Who Does 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 better sunglasses for skiing, Pit Viper has grown from humble beginnings to become a multi-million dollar sunglasses company. What started with two founders, Chuck Mumford and Chris Garcin, selling custom-painted military surplus sunglasses has expanded to a team of 80 employees offering retro-inspired, wraparound sunglasses that provide protection from the elements.

After successfully launching via Kickstarter in 2014, where they raised over $30,000, Pit Viper has experienced remarkable growth in both direct-to-consumer and B2B channels. Their distinctive sunglasses are designed for active lifestyles, popular among skiers, skateboarders, surfers, and everyday wear enthusiasts. The brand's unique aesthetic and functional appeal have helped them carve out a significant position in the sports eyewear market.

Why Pit Viper Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

As Pit Viper expanded, they faced several critical challenges with their fulfillment operations:

• They had outgrown their initial fulfillment processes, which couldn't scale with their rapid business growth
• The company was using basic label generator software with no warehouse management capabilities
• Their team struggled to keep up with shipping deadlines as order volume increased
• Customer service was falling behind due to fulfillment inefficiencies
• International customers faced high costs and extremely long transit times, sometimes waiting up to a month for deliveries

These challenges threatened to limit Pit Viper's growth potential and damage customer satisfaction, especially as they sought to expand their global reach. With their in-house fulfillment operation based in a 16,000 square foot warehouse in Salt Lake City, they needed a solution that would dramatically improve efficiency while supporting international expansion.

Partnership with ShipBob and Results

Pit Viper implemented a hybrid fulfillment model with ShipBob that transformed their operations and delivered impressive results:

• Increased order accuracy from 92% to 99.7% by implementing ShipBob's Warehouse Management System (WMS)
• Eliminated over 2,100 mispicks per year, dramatically improving customer satisfaction
• Successfully processed over 500,000 orders in 2022 alone
• Expanded warehouse capacity from 10,000 sq. ft. to 16,000 sq. ft. while maintaining efficiency
• Reduced international delivery times from 2-4 weeks to just days

By outsourcing international fulfillment to ShipBob's global fulfillment centers in Canada and Australia, Pit Viper significantly improved their ability to serve international customers. This strategic move not only reduced shipping times but also lowered costs for international buyers, enhancing the overall customer experience globally.

The ShipBob Solution

ShipBob implemented a comprehensive solution tailored to Pit Viper's unique needs:

1. Warehouse Management System implementation - ShipBob's team handled the complex process of syncing data and SKUs, warehouse mapping, and setting up integrations with Shopify and NetSuite
2. Hands-on training and onboarding - ShipBob representatives visited Pit Viper's facility for a week to provide personalized training for their team of 20 fulfillment center employees
3. Multiple checking systems - Implemented advanced checking protocols that dramatically reduced picking errors
4. Efficient warehouse routing - Optimized the picking process for greater efficiency
5. Data access for better forecasting - Provided analytics tools for improved labor forecasting and warehouse management
6. Global fulfillment network - Leveraged ShipBob's international fulfillment centers in California, Ontario, and Melbourne for faster global shipping

This solution allowed Pit Viper to maintain control of their domestic fulfillment while leveraging ShipBob's expertise and infrastructure for international operations. The partnership established direct relationships with ShipBob's Merchant Success team, ensuring ongoing support and optimization.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands

Pit Viper's successful partnership with ShipBob offers valuable insights for other growing eCommerce brands:

• Hybrid fulfillment models can offer the best of both worlds - By keeping some fulfillment in-house while outsourcing specific aspects to a 3PL, brands can maintain control while gaining expertise
• Warehouse management systems are critical for scaling - As Pit Viper discovered, basic shipping software isn't sufficient for managing complex fulfillment operations at scale
• International expansion requires specialized expertise - Leveraging a 3PL's global network can dramatically improve international customer experiences without massive capital investment
• Data-driven fulfillment improves efficiency - Access to robust analytics enables better decision-making and resource allocation

The most significant takeaway is that a strategic 3PL partnership can transform fulfillment from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage, allowing brands to focus on product development and marketing while ensuring exceptional customer experiences.

Is ShipBob Right for Your Business?

While ShipBob proved to be an excellent partner for Pit Viper, every business has unique needs. When considering whether ShipBob or another 3PL provider is right for your business, evaluate these factors:

• Business model compatibility - Consider whether you need a hybrid approach like Pit Viper or full outsourcing
• Growth trajectory - Ensure the 3PL can scale with your projected growth
• International aspirations - If global expansion is important, verify the 3PL has facilities in your target markets
• Technology requirements - Ensure the 3PL's systems integrate with your existing tech stack
• Support needs - Assess the level of hands-on support provided during onboarding and ongoing operations
• Specialty requirements - If you sell products requiring specific handling (like hazmat or apparel), ensure the 3PL has relevant expertise

The right 3PL partnership should feel like an extension of your team, providing the infrastructure, expertise, and support needed to deliver exceptional customer experiences while enabling your internal team to focus on growth initiatives.

Final Thoughts

Pit Viper's partnership with ShipBob demonstrates how the right 3PL relationship can transform fulfillment operations and support significant business growth. By implementing a hybrid model that combines in-house fulfillment with ShipBob's WMS and international fulfillment network, Pit Viper has overcome previous limitations and positioned themselves for continued global expansion.

For growing eCommerce brands facing similar challenges, finding the right fulfillment partner is a critical strategic decision. Whether you're struggling with international shipping, warehouse inefficiencies, or scaling challenges, the right 3PL can provide the infrastructure and expertise needed to overcome these obstacles.

If you're evaluating 3PL options for your business, consider using Fulfill.com's 3PL matchmaking service to identify partners that align with your specific needs and growth objectives. With the right fulfillment strategy in place, you can turn logistics from a challenge into a competitive advantage, just as Pit Viper has done with ShipBob.

For more information on 3PL solutions and to explore fulfillment center options in your region, visit our comprehensive logistics glossary or explore 3PL options in key locations like Utah.