New York fulfillment company Ship Essential broke into the Los Angeles market in recent weeks, with a major local client and a downtown warehouse for the operation.

The company, formed in 2020, specializes in “hyperlocal” order fulfillment and works with a variety of brands to provide competitive inventory management and order preparation. Ship Essential targets smaller brands and retailers that cannot always afford or locate inventory space in their cities.

“Our solution is fulfillment within the city. We can be that extension of their brands,” said founder and Chief Executive David Sitt. “It becomes something that, for a small brand, they don’t get otherwise.”

Ship Essential opened a 36,403-square-foot Arts District fulfillment center on May 31, located at 2535 E. 12th St. downtown. Among other local brands, Arts District clothing retailer Madhappy – known for its collaborations with entertainment brands and figures – has signed on as an anchor client for L.A.

“Our goal is always going to be to focus on getting orders out the door,” Sitt said. “We find that we’re focused on high profile brands and not trying to sit on inventory for a long time.”

Sitt said L.A. was a natural expansion for the Brooklyn company, given the kinetic retail market here. The company hired a general manager for the new warehouse, who manages a team of about 10.

“Los Angeles was always that next step for us. It was really the obvious decision,” he added. “The brands are there. Being in downtown L.A., near the manufacturers and printers, we can really be close to brands in a big way.”