Mickey and MaterialsXchange merge
Mickey, a technology startup that brings the trading of physical commodities online, announced it is joining forces with MaterialsXChange.
Based in Chicago, MaterialsXChange is a B2B e-commerce and digital marketplace that matches lumber buyers and sellers across the United States and Canada through its online platform.
The proposed transaction will expand Mickey’s footprint into commodity lumber verticals which include OSB and other softwood products.
Alex Rabens, Mickey’s co-founder and CEO, announced a pair of leadership moves.
Mike Wisnefski, co-founder and CEO of MaterialsXchange will become president of Mickey Group. In addition to co-founding MaterialsXchange, Wisnefski also founded STX Trading, a proprietary firm that specializes in lumber futures and options. Wisnefski partnered with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) group to launch the lumber futures contract on their digital Globex platform and held an executive position for Bloch Lumber.
Ashley Boeckholt, co-founder and chief revenue officer of MaterialsXchange will continue in the role of chief revenue officer at Mickey. In the role as MX’s Chief Revenue Officer, Boeckholt oversaw sales, marketing, and business development. Prior to joining MaterialsXchange, he served as a director at Koch Pulp & Paper Trading, where he helped grow the firm’s risk management business through selling lumber swaps in the OTC market. Previously Boeckholt served in leadership roles at Sherwood Lumber and Bloch Lumber.
“Today is a momentous day for Mickey,” Rabens said. “MaterialsXchange has spent the last few years developing an amazing front-end platform that has served the lumber industry well. Combining their experienced team and platform with our back-end technology, we have created a true, end-to-end solution for the lumber market – as well as other commodities in the long-term.”
Rabens noted that the two companies are complementary and together we will improve the supply chain for North American manufacturers, as well as help building product dealers and construction companies source the materials they need.
“Mickey and MaterialsXchange have closely aligned cultures with shared business values,” said Wisnefski. “By joining forces with Mickey, we will continue to advance the goals of both companies – to make the buying and selling of lumber easy and accessible to everyone, everywhere – with seamless and secure transactions at the click of a button.”
MaterialsXchange first went live in 2019.