Canada-based logistics solutions provider, Descartes Systems Group has acquired Global Freight Exchange Limited (GF-X), a leading electronic freight booking company in the air cargo industry. The acquisition of UKbased GF-X adds electronic air freight booking capability to Descartes’ Global Logistics Network (GLN), creating a global network capable of managing the entire air cargo shipment life cycle, Descartes said in a statement.

Many of the world’s leading carriers and forwarders use GF-X’s products in major airfreight markets worldwide, including American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, DHL, Kühne + Nagel, Lufthansa, and Panalpina. In support of Descartes’ acquisition of GF-X, several key air cargo carriers and freight forwarders said they have extended their customer commitments to use GF-X’s products and services.

The combination of GF-X with Descartes’ Global Logistics Network will allow customers to electronically manage the entire air shipment lifecycle, including bookings; air waybills; house waybills; status messages; and customs fi lings.

Descartes also has tools to help carriers and forwarders manage shipping rates from the initial booking all the way through to invoice presentation, bill of lading rating and audit.

The combined service also helps customers comply with customs regulations and leading industry standards, such as the quality management structures of Cargo 2000 and e-freight.

The purchase price for this acquisition, which was not disclosed, included approximately US$5.4 million in cash; approximately 0.5 million Descartes common shares that were issued to strategic airlines and freight forwarders, each of whom agreed to maintain their investment in Descartes for a minimum period ranging between 11 and 18 months; and up to an additional US$5.2 million in cash if certain sales and other performance targets are met by GF-X over the next 4 years.