| Quiet Logistics | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Industry: | Third-party logistics |
| Founders: | Bruce Welty Michael Johnson |
| Foundation: | , in Andover, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Location City: | Devens, Massachusetts |
| Location Country: | U.S. |
| Area Served: | Worldwide |
| Key People: | Brian Lemerise (president) Bruce Welty (CEO) |
| Services: | E-commerce order fulfillment, Returns management |
| Num Employees: | 1250 |
| Parent: | American Eagle Outfitters |
Quiet Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) company headquartered in Devens, Massachusetts. Quiet specializes in providing order fulfillment and returns management services to e-commerce retailers.[1] In November 2021, American Eagle Outfitters announced that it would acquire Quiet Logistics for $350 million in cash.[2]
Quiet Logistics was co-founded in 2009 by Bruce Welty and Michael Johnson.[3] Both have backgrounds in supply chain management, having co-founded, in 1987, warehouse management system (WMS) vendor Allpoints Systems, in Norwood, Massachusetts, and, in 2003, Scenic Technologies Corp. Quiet was the first third-party logistics company to use Kiva Systems' warehouse robotics system.[4] Kiva's system-directed robots transport in-bound and out-bound products throughout a warehouse, reducing labor costs and increasing inventory and order-fulfillment accuracy.[5] [6] In 2013, Quiet's use of this system was examined by Steve Kroft in a CBS 60 Minutes segment titled, March of the Machines.[7] And in 2015, Quiet's operating model, including its early adoption of Kiva's robots, was the subject of a Harvard Business Review case study.
In 2014, Quiet Logistics lost access to Kiva's robotics system when Amazon, who had acquired Kiva Systems in 2012 for $775MM, informed Quiet that use of the system was being limited to Amazon's own operations and, therefore, its contract with Quiet would not be renewed.[8] [9] Unable to find a replacement robotics system that met its requirements, Quiet designed, built, and integrated with its warehouse management system its own robot that is both system-directed and able to interact with fulfillment center employees dispersed throughout the storage areas. In 2015, Quiet spun off its robotics division as a separate company, located in Wilmington, Massachusetts.[10] [11] Quiet continues to use the Locus robots, now marketed as LocusBots, in its facilities.
Quiet Logistics operates two "fulfillment centers" in Devens, Massachusetts, and one in Hazelwood, Missouri.[12] [13] Quiet's newest facility, measuring 355,000 square feet, opened in 2018 in Devens.[14]
Quiet Logistics focuses primarily on e-commerce retailers of fashion, fashion accessories, and home goods. Previous customers include Gilt and Zara. Current customers include Away, Bonobos and Love Your Melon.
American Eagle Outfitters announced a $350 million acquisition of Quiet Logistics on November 2, 2021. The company's Chief operating officer stated the company would remain independent.[15] The acquisition was completed on December 29, 2021.[16]