Mainfreight

Mainfreight New Zealand (NZ)

Mainfreight was founded on 6 March 1978 by Bruce Plested who started the company with just $7,200 and a 1969 Bedford truck.{{cite web |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Annual Report 2023 - Mainfreight Limited |url=https://www.mainfreight.com/getmedia/084d8d4a-6ec2-41f4-82a6-d0a9e2deeac3/Mainfreight-Annual-Report-2023.pdf |accessdate=11 September 2024 |website=Mainfreight}} In 1979, Bruce Plested partnered with Neil Graham, with Graham based in Christchurch and Plested in Auckland.{{cite news|last1=Gibson|first1=Nevil|title=Mainfreight co-founder Neil Graham dies|url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/mainfreight-co-founder-neil-graham-dies-ng-179547|accessdate=30 January 2017|publisher=The National Business Review|date=1 October 2015}}{{cite news|last1=De Boni|first1=Dita|title=Mainfreight always moving forward|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=9192|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=NZME Publishing|publisher=New Zealand Herald|date=30 June 2000}}

When the company was founded it entered a highly regulated transport market. A licence from New Zealand Railways Corporation was needed to carry freight over 150 km.{{cite web|title=Road transport regulation a controversial measure to protect railways|url=http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/about-us/history-of-kiwirail/150yearsofrail/stories/road-transport-regulation.html|website=KiwiRail|accessdate=30 January 2017}} When deregulation of land transport occurred in October 1982, Mainfreight quickly took advantage of the opportunities presented and won a large share of the freight market. Whilst describing the foundation of Mainfreight in 2000, Plested said to the New Zealand Herald, "We moved all our freight by sea between Auckland, and Christchurch and Dunedin, and we worked weekend shifts to make sure we loaded and unloaded the ship using the whole of the seven days - we found that was faster and more reliable than our big competitors."

The Australian domestic freight and logistics division started operating as Mainline Distribution in 1989 with the opening of their first branch in Sydney. Following the success of the Sydney depot, they started opening branches in the areas of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra. Mainfreight today now has 74 branches across Australia coast to coast offering a variety of freight services from International operations for ocean imports & exports, air cargo, LCL, FTL, warehousing, movements of hazardous chemicals, tankers, and drayage (port/wharf) divisions.{{Cite web |title=We are your global supply chain partner |url=https://www.mainfreight.com/global/en-nz |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.mainfreight.com |language=en}}

The company partnered with agents and third parties to provide any coverage into Northern Territory, Tasmania, and most rural areas of Australia.

Mainfreight International was Mainfreight's first international sea and airfreight business and was started in 1984 by Bruce Plested's brother Gerald. They established agencies in the early days with Australian, Pacific Island and United States freight forwarders and the established agents in most major trading partner countries of New Zealand.

Mainfreight started operating in the United States after its purchase of CaroTrans International in 1999 and expanded in 2007 from the acquisition of Target Logistics.{{Cite web |title=Mainfreight's History |url=https://www.mainfreight.com/global/en-nz/the-mainfreight-difference/our-history#:~:text=Investments%20in%20Australian%20operations%20began,by%20over%2011,000%20team%20members. |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.mainfreight.com |language=en}}

In 2008, 34 United States locations were re-branded as Mainfreight USA. The Mainfreight Americas network has grown now to having 79 branches located throughout Canada, Mexico, United States, and Chile. In 2023 the Mainfreight USA transportation sector set a new milestone by obtaining their Motor Carrier Authority license leading them to expand their LTL (Less-than-Truckload) ground shipping operations.{{Cite web |title=Mainfreight Transport - Motor Carrier Authority |url=https://www.mainfreight.com/en-nz/mainfreight-transport-motor-carrier-authority |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.mainfreight.com |language=en}}

After the full acquisition that took place August 2007, Mainfreight Asia quickly gained momentum in the Air and Ocean sector, driving business in China and Southeast Asia. With well-established locations that include China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan and Korea, the Mainfreight global network continues to expand year over year. Mainfreight’s newest regions, Asia, Europe and The Americas (spanning from Canada to South America), are expected to grow exponentially as the world trade shifts towards other developing countries.

In 2011, Mainfreight Limited acquired the business of Wim Bosman Group providing further opportunities to expand their international global presence with branches located throughout Europe. Mainfreight branches are located throughout France, Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Italy, and Belgium.

In 2022 due to the political conflicts and sanctions in place between Russia and Ukraine, Mainfreight suspended all domestic operations in the two territories.{{Cite web |title=Situation in Ukraine and Russia |url=https://www.mainfreight.com/en-nz/situation-in-ukraine-and-russia |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.mainfreight.com |language=en}}

On 11 June 2007, Mainfreight Limited signed a call option deed to acquire all of the shares of Halford International Pty Limited (Halford International), an Australian-based, privately owned, international freight forwarder and logistics provider. The purchase acquired network offices throughout Australia and New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Asia, and the United States.{{cite news|title=Mainfreight announces agreement to acquire Halford International|url=http://www.mainfreight.com/nz/en/news/mainfreight-announces-agreement-to-acquire-halford-international.aspx|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=Mainfreight|date=11 June 2008}}

In 2003 Mainfreight bought Owens Group, one of New Zealand's largest trucking firms.[https://www.owens.co.nz/nz/en/nz-home/about.aspx Company Profile] Owens This takeover was in response to the purchase of Tranz Rail by Australian transport firm Toll Holdings. With the takeover of the Owens Group in 2003 they purchased Owens International Australia. In 2006 the New Zealand Mainfreight International and Owens International businesses were also merged to make Mainfreight Owens International Ltd (now Mainfreight International).

In March 2011, Mainfreight entered the European market with the acquisition of Netherlands-based company Wim Bosman Group for €120 million; or $227 million.

Headquartered in 's-Heerenberg, The Netherlands, Wim Bosman is privately held and operates more than 1,000 transport units, manage more than 275,000m2 of cross-docking facilities and warehouse area, and employ roughly 1,414 staff within 14 branches located in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Romania, Poland, and Russia.{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Christopher|title=Mainfreight sets course for Europe|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/mainfreight-limited/news/article.cfm?o_id=107&objectid=10710793|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=NZME Publishing|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|date=8 March 2011}}

Within its announcement, Mainfreight stated, "Wim Bosman is a well respected, profitable organisation which will provide Mainfreight with a significant European presence and opportunity to further grow its supply chain logistic services throughout the world."{{cite news|title=Mainfreight breaks into Europe with $227m acquisition|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/mainfreight-limited/news/article.cfm?o_id=107&objectid=10710673|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=NZME Publishing|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|date=7 March 2011}}

In June 2013, Mainfreight launched a lawsuit seeking €11 million or $18 million against Wim Bosman Group's former owners. The lawsuit claimed that Wim Bosman, the former owner, had prior knowledge of a large client, Giant Bicycles, intentions to end corporate ties with the group.{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Christopher|title=Mainfreight sues for $18m after shock client loss|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/mainfreight-limited/news/article.cfm?o_id=107&objectid=10892979|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=NZME Publishing|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|date=26 June 2013}} In August 2013, Mainfreight and the family of Wim Bosman reached an out of court agreement for compensation to the tune of €8.2 million or $14 million.{{cite news|title=Mainfreight gets $14m payout - drops Euro claim|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/mainfreight-limited/news/article.cfm?o_id=107&objectid=11114465|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=NZME Publishing|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|date=26 August 2013}}

Since 2011, Mainfreight, under the Wim Bosman name, have opened new branches in Bergen op Zoom in The Netherlands, Cluj-Napoca in Romania, Frankfurt and Gelsenkirchen in Germany, London in United Kingdom, and Poznań/Luboń in Poland. Mainfreight also renamed Wim Bosman branches in the countries France, Poland, Russia and Ukraine under the Mainfreight name.{{cite news|title=The Wim Bosman Group becomes Mainfreight|url=http://www.mainfreight.com/global/en/news/the-wim-bosman-group-becomes-mainfreight.aspx|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=Meinfreight Limited|publisher=Meinfreight News|date=21 November 2016}}

Between 1994 and 1997 Mainfreight started acquiring former competitors, such as, Daily Freightways and Chem Couriers in 1994, a 75% shareholding in Lep New Zealand in 1996, and Combined Haulage and Senco Haulage in 1997. In 1998, Mainfreight acquired Australian freight forwarder ISS Express lines, subsequently establishing an Australian international freight business.

In April 2007, Mainfreight announced its intentions to sell its Pan Orient Project Logistics business and its 75% interest in Lep Australia and New Zealand to global logistics company Agility Group for A$83 million.{{cite web|title=Mainfreight sells Pan Orient Project Logistics and its 75% shareholding in LEP (New Zealand and Australia) for over A$83 million|url=http://www.mainfreight.com/nz/en/news/mainfreight-sells-pan-orient-project-logistics-and-its-75-shareholding-in-lep-new-zealand-and-australia-for-over-a%2483-million.aspx|website=www.mainfreight.com|publisher=Mainfreight NZ|accessdate=30 January 2017}} The transaction was completed on 6 June 2007.{{cite web|title=Mainfreight Limited (Mainfreight) completes sale of Pan Orient Project Logistics|url=http://www.mainfreight.com/nz/en/news/mainfreight-limited-mainfreight-completes-sale-of-pan-orient-project-logistics.aspx|website=www.mainfreight.com|publisher=Mainfreight NZ|accessdate=30 January 2017}}

In September 2007, it was reported by Business Wire that Mainfreight had signed a merger agreement with NYSE American-listed Target Logistics for $2.50 a share; for a total of US$54 million. Target operate domestic and international time-sensitive freight-forwarding and logistics services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Target Logistic Services. Target has offices in 35 cities throughout the United States and an international network of agents in over 70 countries.{{cite news|last1=Henning|first1=Paul|title=Target Logistics, Inc. Agrees to be Acquired by Mainfreight Limited|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070917006536/en/Target-Logistics-Agrees-Acquired-Mainfreight-Limited|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=Business Wire|date=17 September 2007}}

In May 2011, Mainfreight established a CaroTrans branch in Santiago, Chile. This endeavor launched the first permanent investment into South America.{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Chrisitopher|title=Mainfreight dips toes into Chile|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/mainfreight-limited/news/article.cfm?o_id=107&objectid=10728260|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=NZME Publishing|publisher=The New Zealand Herald|date=27 May 2011}} In 2020, CaroTrans Chile was re-branded as Mainfreight Chile.

In November 2014, Mainfreight acquired a regional air and sea freight company located in Dunedin. Founded in 1969 as Dunedin Customs Brokers Ltd, DCB International provides international air and sea freight services from Dunedin. DCB had a staff base of five employees on the date of acquisition, however, staff was expected to rise to seven employees.{{cite news|last1=Hartley|first1=Simon|title=Mainfreight buys Dunedin firm|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/mainfreight-buys-dunedin-firm|accessdate=30 January 2017|agency=Allied Press|publisher=Otago Daily Times|date=12 November 2014}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite web |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Annual Report 2024 |url=https://www.mainfreight.com/getmedia/ddb5b7c2-1d01-4f7e-807a-59804fa07cdd/Mainfreight-Annual-Report-2024.pdf |access-date=October 12, 2024 |website=Mainfreight}}

• [http://www.mainfreight.com Mainfreight website]

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Category:Companies based in Auckland

Category:Companies listed on the New Zealand Exchange

Category:Companies in the S&P/NZX 50 Index

Category:Road transport in New Zealand

Category:Transport companies established in 1978

Category:Transport companies of New Zealand

Category:1978 establishments in New Zealand