Who Does The Ridge Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?

The Ridge uses ShipMonk as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.

The Ridge, a minimalist wallet and accessories company, has partnered with ShipMonk as their fulfillment solution. The connection began when The Ridge was previously a client of Ruby Has Fulfillment, which was acquired by ShipMonk in November 2021. This acquisition expanded ShipMonk's client roster and capabilities, positioning them to better serve established brands like The Ridge with their advanced fulfillment technology.

Introduction to The Ridge

The Ridge is a premier wallet and accessories manufacturer founded in 2013 by father-son team Daniel and Paul Kane. What started as a simple idea to create better wallets has evolved into a thriving eCommerce business that has sold over 5 million wallets and expanded into a diverse product line including:

• RFID-blocking minimalist wallets - their flagship product
• Premium rings
• Travel items
• Watches
• KeyCases
• Phone cases
• Bags
• Apparel and other everyday essentials

The company initially relied on crowdfunding campaigns to finance production, successfully running two Kickstarter campaigns that helped establish their market presence. Their focus on minimalist design philosophy - "doing more with less" - has resonated with consumers, propelling their growth from a small startup to a company that has sold millions of wallets worldwide.

Why The Ridge Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

As The Ridge experienced rapid growth in their eCommerce operations, they encountered several logistics challenges that impacted their ability to scale efficiently:

• Customer service issues - High volume of shipping and tracking-related customer service tickets were burdening their team
• Manual tracking processes - Their CX team was reduced to manually tracking stuck packages in Google documents
• Carrier performance analysis difficulties - Lack of insights into shipping carrier performance
• Inaccurate delivery information - Customers were receiving false information about delivery ETAs
• Scaling challenges - As volume increased, their fulfillment operations struggled to maintain efficiency
• Competition with Amazon - Customer expectations for fast shipping were rising due to industry standards

These challenges prompted The Ridge to seek a robust fulfillment solution that could support their growth trajectory while maintaining the premium customer experience their brand promises.

Partnership Details and Results

The Ridge's partnership with ShipMonk (initially through Ruby Has, which was later acquired by ShipMonk) has yielded significant improvements in their operations. While specific metrics for their ShipMonk partnership aren't publicly detailed, The Ridge has achieved notable improvements in their overall fulfillment strategy:

• 17% reduction in shipping and tracking-related customer service tickets
• 7 percentage point increase in customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores
• 80% click-through rate to order tracking pages via transactional emails
• More efficient logistics operations allowing them to focus on product development and growth

By leveraging a professional 3PL partner, The Ridge has been able to scale their business while providing customers with the reliable shipping experience expected from a premium brand.

The ShipMonk 3PL Solution

As The Ridge's fulfillment partner, ShipMonk provides several specialized services and technological solutions that address the brand's needs:

• Advanced order management - Integration with sales channels for streamlined operations
• Pick & pack fulfillment - Capacity to handle up to 10,000 orders daily
• Virtual Carrier Network - Cost-effective shipping with discounted carrier rates
• Intelligent storage solutions - Efficient warehousing with daily storage charging
• Returns management - Hassle-free processing of returns and exchanges
• Automated technology - Employing Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) to improve efficiency
• Dedicated account managers - "Happiness Engineers" providing personalized support
• Robust reporting - Data-driven insights for continuous logistics improvement

ShipMonk's acquisition of Ruby Has expanded their fulfillment network to include additional facilities, enabling better geographical coverage for The Ridge's shipping needs. This technological and operational infrastructure allows The Ridge to maintain focus on product innovation and marketing rather than logistics challenges.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands

The Ridge's experience with ShipMonk offers several valuable lessons for other eCommerce brands considering 3PL partnerships:

1. Focus on core competencies - Outsourcing fulfillment allows brands to concentrate on product development, marketing, and growth strategies rather than operational logistics.
2. Leverage technology for better customer experience - Implementing advanced tracking and communication systems can significantly reduce customer service inquiries and improve satisfaction.
3. Prepare for scale - Working with a 3PL that can accommodate rapid growth prevents fulfillment bottlenecks during periods of expansion or seasonal surges.
4. Prioritize data visibility - Having access to comprehensive shipping and fulfillment analytics enables better decision-making and continuous improvement.

The Ridge's success demonstrates that partnering with the right 3PL provider can be a strategic advantage in today's competitive eCommerce landscape.

Is ShipMonk Right for Your Business?

When evaluating whether ShipMonk might be the right fulfillment partner for your eCommerce business, consider these factors:

• Business size and growth trajectory - ShipMonk is tailored for small to medium eCommerce businesses with growth potential
• Product specifications - Consider whether your products have special handling requirements
• Order volume - Assess if your current and projected order volumes align with ShipMonk's capabilities
• Technology needs - Evaluate if your business would benefit from ShipMonk's integrated software approach
• Geographical needs - Determine if ShipMonk's fulfillment center locations align with your customer base
• Budget considerations - Calculate if the cost savings from outsourced fulfillment justify the service fees

Businesses that value technological integration, scalability, and customer experience may find ShipMonk's solutions particularly beneficial, as The Ridge has.

Final Thoughts

The Ridge's partnership with ShipMonk exemplifies how a strategic 3PL relationship can enable an eCommerce brand to scale efficiently while maintaining focus on core business functions. By outsourcing their fulfillment operations to ShipMonk, The Ridge has been able to support their impressive growth from a Kickstarter project to a company that has sold millions of products worldwide.

For eCommerce brands facing similar logistics challenges, finding the right fulfillment partner can be transformative. Whether you're dealing with increasing order volumes, seeking to improve customer satisfaction, or looking to optimize your operational costs, the right 3PL partnership could provide the infrastructure needed to reach your business goals.

Ready to find a 3PL provider that fits your business needs? Use this matchmaking service to discover fulfillment partners like ShipMonk that can support your eCommerce growth journey.