Technology-focused private equity firm Thoma Bravo on Tuesday unveiled plans to acquire third-party logistics provider WWEX Group from a consortium of investors that includes CVC Capital Partners, and also announced a plan to merge WWEX Group with its existing portfolio company Auctane once the acquisition closes.

While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed in Tuesday's announcement, a representative for Thoma Bravo confirmed that the deal is worth $5 billion.

Thoma Bravo is acquiring Dallas-based WWEX Group from a group including CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII, Providence Equity Partners, Ridgemont Equity Partners, and PSG, according to the statement.

"This combination brings together two complementary leaders at a pivotal moment for the logistics industry," said Thoma Bravo partner Brian Jaffee. "Auctane's category-defining shipping software and WWEX Group's scaled parcel and freight service offerings create an integrated solution with the data, distribution and volume necessary to help customers drive smarter decision-making and superior execution across the logistics life cycle."

As part of the deal, CVC funds and other WWEX Group shareholders will roll over part of their equity in the company and keep a "significant" minority position in the merged business, the statement added.

"We are thrilled to continue our journey with WWEX Group as part of this new, expanded platform," said CVC managing partner Aaron Dupuis. "By uniting WWEX Group's commercial engine with Auctane's global software footprint, we are creating a logistics technology leader with the scale to innovate faster and serve customers more effectively than ever before."

WWEX Group provides parcel and freight services, with brands including Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, Unishippers, JEAR Logistics, and BLX Logistics. Auctane is a global technology company that offers shipping and fulfillment solutions through products such as ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, and Packlink.

"Today's announcement is a significant milestone for us," said WWEX Group CEO Tom Madine. "By combining WWEX Group's brands and our position as a leading provider of parcel and freight services with Auctane's global ecosystem of e-commerce shipping software, we are creating a platform of tremendous potential."

The parties said that the merged company will be "one of the largest and most diversified" logistics and shipping technology platforms, bringing together leaders in shipping software and physical freight brokerage to create an artificial intelligence-enabled end-to-end logistics solution.

"Our mission has always been to enable our customers' growth," said Auctane CEO Al Ko. "By uniting Auctane's intelligent shipping platform with WWEX Group's parcel and freight service offerings and scale, we are creating the most powerful end-to-end logistics ecosystem in the market, one that will redefine what's possible for modern shippers."

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is advising Thoma Bravo and Auctane.

Latham & Watkins LLP is advising CVC and WWEX Group, with a corporate deal team led by partners Paul Kukish, Michael Vardanian, and Matthew Villar.