Transportation Insight Buys Parcel Delivery Software Platform

Transportation Insight announced it had purchased BirdDog Solutions, a company that helps shippers deliver, track and pay for parcel shipments, the latest sign that logistics providers are seeking to act as one-stop shops for customers.

BirdDog makes software that helps shippers streamline parcel delivery, with about 500 customers and a focus on e-commerce. Transportation Insight, which negotiates trucking contracts for shippers and helps them lower logistics costs, was looking to grow in that area, said Paul Thompson, the company's founder and chairman.

"The fastest-growing sector or U.S. shipping is e-commerce," he said. "We intend to be part of the evolution of e-commerce."

Other logistics companies, including FedEx Corp., United Parcel Service Inc., XPO Logistics Inc. and Echo Global Logistics Inc. have in recent years bought up companies that allow them to offer a more diverse suite of services to customers.

Mr. Thompson said BirdDog's platform will also allow Transportation Insight to provide more "white glove" services, where carriers transport, deliver and sometimes assemble larger goods, such as appliances and furniture.

He declined to say how much his company paid for BirdDog. Privately held Transportation Insight projects it will generate $1.6 billion in revenue this year and also operates its own software platform to track shipments and pay bills for shippers.

Write to Robbie Whelan at [e-mail]

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 18, 2015 11:45 ET (16:45 GMT)

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