MEDIA RELEASE - 27 September, 2017
SmartFreight acquires Compdata (Supplymaster) and the Desktop Connote Generation Division of tdX
Transport industry set to benefit by taking the guesswork out of shipping software
SYDNEY: Leading Australian and global shipping software provider, SmartFreight, part of the Interactive Freight Systems Group of Companies, today announced two acquisitions - Compdata Technology Services (Supplymaster), and the shipping software arm of transport and logistics business - tdX (The Data Exchange). The buy-out reinforces SmartFreight®’s position as the largest provider of multi-carrier shipping solutions in Australasia.
As part of SmartFreight’s accelerated global growth strategy, the move strategically consolidates its critical mass driving continued investment in leading edge multi-carrier shipping solutions whilst further optimising control over operating cost structures, maintaining competitive price strategies and reinforcing already strong relationships within the transport sector and other associated alliance partners.
Commenting on the business deal Ken Aitken, SmartFreight CEO, said, “This is a huge win for all stakeholders in the Australian supply chain industry and global e-commerce arena, with customers, transport providers, software partners and freight management partners alike, all set to benefit. Today marks the convergence of some 50 years of combined technology experience in the shipping software industry,” Aitken continued. “We are extremely pleased to have been able to achieve this with two such respected industry players.”
“We’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome the Compdata team into the SmartFreight Group. Compdata will help to expand our team’s existing skillset and build on the exceptional business they have created over the years. We also look forward to collaborating with tdX on key projects in the future, growing the reach of our solutions to assist customers with extended workflow processes in their supply chain, which is tdX’s core strength,” said Aitken.
SmartFreight’s enlarged team complements its objective to remain nimble and responsive to all customer needs. Service enhancements will include an increased multi-lingual customer facing team across all facets of the business, and an increased human IP resource pool to ensure a positive customer experience.
Guyren Smith, Director, Compdata Technology Services commented, “I am extremely proud of what the Compdata team has achieved over the last 20 years and confident that the combined Compdata and SmartFreight teams will deliver positive outcomes for all our valued customers.”
SmartFreight is recognised as an innovative and key player in the market that has gained both sector and media attention in recent years for its consumer-focused products, sustainability outlook and high service levels that focus on delivering versatility, transparency, accountability and efficiency.
Echoing Smith’s sentiments, Grahame Williams, Managing Director at tdX said, “There’s great alignment with SmartFreight and tdX. We share the same ethical values and customer service ethos – so this was a natural fit. While my decision to step away from the divested part of the business to concentrate on our core competencies in customised solutions is one I’m personally excited about, Ken’s leadership will undoubtedly see SmartFreight® continue to be upheld as the pre-eminent shipping solution provider in Australia and across all territories in which they operate globally.”
In 2016 SmartFreight was the recipient of three major accolades at the 2016 Australian Business Awards. These were in the Technical Innovation, Product Excellence and New Product Innovation categories. The wins continued a spate of Australian Business Award wins that SmartFreight has been awarded since 2011.
Later this year SmartFreight plans to launch a new technology platform that promises to firmly cement SmartFreight’s position as market leader by encapsulating all the very best features of all companies into one single, leading edge global platform. It will allow customers to ship their customers’ orders globally with real time diagnostics and information whilst achieving full visibility of shipment delivery status. The solution is the culmination of years of experience coupled with invaluable customer feedback, addressing the challenges businesses face when shipping today and the ever expanding omni-channel ecommerce needs of our clients.
Posted on: 27/09/2017