SEKO Logistics has acquired a majority stake in its strategic partner Omni-Channel Logistics to solidify and grow its e-commerce and technology solutions for retailers, pure-play e-tailers, marketplaces and platforms.

SEKO created an integrated e-commerce and logistics division in 2013 with SEKO Omni-Channel Logistics, offering global fulfillment, global delivery management, global returns solutions and e-commerce development and design services. Kai Lincoln, managing director, and his partners launched Omni-Channel Logistics in Australia in 2014.

Since then, the company has grown its annual revenues by giving major brands and SMEs fast and easy access to primary e-commerce markets in Hong Kong, the US, UK and Southeast Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Lincoln will continue to lead SEKO Omni-Channel Logistics for cross-border e-commerce and global e-commerce returns.

“As a start-up business in 2014, we recognized the importance of having a reputable global brand behind us,” he said. “SEKO gave us that credibility and the two-way partnership we have enjoyed since has enabled us to become a global e-commerce force with an amazing team of individuals and a technology platform designed and built for scalable cross-border, marketplace and returns solutions.”

Omni-Channel Logistics’ expertise has been fully integrated into SEKO’s global network, facilitating SEKO’s fastest-growing division globally. By the end of 2017, more than half of SEKO’s global air freight tonnage consisted of retail goods, with the majority coming from cross-border e-commerce parcels and global parcel returns.

“We have a great partner in SEKO and this acquisition will be instrumental in assisting SEKO Omni-Channel Logistics’ continued growth in key e-commerce markets around the world,” said Justin Irvine, commercial director of Asia Pacific at Omni-Channel Logistics.

SEKO Omni-Channel Logistics’ international delivery management, cross border e-commerce and global e-commerce returns solutions offer customers faster, cheaper access to primary markets and a unified tracking portal. For select clients, a single custom-branded omni-channel tracking portal will link back to the customers’ site and banner ads.

“This is a significant investment for SEKO Logistics and solidifies our relationship with what we see as the industry’s leading cross-border e-commerce team,” said Mark White, chief commercial officer of SEKO Logistics. “As we continue to invest in market expansion focusing on cross-border e-commerce and returns, the big winners will be our clients as we continue to push shipping and technology boundaries to a new level for retailers, pure-play e-tailers, marketplaces and platforms.”

SEKO Logistics also acquired an equity stake in full-service e-commerce agency Red Hot Penny in 2014.