Better together: FirstMile, ACI Logistix and Sendle merge to deliver more for shippers of all sizes

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FirstMile, ACI Logistix and Sendle today jointly announced the strategic merger of the three entities, to operate under the unified vision and leadership of FAST Group. The merger, backed by investment from Federation Asset Management, brings together the unique strengths and complementary capabilities of three leaders in the logistics industry, to form a powerful new group to meet the modern shipping needs of businesses of all sizes.

Headquartered in California, with teams across the United States, Australia, Canada, India and the Philippines, FAST Group will leverage the combined knowledge, technology, infrastructure, and operational excellence of FirstMile, ACI Logistix and Sendle. The carriers will continue to operate under their established brands, all while functioning as a single, integrated and expanded logistics ecosystem.

FAST Group will serve the full spectrum of e-commerce shipping, supporting businesses from burgeoning direct-to-consumer brands to international enterprises as they grow in maturity and complexity. Each brand brings unique capabilities and customer segments that complement one another and will provide greater opportunity for customers and expanded delivery for partners:

• FirstMile, a mid-market business specialist, will scale its national parcel pickup infrastructure across the integrated group, broadening reach and improving service for all. FirstMile customers will benefit from ACI Logistix’s enterprise-grade logistics capabilities and Sendle’s powerful support and platform integrations.
• ACI Logistix, a pioneer in US national logistics, enhances the group with its enterprise-grade infrastructure, automation and sortation facilities, and diverse delivery capabilities. ACI Logistix customers, in turn, gain from FirstMile’s specialized pickup network and Sendle’s premium support and marketplace integrations.
• Sendle, a disruptor in parcel delivery for small businesses across the US, Australia and Canada, brings international scale, leading technology platforms, and premium customer support to the group. Sendle customers will now have access to FirstMile’s specialized pickup infrastructure and ACI Logistix’s comprehensive enterprise network.

Customers of each brand will benefit from the capabilities and broader support from the group, while maintaining the same relationship with the brand they know and work with best. Together, with FAST Group’s many partnerships, the three companies form a highly adaptable logistics ecosystem where shippers of all sizes can take advantage of the broad range of solutions and partnerships that FAST Group has to offer.

ACI Logistix CEO Keith Somers will oversee the FAST Group as CEO, while the Board will be made up of representatives from all three companies. ACI Logistix, FirstMile and Sendle will continue to operate as they are now, under the same leadership team, while exploring cross-company initiatives.

Keith Somers, CEO of FAST Group, said: “Each of these three companies have a proud history of cultivating distinct strengths and deep insights into their respective customer needs. By combining our capabilities under FAST Group, we’re creating a complete and powerful logistics ecosystem that can support customers through their entire growth path, as they adapt and compete in an ever-evolving ecommerce landscape.

“This strategic merger, backed by Federation Asset Management, will bring added benefits for customers across all segments - SMB, mid-market and enterprise - through improved first mile pick ups, faster and complete national distribution and integrated customer support. It also presents exciting opportunities for our partners, including other carriers and technology providers, as we look to deliver more services, more innovation and more national impact.”

About FAST Group

FAST Group is the holding company for ACI Logistix, FirstMile and Sendle, creating a dynamic logistics ecosystem that provides complete shipping services for businesses of all sizes.

About FirstMile

FirstMile provides shipping solutions for medium and large businesses, and is well known for its first-mile pickup capabilities and robust carrier integrations, making it a preferred choice for e-commerce shippers who value flexibility and efficiency.

About ACI Logistix

ACI Logistix, a specialist in small parcel distribution for enterprise clients, has a legacy of over 60 years, with expertise in automated, high-volume sortation. Its infrastructure and experience have made it a trusted partner for leading domestic and international brands.

About Sendle

Sendle is a shipping service provider for small business, known for its award-winning customer support, commitment to the environment, and seamless integrations with e-commerce marketplaces across the US, Canada, and Australia.

Advisor Acknowledgement

For ACI Logistix, Critical Point and Corestrat LLC are acting as financial advisors, while Greenberg Glusker is acting as its legal counsel. For Sendle, Kroll is acting as financial advisors, while Cooley is acting as its legal counsel.