// Ikea’s holding company Ingka Group buys supply chain software firm Made4Net amid US expansion
// The move will help to improve the furniture retailer’s order fulfillment capabilities
Ikea owner The Ingka Group has bought US-based supply chain software firm Made4Net to improve its order fulfilment capabilities as it plots a major expansion in the US.
The group’s investment arm Ingka Investments has acquired the company to improve Ikea’s warehouse and logistics operations following the increasing demand for same-day and next-day delivery.
As part of the deal, the technology firm will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary and serve its existing customers, which include DHL, H&M and Uber.
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Head of Ikea retail Tolga Öncu said: “Our business currently requires a better fulfillment operations system with more accurate data that better supports 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.”
The deal comes as Ingka revealed plans earlier this year to open 17 new Ikea stores in the US over the next three years as part of a £1.8bn expansion strategy. Currently, the Swedish home goods company has 50 stores in the US.
At the time, Öncu called the US one of Ikea’s most important markets, saying the firm sees “endless opportunities to grow there and get closer to the many Americans with affordable products and services”.
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