Descartes Acquires Two U.K.-Based Customs-Service Firms

Descartes Systems Group said it has acquired two United Kingdom-based providers of customs-management services to shippers and logistics firms.

The transportation software company purchased E-customs, which offers electronic security and customs filing services, for 5.8 million pounds (about $9 million), plus a performance-based earn-out of up to 800,000 pounds, or $1.2 million.

Descartes also acquired Pentant Limited, which provides customs connectivity and import and export inventory controls for ocean, truck and air cargo, for 1.8 million pounds (about $2.8 million) in cash, plus 300,000 pounds (about $400,000) in performance-based consideration.

The two acquisitions, both announced Dec. 8, strengthen Descartes’ position in the U.K. market and expands its customs and regulatory compliance capabilities, the company said.

The latest purchases follow Descartes’ $29.7 million purchase of Airclic last month.

Descartes, headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, provides software-as-a-service designed to improve the efficiency of its customers’ supply chains.