Who Does Pit Viper Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?

Pit Viper uses ShipBob as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.

Introduction to Pit Viper

Founded in 2012 by Chuck Mumford who needed durable sunglasses for skiing, Pit Viper has evolved from trading trendy shades for ski lift tickets to becoming a global 8-figure sunglasses brand. The company embodies what they call the "Party Mountain" ethos, blending dirtbag ski culture, dirty jokes, and neon-colored retro vibes into their brand identity. With their military-grade wraparound sunglasses priced between $40-$140, Pit Viper has carved out a distinctive niche in the eyewear market.

The brand has experienced impressive growth, expanding via Kickstarter in 2014 and now generating upwards of $40 million in revenue (as reported in 2022). With approximately 100 employees, Pit Viper has built a loyal following of outdoor adventurers, professional athletes, and weekend warriors. Their unconventional marketing approach and commitment to being "serious about taking things less seriously" has earned them 900,000 Instagram followers and notable fans including Patrick Mahomes and Rob Gronkowski.

Why Pit Viper Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

As Pit Viper scaled into a multimillion-dollar global brand, they faced significant fulfillment challenges that threatened to impede their continued growth:

• Outgrowing their previous fulfillment system, making it increasingly difficult to meet shipping deadlines
• Inefficient warehouse processes that couldn't scale with their rapid business expansion
• Unacceptably high mispick rate with only 92% order accuracy, resulting in customer dissatisfaction
• High costs and extended transit times for their growing international customer base
• Limited visibility into warehouse operations and inventory management

With 16,000 square feet of fulfillment space in Salt Lake City and 20 employees dedicated to fulfillment operations, Pit Viper needed a solution that could streamline their processes while supporting their ambitious global growth plans.

Partnership with ShipBob and Quantifiable Results

Pit Viper partnered with ShipBob to implement a hybrid fulfillment solution that addressed their specific challenges. This strategic collaboration has delivered impressive measurable outcomes:

• Improved order accuracy from 92% to 99.7%, virtually eliminating customer complaints about incorrect orders
• Eliminated over 2,100 mispicks per year, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction
• Reduced operational costs related to labor, lost inventory, and double shipping expenses
• Streamlined international fulfillment by leveraging ShipBob's global fulfillment network
• Enhanced data visibility across all warehouse operations

These improvements have allowed Pit Viper to focus on their core business of creating distinctive eyewear products while maintaining their brand's irreverent personality and supporting their continued growth trajectory.

The ShipBob Solution

ShipBob implemented a comprehensive solution tailored to Pit Viper's unique needs, consisting of two main components:

1. Warehouse Management System (WMS) for in-house operations:
   • Implementation of ShipBob's proprietary WMS at Pit Viper's Salt Lake City facility
   • Creation of more efficient warehouse picking routes to optimize staff productivity
   • Introduction of multiple validation checks throughout the fulfillment process
   • Hands-on onboarding with ShipBob's team visiting their facility to ensure smooth implementation
2. Outsourced global fulfillment:
   • Leveraging ShipBob's international fulfillment centers in Canada and Australia
   • Reducing shipping costs and delivery times for international customers
   • Enabling Pit Viper to scale global operations without additional infrastructure investment

This hybrid approach allowed Pit Viper to maintain control of their domestic fulfillment operations while gaining efficiency and expanding their international reach cost-effectively.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands

Pit Viper's successful partnership with ShipBob offers valuable insights for other eCommerce brands looking to optimize their fulfillment operations:

1. Hybrid fulfillment models can offer the best of both worlds: Brands can maintain control of core operations while outsourcing specific components like international shipping to specialists.
2. Technology-driven warehouse management is essential for scaling: Implementing the right WMS can dramatically improve accuracy, efficiency, and visibility across operations.
3. Order accuracy directly impacts customer satisfaction and bottom line: Reducing mispicks not only improves customer experience but also eliminates costly reshipments and inventory loss.
4. International expansion requires specialized expertise: Partnering with a 3PL with established global infrastructure can accelerate international growth while controlling costs.

Is ShipBob Right for Your Business?

When considering whether ShipBob might be the right fulfillment partner for your business, evaluate these factors:

• Business size and growth trajectory: ShipBob's solutions are particularly valuable for high-growth brands that need scalable fulfillment capabilities.
• International expansion plans: If global growth is part of your strategy, ShipBob's international fulfillment network offers significant advantages.
• Current order accuracy and efficiency: Brands struggling with mispicks and inefficient warehouse operations can benefit significantly from ShipBob's technology-driven approach.
• Technology integration needs: ShipBob's WMS and technology stack are designed to integrate with various eCommerce platforms and tools.
• Fulfillment model preferences: Consider whether a fully outsourced, in-house, or hybrid fulfillment model best suits your business needs and culture.

To determine the best fulfillment solution for your specific needs, consider using a 3PL matchmaking service that can help identify the optimal partner based on your unique requirements.

Final Thoughts

Pit Viper's partnership with ShipBob demonstrates how the right fulfillment strategy can support brand growth while enhancing customer satisfaction. By implementing a hybrid approach combining ShipBob's WMS for domestic operations and leveraging their global fulfillment network, Pit Viper has achieved remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and order accuracy.

For growing eCommerce brands, particularly those in the apparel and accessories space, finding the right fulfillment partner is crucial to scaling operations while maintaining brand standards. As Pit Viper continues its growth journey, their optimized fulfillment operations provide a solid foundation for future expansion and innovation.

Whether you're facing challenges similar to Pit Viper's or have unique fulfillment needs, investing time in finding the right 3PL partner can yield significant returns in terms of operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and bottom-line results.