Internet postage firm Stamps.com Inc. said it is selling its iShip multi-carrier shipping
service assets to United Parcel Service Inc.
Santa Monica, Calif.-based Stamps.com said the move is
part of a strategy announced last month to focus the company’s attention on
its core mailing and shipping services for small businesses and home offices.
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
iShip is a Web-based shipping solution that allows companies to centrally
manage shipping activities across multiple carriers using only a Web browser.
“In order to solidify and strengthen our leadership position it is critical
that the company be focused on marketing, developing, and supporting our
Internet postage service offerings,” said Stamps.com Chief Executive Officer
Bruce Coleman.
Stamps.com said it has more than 300,000 customers for its Internet- based
postage service, and has “launched an aggressive campaign to build on that
base.” The company went head to head with rival E-Stamp Corp. and won when
E-Stamp decided last November to exit the Internet postage business.
E-Stamp
was moving to jettison its transportation management solutions business and
cash in on the potential of the corporate e-learning market through a merger with learning services provider Learn2.com.
E-Stamp also is selling a portfolio of 31 predominantly Internet
postage-related patents and trademarks and other intellectual property rights
as well as the E-Stamp name and E-Stamp.com domain to Stamps.com.
Still, Stamps.com faces competition from mailing giant Pitney Bowes Inc.,
which also has online solutions, including one for small businesses.
Formed in 1994, E-Stamp was the first company to receive USPS approval to
offer postage over the Internet, but was never able to make much money doing
it.
