Descartes Acquires KSD Software

SaaS solutions provider adds Scandinavian logistics community and leads EU electronic customs filing solutions.

Waterloo, OntarioMay 2, 2013Descartes Systems Group, an on-demand, Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions provider which helps improve the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses, acquired KSD Software Norway AS (KSD), a Scandinavia-based provider of electronic customs filing solutions for the European Union (EU).

Oslo, Norway-headquartered KSD brings more than 1,300 customers to Descartes' Global Logistic Network, with the majority of these companies based in Scandinavia. KSD provides its customers with customs declaration; security filing; transportation management and freight forwarding technology solutions. By combining KSD's EU customs solutions and Descartes' global community of logistics participants and shipment management solutions, customers now have a single trusted partner to help them manage their shipments across the globe.

“EU customs compliance is complex,” said Svenn Widerberg, Chief Executive Officer of KSD. “Our focus is to make the process easier for customers so that they can instead focus on their core businesses. Like us, Descartes is focused on delivering results to customers and this made a combination with Descartes a logical choice for our customers. We're thrilled that our customers will now have access to even more solutions and global logistics participants to help them become more efficient.”

The EU customs compliance market is characterized by a complex framework of member states; each with different regulations, languages and systems. Transportation carriers, logistics intermediaries and shippers have looked to technology partners, like Descartes and KSD, to help them manage this complexity.

“With approximately USD $10 million of annual recurring revenues that are core to our combined businesses, KSD adds scale for Descartes to serve the wider logistics community,” said Edward Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer at Descartes. “Our Global Logistics Network customers can enhance their own logistics operations with access to KSD's broad Scandinavian community of logistics participants and EU compliance solutions. Similarly, we're excited to be able to introduce Descartes' shipment management portfolio to help KSD's customers be even more efficient and profitable in their logistics operations.”

The all cash purchase price for the acquisition was NOK 190 million (approximately USD $33 million), with Descartes acquiring approximately NOK 11.5 million in working capital (approximately USD $2 million). To complete the acquisition, Descartes used approximately USD $13 million of cash on hand and $20 million from an acquisition line of credit.

Companies in this article
Latest