The Power of a Technology-Driven Partnership: Tigris Fulfillment Partners & Zoro

In the fast-paced world of ecommerce and distribution, strategic partnerships are essential for sustainable growth. The collaboration between Tigris Fulfillment Partners and Zoro exemplifies the power of a well-aligned business relationship. By leveraging each other's strengths, both companies have achieved remarkable growth, demonstrating the value of shared vision, dedication, and continuous investment.

Tigris Fulfillment Partners is an Atlanta-based master distributor specializing in kitchen, bath, plumbing, and HVAC products. With a network of 30+ fulfillment locations across the U.S., Tigris ensures fast and reliable delivery to retail, wholesale, and ecommerce partners. According to Founder and President Rich Holland, Tigris differentiates itself through its same-day shipping capabilities, flexibility, and adaptability, which have positioned the company as a leader in the industry. By prioritizing efficiency and responsiveness, Tigris continues to set itself apart in a competitive marketplace.

The foundation of the partnership between Tigris and Zoro was built on a clear understanding of mutual goals. Rich Holland recognized Zoro’s ambitious growth trajectory, so the decision to partner was both strategic and natural. Tigris recognized Zoro as an innovative platform for expanding market reach, while Zoro saw Tigris’s technology-driven distribution expertise as a key driver of operational excellence. With advanced solutions powering logistics, manufacturer relationships, supply chain management, and returns, Tigris enables Zoro to enhance its ability to drive traffic, deliver exceptional customer service, and maintain seamless operations for an optimized customer experience.

Tigris views itself as a technology partner rather than just a distributor, making its joint efforts with Zoro—a technology-driven company—a perfect example of synergy and collaboration.

Tigris was fully onboarded as a supplier in October 2019. In an ecommerce environment, seamless electronic transactions and efficient data sharing are critical. To enhance connectivity with Zoro’s system and better serve customer needs, Tigris quickly upgraded its electronic data interchange (EDI) system and invested in additional technologies. These early investments underscored Tigris’s commitment to innovation, responsiveness, and long-term partnership success.

"Tigris has made investments and scaled to keep up with Zoro’s customer demand," said Rich Holland.

Tigris initially launched on Zoro’s platform with six brands and later expanded to over 35, covering more than 80% of key categories. From the outset, the partnership prioritized adding products based on customer demand, particularly in plumbing, kitchen, and bath categories. One of the most significant mutual successes was the addition of tankless water heaters from an industry-leading manufacturer—a product that required special authorization for online sales.

"Tigris played a key role in helping Zoro secure authorization to sell these particular tankless water heaters online," remarked Craig Anderson, Senior Category Manager at Zoro. "This led to outstanding results for all parties." 

Zoro’s commitment to aggressive expansion aligned seamlessly with Tigris’s investment in technology to drive innovation for high-velocity fulfillment and nationwide distribution. Tigris’s extensive network of 30+ fulfillment centers across the U.S. ensures same-day shipping, enabling Zoro to meet rising customer expectations for speed and reliability. In turn, Tigris benefits from Zoro’s ecommerce expertise and core values focusing on customer-centric solutions, optimizing operational efficiencies, and maximizing product visibility in the marketplace.

Tigris has also emphasized the importance of flexible technology that allows for continued scalability alongside Zoro.

"We revamped our lead time and stock status process to ensure that Zoro customers have the most updated and accurate information," noted Ansley Hiles, VP of Business Development at Tigris Fulfillment Partners, highlighting the close collaboration between Zoro’s technology and category management teams.

The partnership has been marked by significant growth, driven by:

	Operational Excellence—Tigris’s ability to streamline fulfillment processes through continued technological advancements has allowed Zoro to expand its offerings without logistical bottlenecks. Tigris's partnership and technology have also allowed Zoro to carry items that Tigris does not physically stock through a drop-shipping program with manufacturers, totaling an additional 20% of the assortment.
	Data-Driven Decisions—Leveraging analytics and market insights, both companies continuously refine strategies to enhance performance.
	A Customer-Centric Approach—A shared commitment to delivering value ensures that end customers receive top-tier service, faster delivery, and a seamless purchasing experience.

Today, Tigris stands as one of the largest suppliers of plumbing products on Zoro, leveraging both direct stock and a robust supplier network. Over the years, the partnership has driven impressive growth, with Zoro’s purchases from Tigris increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 30%. 

The strength of their partnership lies in transparent communication, adaptability, and a shared commitment to success. Both companies have remained flexible, enhancing product data, expanding inventory, and addressing challenges head-on.

"We both have an unrelenting drive to succeed and overcome challenges, but that doesn’t mean we are immune to real obstacles within the business," said Craig Anderson. "We work through these challenges quickly and have our eyes set on technological improvements that will further reduce these gaps."

"In the rapidly changing world of ecommerce, it’s important to remain nimble and creative. Zoro strives to build collaborative partnerships, and it’s invaluable to have partners who see the vision and are willing to invest in creating the best experience for customers. That drives growth for both of us," said Tracy Buelow, VP of Category Management at Zoro.

As the ecommerce landscape evolves, Tigris and Zoro remain committed to continuous learning and adaptation. Their partnership emphasizes the importance of investing in long-term value creation, reinforcing a model of success that benefits not only both companies but, more importantly, the customers they serve.

By combining operational expertise with innovation, this collaboration exemplifies how strategic alignment and shared vision can lead to sustained success in an increasingly competitive industry.