Zoro, the online industrial supplies retailer owned by W.W. Grainger Inc., is expanding its partnership with Atlanta-based Tigris Fulfillment Partners to support rapid ecommerce growth through enhanced fulfillment and technology integration.
The two companies have worked together since 2019, when Tigris was first onboarded as a supplier to Zoro’s marketplace. Since then, the number of brands Tigris supplies through Zoro has grown from six to more than 35, covering over 80% of key product categories, including plumbing, kitchen, bath, and HVAC. Zoro said its purchases from Tigris have grown at a 30% compound annual rate.
Rich Holland, founder and president of Tigris, said early investments in electronic data interchange (EDI) systems were crucial for meeting Zoro’s ecommerce standards. “We view ourselves not just as a distributor but as a technology partner capable of adapting quickly to ecommerce needs,” Holland said in a Zoro blog post published April 23.
Tigris operates a network of over 30 fulfillment centers across the U.S., enabling same-day shipping on high-demand products. It also supports manufacturer-direct drop shipping, giving Zoro access to additional inventory it doesn’t stock directly. Tigris and Zoro have also collaborated to bring restricted high-value items, such as tankless water heaters, into the Zoro platform by securing necessary manufacturer authorizations.
Craig Anderson, senior category manager at Zoro, said the partnership is grounded in transparency and adaptability. “We both have an unrelenting drive to succeed and overcome challenges,” he said, noting that operational integration and product data enhancements have been essential to maintaining a strong customer experience.
Zoro, which offers more than 11 million products for business and facilities maintenance buyers, continues to focus on expanding its assortment and fulfillment capabilities through third-party partnerships like Tigris. Vice President of Category Management Tracy Buelow said the collaboration reflects Zoro’s long-term strategy to deliver faster, more reliable service while scaling its ecommerce platform.
“In the rapidly changing world of ecommerce, it’s important to remain nimble and creative,” Buelow said. “It’s invaluable to have partners who see the vision and are willing to invest in creating the best experience for customers.”
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