FedEx acquires inventory management firm

Transport and logistics giant FedEx Corp. said Wednesday it had acquired Northwest Research Inc., a provider of inventory management solutions that FedEx says could help it handle rapidly growing global e-commerce volumes.

Memphis-based FedEx will use Northwest Research's technology to proactively resolve at-risk shipments, Robert B. Carter, FedEx's chief information officer, said in a statement.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Neither FedEx nor Salt Lake City-based Northwest Research described how that technology works. Asked for additional details, a FedEx spokeswoman said the acquisition would improve FedEx' ability to ensure successful outcomes for challenging shipments, helping it to gain a strategic competitive advantage in the market.

Details of the acquisition will be worked out by both companies over the coming months, she said.