningfully extending the company's global market position through both organic and inorganic investments," said Tom St. Geme, director at Thompson Street Capital Partners. "Made4net has found a fantastic new home with Ingka, and the new IKEA relationship represents a transformational milestone for the company, reinforcing Made4net's commitment to building world-class supply chain software solutions for customers large and small across the globe."