Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group (the largest owner and operator of IKEA stores in 31 countries) has acquired Made4net, a US-based supply chain software solution provider, to improve its order fulfilment landscape.

Ingka Investments has acquired 100% of Made4net, which will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary, based in New Jersey, U.S, and serve its existing customer base.

As part of its business development investments portfolio and overall retail transformation, Ingka Group will integrate Made4net’s fulfilment operations system to improve the omnichannel experience for customers and co-workers in stores. This will increase the capacity needed for a successful end-to-end customer experience, making it likely the largest implementation of a Warehouse Management Solution (WMS) in the world.

Made4net provides cloud-based supply chain execution and warehouse management solutions that improves speed and efficiency across the value chain. The increase in online usage, and changes in consumer behaviour during the last few years have led to an unprecedented demand for warehouse and fulfilment solutions within the retail sector.

Wim Blaauw, Chief Digital Officer (CDO), for Ingka Group, said: “We are constantly looking to improve our business to better meet the needs of our customers. As part of that, we are implementing a variety of digital solutions that will secure the speed and agility required to support the new omnichannel reality we operate in.”

Tolga Öncu, Head of Retail, Ingka Group, commented: “Our business currently requires a better fulfilment operations system with more accurate data that better supports order handling for our customers. 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.”

Duff Davidson, CEO for Made4net, added: “By incorporating Made4net’s state-of-the-art solution, we will strengthen the fulfilment operations system across all IKEA’s stores. We expect to deliver faster, more accurate order fulfilment solutions and improved supply chain efficiencies, meeting both the needs of IKEA customers and co-workers.”