UPS (NYSE: UPS) has acquired Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services Inc., an independent provider of global trade compliance services. The merger forms an improved brokerage service business for clients to maximize their trade investments and minimize complexity, time and cost throughout their international trade operations.

Sandler & Travis Trade is a global trade compliance management firm based in Washington, DC. The company provides international trade and customs consulting services to multinational clients in more than 30 countries. Sandler & Travis Trade focuses exclusively on complying with government and industry laws and regulations regarding the movement of goods across borders.

“UPS regularly identifies companies and opportunities that can accelerate our growth in our core or adjacent market segments, either by bringing new or complementary services and solutions to our customers, or by providing deeper, specialized expertise,” a UPS spokesperson tells Mergers & Acquisitions. “Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services fits directly into that strategy, as the firm brings UPS and our customers additional depth, global expertise, and new solutions that will augment our already strong global trade management portfolio.”

UPS, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the global leaders in providing logistics and transportation services. The buyer’s services include transporting packages, freight management, facilitating international trade and developing technology in order to minimize the complexity of transportation services.

Recent deals in the transportation and logistics industry include: Quad-C Management’s backing of AIT Worldwide Logistics; the Jordan Co.’s acquisition of a majority stake in Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corp.; Platinum Equity’s purchase of aerospace logistics firm Pattonair; CI Capital’s acquisition of Simplified Logistics; Ridgemont Equity Partners’ purchase of Worldwide Express; and TPG Capital's investment in Transplace.