Mickey, a technology startup that brings the trading of physical commodities online, announced it has joined forces with MaterialsXchange (MX), 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 includes OSB and other softwood products.
Alex Rabens, Mickey’s co-founder and CEO announces leadership changes effective immediately. Mike Wisnefski, co-founder and CEO, MaterialsXchange, will become president of Mickey Group. For more than 20 years, Wisnefski has brought innovation to the commodity lumber markets. 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, 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,” said Rabens. “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 continues, “Our 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 in a completely transparent and seamless transaction.”
“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. Together, we will continue to improve our world-class platform that is becoming the industry’s go-to channel for building products and market information with an eye on other commodities in the near future.”
