Online Distribution

What Online Distribution does

Online Distribution is a New Zealand-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider founded in 1988 by Ben Evans in Christchurch, operating as a privately-owned family business. The company delivers end-to-end fulfilment, warehousing, inventory management, and multi-carrier distribution services for eCommerce pure-play, multichannel, and conventional wholesale clients across New Zealand, supported by 9 fulfilment centres spanning Auckland and Christchurch with 37,000+ m2 of capacity and a team of 200+ employees.

The technology backbone is a cloud-based Warehouse Management System (deployed on the Extensiv platform) that provides real-time inventory visibility, RF scan picking (yielding 99.99% order accuracy), and direct plug-in integrations with major eCommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Magento, BigCommerce, Loop), ERP and inventory systems (NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Cin7, Unleashed), and accounting platforms (Xero, MYOB). Distribution is enabled through aggregated carrier partnerships with Freightways, NZ Post, Mainfreight, DHL Express, FedEx, and InaRush, with a published fuel surcharge model.

The business model is managed-services B2B 3PL: custom-pricing contracts (multi-year) tailored per client, serving 100+ companies including enterprise brands such as Allbirds, Mountain Warehouse, Mons Royale, Ethique, Aim'n, and Ecosa. GTM is direct enterprise sales with a client portal for ongoing operations. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company is bootstrapped with no external investors.

Name

Online Distribution

Legal name

Online Distribution

Website

https://onlinedistribution.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Online Distribution is a New Zealand-based, privately-owned 3PL provider founded in 1988, offering warehousing, fulfilment, inventory management, and multi-carrier distribution to 100+ eCommerce and wholesale clients across two islands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Fulfilment

NAICS

Warehousing and Storage (493)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

E-commerce Fulfillment & Omnichannel Logistics (Pick/Pack/Returns) (TLAIAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-commerce & Fulfillment Warehousing (Dedicated/Shared) (TLAIACAJ), WMS for 3PL/Contract Logistics (Multi-Client/Billing) (TLAEABAC), Warehousing Operations & Contract Storage (Dedicated/Shared) (TLAIAAAC), Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Fulfillment Providers (CRAFAMAA)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Warehousing and fulfilment
• ECommerce fulfilment services
• Warehouse management system
• Freight distribution New Zealand

Headquarters

HQ city

Christchurch

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 3PL Fulfilment Services: Third-party logistics (3PL) services including warehousing, order fulfilment, inventory management, and distribution for eCommerce and wholesale businesses in New Zealand.
2. Freight and Transportation: Freight services with fuel surcharge model including carrier partnerships (Freightways, NZ Post, Mainfreight, DHL, FedEx, InaRush).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Online Distribution provides third-party logistics (3PL) services covering order fulfilment, warehousing, inventory management, and distribution for eCommerce and wholesale businesses in New Zealand. Operations are powered by a cloud-based Warehouse Management System (WMS) with RF scan picking and pre-built integrations to Shopify, NetSuite, and other commerce/ERP platforms. The company runs nine fulfilment centres across Auckland and Christchurch, handling approximately 40 million items per year with 99.99% order accuracy for 100+ clients.

Product overview

Online Distribution is a New Zealand-based Third-Party Logistics (3PL) provider offering a unified suite of logistics solutions. The core offering consists of integrated Fulfilment Services (handling multi-channel order processing for D2C and B2B), a Cloud-Based Warehouse Management System (providing client-facing inventory visibility and automation), Inventory Management, Warehousing (spanning 9 facilities with 37,000+ m2 capacity across Auckland and Christchurch), and Distribution services. These components work together as a connected logistics ecosystem where the WMS serves as the technological backbone enabling seamless integration with client e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Magento, BigCommerce, Loop) and ERP/accounting systems (NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Cin7, Unleashed, Xero, MYOB).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fulfilment Services Scalable multi-channel order fulfilment solutions that reduce costs and improve speed to market for D2C (Direct to Consumer) and B2B wholesale channels, executed through the cloud-based WMS and RF scan picking.
• Cloud-Based Warehouse Management System (WMS) A cloud-based warehouse management platform that manages inventory, automates routine tasks, and provides complete real-time visibility to 3PL clients operating across multiple sales channels.
• Inventory Management Expert stock management services providing inventory accuracy, real-time visibility, and product presentation for clients who want to outsource stock holding to a third party.
• Warehousing Storage and warehousing facilities spanning 9 fulfilment centres with 37,000+ m2 of capacity across Auckland and Christchurch, designed for high throughput receiving, storage, and fulfilment workflows.
• Freight and Transportation Multi-carrier freight aggregation and nationwide distribution services with fuel surcharge pricing, leveraging partnerships with Freightways, NZ Post, Mainfreight, DHL, FedEx, and InaRush for domestic and international shipments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 million items fulfilled annually with 99.99% order accuracy
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationeCommerce platform integration enabling seamless data transfer between Shopify stores and Online Distribution's WMS for order processing and inventory management.
• WooCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationWordPress eCommerce platform integration for WooCommerce store owners to connect with Online Distribution's fulfilment services.
• SquarespacesupportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Squarespace eCommerce platform for order and inventory management.
• MagentocoreTechnology or IntegrationAdobe Magento integration for enterprise eCommerce clients requiring scalable online store connectivity.
• BigCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationBigCommerce platform integration for seamless eCommerce operations and order management.
• LoopsupportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Loop eCommerce platform for order and returns management.
• NetSuitecoreTechnology or IntegrationOracle NetSuite ERP integration for enterprise clients requiring unified business management and inventory control.
• Cin7supportingTechnology or IntegrationCin7 inventory management and order tracking integration for supply chain visibility.
• Lightspeed POSsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLightspeed point of sale system integration for retail operations.
• XerocoreTechnology or IntegrationXero accounting software integration for financial management and invoicing.
• MYOBsupportingTechnology or IntegrationMYOB accounting platform integration for New Zealand businesses.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365supportingTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Dynamics 365 ERP integration for enterprise clients requiring comprehensive business management.
• Freightways GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationCarrier partner including Post Haste, Sub 60 & Security Express. Freightways is a key carrier for domestic delivery services with fuel surcharge of 16.50% (June 2026).
• NZ Post DomesticcoreTechnology or IntegrationNational postal service partner for domestic shipments with fuel surcharge of 11.40% (June 2026).
• NZ Post InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational shipping partner through NZ Post with fuel surcharge of 15.00% (June 2026).
• Mainfreight GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationCarrier partner including Owens Transport, Mainfreight Metro & Mainfreight 2 Home with fuel surcharge of 32.00% (June 2026).
• InaRushsupportingTechnology or IntegrationExpress delivery partner for urgent shipments with fuel surcharge of 10.00% (June 2026).
• DHL ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational express shipping partner with fuel surcharge of 47.50% (June 2026).
• FedExcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal express shipping partner with fuel surcharge of 44.00% (June 2026).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mainfreight: NZ-headquartered global logistics and 3PL provider with multi-modal capability. Directly overlaps with Online Distribution on NZ domestic freight and warehousing, though Mainfreight is materially larger and more diversified across road, rail, air and ocean.
• Freightways: Established NZ logistics and express delivery group (Post Haste, Sub 60, Security Express — also a named carrier partner of Online Distribution). Comparable on NZ-wide distribution and courier-adjacent fulfilment services, with broader B2B documentation focus.
• NZ Post: National postal operator and large-scale NZ fulfilment and delivery provider, and a key carrier partner of Online Distribution. Comparable in NZ domestic last-mile and parcel services, with much broader scope including retail post offices.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics and 3PL with NZ operations. Comparable on multi-client warehousing and integrated contract logistics, with significantly greater international scale and enterprise IT capabilities.
• DSV: Global transport and logistics group (post-Schenker integration) with NZ presence. Comparable in contract logistics and warehousing services, with much broader international network and customer base.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarding and contract logistics provider with NZ operations. Comparable on integrated multi-client warehousing and e-commerce/retail contract logistics, with greater global scale and industry specialization.
• Toll Group: Asia-Pacific contract logistics provider with NZ operations. Comparable on multi-client warehousing and e-commerce/retail contract logistics, with broader APAC scale.

Regional players

• Fliway Group: NZ-based transport, warehousing and logistics company. Comparable on NZ domestic warehousing and distribution, though less focused on e-commerce/D2C-specific 3PL fulfilment.
• Aramex: Middle East-headquartered logistics and express delivery group with APAC operations. Comparable in last-mile and e-commerce fulfilment, though its primary scale and density sit outside NZ.

Emerging players

• ShipBob: US-founded tech-enabled e-commerce 3PL with growing global network. Comparable in D2C multi-channel fulfilment and WMS-led technology offering, though primarily operating in North America/Europe and not yet established in NZ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Online3PL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/online-distribution-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Online Distribution