Quiet Logistics
| Company type | Private (subsidiary) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Third-party logistics |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Bruce Welty, Michael Johnson |
| Headquarters | Devens , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Order fulfillment, returns management services |
| Parent | American Eagle Outfitters |
Quiet Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider based in Devens, Massachusetts. The company focuses on order fulfillment and returns management services tailored for e-commerce merchants. In November 2021, American Eagle Outfitters completed the acquisition of Quiet Logistics for $350 million in cash.
Early years
Founded in 2009 by supply chain veterans Bruce Welty and Michael Johnson, Quiet Logistics emerged from the founders' prior ventures, including Allpoints Systems—a warehouse management system (WMS) company established in 1987—and Scenic Technologies Corp., founded in 2003.
Quiet Logistics was a pioneer among 3PLs in adopting Kiva Systems' warehouse robotics technology, which automates the movement of products inside warehouses, thereby cutting labor expenses and enhancing order precision. This groundbreaking robotics implementation was showcased in a 2013 episode of 60 Minutes titled March of the Machines and later became the subject of a 2015 Harvard Business Review case study, underscoring Quiet’s edge through automation-led fulfillment.
Creation of Locus Robotics
Following Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Systems for $775 million in 2012, Quiet Logistics lost access to Kiva’s robotic solutions in 2014, as Amazon limited their use exclusively to its own operations and declined to renew Quiet’s contract. Facing a lack of alternatives, Quiet developed its proprietary robot compatible with its warehouse management system to collaborate directly with warehouse staff. This innovation led to the formation of Locus Robotics in 2015—a robotics spin-off headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Quiet Logistics continues to utilize LocusBots within its warehouses, capitalizing on this technology as a distinct automation advantage.
Fulfillment centers and geographic expansion
Quiet Logistics manages two fulfillment facilities located in Devens, Massachusetts, along with one center situated in Hazelwood, Missouri. Its most recent site, a 355,000-square-foot facility launched in Devens in 2018, bolsters the company’s expanding e-commerce fulfillment capabilities and growing presence within the logistics sector.
Customers
The company primarily caters to e-commerce brands specializing in fashion, accessories, and home goods. Among its notable former clients are Gilt and Zara, while its current portfolio includes brands such as Away, Bonobos, and Love Your Melon.
Acquisition by American Eagle Outfitters
On November 2, 2021, American Eagle Outfitters announced its intent to acquire Quiet Logistics for $350 million, highlighting that the business would retain operational autonomy post-acquisition. The transaction was completed on December 29, 2021.