Who Does Alen Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?

Alen Corp uses Stord as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.

Introduction to Alen Corp

Founded in 2005, Alen Corporation is an Austin-based innovator of award-winning HEPA air purifiers. The company has established itself as a significant player in the air purification industry, offering five unique portable air purifier units designed for different home use cases. Operating through both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and B2B business models, Alen Corp has positioned itself strategically in a rapidly growing market.

The air purifier market, currently valued at $23.72 billion, is forecasted to reach an impressive $48.9 billion by 2034. This explosive growth trend aligns perfectly with Alen Corp's own trajectory, as the company has experienced a remarkable 300% growth in recent years, demonstrating their strong market position and consumer demand for their products.

Why Alen Corp Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

Despite their success, Alen Corp faced significant logistical challenges that threatened to undermine their growth momentum:

• Their fulfillment operations were centralized in a single Texas location, creating geographical limitations for nationwide delivery
• Order preparation suffered from excessive lead times of approximately 5 days before shipping could even begin
• Communication gaps resulted in customer dissatisfaction and complaints
• The company was forced to rely on costly expedited shipping options to compensate for fulfillment delays
• Their rapid 300% growth rate was straining their existing infrastructure beyond capacity

These challenges presented a critical inflection point for Alen Corp - either find a scalable logistics solution or risk losing the momentum they had built in the marketplace. Their search for a solution led them to Stord, a technology-enabled 3PL provider with a nationwide fulfillment network.

Partnership Details and Results

The partnership between Alen Corp and Stord has produced remarkable results that have transformed the company's logistics operations:

• 80% reduction in order preparation time - from 5 days down to just 1 day
• Implementation of a free 2-day shipping promise to customers nationwide
• Sustained management of 300% growth despite the increased operational complexity
• Positioning for global expansion, starting with Canada and extending to other international markets
• Elimination of the need for significant headcount increases or infrastructure investments

These quantifiable improvements have not only resolved Alen Corp's immediate logistical challenges but have also provided them with a scalable foundation for continued expansion. By partnering with Stord, Alen Corp has transformed their fulfillment operations from a business constraint into a competitive advantage in the Home & Garden product category.

The 3PL Solution

Stord implemented a comprehensive fulfillment solution for Alen Corp that addressed their specific challenges through several strategic approaches:

1. Multi-node distribution strategy - Expanding from a single fulfillment center to three strategically located facilities across Stord's network, including locations in Texas, Georgia, and other strategic locations
2. Integrated technology platform - Implementation of Stord's Order Management System (OMS) to enable efficient distributed inventory management and real-time order status tracking
3. Omnichannel integration - Connecting all of Alen Corp's sales channels with Stord's OMS for seamless order processing
4. Custom fulfillment solutions - Creating dedicated processes for complex order configurations and subscription filter add-ons
5. Unified management approach - Establishing Stord as a single commerce enablement partner to eliminate fragmented communications

Through their Warehouse Management System (WMS) and nationwide fulfillment network, Stord provided Alen Corp with the technological infrastructure and physical distribution capabilities needed to support their exponential growth without sacrificing customer experience.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands

The Alen Corp and Stord partnership offers several valuable lessons for other eCommerce brands facing similar growth and logistics challenges:

1. Strategic distribution networks matter - Moving from a single-node to multi-node fulfillment strategy can dramatically reduce shipping times and costs while improving customer satisfaction. Companies should consider virtual warehousing approaches to optimize their distribution footprint.
2. Technology integration is essential - The seamless integration between sales channels and fulfillment operations through Stord's OMS demonstrates how technology can eliminate communication gaps and provide real-time visibility.
3. Scalability requires the right partner - Rather than investing in their own infrastructure and headcount, Alen Corp leveraged Stord's existing network to scale operations efficiently, allowing them to focus on their core business of producing quality air purifiers.
4. Specialized solutions for complex products - For companies with product configurations or subscription models, finding a 3PL partner that can handle complexity through value-added services (VAS) is critical for maintaining customer satisfaction.

Is Stord Right for Your Business?

While the Alen Corp case study demonstrates impressive results, businesses should consider several factors when evaluating whether Stord or a similar 3PL provider is the right fit for their specific needs:

• Growth trajectory - Companies experiencing rapid growth similar to Alen Corp's 300% expansion will benefit most from Stord's scalable network
• Product characteristics - Businesses selling physical products with various configurations or subscription components align well with Stord's capabilities
• Geographic distribution needs - Organizations requiring nationwide or global distribution can leverage Stord's multi-location network
• Technology requirements - Companies seeking integrated technology solutions for order management and inventory visibility will find value in Stord's offerings
• Budget considerations - Businesses looking to avoid capital expenditures on warehousing infrastructure can benefit from Stord's fulfillment-as-a-service model

To determine if Stord is the optimal partner for your business, consider using Fulfill.com's 3PL matchmaking service to evaluate your specific requirements against their capabilities and those of other potential fulfillment partners.

Final Thoughts

The partnership between Alen Corp and Stord exemplifies how the right 3PL relationship can transform logistics from a challenge into a competitive advantage. By implementing a multi-node distribution strategy supported by advanced technology integration, Alen Corp not only maintained their impressive 300% growth but positioned themselves for continued expansion into global markets.

For eCommerce brands facing similar challenges of rapid growth, customer satisfaction pressures, and fulfillment efficiency needs, this case study provides a compelling roadmap for success. The key takeaway is clear: with the right 3PL partner, companies can focus on their core product offerings while leveraging logistics expertise to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Whether your business operates in the Home & Garden niche like Alen Corp or another specialty market, finding a 3PL provider with the right combination of geographical coverage, technological capabilities, and industry expertise is essential for sustainable growth in today's competitive eCommerce landscape.