UPS acquires Belgium logistics firm Kiala

UPS has acquired Kiala, a Brussels, Belgium-based provider of convenient delivery options to busy consumers purchasing products over the Internet.

Kiala which was launched in 2001 has developed a platform that enables e-commerce retailers to offer their shoppers the option of having goods delivered to a convenient retail location.

UPS's service portfolio for business-to-consumer deliveries will be strengthened with the acquisition of Kiala, which currently operates in five countries: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain.

The logistics provider has also entered into a contract with Kabbage, a provider of working capital for small businesses, to manage small businesses across the US.

The small businesses will be able to direct UPS to share their shipping history with Kabbage through the Kabbage.com website, which helps them to obtain more capital at lower rates.

The deal will enable Kabbage to increase working capital lines when businesses choose to share their UPS transaction data, which includes information related to the number and frequency of packages shipped.