Latest news with #MadhavDurbha
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Logistics M&As: E2Open Taken Private in $2.1B Deal, UPS Sells Ware2Go to Stord
Supply chain visibility technology provider E2open has been taken private in a $2.1 billion acquisition by logistics software solutions provider WiseTech Global. The sale gives E2open a new home more than a year after the company initiated a strategic review in March 2024, and enables the Australia-headquartered WiseTech to scale its U.S. presence. More from Sourcing Journal US-Based Chinese Logistics Firms Caught Using Counterfeit USPS Labels Canadian Courier Strike Risks Intensify at Canada Post, DHL Express Up Close: In Conversation with Relex Solutions' Dr. Madhav Durbha E2open will join another freight tech business under the WiseTech Global umbrella, CargoWise, which is a logistics operations software primarily used by freight forwarders and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) like Ceva Logistics, Seko Logistics and DHL Global Forwarding. Although WiseTech already has 16,500 customers across CargoWise and its other platforms like multi-modal rail solutions provider Blume Global, the acquisition will add about 5,600 customers to WiseTech's network. The cloud-based E2open platform will also give WiseTech access to more than 500,000 manufacturing, logistics, channel and distribution partners, tracking more than 18 billion transactions every year. With E2open in the fold, WiseTech will have direct connectivity to ocean carriers like Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk and CMA CGM, with the technology tracking 67 million containers annually. Roughly 18.5 percent of global export container bookings are managed through E2open's platforms. The WiseTech team sees the E2open product site as a complement to the wider CargoWise ecosystem, since it includes tools for supply chain planning and trade compliance, among others. 'These product opportunities extend our reach in key adjacent markets such as global trade management and supply chain planning whilst filling in gaps in our own products that would have required substantial investment over time,' said Richard White, founder and executive chair at WiseTech Global, in a Monday morning briefing. 'These extended capabilities will be attractive to existing and new customers alike and allow our combined customer base access to new and expanded capabilities and new geographies and markets.' Andrew Cartledge, interim CEO of WiseTech Global, said there was 'very little overlap' in products between both solutions. WiseTech sees an opportunity to take advantage of the growing need for supply chain and logistics software solutions, citing Gartner data indicating that total spend on these technologies would expand from $28 billion in 2024 to $57 billion in 2025. The deal is expected to be accretive to earnings per share in the first year. For WiseTech, this is the biggest transaction thus far for the company, which has made 55 acquisitions totaling $1.2 billion over the past 10 years, according to the presentation. E2open is no stranger to making deals either, having invested its own $2.7 billion in acquisitions since 2016, including a $1.7 billion acquisition of logistics software company BluJay Solutions. WiseTech is taking on $3 billion in debt to finance the deal, with E2open stockholders set to receive $3.30 per share in cash. The per-share purchase price represents a premium of approximately 28 percent over the company's closing stock price on Friday, the last trading day prior to the Monday announcement, and a premium of approximately 68 percent over the company's closing stock price on April 30, the day prior to media reports regarding WiseTech's evaluation of a potential acquisition of the business. E2open and WiseTech will continue to operate as independent companies until the transaction closes, which is expected in the second half of the 2025 calendar year. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals. WiseTech has already secured the written approval of shareholders representing more than 50 percent of voting rights, the company said. The deal follows another logistics acquisition that caught the industry's attention, with fulfillment services and commerce enablement technology Stord unveiling earlier this month that it acquired warehouse and inventory management solutions provider Ware2Go from UPS. Terms of that deal have not been disclosed, but the announcement came just three days after Stord revealed it raised more than $200 million in combined equity and debt financing at a valuation of $1.5 billion. The acquisition and the funding are unrelated, Stord says. Stord will become a UPS partner as part of the acquisition. Stord is bringing on 21 new fulfillment centers into its network with the Ware2Go deal, amounting to an extra 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space. This expands on Stord's 11 fulfillment nodes across 13 buildings in North America, as well as two locations in the U.K. and one in the Netherlands. Stord also has an expanded network of more than 70 partner warehouses worldwide. The company seeks to power checkout, delivery, fulfillment and returns for growing, high-volume SMBs that want to better compete with online retail giants via its combination of technologies and warehouses. It manages over $6 billion of commerce annually through its fulfillment, warehousing, transportation, and operator-built software suite including OMS, pre- and post-purchase, and WMS platforms. Ware2Go's service offerings include direct-to-consumer shipping, Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) for Amazon sellers and retail-compliant B2B shipping. Stord has sought to expand its own horizons over the past year via acquisitions. The company scooped up Pitney Bowes' e-commerce fulfillment business and freight and logistics platform ProPack in 2024. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Up Close: In Conversation with Relex Solutions' Dr. Madhav Durbha
Up Close is Sourcing Journal's regular check-in with industry executives to get their take on topics ranging from their company's latest moves to personal style. In this Q&A, Dr. Madhav Durbha, group vice president of CPG and manufacturing at supply chain and retail planning software firm Relex Solutions, discusses how retailers can optimize store sales floors and what approaches could help the industry scale sustainability. Name: Dr. Madhav DurbhaTitle: Group vice president of CPG and manufacturingCompany: Relex Solutions More from Sourcing Journal Supply Chain Leaders Embrace AI, but Struggle to Bridge Technology Implementation Gap Up Close: In Conversation with Republic Business Credit's COO Matthew Begley Freightmate AI Calls for Dismissal of 'Flimsy' Flexport Lawsuit Which other industry has the best handle on the supply chain? What can apparel learn? Consumer electronics does a great job managing the supply chain. It's a fast-moving industry that has mastered adapting to constant innovation and market shifts. They're great at using advanced decision-making tools, working closely with suppliers and running tight global distribution networks. They also share some similarities with apparel in the way of frequent new product and extension launches, seasonal nature, pricing and promotions intensity, among other factors. Apparel brands can take a page from their playbook to become more agile, shorten lead times and keep inventory better aligned with customer demand. There's also a lot to learn from how electronics companies are starting to embrace sustainability; things like recycling programs and modular designs could really benefit apparel. What should be the apparel industry's top priority right now? Driving efficiency through better data and smarter planning, because that's what ultimately leads to more sustainable outcomes. When companies reduce overproduction and markdowns, avoid stockouts and streamline operations, they naturally cut down on waste. Consumers care about sustainability, but it has to be backed by systems that make it achievable at scale. What innovation or development holds the greatest potential to improve operations in the apparel and textile industries? Being consumption driven where practical and using appropriate allocation strategies for seasonal buys can really move the needle. Forecasting, allocation and replenishment tools that learn from trends and real-time insights can help manufacturers streamline their production and purchasing decisions, stay ahead of demand, cut waste and adapt to change. For industries like apparel, where timing and trends are everything, that kind of visibility and control makes a huge difference. Tell us about your company's latest product introduction: Relex Solutions recently launched Relex Space, a new solution designed to help retailers and manufacturers get smarter about how they use their in-store space. By tapping into data and automation, it makes sure the right merchandise is showing up in the right stores, which helps avoid stock imbalances, move product faster and cut down on waste. It also gives retailers the flexibility to adapt to local demand, improve the customer experience and operate more efficiently in an ever-changing industry. How would you describe your corporate culture? Our culture is all about collaboration, innovation and delivering real results. We treat our colleagues and customers like friends—it's about building trust, working together and making the process not just effective, but enjoyable. What's the best decision your company has made in the last year? Expanding our support for the manufacturing sector and strengthening collaboration between suppliers and retailers has been a pivotal move. By helping businesses work together across the end-to-end supply chain, we're enabling greater efficiency, better responsiveness and less waste industry wide. Where do you look for personal style inspiration? I'm drawn to timeless design and function. I like keeping things simple and authentic, whether it's a tailored piece or a well-made T-shirt. Travel and different cultures often spark new ideas and keep my perspective fresh. How do you shop for clothing? How would you describe yourself as a fashion consumer? I look for quality and pieces that I can wear in different settings. I also try to support brands that are doing their part for the environment. For me, thoughtful design and long-lasting value win over fast fashion any day. What are the top three product attributes that you factor into your purchasing decisions? Sustainability—it reflects my values and supports responsible practices. Quality—durable products reduce waste and offer better value. Functionality—practicality ensures the product meets my needs effectively. What is a retail experience that stands out to you? Visiting a store where everything just worked efficiently—from product availability to checkout. It showed how much impact streamlined operations and smart use of data can have on the overall customer experience. What keeps you up at night? Keeping up with how quickly consumer expectations are changing, and making sure we stay innovative while keeping sustainability at the core. It's a constant balancing act. What makes you most optimistic? I'm encouraged by how closely consumer values are starting to align with business goals. The momentum around sustainability and innovation is real, and it gives me hope for lasting, positive change in our industry. 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Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
RELEX Report: Economic Pressures Force Supply Chain Reality Check - 60% of Companies Investing in AI, But Nearly Half Face Talent Constraints
Companies are aggressively investing in AI across supply chains to counter inflation and trade volatility, but a growing execution gap threatens to derail these efforts, according to the second annual State of Supply Chain 2025: Balancing Inflation, Investment & Innovation report from RELEX Solutions. While 60% of surveyed companies are prioritizing AI and automation investments, nearly half (44%) can't find the specialized talent needed to implement these technologies. Companies also struggle with budget constraints that limit their ability to scale AI initiatives ( 43%) as well as poor data quality ( 39%). The comprehensive study surveyed 500+ retail, CPG manufacturing, and wholesale professionals across seven countries, revealing how economic headwinds are simultaneously driving technology investment and forcing strategic pivots: Inflation is reshaping retail strategies – 31% of retailers are optimizing operations and 31% are adjusting pricing to stay competitive Private label expansion has become mainstream – 59% of retailers are growing own-brand portfolios as consumers seek value Food and beverage manufacturers face margin pressure – 70% have increased discounting aggressively, while 40% have introduced value-tier products These findings expand on the early released findings of the report showing 60% of companies fundamentally restructuring their supply chains, with 52% citing demand volatility as their primary challenge and 47% concerned about tariff uncertainty and trade disruptions. 'Today's supply chain leaders face a dual challenge – they must innovate through technology while adapting to economic pressures,' said Dr. Madhav Durbha, Group Vice President of Manufacturing Industry Strategy at RELEX Solutions. 'The gap between AI's potential and its practical implementation represents both the greatest risk and opportunity in supply chain transformation today.' The report also identifies Generative AI (59%), Predictive AI (43%), and Cloud-native solutions (34%) as the top technology investment priorities, with most companies allocating between 5-20% of their technology budgets to AI-driven solutions despite market volatility. 'As businesses navigate economic volatility and evolving consumer behaviors, the report underscores the importance of flexible supply chain strategies that combine technology investment with operational agility,' said Durbha. 'Organizations that can bridge the gap between AI's potential and practical implementation will gain a competitive edge, while those that lag behind may struggle to keep pace.' Methodology The RELEX State of Supply Chain 2025: Balancing Inflation, Investment & Innovation report provides deeper insights into the challenges, investment priorities, and strategies shaping supply chains over the next 3-5 years. The report was conducted by Researchscape, surveying 519 retail, CPG manufacturing, and wholesale leaders globally in January 2025. About RELEX RELEX Solutions provides a unified supply chain and retail planning platform that aligns and optimizes demand, merchandising, supply chain, operations and production planning across the end-to-end value chain. We help retailers, manufacturers, and consumer goods companies like ADUSA, AutoZone, Coles, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, M&S Food, PetSmart, and The Home Depot drive profitable growth across all sales and distribution channels, leading to higher product availability, increased sales, and improved sustainability. Learn more at: Vice President of Communications RELEX Solutions [email protected] Yawn Senior Communications Manager SOURCE: RELEX Solutions Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/26/2025 09:41 AM/DISC: 03/26/2025 09:41 AM
