For over 50 years, Pacauto has been the go-to distributor for automotive parts: supplies for cars, trucks, and tractors. But as customer expectations shifted towards digital self-service, their outdated webshop became a bottleneck. Younger buyers expected real-time stock information, automated ordering, and 24/7 access. Pacauto needed a b2b webshop development partner who understood both the technical requirements and the commercial reality of automotive distribution. Together, we built a Shopware e-commerce platform that transformed their digital presence and positioned them as a true one-stop-shop.
Shopware e-commerce platform built for b2b complexity
Custom integrations connecting webshop with ERP systems
Real-time stock and restocking time visibility for customers
Automated order processing reducing manual handling
One-stop-shop positioning for the automotive parts market
The challenge
How do you modernise a 50-year-old distribution company webshop that's holding back growth and frustrating a new generation of b2b customers?
The solution
A custom-built Shopware e-commerce platform with ERP integration, real-time stock visibility, and automated order processing, designed to position Pacauto as a digital one-stop-shop for automotive parts.
Pacauto x iO: from digital novice to one-stop-shop leader
Pacauto is a Belgian distribution company specialising in automotive parts. For more than 50 years, they've supplied garages, fleet managers, and retailers with everything from car components to truck and tractor supplies.
When Pacauto came to us, they openly admitted they were "digital illiterates." What they did know was that their existing webshop was limiting their ambitions. We partnered with them to bridge that knowledge gap: translating their commercial vision into a technical reality. Our collaboration is built on trust and transparency, guiding them through every decision from platform selection to integration strategy.
Why b2b customers demand more than a catalogue
In b2b distribution, relationships have always been everything. But today, a good relationship isn't enough. Customers expect digital convenience on top of personal service. They want to check stock at midnight. They want to place orders without picking up the phone. They want instant clarity on delivery times.
For Pacauto, the challenge was clear: their existing webshop couldn't deliver these basics. Customers were frustrated, internal teams were drowning in manual order processing, and competitors were catching up. The question wasn't whether to invest in b2b webshop development, but how to do it right.
Why Shopware e-commerce fits b2b distribution
Not every e-commerce platform is built for b2b complexity. Consumer-focused systems often struggle with customer-specific pricing, complex product catalogues, and ERP integrations. Shopware e-commerce is different: it's designed to handle the intricacies of b2b while remaining flexible and user-friendly.
As a Shopware Gold Partner, we brought deep platform expertise to the project. We helped Pacauto select Shopware not because it's our default choice, but because it matched their specific requirements: scalability, integration capabilities, and a roadmap aligned with b2b needs.
Custom development: connecting the webshop to business reality
A webshop is only as good as the systems behind it. For Pacauto, that meant connecting their new Shopware e-commerce platform to their existing ERP system. Without this integration, the webshop would have been a pretty front-end with no real-time data.
Our custom development work focused on three priorities:
Real-time stock visibility: Customers see exactly what's available and when out-of-stock items will returnAutomated order processing: Orders flow directly into the ERP, eliminating manual data entryStreamlined returns handling: Error messages and returns are processed faster, reducing friction for customers and internal teams
How an automotive parts webshop becomes a one-stop-shop
In b2b, the one-stop-shop concept is powerful. Customers don't want to juggle multiple suppliers. They want one trusted partner who can deliver everything they need, when they need it.
Pacauto's new distribution company webshop supports this positioning. With a comprehensive product catalogue, transparent pricing, and self-service functionality, customers can handle 80% of their needs without contacting a sales rep. For the remaining 20%, Pacauto's team is still there, but now freed from administrative tasks to focus on relationship-building and complex orders.
b2b digital transformation: more than a new webshop
This project was never just about replacing an old webshop. It was about b2b digital transformation: changing how Pacauto operates, competes, and serves customers. The new platform shifts their value proposition from "reliable distributor" to "digital-first partner."
For Pacauto's internal teams, the impact is immediate: less time on manual order entry, fewer errors, faster turnaround. For their customers, it means a modern buying experience that matches what they expect from b2c platforms, but built for b2b realities.
The numbers
1+
Years of automotive distribution expertise, now digitally enabled
1/7
Customer access to stock, pricing, and ordering
1
Integrated platform connecting webshop and ERP
A digital foundation for the next 50 years
Pacauto's new Shopware e-commerce platform isn't just solving today's problems. It's building a foundation for long-term growth. By automating routine orders, they've freed their sales team to focus on what matters: building relationships and winning new business.
For customers, the transformation is tangible. They can check stock at any hour, place orders without waiting for a callback, and trust that their order is processed instantly. For Pacauto, it means fewer errors, faster fulfilment, and a competitive position in a market where digital capability is increasingly non-negotiable.
The platform also opens doors for future expansion: additional product categories, new customer segments, and deeper integrations as their digital maturity grows. What started as b2b webshop development has become a strategic asset.
