WiseTech’s acquisition spree stays in high gear

The global logistics software provider, which has made more than a dozen acquisitions since January 2017, unveiled an additional three on Monday, expanding its presence in Latin America and Europe.    WiseTech Global has not let up on its aggressive buying spree, announcing Monday the acquisitions of three logistics solutions providers.
   The acquisitions are PB & Associates (Forward), Softcargo and EasyLog.
   The aggregate consideration for these acquisitions comprise AUD $10.1 million (U.S. $7.7 million) up front as well as further multiyear earn-outs of up to AUD $14.9 million related to activities for integration, native CargoWise One product development, customer conversion and revenue growth.
   All three acquisitions are expected to be consolidated into WiseTech Global accounts in May.
   Forward and Softcargo collectively provide freight-forwarding solutions to 16 countries across Latin America, while EasyLog is key to customs in France, WiseTech CEO Richard White said.
   Headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Forward’s freight-forwarding management and accounting compliance logistics solutions are offered throughout Latin America to customers including Damco, Delfin Group, DSV, Waiver Group, Yusen Logistics and Zach Logistics.
   Montevideo, Uruguay-based Softcargo offers freight-forwarding management solutions in Latin America such as accounting, tracking, warehousing and fleet management products. Its customers include Senator International, Röhlig, DB Schenker and Kerry Logistics.
   Easylog, which is based in Franconville, France, offers various customs clearance and tracking solutions, including a direct link with French Customs. Its customers include freight forwarders such as DSV, Acte International, DHL Global Forwarding and Nippon Express, as well as first-party logistics customers such as Air France Industries, Sanofi and Salomon.
   Forward will remain under the leadership of joint managing directors Jorge Posbeyikian and Jorge Buchter; Softcargo will remain under the leadership of managing director Ruben Lopez Cleiman; and Easylog will remain under the leadership of managing director Alain Gronier.
   WiseTech said these three transactions are in line with its strategy of accelerating long-term organic growth through small, targeted valuable acquisitions.
   In addition to these three deals announced Monday, WiseTech has made more than a dozen acquisitions since January 2017, including:
     • Cargoguide, a provider of global airfreight rate management solutions, along with CargoSphere, a provider of global ocean freight rate management solutions;
     • CMS Transport Systems, a provider of integrated road transport and logistics management systems across Australia and New Zealand;
     • Prolink, a Taiwanese forwarding and customs solutions provider;
     • Digerati, a provider of tariff research and compliance tools used by the Australasian customs broking community;
     • Bysoft, the largest provider of automated customs solutions to the logistics industry across Brazil;
     • ACO Informatica, a provider of customs compliance and customs warehouse solutions to the logistics industry across Italy;
     • znet group, a provider of customs solutions across Germany;
     • Microlistics, an Australian warehouse management solutions provider;
     • ABM Data Systems and CustomsMatters, Dublin-based customs solutions providers;
     • Intris, a Belgian provider of freight forwarding, customs and warehousing management solutions;
     • And LSP Solutions, a provider of customs and warehouse management solutions in the Netherlands.
   In addition, Softship AG, a part of the WiseTech group, is no longer listed on the German stock exchange, according to Softship’s website. WiseTech announced last August its intention to apply to remove Softship’s shares from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of Dec. 1 and increase its holding in the company from 76.97 percent to 100 percent.