Thursday, July 22, 2010, 8:23am CDT
Austin’s online movers marketplace UShip Inc. is moving downtown later this year, picking up new employees and taking the company further around the globe.
The company, which hosts Web-based auctions for shippers, has signed a lease for an entire downtown historic building at 205 Brazos Street currently occupied by the McGarrah Jessee ad agency. Officials said they considered about 20 properties before choosing the 18,628-square foot space. They currently occupy about 4,500 square feet. McGarrah is moving to the Starr Buildings at West Sixth and Colorado streets.
The move comes less than a month after UShip, founded in 2003, acquired Scotland-based Boxby Ltd. The purchase established the company’s first overseas headquarters and is leading the way to further employee growth. Officials said in a press release this morning they plan to double their 65-person staff within the next few years.
Founder and CEO Matt Chasen is actively seeking talent in software development, human resources, marketing, product strategy and finance. International expansion plans also call for a presence in the Netherlands, France and Spain. UShip is already active in Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Germany and Australia.
Primus Real Estate Services Principal Nate Nickerson represented the landlord in the transaction and Matt Levin, principal at Equitable Commercial Realty, represented uShip.
About 170,000 shippers have registered on uShip, conducting more than $150 million in business since its founding. The company reached profitability in 2008 and revenue more than tripled between 2006 and 2009.
Read the article in the Austin Business Journal.
