Homestead Brands uses Red Stag Fulfillment as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.
About Homestead Brands
Homestead Brands is an innovative e-commerce company specializing in multi-functional furniture, with their flagship product being the Lori Wall Bed - an affordable, easy-to-assemble Murphy bed alternative. What started as a single product offering has expanded into an umbrella group for multiple furniture solutions designed to maximize space and functionality. Their impressive growth trajectory landed them the #98 spot on Inc. Magazine's list of 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in 2021, demonstrating their strong market position in the space-saving furniture niche.
Why Homestead Brands Needed to Optimize Fulfillment
Before partnering with Red Stag Fulfillment, Homestead Brands faced significant challenges with their previous 3PL provider that threatened their business growth and customer satisfaction:
- Product mishandling: Their large, heavy furniture products were frequently mishandled, resulting in damage and returns
- Inventory management issues: Products were often mislabeled with incorrect SKUs and barcodes, leading to shipping errors
- Lost inventory: Valuable products would go missing in the warehouse, creating financial losses
- Seasonal bottlenecks: During peak season, inventory would sit stranded on docks, causing fulfillment delays and missed sales opportunities
These challenges were particularly problematic given the nature of Homestead Brands' products - bulky, heavy furniture items that require specialized order fulfillment expertise.
Partnership with Red Stag Fulfillment: The Results
The partnership between Homestead Brands and Red Stag Fulfillment has produced remarkable results over their three-plus years together:
- 10X growth: Homestead Brands has grown more than tenfold since beginning their partnership with Red Stag
- 99.6% order accuracy: Virtually eliminating costly shipping errors and returns
- 99.93% on-time fulfillment: Ensuring customer satisfaction with reliable delivery timeframes
- 34,109 packages shipped: Demonstrating the scale and efficiency of their fulfillment operations
- Business expansion: Growth from a single product to an umbrella brand for multiple furniture offerings
This exceptional performance has supported Homestead Brands' rapid ascent in the e-commerce furniture space, allowing them to focus on product development and marketing while Red Stag handles the complexities of inventory management and order fulfillment.
The Red Stag Fulfillment Solution
Homestead Brands discovered Red Stag through a simple search for "3PL big heavy packages," which led them to a specialized fulfillment partner equipped to handle their unique needs. Red Stag's solution includes:
- Specialized big and bulky expertise: Red Stag's warehouses in Knoxville, TN and Salt Lake City, UT are specifically designed for handling large, heavy items like furniture
- Bicoastal fulfillment network: Strategic locations on both the East and West coasts optimize shipping times and costs
- Guaranteed service levels: Including dock-to-stock in 2 business days, zero shrinkage, and accurate pick & pack services
- Transparent pricing: Eliminating surprise fees that are common with other 3PLs
- Specialized furniture handling: Staff trained in proper techniques for flat-pack furniture and bulky items
- Omnichannel fulfillment capabilities: Supporting sales across multiple platforms and channels
The partnership provides Homestead Brands with a complete solution encompassing warehouse storage, inventory management, order processing, and shipping, allowing them to focus on growing their business rather than logistics challenges.
Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands
The successful partnership between Homestead Brands and Red Stag Fulfillment offers several valuable lessons for other e-commerce businesses:
- Specialist expertise matters: For products with unique handling requirements (like furniture), choosing a 3PL with specific expertise in that category is critical to success
- The right fulfillment partner enables growth: A capable 3PL doesn't just ship products—it becomes a growth enabler by removing logistics barriers and improving customer satisfaction
- Look beyond price: While cost matters, Homestead Brands prioritized customer service, transparency, and specialized capabilities in their 3PL selection
- Strategic warehouse locations optimize delivery: Utilizing fulfillment centers in different regions allows for faster shipping times and reduced costs
These lessons underscore the importance of viewing 3PL selection as a strategic business decision rather than simply a cost-saving measure.
Is Red Stag Fulfillment Right for Your Business?
Based on Homestead Brands' experience, Red Stag Fulfillment may be an ideal partner for businesses that:
- Sell large, heavy, or bulky products like furniture, appliances, or equipment
- Require specialized handling for fragile or high-value items
- Need bicoastal fulfillment to optimize shipping times across the United States
- Value transparency in pricing and operations
- Are experiencing growth that's challenging their current fulfillment capabilities
- Want guaranteed service levels backed by a fulfillment partner's promise
However, every business has unique needs. To determine if Red Stag or another 3PL is right for your specific requirements, consider using a 3PL matchmaking service that can help identify the best fulfillment partners based on your product type, volume, locations, and other critical factors.
Final Thoughts
Homestead Brands' remarkable growth story illustrates how the right fulfillment center partnership can transform an e-commerce business. By entrusting their logistics to Red Stag Fulfillment, a 3PL that specializes in exactly the type of products they sell, Homestead Brands was able to overcome significant fulfillment challenges and focus on scaling their business.
The 10X growth they've achieved is a testament to both their product-market fit and their operational excellence, supported by a fulfillment partner that delivers consistently high performance. For other e-commerce brands facing similar challenges with bulky products or seeking to scale efficiently, this case study provides a compelling blueprint for success.
Whether you're selling furniture like Homestead Brands or other types of products that require specialized handling, finding the right fulfillment partner is a critical step in your growth journey. Take the time to evaluate potential 3PLs based on their specific expertise, track record, locations, and service guarantees to ensure you're making a choice that will support your business growth for years to come.