Online Distribution
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
Online Distribution firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Online Distribution industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Online Distribution is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Online Distribution business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 3PL Fulfilment Services: Third-party logistics (3PL) services including warehousing, order fulfilment, inventory management, and distribution for eCommerce and wholesale businesses in New Zealand.
- Freight and Transportation: Freight services with fuel surcharge model including carrier partnerships (Freightways, NZ Post, Mainfreight, DHL, FedEx, InaRush).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom 3PL solutions tailored to client requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Online Distribution product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Online Distribution
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Online Distribution technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature4 records
Online Distribution partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ShopifycoreeCommerce platform integration enabling seamless data transfer between Shopify stores and Online Distribution's WMS for order processing and inventory management.
- WooCommercecoreWordPress eCommerce platform integration for WooCommerce store owners to connect with Online Distribution's fulfilment services.
- SquarespacesupportingIntegration with Squarespace eCommerce platform for order and inventory management.
- MagentocoreAdobe Magento integration for enterprise eCommerce clients requiring scalable online store connectivity.
- BigCommercecoreBigCommerce platform integration for seamless eCommerce operations and order management.
- LoopsupportingIntegration with Loop eCommerce platform for order and returns management.
- NetSuitecoreOracle NetSuite ERP integration for enterprise clients requiring unified business management and inventory control.
- Cin7supportingCin7 inventory management and order tracking integration for supply chain visibility.
- Lightspeed POSsupportingLightspeed point of sale system integration for retail operations.
- XerocoreXero accounting software integration for financial management and invoicing.
- MYOBsupportingMYOB accounting platform integration for New Zealand businesses.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365supportingMicrosoft Dynamics 365 ERP integration for enterprise clients requiring comprehensive business management.
- Freightways GroupcoreCarrier 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 DomesticcoreNational postal service partner for domestic shipments with fuel surcharge of 11.40% (June 2026).
- NZ Post InternationalcoreInternational shipping partner through NZ Post with fuel surcharge of 15.00% (June 2026).
- Mainfreight GroupcoreCarrier partner including Owens Transport, Mainfreight Metro & Mainfreight 2 Home with fuel surcharge of 32.00% (June 2026).
- InaRushsupportingExpress delivery partner for urgent shipments with fuel surcharge of 10.00% (June 2026).
- DHL ExpresscoreInternational express shipping partner with fuel surcharge of 47.50% (June 2026).
- FedExcoreGlobal express shipping partner with fuel surcharge of 44.00% (June 2026).
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Online Distribution competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
Online Distribution social profiles
Digital presenceOnline Distribution financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Online Distribution leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Online Distribution funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Online Distribution M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Online Distribution
What does Online Distribution do?
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.
Is Online Distribution a public or private company?
Online Distribution is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Online Distribution founded?
Online Distribution was founded in 1988. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Online Distribution based?
Online Distribution is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Online Distribution make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. 3PL Fulfilment Services are the primary driver. The others are freight and Transportation.
Who are Online Distribution's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mainfreight, Freightways, NZ Post, DHL Supply Chain, DSV, Kuehne+Nagel and Toll Group. Regional players are Fliway Group and Aramex. ShipBob is listed as an emerging player.
Does Online Distribution have an API?
No public API is recorded for Online Distribution.
What industry is Online Distribution in?
Online Distribution's product category is Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Fulfilment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAIAAAD, E-commerce Fulfillment & Omnichannel Logistics (Pick/Pack/Returns), with a secondary code of TLAIACAJ, E-commerce & Fulfillment Warehousing (Dedicated/Shared). Its NAICS code is 493 and its SIC code is 4220.