The Waterloo, Ont.-headquartered logistics technology company is paying cash for the business, which is based in Huntington Beach, Calif. (The Logic)

Talking point: Shippers and the carriers that move their goods use Descartes’ tools to communicate, run their fleets and manage customs paperwork. By buying Tai, founded in 2005, it’s adding a system that freight brokers use to manage their customers and work. It’s Descartes’ third acquisition this year. Last month, it struck a deal worth up to US$35 million for Drivin, a Santiago-based firm focused on the Latin American logistics market. And in April, Descartes bought Pittsburgh-based Idelic, which makes safety software, for up to US$40 million. All three acquired firms have introduced AI into their products, including agents that handle key logistics tasks for customers. AI is a big part of what Descartes is looking for in takeover targets, CEO Edward Ryan said on a June earnings call, and the technology is also letting it build new products in-house faster. The firm’s share price fell as much as 2.3 per cent in Tuesday trading.

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