Mainfreight Limited - Team Newsletter December 2025
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2025
MAINFREIGHT
TEAM REVIEW
2
2025Team Review
Note from Don
Welcome to our Christmas newsletter,
written by our team, for our team and
customers, critiqued by the odd analyst,
and shared with the families of our team.
As we enter the busiest period of the
year, freight volumes across the network
are on the increase. Our customers
are shrugging off the malaise of under-
performing economies.
Our performance in delivering
exceptional service for our customers
remains important for their success and
our own. Our sales teams have been
successfully increasing our share of the
logistics market across our network.
Many new customers have begun over
the past month utilising our services,
with a number of others due to start over
the next four months. It is extremely
important that we welcome each new
customer with our normal enthusiasm,
passion, and high levels of service. We
must communicate openly and honestly
so we all understand their needs, and
those of their customers.
Please make decisions for our
customers when they ask. Let us never
leave them wondering or in a question
mark.
While we welcome these new
customers, let us not forget those who
have continued to support us. We are
only as good as our last delivery - our
customers are the reason we are here.
A number of our branches and team
are moving, or have moved, into new
facilities.
New Zealand
Daily Freight Auckland have moved into
their refurbished site. The refurbishment
was well overdue, and will now provide
the team with a larger high quality
cross-dock, office and canteen, never
envisaged all those years ago.
With Daily Freight vacating their
temporary facilities, Owens now take
possession of their new site alongside
Chemcouriers.
Napier-Hastings are operating on their
new site, as is Whanganui and New
Plymouth.
Our new Warehousing site in
Christchurch is progressing well. We
expect to take possession mid 2026,
and we have already secured new
business alongside the consolidation of
outdated smaller overflow sites.
Australia
Our new site has been completed in
Townsville, and our new Brisbane cross-
dock in Willawong will be completed
early 2026 – providing much needed
capacity for our successful Queensland
Transport branches. Upon completion
of the Willawong site, Chemcouriers
will take over the Transport site at
Larapinta, improving their hazardous
goods transportation services alongside
our Larapinta warehouse. A new
Transport site for Northern Brisbane
will have our Brisbane footprint well and
truly established. Mainfreight Wharf
have also secured an update to their
Brisbane port site.
In Melbourne, construction continues at
our new Airfreight facility on Melbourne
Airport land. This will be welcomed
by the Airfreight team as they have
outgrown their current site, with the
new facility adding significant capability
for the increased Airfreight tonnage we
have gained.
Canada
Our Canadian team are relocating to a
larger warehouse in Toronto, capable of
holding 35,000 pallets of our customers
product.
All of these infrastructure investments
have been made during one of our
more challenging trading periods, such
is our confidence in our people and
services. We are providing the very best
of facilities to help our people deliver
exceptional service for our customers.
We have much to do across our
international network to further improve
our performance. Better profitability
returns in Europe, Asia and the
Americas will see further investment
in these markets and more country
locations will open to increase our
network reach.
New Zealand and Australia are seeing
satisfactory improvements and market
share gains of late; this provides further
stimulus for our network growth across
Australasia.
Thanks to you all for the effort over this
past year. There is no doubt that trading
conditions have been difficult. Your
attitude and loyalty have positioned us
well for ongoing growth. It is appreciated
by us all.
Have a great Christmas,
“Challenge the status quo every day”
3
Team Review2025
Newsletter
Directory
04
Australia
14
New Zealand
27
Europe
36
Asia
41
Americas
52
Technology
55
Training & Development
59
Bereavements
60
Service Legends
61
Service Achievements
62
Photoboard
63
Feedback
4
2025Australia
Australia
Team,
After a great year last year, we are
again in good shape to produce a strong
performance by keeping our focus on
sales growth and cost management as
we head into a new calendar year.
Whilst it will be tight to do it from here,
beating the previous years’ profits
year on year remains one of our most
important objectives. Every time we
achieve this, we should feel pleased
that we are contributing something
significant to the company’s long-term
success. Although beating last year’s
profits every year seems simple, it is
certainly not easy to do over a sustained
period of time. The only way it can be
done is to ensure that we perform the
basic disciplines every day.
To that end, for some time now in our
business we have referred to the “20-
mile march,” particularly across our
sales teams. This term is a metaphor for
disciplined, consistent and methodical
progress toward a long-term goal,
which helps us outperform erratic or
inconsistent effort. Combined with the
many talented team members across
our business, this attitude has been a
cornerstone of our performance over
many years now. Of course, achieving
this is difficult, but it is what each of our
branch managers and team leaders
are focused on every working day. To
repeat, constantly beating our profits
every year is a simple principle, but very
Mainfreight Australia
Rodd Morgan
hard to execute, and even harder for
our competitors to copy.
It does seem that we have been
talking about it being a tough trading
environment for years now, but there is
no doubt that conditions and ever-rising
business costs remain challenging. We
have always believed that tough times
make us a better business, and we are
again proving that to be true. Achieving
profitable sales growth remains critical,
and is an area where we have had
continued success. Our team continues
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Do something today that will benefit us in a decade!
2. Take care not to let AI and automation rob us of our human qualities
and dumb us down.
3. Strive to find ways to be more productive. To be successful, we need
to do more with the same.
4. Never miss an opportunity to improve the presentation of our business
so it continues to look breathtaking.
5. Ignore and avoid hypocrites like the plague.
If you are having a break, please enjoy it. Thank you to those
team members who will be working through the Christmas and
New Year period to keep the freight moving.
to work very hard to differentiate
ourselves, and have become more
skilled and consistent in these tougher
times. Winning new business is not
only due to the good work of our sales
teams, but also due to the high quality
of service that most of our operational
teams and drivers provide. This again
proves another irrefutable truism: great
quality will see us overcome obstacles.
Thank you to each member of our
team who helps to make us a special
company, and one that we can all be
proud to be a part of.
5
Australia2025
A fundamental strength of our team is
that they are empowered to embrace
bottom-up management, whether
through daily decision making, or
decisions made in Positive Action Team
(PAT) meetings. These decisions are
made close to the freight, allowing us to
act with agility and pace and that help us
deliver high quality services throughout
the peak season.
It’s encouraging to see growth in freight
levels moving through our network.
If September and October were any
indication, we are on track for a bumper
Christmas and New Year. While some
existing business remains flat, our sales
team has performed strongly, driving
solid growth in new business. At the
same time, our operational teams have
delivered real value to our customers
through consistent, high quality service,
ensuring customer satisfaction and
retention remain high.
This year has flown by, and we have
ticked off several goals from our to-do
list. While there is still more to achieve,
our regional network has made great
strides in both growth and profitability.
A few branches are still working toward
consistent profitability, but they have
made good progress.
We have made headway in improving
operational efficiency. Reducing travel
time on the dock, reducing the number
of times we handle freight and reducing
the time freight spends on the dock are
simple targets that all lead to improved
efficiency. We will continue to look
for opportunities to further improve
efficiency by targeting the elimination of
non-value-adding activities. We need to
ask the question, “Is it necessary?”
Two major property developments are
currently underway. Our new Townsville
branch recently opened, and in April
next year, we will begin operations at
our new Willawong facility in Brisbane.
Both sites will enhance our ability to
deliver quality service and support
growth in these regions. Willawong will
be our first true rear-loading branch in
Australia, featuring 34 dock levellers,
and giving us the flexibility to manage a
wide variety of freight efficiently.
Transport Australia
Simon Hart
Thank you, Team, for a fantastic
year. Let’s remember that quality
comes first and for us, quality means
delivering freight on time, in full and
in good condition. It means doing so
with immaculate presentation. When
our people, vehicles and facilities look
brilliant, our service shines. Quality
also means operating safely, both in
our branches and on the roads. And
finally, quality means always seeking
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Efficiency: The pursuit of incremental improvement is an investment in
efficiency. In simple terms, we must continue to look for opportunities
to reduce travel time on the dock, reduce the number of times we
handle freight and reduce the length of time freight sits on our dock.
2. Bottom-up management: Employ the right people, give them a job to
do that suits their skill set, train them to do it, and then get out of their
way. Making decisions close to the freight, and acting with pace, will
ultimately improve efficiency and quality.
3. Delivery performance is an area we can always improve: We have
made good progress in recent months and need to ensure that we are
consistent. Our number one job is to deliver the freight.
4. Training: As the business has grown, so has the team. We need to
ensure that our depot systems are understood. Time invested in good
training upfront will avoid time being lost on managing challenges
downstream.
5. Presentation: We have worked hard on the presentation of our facilities,
however there is room to improve the presentation of our fleet. We
expect clean vehicles and blackened tyres every Monday, and we
must not allow poorly presented vehicles to deliver our freight. The old
saying, “If you look tidy, you will play tidy,” is true, and service quality is
the primary reason why we demand immaculate presentation.
improvement, with effective PATs being
one of the best ways to achieve this.
We hope you enjoy a well
deserved Christmas and
New Year break with your
friends and family, and return
refreshed for what promises to
be a prosperous 2026.
Townsville
Willawong
6
2025Australia
Claims Performance
Branch
To Sep
2025
To Mar
2025
To Sep
2024
CCA Dandenong South245231163419634
MFT Ballarat2140126891969
CCA Perth10167469317802
CCA Epping776494757924
MFT Tamworth697826551892
MFT Geelong6779154847260
MFT Dandenong South570246354829
CCA Brisbane523963549442
MFT Eastern Creek505825762208
MFT Narangba443521843316
MFT Newcastle433944925841
MFT Albury339452107166
MFT Gold Coast297015401408
MFT Mackay236531924677
Total Company221922512768
MFT Canberra218770054576
CCA Prestons210529984046
MFT Prestons196716582242
MFT Townsville187132253225
CCA Adelaide180063520
MFT Orange1719740593
MFT Adelaide145121612341
MFT Wollongong13818323765
MFT Brisbane116812091208
MFT Epping114013791956
MFT Toowoomba100215661701
MFT Perth8329321618
MFT Traralgon80325513646
MFT Bendigo01919331812
MFT Bunbury01313678
MFT Dubbo073240
Outward Consignments Per Claim
Branch
To Sep
2025
To Mar
2025
To Sep
2024
CCA Perth1521517561873
MFT Geelong1366595594501
MFT Bendigo1219375410
MFT Tamworth1044289120
MFT Traralgon950024723036
MFT Dandenong South86921231120389
MFT Prestons81451323613876
MFT Mackay707285354221
CCA Adelaide6098112875775
CCA Brisbane548069156518
Total Company519455096788
MFT Narangba504036077391
CCA Epping501663333909
MFT Eastern Creek475934383241
MFT Toowoomba469454786702
MFT Epping437963568609
MFT Perth392946785184
MFT Dubbo354000
MFT Brisbane349838894963
MFT Adelaide298342386296
MFT Newcastle296823473995
MFT Albury29211154611517
MFT Canberra260175017326
MFT Townsville220422941797
MFT Wollongong216017943947
MFT Orange176079913226
CCA Dandenong South0175100
CCA Prestons0844115376
MFT Ballarat000
MFT Bunbury047366873
MFT Gold Coast0241910
Inwards Consignments Per Claim
Celebrating our Awesome Drivers!
Showing appreciation for our drivers is something we take seriously, and we like to have a bit of fun along the way!
Across the country, our teams have been
finding fun and creative ways to celebrate
the legends behind the wheel:
• Transport Narangba put on a great
day with special lunchboxes, game
and a fun driver training session.
• Transport Perth went all out with a
week of awards, recognising their
amazing drivers.
• Chemcouriers Epping handed out
special gifts and gave everyone
a chance to dunk their Branch
Manager, which was a hit!
A huge shoutout to all our drivers for everything you do. You keep us rolling every single day, and we couldn’t do it
without you!
L-R: Anh Quoc Phan and
Edward Boys, Transport Perth
L-R: Sandeep Kumar and Trae
Lindner, Transport Perth
If your branch is below the Total Company number, then you are below average.
Make sure you and your team members work hard next year to be above this line.
7
Australia2025
Mainfreight Supporting
Foodbank
Brayden Hackling, Full Truck
Load, Branch Manager
The FTL and Metro teams have been
busy making a real difference. Recently,
we completed major deliveries to
Foodbank sites in Queensland and
Victoria, four full truckloads of much-
needed supplies.
What started as a one-off metro
movement quickly grew into
something more meaningful. Through
this connection, we learned about
Foodbank’s partnership with Mars
Foods and their ingredient input
suppliers. Together, they run an annual
Collaborative Supply Program (CSP),
producing essential, high-demand food
products at discounted rates, which
Foodbank distributes to Australians
experiencing food insecurity.
Through seven scheduled production
runs between May and October 2025,
we’ve helped move these special
shipments safely and efficiently.
This year’s CSP is expected to have
produced around 526 pallets of Mars
products, each one representing meals
and comfort for families in need.
It’s more than just freight. It is people
working together - Foodbank, Mars,
and Mainfreight - all moving in the
same direction to ensure good food
reaches the tables of those who need
it most. A small connection sparked
a big partnership, and together we’re
delivering more than pallets, we’re
delivering hope.
National Forklift Championship 2025
Uhila Vakameilalo, Operations Manager, Transport Brisbane
During 2025 Forklift Awareness Month, Mainfreight hosted a competition.
This year’s winner was Iasinito Manu from Warehousing Kookaburra.
Iasinito began his Mainfreight career back in 2019 at Chemcouriers
Auckland until 2022. In 2024 he rejoined Mainfreight at our Kookaburra
Warehouse, where he started as a loader, then moved into picking,
dispatch, and is currently a Team Leader.
Iasinito was fortunate to be joined by family to see him do a great job at the
National finals held at Epping.
This year’s runner-up, by a very close margin, was Nick Pell from
Transport Brisbane, Larapinta. This achievement is a testament to Nick’s
determination and commitment to precision and safety which made him
a vital part of our Transport team. The Larapinta team is incredibly proud
of his accomplishments and looks forward to seeing him achieve even
greater success in the future.
Congratulations, Iasinito and Nick!
L-R: Iasinto Manu, Simon Hart and Riyaz Jordan
L-R: Jupinder Bath, Owner Driver, Nathan O’Brien, Foodbank
L-R: Nick Pell, Riyaz Jordan and Simon Hart
8
2025Australia
Firstly, thank you for another remarkable
year. Although challenging at times,
2025 has been a rewarding year, and
this would not have been possible
without our team’s commitment and
positive attitude. Together, we have
navigated the closure of overflow
warehouses, welcomed new customers
into our network and powered through a
buoyant peak season that kept all of us
on our toes. Through it all, we proudly
delivered outstanding service for our
customers while continuing to look out
for one another.
This year brought several key
milestones that deserve recognition.
We celebrated the opening of our Perth
Kenwick branch, extending our network
and capabilities. Safety remained at
the forefront, with initiatives rolled out
to strengthen the well-being of our
teams. At Moorebank, the completion
of our automation solution has begun
to deliver meaningful efficiencies.
Meanwhile, customer workshops held
throughout the year provided valuable
opportunities to collaborate with both
teams and customers, identifying
process improvements and cost-saving
initiatives to ensure stronger, smarter
businesses for the future.
In August we had the privilege of hosting
our Warehousing GMs in Sydney and
Melbourne. These workshops allowed
us to showcase our branches and,
more importantly, to share ideas that
help build consistency and strengthen
performance across the network. The
alignment of global reporting standards
that emerged from these discussions will
underpin our future success, ensuring
that we continue to grow in a unified and
efficient manner.
As we look ahead to 2026, we are
optimistic about the direction we are
heading. The momentum built this past
year gives us confidence that the best
is indeed yet to come. Our focus must
remain firmly on the basics: accurate
picking, on-time dispatch and delivery
on time and damage-free. When we get
the fundamentals right, everything else
falls into place.
Warehousing Australia
Riyaz Jordan
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Communication: Let’s keep the lines of communication open, direct
and respectful, ensuring information flows clearly so we can work as
a group to get things done.
2. Safety: Stay focused and alert. Our branch safety is the responsibility
of every team member, every day.
3. Challenging the status quo: Continue to challenge “the way it’s always
been done” and drive continuous improvement by finding smarter,
faster and more customer focused ways of working.
4. Cyber Security: Stay vigilant, always verify emails and links before
clicking and report anything suspicious immediately.
5. Quality: Quality means doing what we say we’ll do, delivering
consistent and reliable service and taking pride in everything we
touch.
For those taking a well-deserved Christmas break, we wish you
a safe and relaxing time with your family and friends. To the
team members working through the holiday period, thank you
for your continued commitment. Please ensure you also find
time to rest and recharge over the summer.
“The best is yet to come”
L-R: Andrew Coulton, Nilesh Bhuthadia, Michelle Yip, Liane Philipsen,
Andrew Robinson, Brynley Riches, Riyaz Jordan
9
Australia2025
In July we held the very belated grand opening of our
Kenwick facility. What a fantastic evening it was. A
big thank you to the team who organised the evening,
with a special mention to Pauline for her work and
commitment to creating a memorable evening for
all our team members and guests. None of what
we do at Mainfreight would be possible without the
unwavering support of our incredible customers.
Their continued trust, loyalty, and partnership have
been the driving force behind our growth, enabling us
to invest in, and create such an impressive facility. It
was great to have several customer representatives
at the event, where we were able to showcase our
exciting cross-product capabilities, as well as the
important sustainability initiatives we have on site.
We have made great progress as a branch since
opening two years ago, having worked through
successful peak periods, and implemented
significant new business. It is a testament to the
team’s dedication, and deserves a big thanks to all
involved in the success of the branch so far. We look
forward to continuing to build on the solid foundation
we have laid at Kenwick since opening.
In August all Mainfreight team members
who work on a long-standing national
Mainfreight account met in Sydney for a
strategy conference with the customer.
The theme of the conference was
“Making a 20-Year Partnership Even
Stronger.”
Day one kicked off with the usual
welcoming remarks, introductions, and
housekeeping. This led into an in-depth
presentation from the customers Supply
Chain Team on their focus for the year,
giving the Mainfreight team insight into
the customer’s goals, and prompting
constructive discussion around how we
can help them achieve these. The initial
presentation also provided a strong
preface for the main component of day
one, the workshops.
The three workshops that all focused on
the main theme, and involved working
through continuous improvement
projects (CIPs) from the brainstorming
phase in workshop one, through to
strategy and implementation in the
final workshop. We walked away
with over 20 CIPs to work through
together to strengthen our customer’s
supply chain. Day one finished with a
professional product tasting including a
presentation on the full history of their
most popular product, an audio-visual
that demonstrated how what we can
hear, feel and smell changes what we
taste, and a sample of something not
yet released to the Australian market.
Day two began with a summary of the
first day through a Kahoot quiz, which
was an enjoyable way to reinforce
what we learned and strategised. The
Mainfreight team was then treated to
a few presentations from their wider
business, outside the supply chain, to
broaden our understanding of where
we can provide value as a 3PL provider.
Once the conference finished, we shared
an amazing lunch and a few drinks to
celebrate our 20-year partnership.
Grand Opening of Kenwick Warehouse
The conference was a great chance
for the team to not only strengthen our
understanding of the customer, but
also to build relationships by having fun
together, and making us a better team
heading into the 2025 peak season and
beyond.
Customer Strategy Conference 2025
L-R: James McCrone, Branch Manager and Rodd
Morgan, unveil the Mainfreight stone
L-R: Haden Smith, Joel Ward, James McCrone, Mike
Reid, Grant Draper, Riyaz Jordan, Nick Marshal
L-R: Brad Madigan (Customer),
Brad Greer (Mainfreight),
Jorge Jimenez (Customer)
10
2025Australia
The last six months have seen us
focus on getting the basics right, and
doing them well. We’ve become more
efficient, making better use of what we
have to increase profitability.
Delivering on our service quality
standards remains our top priority.
Across the country, our teams have
been busy smoothly onboarding the
new customers who joined us earlier
this year. We stay true to our belief
that the only true measure of quality
is how our customers perceive it, and
that applies equally to new and long-
standing customers.
We continue to work closely with our
teams across the international network
to secure the sea freight bookings
needed to get containers on ships at
the right rates. Many shipping lines
have made this more challenging than
it should be as they look to maximise
returns from each ship load. Thankfully,
our teams collaborate strongly to find
the best possible solutions for our
customers. This is particularly evident
in the China–Australia trade lane, and
we thank our buddy branches around
the world for their effort and support in
delivering what’s needed for our shared
customers.
Increasing the utilisation of our 1MF sea
freight and airfreight consolidations has
been a major focus this year, and it’s
something that will always require our
attention. Every part of our team, from
sales through to operations, plays a
role in maximising the return from these
consolidation units.
In many states, we have separate
sea freight and airfreight branches.
This setup allows our airfreight teams
to showcase their specialised skills
by finding the best solution for every
customer. It’s working well, with strong
growth in general airfreight to and from
our international Mainfreight network.
We’re not stopping here. We have big
ambitions for our airfreight teams, and
plenty of opportunity ahead.
Thank you, team. We’ve managed our
overhead growth well so far this year,
but it can quickly get away from us if we
get complacent. Let’s keep looking for
ways to reduce waste and work smarter
with the resources we already have.
Air & Ocean Australia
Grant Draper
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Find reasons to connect with our teams in other countries: The better
we know each other, the better results we achieve together.
2. Be easy to do business with: Focus on how we can rather than why
we can’t.
3. Keep everything looking sharp: Ourselves, our sites, our equipment,
and the way we engage with people.
4. Back up our words with action act quickly and with integrity.
5. Get face-to-face with our customers: It shows we care, and believe in
what we do for them.
What an epic effort! Our team took part in the Ocean Heroes 24-hour swim
and absolutely smashed it, swimming an incredible 84.95 km and raising
over $10,000 to support autistic and neurodiverse people across Western
Australia. The energy, teamwork and commitment from everyone involved
were nothing short of inspiring.
This swim was part of a larger fundraising effort that brought in an amazing
$200,000, enough to run 38 free surf events across the state. That means
more than 1,500 autistic and neurodiverse individuals will get to experience
the joy of surfing, many for the very first time. These events build confidence,
create connections and give people a chance to shine in the ocean. Every
lap we swam helped make that possible, and we couldn’t be prouder to be
part of something so meaningful.
Well done to everyone at Mainfreight Perth for the effort, hours, and heart
you put into making it happen. This one’s in the books, and we’re already
looking forward to even more kilometres and fundraising goals to smash in
the years ahead.
Ocean Heroes Swim 2025 – Perth Branch
Mainfreight Perth Team
It’s been a fun and rewarding year, full of learnings and
experiences. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year, and hope you get the chance to rest, recharge and
enjoy some summer downtime.
11
Australia2025
Mainfreight at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025:
Strengthening Connections and Market Insights
Jess Trace
Earlier this September, Steven Hong and
I (Brisbane), Kathryn Powell (Sydney),
and Diego Cueto (Auckland) had the
opportunity to represent Mainfreight at
Asia Fruit Logistica 2025 in Hong Kong.
This major international trade fair for the
fresh produce industry brings together
global professionals to explore new
products, share insights and strengthen
supply chain partnerships.
This was our second time attending
the conference, and it was far more
productive than last year and thankfully,
no typhoons this time! Our focus was
reconnecting with existing customers,
supporting them in their sales efforts and
engaging with potential new business.
We also took the opportunity to learn
more about global trade trends, shelf-
life management and the performance
metrics companies are using across
their supply chains.
One highlight was meeting with
exporters who are typically based in
other states, but source fruit seasonally
from various regions across Australia.
These conversations gave us valuable
insights into their needs, and how we
can continue to support them.
Overall, Asia Fruit Logistica was
a fantastic opportunity to build
relationships, gain market knowledge
and showcase Mainfreight’s
commitment to the fresh produce sector.
Trip to the Top End,
Western Australia
Joel Ward
James Zhou and Joel Ward recently
had a successful trip to the Top End of
Western Australia to meet with a valued
customer who imports and exports
aircraft and accessories. The customer
was delighted with the efficient service
we provide, and the ease of tracking
and creating new shipments through
Mainchain. Following this catch-up,
we’ll begin distributing their freight to
additional international locations within
our network.
Jane Smith Award
Jane Smith was part of our Brisbane team, who we sadly lost to cancer.
She had an incredible zest for life, and was deeply loved by her fellow team
members. This award was created to honour her memory. Each month, votes
are collected for the team member who has most contributed to the spirit,
morale and goodwill of the Air & Ocean Australia team. Congratulations
Jayde Hamood, the latest recipient of the Jane Smith Award.
L–R: Jayde Hamood, Jane Smith Award winner
and Grant Draper, Air & Ocean General Manager
L-R: Jess Trace, Kathryn Powell
12
2025Australia
Wow, in the blink of an eye we are
nearing the end of yet another year.
It was quite an unusual start to the
year, much quieter than previous years;
which has brought new challenges to
the business. Our volumes have been
down, and after a slow start, the team
eagerly waited for peak season to kick
off, which included high volumes of
BMSB fumigation (stink bug) containers
this season.
Recent financials have not been where
we would like them to be, and we need
to see some much-needed improvement
in certain branches. We still have a hell
of a lot of work to do to hit our targets.
There have been many extra hours put
in, jobs shared and crises avoided. Our
quality has improved and as a business,
we are ready for whatever comes next.
I just want to say a big thank you to
our team for the work you have put in,
and for continuing to strive to improve
service levels to our customers.
We must continue to drive for increased
quality in everything we do - our service
to our customers, dealings with one
another, operating processes, and our
margin returns.
Continued emphasis on training is
imperative for our success. Support for
other business products is critical to
long-term growth and ability to continue
providing opportunities for our team.
The scope of our business has changed
over the last 12 months, with us now
running 24/7 operations in most states.
We have increased our owner-drivers
to a team of 160, with 95% now painted
in Mainfreight colours, which looks
absolutely amazing. It is a credit to the
drivers who are taking so much pride in
their vehicles. Plus, with a fleet in excess
of 350 trailers, swing lifts and A-double
combinations, we have the opportunity
to take on any challenge that comes our
way.
Wharf Australia
Mike Reid
Four things to do better in 2026
1. Let us all continue to look at alternate ways of doing things.
2. Action our ideas and ensure we follow through with these.
3. Measure our changes to ensure they are working and delivering the
expected results.
4. Should an idea not work, lets learn from it.
It is our special people who create
the difference that separates us from
the competition. In these times, it is
dedication, commitment and passion for
continual success that will distinguish us
from the rest.
Thank you for your hard work and loyalty through this
challenging year, and I wish you and your families
a happy Christmas.
We cannot continue to operate as we
have in the past. The challenge has only
just started - the market dynamic has
shifted, and we must shift, change and
adapt.
13
Australia2025
2025: Service is the Difference
Jaan IIhan, National Sales Manager
If 2024 proved that hustle wins, 2025
has proved that service keeps us
winning.
Our success last year wasn’t luck.
It was built on teams who backed
themselves, stayed close to their
customers, and solved issues promptly.
That same mindset will define how we
move forward this year.
A new business mindset remains critical
to our growth, both in strengthening
our role as a valuable differentiator for
our Air & Ocean teams in Australia,
and in expanding our direct customer
base through introductions across the
wider Mainfreight network.
We’re also leading the way in
sustainability reporting within the Wharf
space in Australia, helping customers
measure their carbon impact and make
smarter transport choices. This is fast
becoming an industry expectation, and
we’re already there.
On top of that, our new container
scheduling portal is well underway, a
major step forward in how customers
interact with us. It’s another tool that
makes doing business with Mainfreight
easier and faster.
So, this year, stay sharp, stay vigilant
and stay connected to your customers.
Because hustle gets us the work.
Superior service keeps it.
It has been six months since I moved to Brisbane, and so many things have
changed for me personally and professionally. Moving to another state can
be challenging at times, but with the support of my family, friends, and, of
course, the Mainfreight team, it has been an amazing experience. There are
a lot of things to learn with the new role, and responsibilities, as well as the
different operations between the two states, but with the support of the team,
the process is much easier.
Our team has gone through a full restructure, with team members moving
to different roles and being challenged to take on new responsibilities and
learn new areas of the business. We have created a strong Tight 5, with
clear vision, targets and expectations for our branch. Each team member
comes from a different background, bringing fresh ideas and challenging the
way we do things!
Our fleet also had a makeover. All our trucks now painted blue have increased
specialised equipment and better utilisation of our combination vehicles with
more permitted routes to provide our customers with the service they expect
from Mainfreight.
Finally, while our results for this year will not see us where we would like to
be, the team is prepared to hit the ground running and get us back on track
for 2026.
New State, New Beginnings
Christina Papoulia, Branch Manager, Wharf Brisbane
14
2025New Zealand
New Zealand
Team, as we head towards the end of
the year, we can take the time to reflect
on the year, but to look ahead. The
economic conditions we experienced
for much of last year followed us into
2025 and have provided our teams
not only with plenty of challenges, but
with a lot of opportunities to bring some
Mainfreight hustle to the table.
Whilst this environment we have been
living in for some time can be tiresome,
we always end up a better business as
a result. We have a greater focus on
our service and quality, our costs and
have a ‘no roles’ approach to day-to-
day operations. It is a good opportunity
to question the way we move our freight
through the network, and ensure we
are fully utilising our warehouses and
sweating these significant assets.
A strong and dedicated focus on sales
and growing our market share has been
pleasing to see this year, with some
fantastic new customers both locally
and globally, starting their journey
with Mainfreight. It goes to show what
can be achieved if we get out in front
of our existing customers and simply
ask, “What else can we do for you?”
Or, if a new customer, don’t be shy to
ask for the business. Let’s be proud of
our network and the investment in our
facilities. Let’s not be shy in showing
them off to our customers. Even in more
buoyant times, we should never stop
selling.
It is also in times like this that we
should always get back to good solid
Mainfreight 101s. It is these disciplines
that have been fundamental in allowing
us to be the business we are today.
Throughout all our branches in New
Zealand, and around the world, our walls
are covered in information that helps us
make decisions operationally on a daily
basis, and great sales tools that show
us where gaps exist that can be better
utilised. Let’s not ignore these valuable
tools in our branches. They paint a good
picture of how the branch is operating,
Mainfreight New Zealand
Carl George
and the potential to do more.
Every day our number one topic is
quality by delivering great service. It has
been pleasing to see the efforts across
the network this year to ensure we are
striving to improve what we do for our
customers. This is what they expect
from us, and what we promise. Thank
you to everyone who has made sure we
are delighting our customers with good
Mainfreight service every single day.
We have continued to improve and
expand our network this year, with
Whanganui moving into their new
transport cross-dock, the completion
of our renovated Transport and Air &
Ocean branch in New Plymouth, our
Hawke’s Bay Transport and Air & Ocean
team recently moved into their new
branch in Hastings, and Daily Freight
Auckland moved back to their renovated
branch in November.
We are also in the process of starting our
new branch development in Blenheim
and are on track with our new 3PL
Warehousing facility in Christchurch,
which will be completed by May 2026.
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Sales: Do not stop growing your business. Be passionate about
growing existing customers’ involvement and bringing new customers
on board. Sales is a numbers game so let’s always make sure we
have high levels of activity and a full sales pipeline.
2. Ensure the service you provide your customers is what you would
expect as a customer of Mainfreight.
3. Do not overcomplicate what we do every day: Keep what we do simple
and straightforward. Nothing beats good old-fashioned delivered-in-
full-on-time service.
4. Let’s make sure we are operating in a safe and sensible manner in
the operations and out on the roads every day. Let’s always look after
those around us.
5. The standards and image of your branch: Your trucks, your gardens,
your uniforms - reflect you and your team, the standards you set and
how passionate you are about them.
To all our teams, owner drivers, customers and the wider
Mainfreight Whanau, we wish you all a wonderful Christmas
and New Year. Thank you for everything you do for us, without
your efforts, we would not be what we are today, and we look
forward to what 2026 will bring us.
15
New Zealand2025
Prime Minister Visit Highlights Mainfreight’s Impact
We recently had New Zealand
Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon,
visit Mainfreight’s Tauranga branch,
recognising the company’s role in
connecting New Zealand to global
markets. Warren McKee, and the local
team, took the PM and his entourage
on a ‘depot’ tour to showcase our
investment in the region and the wide
range of services we provide, including
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) with Mainfreight Tauranga Branch Manager,
Warren McKee (L), and Sam Uffindell local MP (C) discussing the company’s global
logistics footprint and its contribution to New Zealand’s export economy
Alderman Place – Inland Port
Operation Auckland
Our inland port site, Alderman Place, in
Auckland is gaining momentum, providing our
import and export customers with an efficient
and sustainable means of moving containers
to and from the Port of Auckland. We recently
had KiwiRail’s Executive Team on site to
view operations and discuss future growth
aspirations. With the support of KiwiRail and
the Port of Auckland, we expect to increase
the number of shunts to and from the Port of
Auckland per day.
New Hastings Transport and Air & Ocean Branch is Open for Business
As we head to press, our teams have
moved into our new Transport Cross-
Dock and Air & Ocean branch in
Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, on the east
coast of the North Island. It is the
culmination of many years of searching
for a suitable site, having to dissect the
Transport branch, and moving the Air &
Ocean team to a separate office to cope
over the last few years. The wonderful
new facility in Hastings, is now open for
business.
Tise facility, which replaces our old depot
in Napier, will significantly enhance our
regional freight capabilities, supporting
more efficient operations and improved
service delivery across the network.
warehousing, national distribution and
import and export services.
The visit reinforced the National
government’s commitment to supporting
New Zealand businesses on the global
stage, and was a great way to highlight
the investment in this important market,
located close to the Port of Tauranga.
Hastings Transport and Air & Ocean branch
16
2025New Zealand
We have nearly completed another
calendar year. This year certainly has
been a ride - full of highs and lows,
challenges, successes and learnings
to ensure we keep growing as a
business and a team. The resilience
and determination to keep improving the
quality, service levels and our customer
experience have certainly been a
highlight through a challenging year.
A passion for improvement in our
operations and transport teams
lifted quality across key performance
measures, and provided our customers
with a much improved delivery
performance. Real-time data allowed us
to make informed decisions, improving
our service levels and customer
experience. The continued focus on
quality and service will provide a great
foundation for launching into 2026. This
strong platform empowers our energetic
sales teams to seize new opportunities
while ensuring we look after our existing
customers.
Achieving our weekly financial targets
will be crucial in meeting our profit goals
for the upcoming year. It is imperative
that everyone understands the role they
play, and how much influence they can
have on our weekly profit numbers.
Our weekly “run rates” and P&L are
key components to ensure we fulfil our
profit pledge for 2025/26 – “Passion for
Profit.”
Our network investment continues, to
ensure we are have sufficient capacity
and network intensity to future-proof
our business. We have transitioned
the following branches into their
new facilities, which are significant
investments to support our growth
aspirations.
Transport New Zealand
Nic Kay
The investment over the past two
years has added significant capacity to
the transport network, and we are still
planning to reinvest in our network in
2026.
Challenge yourself in 2026 to expand
your knowledge and skill set by being
“curious to learn”. Tap into the wealth of
experience within our business and find
a mentor to help you grow your skills and
career. There are many opportunities
for career growth if you step out of your
comfort zone and have the courage to
keep developing your career.
A special thank you to all our 1,350
Owner Drivers, whose investment and
performance are an integral part of our
service. Your professionalism on the
roads, and with our customers, is greatly
appreciated. Please do not compromise
on the image and quality of your fleet
it looks amazing on the roads of New
Zealand. Thank you for your ongoing
support.
• Daily Freight Auckland – O’Rorke Road re development
• Mainfreight Hastings
• Mainfreight Whanganui
• Owens Auckland – Hugo Johnston
• Mainfreight New Plymouth re development
• Mainfreight Cambridge – fully operational branch
• Chilled cross-docks in Palmerston North and Christchurch
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Sales: Everyone is a salesperson in our growth-focused business.
2. Maintain network quality: Don’t be the weakest link.
3. Excellence with integrity: Consistent, honest service.
4. Protect our image: Ensure our buildings, fleet and team look their best.
5. Health and Safety: Prioritise your safety, and that of your teammates.
Our Kaitaia branch participated in this one day,
free community celebration held in September at
the beautiful Matai Bay in the Far North.
The festival is aimed at bringing the community
and local businesses together.
Ngati Kahu Festival 2025 –
Mainfreight Kaitaia
Team, thank you for all your support throughout the year, and
for the energy, passion, and dedication you bring every day! I
wish you and your families a safe and relaxing holiday season,
and the very best for 2026.
17
New Zealand2025
Claims Performance
If your branch is below the Total Company number, then you are below average.
Make sure you and your team members work hard next year to be above this line.
To SepTo MarTo Sep
To SepTo MarTo Sep
Branch202520252024Branch202520252024
FTL South Island10,79124,24911,741
Masterton8,863 3,008 2,881
Metro Auckland7,704 6,454 8,097
Christchurch6,041 2,916 2,162
FTL Neilson Street6,000 4,930 5,171
2Home Tauranga5,725 1,495 1,493
Metro Christchurch4,315 9,522 10,995
2Home Auckland5,603 2,863 2,710
Timaru4,023 1,725 1,750
Hobsonville3,527 2,517 2,602
Chemcouriers Auckland2,211 2,027 1,797
Whanganui3,305 3,167 2,825
Masterton1,728 985 1,175
Gisborne3,135 537 461
Rotorua1,678 1,701 2,183
FTL South Island2,9672,9222,129
2Home Tauranga1,555 839835
Daily Freight Auckland2,960 1,290 1,112
Gore1,536 1,495 2,117
Wellington2,774 2,069 1,962
Invercargill1,325 1,454 1,382
Gore2,569 2,608 1,986
Whangarei1,127 781 639
Palmerston North2,520 1,711 1,712
Napier1,108 813 1,152
Metro Auckland2,491 2,648 3,658
2Home Auckland1,092 1,234 2,063
Whakatane2,491 1,710 3,225
2Home Christchurch1,070 1,507 1,972
Ashburton2,468 3,922 3,153
Tauranga1,040 913 933
Owens Auckland2,466 2,996 2,986
Blenheim1,022 591 464
Chem Auckland2,372 3,662 3,188
Palmerston North1,001 1,193 1,123
Timaru2,210 3,186 3,167
Levin978 819 1,021
Hamilton1,999 1,520 1,771
Thames937 759 1,230
2Home Wellington1,871 1,267 1,482
Greymouth919 1,207 1,177
Tauranga1,814 1,951 2,585
Hamilton884 883 1,022
Blenheim1,766 1,099 1,138
Oamaru838 994 1,105
Levin1,736 2,204 3,617
Hobsonville785 614 552
Total Company1,686 1,563 1,579
Whakatane756 975 1,265
Rotorua1,676 1,230 1,923
Total Company742 716 742 Metro Christchurch1,667 2,720 2,062
Cambridge737 --2Home Hastings1,6141,5111,473
Gisborne726 812 988
Invercargill1,528 1,573 1,640
Owens Auckland720 718 818 Auckland1,503 1,628 1,699
Ashburton703 722 628 Dunedin1,469 1,335 1,358
Wellington667 614 670 Daily Freight Christchurch1,388 1,162 1,113
Dunedin660 672 734 2Home Hamilton1,367 562 509
Daily Freight Christchurch582 508 534 Taupo1,354 2,153 2,920
2Home Wellington564 395 402 New Plymouth1,299 1,226 1,286
2Home Hastings5421,8061,656Kaitaia1,254 898 617
Nelson523 555 505 Cromwell1,2081,197963
Daily Freight Auckland513 433 349 Greymouth1,156 1,119 949
Taupo495 650 633 2Home Christchurch1,049 1,168 1,247
Whanganui489 711 957
Oamaru1,042 1,771 2,393
Owens Christchurch475 553 638
Owens Christchurch1,023 1,046 904
Auckland472 450 510 Napier993 1,436 1,688
2Home Hamilton459 630277 Cambridge950 --
Kaitaia429 3,249 1,717
Whangarei800 678 661
Christchurch411 424 444
Thames736 1,187 1,999
New Plymouth369 518 492
Nelson727 975 908
Cromwell304411571
FTL North Island4523
Cross-Dock Auckland7226117 Cross-Dock Auckland4 338 -
FTL North Island01318 FTL Neilson Street06540
Inwards Consignments Per ClaimOutward Consignments Per Claim
To SepTo MarTo Sep
To SepTo MarTo Sep
Branch202520252024Branch202520252024
FTL South Island10,79124,24911,741
Masterton8,863 3,008 2,881
Metro Auckland7,704 6,454 8,097
Christchurch6,041 2,916 2,162
FTL Neilson Street6,000 4,930 5,171
2Home Tauranga5,725 1,495 1,493
Metro Christchurch4,315 9,522 10,995
2Home Auckland5,603 2,863 2,710
Timaru4,023 1,725 1,750
Hobsonville3,527 2,517 2,602
Chemcouriers Auckland2,211 2,027 1,797
Whanganui3,305 3,167 2,825
Masterton1,728 985 1,175
Gisborne3,135 537 461
Rotorua1,678 1,701 2,183
FTL South Island2,9672,9222,129
2Home Tauranga1,555 839835
Daily Freight Auckland2,960 1,290 1,112
Gore1,536 1,495 2,117
Wellington2,774 2,069 1,962
Invercargill1,325 1,454 1,382
Gore2,569 2,608 1,986
Whangarei1,127 781 639
Palmerston North2,520 1,711 1,712
Napier1,108 813 1,152
Metro Auckland2,491 2,648 3,658
2Home Auckland1,092 1,234 2,063
Whakatane2,491 1,710 3,225
2Home Christchurch1,070 1,507 1,972
Ashburton2,468 3,922 3,153
Tauranga1,040 913 933
Owens Auckland2,466 2,996 2,986
Blenheim1,022 591 464
Chem Auckland2,372 3,662 3,188
Palmerston North1,001 1,193 1,123
Timaru2,210 3,186 3,167
Levin978 819 1,021
Hamilton1,999 1,520 1,771
Thames937 759 1,230
2Home Wellington1,871 1,267 1,482
Greymouth919 1,207 1,177
Tauranga1,814 1,951 2,585
Hamilton884 883 1,022
Blenheim1,766 1,099 1,138
Oamaru838 994 1,105
Levin1,736 2,204 3,617
Hobsonville785 614 552
Total Company1,686 1,563 1,579
Whakatane756 975 1,265
Rotorua1,676 1,230 1,923
Total Company742 716 742 Metro Christchurch1,667 2,720 2,062
Cambridge737 --2Home Hastings1,6141,5111,473
Gisborne726 812 988
Invercargill1,528 1,573 1,640
Owens Auckland720 718 818 Auckland1,503 1,628 1,699
Ashburton703 722 628 Dunedin1,469 1,335 1,358
Wellington667 614 670 Daily Freight Christchurch1,388 1,162 1,113
Dunedin660 672 734 2Home Hamilton1,367 562 509
Daily Freight Christchurch582 508 534 Taupo1,354 2,153 2,920
2Home Wellington564 395 402 New Plymouth1,299 1,226 1,286
2Home Hastings5421,8061,656Kaitaia1,254 898 617
Nelson523 555 505 Cromwell1,2081,197963
Daily Freight Auckland513 433 349 Greymouth1,156 1,119 949
Taupo495 650 633 2Home Christchurch1,049 1,168 1,247
Whanganui489 711 957
Oamaru1,042 1,771 2,393
Owens Christchurch475 553 638
Owens Christchurch1,023 1,046 904
Auckland472 450 510 Napier993 1,436 1,688
2Home Hamilton459 630277 Cambridge950 --
Kaitaia429 3,249 1,717
Whangarei800 678 661
Christchurch411 424 444
Thames736 1,187 1,999
New Plymouth369 518 492
Nelson727 975 908
Cromwell304411571
FTL North Island4523
Cross-Dock Auckland7226117 Cross-Dock Auckland4 338 -
FTL North Island01318 FTL Neilson Street06540
Inwards Consignments Per ClaimOutward Consignments Per Claim
Mainfreight Whanganui All Moved In
Our Whanganui team transitioned into their new,
custom-built site in July, following a site blessing by our
local Iwi.
First Operational Loadout in Whanganui’s new depot
Razza’s Room - A meeting room dedicated to
Ryan Satterthwaite, with his favourite quotes. A
much-loved son, brother and work colleague
who we lost tragically in May
18
2025New Zealand
Mainfreight Auckland Transport recently
hosted a truly special IDEA Day,
welcoming guests from IDEA Services
for a day filled with connection, creativity
and great fun. IDEA services provide
support to people with intellectual
disabilities in New Zealand and an
organisation we have worked with for
many years.
From the moment our guests arrived,
the atmosphere was buzzing with
excitement. Truck rides from our
Linehaul and PUD teams kicked off the
day, while the American Muscle Car
Club brought the thrill of fast rides and
tyre-screeching action right through the
depot.
KiwiRail added a unique experience,
bringing in a locomotive and inviting
guests to climb aboard a shunt engine,
take the driver’s seat, and sound the
horn. This was an unforgettable moment
that lit up faces with joy.
IDEA Day 2025: A Celebration of Inclusion and Community
After a shared lunch, we were visited
by Harold Giraffe from Life Education
and Duffy Boy from Books in Homes,
and then Mr Whippy rolled in to great
applause, with everyone lining up for a
well-earned ice cream treat.
This year also featured interactive sand
story-time areas, supported by Duffy
Books in Homes, adding a thoughtful
and engaging touch to the day.
One of the most memorable parts of
the day was a powerful kapa haka
performance from our guests, bringing
everyone together in song and
celebration.
IDEA Day is more than just an event
for our branch, it’s a celebration of
what makes our community strong
– inclusion, generosity and shared
experiences. A heartfelt thank you to
everyone who helped make the day so
memorable.
IDEA Day - Mainfreight Auckland
Tiny House Move
We continue to work closely with
one of our long-time customers to
bring in all his building materials
to Cromwell from his overseas
imports.
Now we’ve stepped up to move
the finished product, with the first
of many 10m long tiny homes
requiring help from Mainfreight
Cromwell’s pilot vehicles to
16-tonne Hiab cranes to lift it into
place.
It’s a great example of how we go
beyond standard freight transport
supporting our customers from
start to finish.
Wide Load Coming
Through
Recently, we tackled another
special project, transporting a
silo 3.3 m wide for one of our
customers in Mount Maunganui to
the Wastewater Treatment Plant in
Lower Hutt, Wellington.
This load required a pilot escort
due to the width (see photo below)
and a few detours due to the
height.
Well done to Navjot (80273) for
getting this load down safely, and
a special thanks to Cameron from
Trilogy Logistics for piloting us
along the route.
Bulk Wine Distribution
Blenheim
We specialise in bulk tanker
services, transporting wine from
wineries to bottling facilities using
a diverse fleet of tankers. Our two
lane tank wash facility handles
ISO tanks, road tankers, IBC
containers, flexi bags and fixed-
capacity tanks, offering hot wash,
caustic wash and full sanitisation
to industry standards.
We also support the annual grape
vintage, providing vital logistics
during the harvest season.
This initiative gives Mainfreight
a strong entry into the viticultural
space in the upper South Island,
while introducing our Air & Ocean,
Warehousing, and Domestic
Transport solutions to an
established customer base.
19
New Zealand2025
New Chilled Cross-Dock Facilities
Palmerston North
In April 2025, Mainfreight FTL in
Palmerston North became fully
operational in its chilled facility,
featuring 10,118 sqm of sealed yard,
office and chillers.
This is an exciting chilled cross-dock
hub for our new customers, and
we’re currently cross-docking into
the South Island, Wellington, New
Plymouth, Hastings, Gisborne and
Tauranga.
With three rear load/unload docks,
plus a smaller dock for tail lifts, it
places us in a very strong position as
we enter the chilled market.
The interest this facility has created,
both internally and externally, has
been 100% positive, and will prove
greatly beneficial for our customers.
Christchurch
FTL has recently established a
chilled facility in Christchurch to
build on our cool chain network for
distribution around the South Island.
This facility provides FTL options for
cross-docking tonnage from various
vendors, improving our utilisation
and service offering for customers.
We are currently in discussions with
several key customers about storage
at this site, helping them improve
speed to market by having product
closer to their end receivers. We still
have space available, so if you have
any opportunities, please contact
Michael Tunnicliffe to discuss.
Securing the Right Chilled
Freight Customers
We’re very proud to announce that
our team has successfully secured
the chilled produce work for a large
customer based in Levin. This is a
significant milestone that reflects our
growing partnership and capability in the
temperature-controlled freight space.
Originally planned with a 10 to 12 week
implementation window, the timeline
was dramatically shortened. But in true
Mainfreight fashion, the team rose to the
challenge and executed the full rollout
in just 20 days. This achievement is a
testament to the dedication, agility and
problem-solving mindset that defines
our people.
The process was not without its
challenges, but it became a massive
learning opportunity for everyone
involved. From operations to planning,
every part of the team contributed to
making this happen - and the result
speaks volumes about what we can
achieve together under pressure.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about
what the future brings with continued
growth of our chilled network.
Christchurch
Palmerston North
20
2025New Zealand
Friday 21 June 2024, was the last day
Daily Freight operated at 42 O’Rorke
Road, Penrose. This site had been our
home since 1994, and for the next 18
months, we relocated just up the road to
Hugo Johnston Drive.
Drenched in history, O’Rorke Road
has been home to multiple brands
over the years, including Daily
Freight, Chemcouriers, Mainfreight
Warehousing, and our IT team. Legends
were created here, many of which
remain within the Group today.
Daily Freight Auckland
With a 44,894 m² footprint, this was
always going to be a challenging project
- one we trusted Dominion Constructors
to deliver on. Demolition began in early
July 2024, and it has been full steam
ahead since, with all new steel being
ordered for a leakproof roof, pre-fab
walls safely enclosing our depot, and
a fully automated truck wash being
installed alongside a manual wash pad
to ensure we maintain our Mainfreight
Mondays. And did we mention the
weighbridge...
The office block is fully rebuilt, with
internal floor-to-ceiling windows on level
one giving a full view of our operation.
The cafeteria offers similar views at
ground level. We’ve lengthened our rail
siding, allowing 14 wagons internally,
installed six dock levelers to future-proof
for rear-loading units, and added an
extra eight metres to the eastern side of
the dock, all now under one roof.
Monday, 24 November 2025, was our
first scheduled day of operation, over
60 truck parks and 81 team and guest
parks, plenty of room for everyone.
Nationwide Forklift Competition
Earlier this year, we undertook our second Forklift Safety Awareness Month as
a nationwide campaign. The month included ‘Forklift Road Code’ eLearning,
created by our training team based purely on the events we are seeing in our
branches. It was designed to target the safe forklift and machinery behaviours
we want to see, while also including the crucial element of how to be a safe
pedestrian in our branches.
Also included in the month was a branch leaderboard, aimed at reinforcing
positive forklift behaviours, a photo competition and a nationwide forklift
competition where we crowned our national forklift champion.
Contestants first needed to win their in-branch competition, before competing at
a regional championship, with the winners progressing to a national final.
Our
2025
Regional
Winners
2025 Winner – Ranjay Sharma,
Mainfreight Tauranga
No denying who the 2025 Forklift
Champion is as Ranjay drives
around on his golden hoist
The original Daily FreightWhat it looks like today
21
New Zealand2025
Reflecting on a year of growth,
connection, and achievement.
As we approach the end of the year,
it’s the perfect time to pause and
reflect on the incredible journey we’ve
shared over the past 12 months. From
successful projects and implementing
new initiatives to team development and
community engagement, we’ve made
significant strides and strengthened our
bonds across the Warehousing team.
This year has been marked by major
milestones, including the completion
of the Savill South 2Home Warehouse
and the expansion of our hazardous
goods capacity with the Beach Road
facility, both key investments in our
infrastructure and future growth.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about the
upcoming Mānia Road development in
Christchurch, set to open in May 2026.
Our focus remains clear, delivering
quality service, developing our people
and delighting our customers. The Mighty
Ninety development programmes held
in autumn and winter have empowered
our team with knowledge in leadership,
project management, warehousing
operations, pallet management and
sales processes, and have laid the
foundation for continued personal and
professional growth.
Warehousing New Zealand
Brynley Richies
Seven things to do better in 2026
1. Warehousing image: Maintaining high standards across our sites.
2. Customer care: Keeping our customers engaged and satisfied.
3. Operational excellence: Improving stock control and inventory
accuracy.
4. Communication: Fostering strong connections through PAT meetings
and customer engagement.
5. Team structure and training: Ensuring the right people are in the right
roles, and creating pathways for career development.
6. Health & Safety: Making sure everyone goes home safely.
7. Sales: Driving growth through proactive engagement.
At Mainfreight, success is built on the
small things - attention to detail, going
the extra mile, and staying true to our
values. Whether you’re a leader or
a team member, your role is vital in
shaping our culture and driving our
mission forward.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy Christmas.
Thank you for your commitment, energy and contribution
throughout the year. Let’s make 2026 a year of continued
connection, growth and shared successes.
We were thrilled to launch the Mighty Ninety series,
impactful 90-minute Friday morning sessions designed
to energise, engage, and upskill our teams in preparation
for the busy season ahead.
These interactive, hands-on sessions made full use
of training PCs and focused on key operational and
leadership topics. The series has now been rolled out
across other regions to ensure a consistent experience
for all teams.
Session Highlights:
• Leadership
• Hire Management
• Microsoft Excel (Basic)
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
Mighty Ninety Time: Kickstarting Engagement for Peak Season
To those taking time off over the festive
season, enjoy the well deserved break
with family and friends. For those
working through, thank you for your
dedication - don’t forget to schedule
time to recharge.
The team in action during a Mighty Ninety session -
collaborating, learning, and leading with purpose
22
2025New Zealand
The spirit of generosity was on full
display as Mainfreight partnered with
the Kindness Collective Foundation for
a special volunteer initiative at Savill
South 2Home.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Cody
Watts and his incredible team, who not
only provide year-round storage support
to the Collective, but also rolled up their
sleeves to pack an impressive 288 food
boxes enough to feed 1,152 people
across Aotearoa.
Their commitment to community, and
willingness to go above and beyond
Mainfreight Team Lends a Hand to Feed Over 1,000 Kiwis
was deeply appreciated, with Kindness
Collective sharing their gratitude:
“A huge thank you to Mainfreight, and
especially Cody and his awesome team
for backing us in more ways than one.
We are so grateful for your ongoing
support and for rolling up your sleeves
to help whānau across Aotearoa.”
Mainfreight is proud to stand alongside
organisations like the Kindness
Collective, helping to make a meaningful
difference in the lives of families
nationwide.
Exciting changes are underway
at the Manu Street Warehouse,
where innovation and teamwork are
delivering real results.
Smarter Picking with ‘Pick-to-
Weight’
The New Zealand Warehousing
business has been trialling a new
‘pick-to-weight’ system, a clever
initiative aimed at eliminating the
need for manual pick checks. Using
calibrated weigh scales attached
to our MPC machine, the system
verifies that the weight of products
Manu Street Warehouse: Smart Improvements Driving Efficiency
placed on a pallet matches the
expected pick quantities from each
location.
While we’re still ironing out a few
teething issues, the early results are
promising. Once fully operational,
this system is expected to save up
to 10 hours across the warehouse
each day - a significant boost to
productivity.
Dispatch Area Revamp for
Increased Throughput
With the arrival of a new customer,
and the resulting increase in order
volume, the team took proactive
steps to upgrade the dispatch
area. Several bays of racking were
removed and relocated to create
a more efficient space. We also
added and replaced roller beds to
streamline order flow and eliminate
double handling.
These improvements have already
made a measurable impact,
increasing our lines completed per
hour and improving our Rate of
Return (ROR).
Savill South Team
Laith Hammond Old dispatch area New dispatch area
23
New Zealand2025
What began as an empty warehouse
with no accounts, no team and no
roadmap has transformed into a
thriving operation powered by grit,
hustle and belief.
There was no handover. No
playbook. No safety net. Just a
handful of determined people doing
whatever it took, whenever it was
needed. We learned fast, moved
faster, and built from the ground up
- one order, one customer and one
win at a time.
Today, the lights are on. The wheels
are turning. And that once empty
space is now alive with purpose and
progress. Not because we waited
for the perfect plan, but because we
didn’t. We acted. We adapted. We
made it real.
Savill South isn’t just a warehouse.
It’s a mindset. And the best part?
We’re only just getting started.
Savill South From Empty
Floors to Full Momentum
- Our “Ready, Fire, Aim”
Journey
We’re once again proud to share that 107 Westney Road was awarded
Branch of the Year 2025, marking another incredible milestone for the
team. Under the leadership of Esmond Lum, the branch continues to set
the standard for excellence, teamwork and customer service.
This is only the fourth time a New Zealand Warehouse has taken home the
coveted Terry Cunneen Branch of the Year Trophy. Branch 107 Westney
Road now holds the honour of being the first warehousing branch to win it
three times, a testament to the strength and consistency of the team.
We’re incredibly thankful for the growth and achievements of our branch
team in recent times. Their dedication, energy and commitment to doing
things the Mainfreight way have truly paid off.
A huge thank you to our customers for their ongoing support, and to the
wider Mainfreight network, your collaboration and backing help us get
things done every day.
Branch of the Year 2025 - 107 Westney Road
It’s been a busy and rewarding few weeks for the Hamilton team, with a mix of
community involvement, celebration and friendly competition.
Tree Planting for the Local Council
Our team proudly supported the local council’s environmental initiative by
completing a tree planting project - contributing to a greener, healthier Hamilton.
BBQ Celebration for New Satellite Installation
To mark the successful installation of our new satellite, the team gathered for a
well-earned BBQ. It was a great chance to relax, connect and celebrate progress
together.
What’s Happening in Hamilton?
Savill South - from bare
concrete to bustling hub
Hamilton Team planting trees
Celebrating success with a BBQ after the
satellite installation - team spirit at its best
24
2025New Zealand
It’s amazing how quickly the year has
raced by. It seems like just yesterday
we were standing in Rotorua at our BM
Conference, ready to reset and start
again. At the time of writing, we can
be pleased with the progress we have
made so far this year. Year-to-Date
Profit is ahead, shipment numbers and
combined import and export volumes
are also up across both ocean and air
freight service products.
Thank you team, for getting stuck
in and making the most of our reset
opportunity. We now need to keep our
foot on the gas, and ensure we maintain
this momentum through our busiest
quarter, when our Perishable Airfreight
business cranks up, in what we hope
will be another busy summer airfreight
season.
Taking a moment to reflect on some of
our accomplishments over the calendar
year, we can be proud of what we have
achieved:
1. Our “Crush the Cubes Sales Mission”
in August, the Auckland market with 655
dedicated Less than Container Load
(LCL) sales calls and adding $1.2M of
much needed new LCL business into
our Auckland containers.
2. We launched new 1MF (1 Mainfreight)
LCL services from Shanghai to Lyttleton
and from Los Angeles to Wellington. We
continue to drive growth and ensure that
more of our LCL containers are loaded
directly into all our branches, not just co-
loaded into Auckland and trucked to the
final destination.
3. We started a night shift operation to
improve the speed and quality of our
LCL container packing and unpacking
at our new Container Freight Station
(CFS) in Auckland.
4. In line with our goal of extracting
maximum value from our technology
tools, we completed the rollout of our
Freight Handling Tool, enabling us
to go paperless on the dock in all our
CFS operations. We introduced new
customer purchase order management
technology, and increased our use of
smart billing and rate management
technology systems to help us work
smarter and not harder.
Air & Ocean New Zealand
Paul Riethmaier
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Embrace our sales culture: We will always need a relentless energy to
grow more business. Contribute to the sales culture in your branch,
hit the gongs and get involved in learning about and celebrating our
successes.
2. Improve our customer centricity: It’s crucial that we all prioritise talking
to customers, or spending time with customers on sales calls every
day. In Air & Ocean, our value is realised through communication.
Challenge yourself to use both phone and email together next year,
rather than substituting one for the other. Our customer net promoter
scores will skyrocket.
3. Quality in everything we do: For us, this is both in our service levels
and the presentation of our team and assets in the market. Dress
smart, keep your branches and workspaces tidy, pick up rubbish when
you see it and tell your Branch Manager if things are broken or look
out of place.
4. Operations efficiency: Embrace the Task Alignment Project. By the
end of 2026, all NZ A&O Branches will have alignment in the way we
manage operations tasks. Bring an open mind when it comes to your
branch, and think about the efficiencies we will get from visibility of
pending operations tasks across branches.
5. Support each other: We need to be more generous with our time to
help other branches. Finding ways to operate more jobs with less
people and sharing workload across all branches when job numbers
spike, remains key to our success.
Well done and thanks to all for helping
to make these new initiatives a success.
To ensure we close out the financial
year well, we will need immediate
focus on export LCL and air freight.
The NZ economy has made it difficult
for manufacturing businesses, so we
must lift our efforts to hunt down export
freight. LCL and air freight are strong
products for us. We also know that
selling more LCL and airfreight, rather
than FCL, improves our margins. So,
now is the time to hit the market hard.
Remember, everyone is responsible for
sales, not just the sales team. Please
keep your eyes and ears open for export
opportunities in your local towns or
cities, and share the feedback with the
sales team in your branch.
As we head into Christmas, we have much to be happy about,
but we also have a lot more to accomplish in the early part of
2026 to build on our current momentum. Thank you, team, for
your ongoing hard work and dedication. Wishing you and your
families a safe and relaxing holiday season.
25
New Zealand2025
Beekeepers Association
Our Whangarei Team had the
opportunity to join a fantastic event that
brought together the local beekeepers’
association. We catered the BBQ and
allowed them to focus on the business,
which offered a wonderful way to
connect with the community, and learn
more about the beekeeping industry
as we engaged with both familiar and
new faces. The sunny afternoon in
Titoki added to the enjoyment, creating
a perfect backdrop for networking and
sharing knowledge. Getting to sample
some of the local honey was also a
highlight.
CaroTrans Customer BBQ
Earlier this year, we hosted our first ever
CaroTrans customer breakfast BBQ,
serving up bacon, eggs and a good
dose of morning banter.
There was no agenda, no rates, just
the sound of sizzling bacon, a few
brave egg flips and plenty of laughs.
The conversation flowed easily and
relationships strengthened. It was
relaxed, genuine and a refreshing way
to connect with our customers beyond
the usual calls and emails.
While customer BBQs are a long-
standing Mainfreight tradition, it was a
first for us, and a great reminder that
sharing a meal is part of who we all
are. No matter which service we sell, or
brand we represent, food has a way of
bringing people together.
Something as simple as sharing a meal
together proved to be a real point of
difference for us, and it was felt by our
customers too. The BBQ was a success,
and as we head into summer, we plan
to fire up the grill again to keep those
pukus full, and connections growing.
A big thank you to our family at Daily
Freight for their BBQ trailer.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
Champion
Sonya Buckle
What an honour to be the first recipient of the NZ
BCP Award!
This was only possible due to the incredible
participation, time, and effort in testing our BCP by
the whole branch. The dedication and collaboration
made this a true team success. With input from each
team, we’ve gained valuable insights, uncovered
opportunities for improvement and sparked a host
of ideas to strengthen our processes even further.
L-R: Annette Webb, Wilsyn Chang,
Sonya Buckle and Joel Pereira
26
2025New Zealand
Aircraft Tour Christchurch
The team at Emirates offered the team at
Air & Ocean Christchurch the opportunity
to take a tour of a number of the aircraft
that call in daily. These flights carry import
freight and returns with our dry and
perishable freight to Sydney, where some
of the volume is on-forwarded to the rest
of the world. The true value of the tour
was being shown through the cargo hold
of the aircraft, giving the team a real time
appreciation of the capacity work with.
Community Day
For the past two years the team at
Mainfreight Air & Ocean Christchurch
have been contributing to the local
Council environmental preservation
and regeneration project, where the
branch has been assigned a section
of the park at Styx Mill Reserve. This
year we were able to see the benefits
of having cleared land of dense scrub
and weeds two years ago, and follow
this up with replanting native plants
to assist with returning the park to it’s
natural state.
Some hard yards were put in by
the team, and this was rewarded
with a post working bee BBQ. Much
appreciated.
Soil Exchange
In Honour of Dave Gallaher
Mainfreight Air & Ocean Hamilton and
Mainfreight Air & Ocean Europe are
excited to be part of a project that will
honour Dave Gallaher, All Black #97,
on ANZAC Day 2026, who was killed in
1917 whilst fighting in WW1.
This project involves a soil/sand
exchange from NZ > Belgium, Ireland,
France, then from Belgium, Ireland and
France > NZ. The origins of the soil/
sand from both NZ and Europe have
huge emotional factors to the success
of this project, but first, the compliance
requirements had to be determined and
complied with.
The collaboration between our MFAO
Teams in NZ, the Netherlands, Belgium,
and France once again shows the
strength of our network and capabilities.
A huge thank you to the EU Teams for
your hard work, which resulted in the
MFAO NZ Team being able to commence
the first stages of this project.
L-R: Sophie Coman-Wright, Kevin Coman-Wright, Tony Martin,
Nathan Wardle, Travis Hibbs (obscured), Mary Wardle, Hamish
Robertson, Julie Mcllroy, Derek Watson, Paige Mcllroy, Helen Watson,
Joel Stuart, Zoe Ruyters, Brendan Ruyters, Robert Stewart
Back Row L-R: Matt Webb (IVS) and
Blair Christiansen (Eden Park)
Front Row L-R: Annette Webb and
Shane Douglas
27
Europe2025
Europe
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a great
time to reflect on what we have achieved
together as a team. This year has
brought growth, plenty of challenges and
lots of learning – thank you for keeping
the freight moving. While the effort put
in doesn’t always translate to the bottom
line, it does make a difference and is
hugely appreciated!
Our sales teams have been in front of
more customers than ever, with results
reflected in a growing opportunity
pipeline, and a solid uplift in new
customer gains. The beverage vertical
continues to grow, with new customer
gains across all three products reflecting
increased focus on this resilient sector.
Relationships with some of the world’s
largest wine and spirits companies are
expanding thanks to outstanding service
from Mainfreight teams in Europe, and
around the world.
Significant ocean freight volume growth
reflects strong sales gains from earlier
in the year. This momentum has
strengthened our partnerships with core
carriers, ensuring reliable access to
capacity across all market conditions,
and giving our customers confidence
that their goods will move as planned.
Warehousing performance is improving
after a demanding year of onboarding
new supply chain customers across
the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and
Romania. The hard work and learnings
from this period set the foundation for
stronger results. Filling the remaining
capacity is important and key to
improving ROR.
Again, we’ve moved more freight
through our Transport network. The
challenge ahead is to keep increasing
volume without increasing our team
size. In a market where customer
expectations are rising, we know that
reliability and communication are key
and remain firmly within our control.
Technology trials have also advanced,
introducing tools to improve efficiency
Mainfreight Europe
Ben Fitts
and quality - VR glasses, optimised
picking software, stock-reconciling
robots, dimension scanners and
customs clearance solutions. These
tools assist the team, but never replace
the human touch that makes Mainfreight
special. Going above and beyond for our
customers will always be our difference.
Five things to do better in 2026
1. There is a big difference between listening and being quiet whilst
waiting to talk: We are a better business (and people) if we listen.
2. Make time to think: You might be surprised by what you come up with,
given a little time!
3. Keep learning.
4. Take responsibility: Mistakes happen, be accountable and learn from
them.
5. One Mainfreight: do all that you can to help others be successful.
Team, thank you for your energy and dedication this year - enjoy
the holiday break with family and friends - you’ve earned it.
There’s plenty to look forward to in 2026, and we’ll again tackle
it together as one Mainfreight team. Happy New Year!
28
2025Europe
As we approach the end of the year,
we can conclude that it has been a
challenging year so far. With energy and
optimism, we continue to work to improve
across all branches. “The standards you
walk past are the standards you set” is
an important message that counts for all
of us. Maintaining discipline in all we do,
and serving our customers in the best
possible way, is how we can make a
difference.
Our branch quality and efficiency targets
are clear, embrace them and continue
seeking opportunities to improve.
Question the things we are doing, use
our technology in the right way and
provide feedback to each other. PAT
meetings are a great tool to identify
potential, and to take action.
We continue to work on our technology.
Please read the article about the
introduction of AI in our customs
process. This tool is of great support
to our team in validating the data we
receive. As a result, we can provide
higher quality products and increase
process efficiency. A good insight into
what the future will look like.
Providing quality is more than the on-
time, in-full performance. It is about
all stages of the process. Data quality
Transport and Trucks & Drivers
Frans Zuidgeest
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Margin improvement: Every new shipment that contributes to our
network counts. What is the utilisation potential in your branch?
2. Sales growth: Out on the road, enjoy exploring the opportunities, BM’s
involvement is key.
3. Operational efficiency: Make use of our technology, do it right the first
time and eliminate ‘waste’. What can you do?
4. Cost control: Passion for profit. Every Euro not spent contributes to
our ROR. Understand our financials. What is your contribution?
5. Succession planning: For you to develop, who is the person who can
take your role?
means that we have the correct
dimensions, addresses, and instructions
to enable the team on the dock,
and the drivers, to deliver excellent
performance. Handling quality starts
with goods that are properly packed.
From the moment we pick up, until
we deliver, proper packaging reduces
damage and escalations. It is a team
effort to get this right.
In today’s supply chains, safety and
security become more and more
Happy holidays to you all, and enjoy time
together with your family and friends.
important. You and our team are the best
line of defence. Similar to cybersecurity,
stay alert, and if you don’t trust it, report
it. Together, we can protect each other
and our customers’ goods.
Team, thank you for the hard work and
dedication. We look forward to your
ideas, initiatives and tangible actions to
do every day better than the day before.
Deal with the challenges with a positive
mindset and energy, and let’s build a
stronger business together.
29
Europe2025
6 km Run – Cluj Team
The Mainfreight Cluj team recently laced up their running
shoes and hit the streets for a vibrant 6 km run through
the heart of the city. This wasn’t just about fitness. It was a
celebration of team spirit, wellness and connection.
From the very first step, the atmosphere was electric.
Cheers from enthusiastic spectators, energising music
along the route and the lively buzz of Cluj made every
kilometre fly by. Some teammates chased personal bests,
while others embraced the joy of running together, soaking
in the experience and camaraderie.
Crossing the finish line was more than a physical
achievement. It was a shared moment of pride. It reminded
us that stepping outside the office to support one another
strengthens not only our bodies, but our bonds. When we
run as one, we go further on the course and in our work.
L-R: Silviu Moldovan, Roxana Suciu,
Gheorghe Ciobanu, Valeriia Karnabatska,
Attila Orban, Sergiu Suciu
The Customs team at Mainfreight
‘s-Heerenberg has recently started
using an advanced AI tool to assist
with preparing customs documents.
This innovative application significantly
increases efficiency in daily operations.
Everyday approximately 200 export
and import documents are processed
for various teams and branches within
Mainfreight. The size and complexity
of these shipments vary greatly from
simple requests with a single invoice
and a single product code, to extensive
files with dozens of invoice pages and
multiple product codes.
Before the introduction of the AI tool,
the necessary counting work was done
entirely manually, which was time-
consuming and prone to errors. Thanks
to AI driven automation, the calculations
are now performed quickly, accurately
and reliably.
Upon receipt of a request to prepare
a customs document, the relevant
information is forwarded to the AI tool
via email, along with specific data that
the system has been trained on. For
optimal performance, the invoices and
packing lists provided must be complete
and correct. That is why we actively
Mainfreight Optimises Customs Processes with AI
collaborate with other teams and
customers to highlight the importance
of complete documentation.
The time saved by using AI is used to
train employees more broadly, enabling
them to be deployed flexibly across
both export and import processes. In
addition, the increased processing
speed makes it possible to handle more
shipments per day, and provides scope
to actively seek new customers together
with the Sales team.
The use of AI within Mainfreight
represents an important step towards
a future in which speed, quality and
customer focus are central.
Arjen Nijpjes preparing customs documents with the help of AI
30
2025Europe
On June 29th, Mainfreight Tilburg
hosted a fantastic Family Day, and
we couldn’t have asked for better
weather! With the sun shining
and temperatures just right, we
embraced the summer vibes by
setting up small pools for the kids,
and handing out water guns to keep
everyone cool and entertained.
Throughout the day, music filled
the air as team members proudly
introduced their families to one
another, creating a warm and
welcoming atmosphere. We brought
back some classic Dutch games,
including the popular spijkerslaan.
We welcomed Wygle’s teaching
truck, giving family members a
hands-on experience of what it’s like
to drive a truck.
For the little ones, we had a bouncy
castle and a kids pool, though they
weren’t the only ones enjoying the
water! With the heat rising, even
some of our team members couldn’t
Mainfreight Tilburg
– Family Day
It was great to engage with the New
Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher
Luxon, and the key executive leadership
team from APM Terminals (Maasvlakte
II) during the PM’s visit to Rotterdam,
The Netherlands.
Our discussions highlighted the critical
role that well-funded, efficient and
highly productive ports play in the
global movement and on-time delivery
of goods. And importantly, the adverse
effects on efficiency and the flow of
goods when continually underfunded.
As trade volumes rise, and customer
expectations for timely deliveries
increase in a world where supply chains
are constantly evolving, continued
investment in port infrastructure,
technology and automation is vital. It
was encouraging to hear that there is an
appetite for further port investments in
key global markets.
Welcoming NZ Prime Minister Luxon to Rotterdam
We thank Prime Minister Luxon and the APM Terminals team
for the opportunity for Mainfreight to be part of these important
conversations, and we welcome further opportunities to do so.
L-R: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Nic Matthews
resist jumping in. The water guns were
a hit with both kids and adults, and
yes, even our Branch Manager got
caught in the crossfire!
We wrapped up the day with a
delicious summer BBQ and drinks,
enjoying each other’s company
until the sun went down. It was a
day full of laughter, connection and
unforgettable memories.
31
Europe2025
As with previous editions of our
newsletter, we welcome the opportunity
to provide updates from Mainfreight
Europe to our customers and wider
teams. This year, we have made further
progress in our European Air & Ocean
branches in both financial performance
and product development.
A strong sales effort over the last 12
months has introduced more customers
to our network from a wide range of
industries. As a result, our volumes
have grown, and this year we will
ship a record number of full container
loads (FCL) in and out of Europe. Our
export airfreight product is also driving
our results, with additional shipments
and volumes supporting our weekly
consolidations.
The above product development relies
on key partnerships with airlines and
ocean carriers that service our trade
lanes. Within this newsletter, you can
read about two recent carrier visits
where our teams had the opportunity
to experience the planes, vessels and
infrastructure that carry some of our
shipments in Germany and Belgium.
These core carrier relationships allow
us to secure capacity for future volumes,
and also keep up to date with market
developments.
Whilst the UK team highlighted their
football prowess in the following pages,
it also serves as a reminder of our
growing team and footprint in the UK.
We will celebrate our 10th anniversary
next year, and we have gone from a
standalone branch to six branches
across our three Mainfreight products.
We are far from finished with our growth
ambitions, and our Air and Ocean
branches in Heathrow, Stratford and
Manchester are leading the way for
future investment.
Air & Ocean Europe
Brad Russell
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Invoiced on time: As we get busier, we must ensure we follow our
processes to invoice customers on time. This impacts our cash flow.
2. Efficiency: The technology around us is moving quickly, so it is important
that we share our current developments across all regions.
3. Sales activity: We had a good 12 months securing new business, so
imagine what we can achieve with even greater efforts.
4. Quality: It remains a key differentiator that sets us apart from our
competitors.
5. Think big: Let’s keep setting lofty targets and become much larger
branches.
The opportunities ahead
continue to excite us. Thank
you for your support, and
wishing you and your families a
happy and safe holiday season.
32
2025Europe
The Air & Ocean team in Rotterdam
and Antwerp were granted the unique
opportunity to visit one of the vessels
that carries our freight. With the ongoing
delays in sailing schedules, it was only
natural that we had to patiently wait for
the vessel to arrive on the day we visited
the port.
But in July, we finally made it to the
Atlantic Star at the Port of Antwerp.
ACL, the vessel owner, plays a key part
in our 1MF and RORO services on the
Transatlantic trade.
After putting on our safety vests and
receiving the green light from the
vessel’s crew, the tour commenced.
Starting on the garage decks, we
observed the securely lashed cars,
caravans, tractors, cranes and other
OOG freight. Working our way up, we
made it to the cell guides on deck,
where the structures help stack and
secure containers. Did you know ACL
has never lost a container in over 40
years?
ACL Vessel Visit – Air & Ocean Team Sets Sail in Antwerp
In July, Mainfreight UK hosted its 4th
annual football tournament, bringing
together teams from all business
units across the country for a day of
spirited competition.
This event not only showcased the
footballing talents of our brothers and
sisters, but also fostered meaningful
UK Football Tournament
connections between the offices,
strengthening bonds and celebrating
our shared passion for teamwork both
on and off the pitch. Afterwards, we
got together for some drinks and food
to celebrate the day.
This year, the Heathrow Air office
emerged victorious once again,
beating Coalville for their third win out
of four tournaments, and solidifying
their status as the team to beat. As
we continue to grow within the UK,
we are already looking forward to
next year’s tournament where we
can mark a decade of Mainfreight’s
success in the UK with even more
excitement and unity.
Last, but not least, we got a spectacular
view from the navigation bridge. From
this point of view, it became clear why
ACL docks in Antwerp.
With Antwerp’s infrastructure and
specialised terminals, and ACL’s focus
on EU–US trade, our partnership with
ACL will continue to be smooth (and
important) sailing.
L-R: Mitchell Stint, Stijn Vliegen, Jacco Wijker, Tom Slabbers,
Wesley Banis, Evgeny Gvozdev, Enisa Kajmovic
33
Europe2025
Hi Team,
As we approach the festive season,
preparations for peak season are in
full swing. In this edition, Nicole, our
Warehousing Meiland Branch Manager,
shares insights into how her team
is getting ready. One thing is clear,
managing customer expectations is
key. That means agreeing on detailed
forecasts, no surprises, just solid
planning.
Quality starts with our people. Our talent
scouts in the branches are very active in
finding enthusiastic team members who
are ready to contribute long-term to the
success of our branches.
Warehousing Evergem has launched a
brand new meeting space called “The
Greenhouse.” And it’s not for growing
tomatoes! It’s designed to grow ideas,
collaboration, and brilliant plans over
coffee - a great initiative to boost
creativity and teamwork.
The call for Sales Cadets is getting
louder, and that’s music to our ears.
Growth is our goal, and we need a
strong, dynamic sales force to achieve
it. Do you know someone with energy,
drive and a passion for Warehousing?
Invite them to join the Sales Cadets!
In the coming months, we’re kicking
off several automation initiatives. One
example is the automatic seal line in
Meiland. Instead of sealing pallets
one by one, team members can now
place multiple pallets on a conveyor for
automatic sealing and labelling. This
saves time and boosts efficiency.
Warehousing Europe
Liane Philipsen
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Need for speed: Set short-term deadlines and act fast.
2. Customer contact: No ghosting! Keep relationships warm and active.
3. Clear forecast agreements: Be precise and aligned with customers.
4. Automation and AI: Use technology to gain efficiency and free up time
for smart decision-making.
5. Quality: Because operational excellence is our standard.
Let’s finish the
year strong, with
a smile
and a plan!
Virtual Reality Video
Did you know we have the capability
to show our branch in (virtual) reality
anywhere in the world? Since the
beginning of this year, Mainfreight
Born in the Netherlands has proudly
offered a Virtual Reality (VR)
experience of our warehouse.
Through a regional collaboration
aimed at boosting brand awareness,
we were invited to participate, and
one of the standout features was the
creation of a VR film showcasing our
site.
The glasses can be used on multiple
occasions, and this is a powerful tool
for engaging with both current and
potential customers. For existing
clients with overseas headquarters,
who are unable to visit in person,
this VR experience offers a unique
opportunity to view their stored
products remotely. It’s a tangible way
to build trust and reinforce customer
loyalty by showing the care and
precision with which we handle their
goods.
For new customers, the VR
experience serves as a first
impression when an on-site visit isn’t
feasible. It allows us to demonstrate
our storage capabilities and value-
added services in a dynamic and
immersive way - highlighting what
makes Mainfreight Born a reliable
and forward-thinking partner.
These glasses are also used by our
talent scouts when we attend job fairs
or schools to showcase our branch
firsthand, helping us stand out from
competitors.
This innovation reflects our
commitment to customer satisfaction
and continuous improvement.
34
2025Europe
Greenhouse Evergem – A Breath of Fresh Air in Evergem
The Evergem branch has taken
“thinking outside the box” to a whole
new level, literally. Right outside our
building, we’ve installed a greenhouse
that now serves as a meeting space
for our team members.
It’s not just a room - it’s a place where
ideas grow, conversations spark action
and our team connects in a setting that
reflects who we are. This space has
quickly become a favourite spot for our
PAT meetings, where we challenge
each other to find smarter, safer and
more cost-effective ways of working.
Whether it’s a quality improvement, a
safety win or a cost-saving idea, the
greenhouse is helping us keep the
momentum going.
Surrounded by natural light and
greenery, it’s a fresh reminder of our
culture: practical, people-focused and
always pushing for better.
It’s another step in creating
environments where our team
can thrive - and where continuous
improvement is part of the everyday.
Next year, we hope to grow some
delicious strawberries in the
greenhouse, providing our team with a
fresh, healthy snack at meetings.
As someone who is deeply passionate
about reading and collecting books,
I dreamed of creating a space where
stories could be shared freely and
joyfully. That dream became reality in
the form of a small library within our
branch. A place where anyone can take
a book home for the weekend, unwind
with a good story or even practice
reading in Dutch or English.
What makes this library truly special is
how it came to life. Many of the books
have been donated by team members,
and to add even more colour and variety,
we searched second-hand shops for
hidden gems.
A Little Library with a Big Heart in Zaltbommel
Today, our shelves hold books in eight
different languages, ranging from crime
and sci-fi to romance and children’s
stories.
It’s been heartwarming to see how many
people who might not usually buy books
now have easy access to stories that
inspire, entertain, and teach. And we’re
not stopping here; we keep collecting
more books and growing our little library,
one story at a time.
I hope this initiative encourages others
to share the joy of reading and build
their own spaces for stories to thrive.
Peak season is just around the corner,
and that means all hands on deck!
The warehouse is buzzing with energy
as preparations ramp up. We’re
aligning volumes and capacities with
our customers, and fine-tuning our
processes to ensure everything runs
smoothly when the busy days arrive.
Behind the scenes, our canteen ladies
are stepping up in a big way! They’re
cooking up delicious meals to keep the
team energised, focused and ready to
tackle each day.
Energised and Preparing the Team for the Busy Season Ahead
To make things even more exciting,
they’re exploring new ideas to fuel
us with flavour. One tasty initiative - A
week of specialty dishes from around
the world! Think boerenkool met worst
from the Netherlands, pizza from Italy,
or nachos with all the trimmings from
Mexico - good food, great teamwork
and the shared energy that drives us
forward.
Let’s keep the momentum going and
make this season our best yet - together!
Our outdoor greenhouse
meeting room
Bernadett Nedermann enjoying the
team library in Zaltbommel branch
Monique Winters, keeping
the team fueled
35
Europe2025
Over the past few years, we have
been working very hard to move all
our warehousing customers in Europe
from our old Warehouse Management
System (WMS), MARC-CS, to our new
WMS, Mainhouse.
One of the advantages we’ve seen
with Mainhouse is that the screens are
much more team-member-friendly and
intuitive than those in the old WMS, so
team members get up to speed with the
system much more quickly. They can
now also create their own filters and
dashboards within the screens.
The Warehousing Support team can
now also develop Mainfreight-specific
Mainhouse
screens and workflows in Mainhouse,
enabling warehousing teams to have the
most efficient processes and overviews
as needed.
With Mainhouse, we can now connect
more easily with external systems. One
of the external systems we’re going to
test to improve efficiency is the Pick-by-
Vision solution. The team member will
see the warehousing task on “smart
glasses” and confirm it via voice.
Alongside the implementation of
Mainhouse, we’ve introduced the
Mainhouse Champions. Every branch
has one or more team members who,
in addition to their daily roles, serve
as Mainhouse Champions. These
Champions can set up new customers in
Mainhouse themselves, without needing
support from the Warehousing Support
team. This makes branches much more
self-sufficient when implementing new
customers. Improvements for existing
customers can also be handled directly
by the branch.
Sales Cadets
Are you eager to learn more about
supply chain customers and their
strategies? In sales, every ‘yes’ is a
win, and we love to win! For “Sales
Tigers to be”, the Sales Cadet
program is perfect for team members
in the warehouse operation who
have sales ambitions, or want to
learn more about sales. Already, 15
enthusiastic cadets are prepared for
the real thing, and ready to step up
when opportunities arise.
Sales is a crucial element of our
business, with our unstoppable
appetite for growth, so make sure to
put your hand up in your branch if
you are keen to join or would like to
hear more.
With the motto “Learning by Doing,”
our cadets are engaged more and
more in actual sales activities in
their branches - be it with ‘Hours
of Power’, joining sales meetings,
giving warehouse tours, or
preparing sales quotations. Of the
15, seven have already advanced
into a sales role, which is an exciting
development!
Let’s continue the hunt! Let your
Branch Manager know and join the
program.
Stephan van Breugel, one of our up-and-coming Sales superstars
Pick by vision smart glasses
36
2025
Asia
Asia
Team,
Thank you all for your effort over the
past months. Let’s remind ourselves that
we are part of the Mainfreight network,
one that thrives on collaboration and
the extra steps we take to support
each other every day. Our commitment
remains the backbone of our success,
and we truly appreciate all the hard work
you’ve put in.
Our financial performance this year
to date has fallen short of last year’s,
indicating we still have work to do
to strengthen our foundation. Let’s
make sure our basics are right - from
operational efficiency and customer
engagement, to cash collection and KPI
management. These remain essential
for maintaining the quality of our service.
On the commercial front, we must
focus on building a strong, high-quality
pipeline, particularly in air freight and
LCL, which will remain key areas
for our future growth. Building long-
term relationships and trust with our
customers will be critical in sustaining
our progress. It’s important to retain
air freight, 1MF margin and volume
as our key indicators when reviewing
performance and sharing updates with
the team. This is a vital foundation for
us, and we should put greater urgency
into strengthening and expanding it.
Across our 11 countries, we have eight
main airfreight gateways, yet we are
still operating below our potential. It’s
time to shift our mindset and act bigger,
focusing on growing real airfreight
customers, and driving consistent
improvements in this space.
Looking ahead, we remain focused
on developing our Southeast Asia,
Northeast Asia and India businesses,
as well as our China business. These
regions have huge potential, and our
goal should be to grow them to the
same scale and importance as our
China business. There are plenty of
opportunities across Asia, and it’s up
Mainfreight Asia
Cary Chung
Six things to do better in 2026
1. We’re a network business, and success comes from staying connected
-not just within our teams but also across countries and regions.
We’ve already been making international visits to meet customers
and strengthen relationships, and it’s important that we keep this
momentum going to keep our network strong and active.
2. Let’s keep our attention on the right verticals, and continue building
expertise in industries that remain resilient even in challenging times.
3. QBRs are a great chance to review current business performance
and explore new opportunities. With the investments we’ve made
in technology, let’s ensure we use these tools to stay close to our
customers, and better understand their needs.
4. Growth doesn’t happen by chance. It starts with a solid pipeline.
Building a strong, sustainable pipeline is a shared responsibility, and
we all have a role to play in advancing it.
5. Let’s stay focused on strengthening our margins while maintaining the
high service standards our customers count on.
6. Our team makes the difference. Identifying, developing and supporting
the right talent with the right attitude is key to our long-term success.
Thank you again, team. Let’s keep pushing forward, staying
close to our customers and building the right foundation for a
stronger year ahead.
to us to seize them. While there are
external challenges, the real opportunity
lies in how we respond - by developing
the right business mix, identifying new
opportunities and working closely as one
team across the region. Let’s continue
to take proactive steps in our markets,
improve our internal performance
and grow our business with focus and
intention.
“Life is very
interesting. In the end,
some of your greatest
pains become your
greatest strengths”
Welcoming our customer and Regional Teams to Asia
37
Asia2025
Hi team,
Thank you all for your continued
dedication and hard work. This year has
certainly brought its share of challenges
- from global economic pressures
to rising costs and shifting market
conditions. Yet through it all, your
energy and commitment has been very
important for our business. Your efforts
in securing new business, improving
operational efficiency, managing KPIs
and driving cost-saving initiatives are
truly appreciated. As we continue
building a stronger business, let’s also
take time to celebrate the small wins,
and enjoy the moments we share as
a team. These are the memories that
shape our journey and define who we
are.
From a business perspective, while
there is room for improvement, we’ve
seen progress compared to the same
period last year, especially with more
key accounts coming on board. To
better position ourselves for the right
customers, we’ve acquired important
certifications, including the GDP license
for our Thailand warehouse, and TAPA,
ISO 9001, and ISO 13485 for our Hong
Kong warehouse, along with food-grade
quality standards for other warehouses.
These achievements reflect our
commitment to quality, and help us
attract customers whose needs align
with our capabilities.
As part of our ongoing strategy to refine
warehousing operations in Asia, we
have decided to terminate our Singapore
warehousing operations. This reflects a
strategic shift to focus on Air & Ocean
freight as our core product in Singapore,
and warehousing no longer aligns
with our long-term development goals.
Meanwhile, in China, we are seeing
increased interest in regional and global
hub solutions, as customers seek cost-
effective supply chain strategies. This
trend reinforces the synergy between
our warehousing and freight services
across the Mainfreight network.
Warehousing Asia
Michelle Yip
Four things to do better in 2026
1. Cross-Selling strategy: Cross-selling remains a top strategic priority.
Delivering end-to-end solutions across our network helps us create
greater value for customers and strengthens our market position.
2. Customer care and relationship management: Taking care of our
customers is essential. Strong relationships, clear communication and
alignment with their expectations are key to improving retention and
service quality.
3. ROR: ROR is a critical KPI for our business. We achieve it by
onboarding the right customers and continuously improving operational
efficiency through technology and CIP.
4. Sales Focus: Securing the right new business that supports our
network and international freight is vital. Understanding who our ideal
customers are, and what commodities fit Mainfreight ensures a more
effective sales process. We are all in sales - let’s make the most of
every opportunity to grow the Mainfreight brand in our region.
In Malaysia and Thailand, we continue
to observe a healthy balance of export
and import opportunities. It is essential
that we identify key commodities in
these markets that complement our
Air & Ocean freight offerings, allowing
us to deliver more comprehensive
solutions. Additionally, as production
shifts from China to these countries,
staying informed and responsive to
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2026, our focus remains
firmly on building a stronger, smarter and
more customer-centric business. With a clear
understanding of our priorities - from ROR to
sales effectiveness - we are well-positioned to
drive meaningful results across the region.
market trends will be critical. Hong
Kong remains a strategic regional hub,
supported by its free-tax policy, which
continues to attract customer interest.
While China-US tariff uncertainties
may present challenges, we must
remain resilient and agile, focusing on
identifying and developing the right
customers to grow within this dynamic
environment.
First joint Asia warehousing
customer visit with Riyaz
and Brynley in Singapore,
Shenzhen and Hong Kong
L-R: Brynley Riches,
Michelle Yip, Riyaz Jordan
Thank you again for your
dedication and teamwork. Every
step we take together, whether it’s
a major win or a small success,
contributes to what we’re building
at Mainfreight. The journey ahead
is full of opportunity, and I’m
confident that with our team we’ll
continue to achieve great things.
38
2025Asia
CaroTrans
Joan Ji
As the global ocean freight market shows
signs of recovery in 2025, the industry
stands at a pivotal juncture defined
by evolving challenges and emerging
opportunities. The overall decline in
market demand has intensified price
competition and increased the need
for high-quality service. At CaroTrans
Asia, our mission extends beyond
ensuring stability in current operations,
to actively pursue innovation and
exploring strategic growth opportunities
in dynamic markets.
In the coming two quarters, our strategic
focus will centre on “deepening our
core and expanding our reach.” While
we continue to enhance capacity and
service quality along established trade
lanes, we are also accelerating the
development of our overseas agency
network. By integrating our commercial
presence across Australia, New
Zealand and the United States, we aim
to build a more agile and diversified
sales structure - one that reflects our
commitment to adaptability and growth.
Every member of CaroTrans Asia plays
a vital role in driving this transformation.
What we need now is sharper thinking,
closer collaboration and a deeper
understanding of our customers’
evolving needs. Only through these
efforts can we stand out in a competitive
market, and move forward with
confidence.
Let’s move ahead together and shape
a more resilient, innovative future for
CaroTrans Asia.
Three things to do better in 2026
1. FCL Business Development: CaroTrans Asia’s FCL contract
management is being optimised to meet MQC targets and secure
better rates and allocation.
2. Import trade promotion: We are actively promoting imports from key
origins, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Hamburg,
and the United Kingdom, to strengthen our inbound business.
3. Global account strategy: Global accounts remain a key strategic focus
to ensure business stability and payment reliability. Sales are also
encouraged to promote new agent products and deepen collaboration
across emerging trade lanes.
Industry Contribution –
NZTCC Logistics Panel
Mainfreight Thailand proudly joined the
Thailand, NZ/Australia, Oceania Trade
& Logistics Outlook Panel, hosted
by the New Zealand Thai Chamber
of Commerce. We shared insights
on consolidation, reliable transit and
sustainable logistics, proving once again
that our voice is shaping the future of
global trade.
L-R: Amarit (NZTCC), Sommai (Mainfreight),
Kongkiat (Zupport)
Embracing challenges, seizing opportunities —
The next chapter for Carotrans Asia.
Thanks, Team!
CSR Activity – Turtle Conservation
Our Mainfreight Thailand team took part in an inspiring CSR initiative at the
Turtle Conservation Centre. By refreshing the pools that nurture baby turtles,
we supported marine life and reminded ourselves of the power of teamwork,
responsibility and sustainability. Together, we’re helping nature thrive!
L–R: Chatchai, Suroj, Warawut, Sommai,
Chatchawan, Jirathadit
39
Asia2025
Project Cargo Success
– RoRo Shipment
Big moves need big teamwork! Our
Ocean branch successfully handled
the RoRo shipment of two massive
crane machines to Australia. From pre-
shipment cleaning to smooth execution,
this project showcased our expertise in
handling complex logistics challenges.
A big thank you to all our team
members for their hard work, energy
and dedication. We’re excited to keep
building momentum, driving results and
making an impact - together as One
Mainfreight!
Out of Gauge Cargo
- Shanghai
The Shanghai Ocean team has once
again demonstrated its professional
strength. From booking shipping space
and loading containers, to customs
declaration and shipment, it provided
a one-stop service that was efficient
and accurate. As shown in the picture,
the OOG (Out of Gauge) cargo was
correctly secured and loaded in
compliance with standards. Through
teamwork, the team quickly completed
the entire process, ensuring smooth
cargo transportation and highlighting
our efficiency and reliability in handling
special cargo.
Connecting with our Team
Los Angeles and Asia
Alexander Kosachev, Branch Manager
of CaroTrans Los Angeles, travelled
all the way to Shenzhen to visit clients
and conduct in-depth exchanges,
laying a solid foundation for long-term
cooperation.
He also visited the Shenzhen office,
turning the “familiar strangers” on both
ends of the screen into comrades-
in-arms, working side by side. As the
essence of collaboration goes, the
best cooperation always starts with
the warmth of meeting in person and
flourishes with the strength of standing
shoulder to shoulder.
Sales call in Qingdao
L-R: Joe Jiang, Kristen Li, Sophia Chen, Alexander Kosachev,
Summer Wei, Cheney Chen, Wendy Duan
Shipment ready to roll
40
2025Asia
Mainfreight and CaroTrans Ningbo Office Relocation
and Grand Opening
We are thrilled to announce that our Ningbo branch has officially moved to a
new, modern and spacious office. This exciting milestone marks a significant
step forward in our company’s growth, and reflects our commitment to
excellence, innovation and collaboration.
The new office is designed to foster creativity, enhance productivity and
provide a comfortable and inspiring environment for our talented Ningbo
team. With state-of-the-art facilities, flexible workspaces and vibrant common
areas, this space will empower our team to achieve even greater success.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this smooth
transition. Your dedication and hard work made this move possible, and we
are excited to embark on this new journey together.
L–R: Jacky Lam, Joe Cheng, Ruby Zhu, Joan Ji,
Cary Chung, Sunny Sun, Vincent Lee
Mainfreight Tradition –
Sharing Apples
Continuing a tradition inspired by our
founder, Bruce Plested, our team shared
apples with supportive customers. It’s
a small gesture with a big meaning:
showing care, respect and long-term
partnership. Healthy hearts, healthy
business!
L - R: Napaporn, Our Customer,
Siriporn, Yaowapha
Celebrating 20 Years of
Excellence
In July, Mainfreight Shenzhen
proudly celebrated our 20th
anniversary. This milestone
honoured two decades of dedication,
growth and partnership. We extend
our deepest gratitude to our team
and clients. Here’s to the future!
CaroTrans Hong Kong Team
CaroTrans Shanghai Customer Appreciation Event
41
Americas2025
Americas
Team,
It would be fair to say it’s been a tough
year, and certainly one we wouldn’t
want to experience again any time soon.
That said, some good lessons have
been learnt, and there is confidence that
we are heading into 2026 as a better
business, with some momentum on our
side.
In a year when import tariffs created
immense uncertainty and brought about
numerous challenges for our customers,
our Air & Ocean teams performed well. A
special thanks goes out to our Customs
team, who have worked tirelessly over
the past year, keeping our customers
abreast of the numerous challenges
related to duties, tariffs and other issues.
Thank you team, you’ve represented us
well.
Whilst sales continue to be our focus,
we’ve also been keeping a very close
eye on costs. If we all look closely, we’ll
always find ways to do things better.
Now is always the best time to act.
That said, we’ve also not held back on
investing when our sales performance
and customers needed it.
Our newest Air & Ocean branch in
Milwaukee opened in May, and the team
is showing what can be done when we
are sales-focused and committed to
the local area. After a recent sales road
trip through the Midwest of the USA,
we can’t help but be excited about the
opportunities for many more Mainfreight
branches in the years ahead. The
number and size of customers in that
part of the world are truly astounding.
We’ve seen pleasing growth in our
Canadian business, and have recently
doubled the size of our Toronto
warehouse. The Toronto team has done
a great job of utilising every inch of
available space, and we know the new
warehouse can’t come soon enough
for them. We have a lot of work to do
Mainfreight Americas
Jason Braid
Five things to do better in 2026
1. A passion for profit: Every dollar counts - let’s ensure we’re capturing
all of it.
2. Sales urgency: Sales calls, sales leads, sales pipelines, and selling
our supply chain.
3. Let’s all walk the talk, and with urgency.
4. Gross margin improvement: A 1% increase has a big impact on our
bottom line.
5. Keep it simple and don’t overcomplicate things: tick one thing off at a
time.
in Canada, but we’re gaining some
traction.
Quality will forever remain crucial to
our success. There’s been a marked
improvement in quality levels of late, but
we can never take our eyes off the ball
when it comes to quality, and we should
always keep striving to be better. Thank
you for the recent gains here, but let’s
keep going.
We talk about sales a lot - and always will
- but actions speak louder than words.
Whilst we’ve seen some great sales
successes this year, we need to hold
ourselves to a higher standard. Sales
growth fixes a lot of things, as does
looking after our existing customers and
not having a leaky bucket.
We all have a part to play in sales, and
as we look ahead, we should all be
thinking about what more we can do to
improve our sales performance. It is the
one thing that will have the most impact
on our results.
As we ask more of our Sales teams,
it’s imperative that they are backed by
a dedicated group within our Customer
Service and Operations teams to ensure
all promises are kept. Sales isn’t easy,
and the process can be long, but when
a new customer decides to switch to
Mainfreight, let’s prove to them they’ve
made the right decision and, in turn,
over deliver on all our promises.
As said at the start, it’s been a tough
year, but we also have a number of our
branches finding a way, who are up
in profit compared to last year. To all
those branches, thank you very much!
Likewise, to our teams in branches that
are not yet where they need to be, stay
positive! We know it’s not easy, and we
know you’re working hard, just keep
your foot to the floor.
Thank you all for everything you do, each and every
day. We truly believe we have something special at
Mainfreight, and it’s because of every one of you.
Enjoy your Christmas and New Year holidays with your
family and friends, and thanks once again.
42
2025Americas
Great things are done by
a series of small things
brought together.”
– Vincent van Gogh.
Success in transport comes when we
achieve a few basic things, repeat them
day in and day out, and deliver them
consistently to a very high standard.
We are in the freight business. This
means picking up our customers’
shipments, moving them the day we
receive them, delivering them damage-
free and on time, while charging a fair
rate to do so.
It’s a highly competitive environment.
The experience our customers have
with each shipment, and at every point
of interaction with our team, determines
whether they see the value we provide,
continue to use us or recommend us to
others.
Let’s not forget that every team member
involved in moving freight - from our
sales team, customer service, dock team
and drivers - impacts the experience
we provide. We all must work together
to delight our customers, because it’s
the small things that make the biggest
difference.
And for us, the way we load, route, move
and deliver freight in the most efficient
manner impacts our margin, return and
profit. Our goal is for our customers,
owner-drivers and Mainfreight to all win
from working together.
We are a network-driven business, and
we all have an important part to play.
What you do matters!
Our transport business in the Americas
continues to build and improve, yet
there is still plenty to do. There are
always opportunities for us to be better.
With so much going on across the
business, we’ve narrowed our focus to
three key areas that will help improve
our performance.
Transport Americas
Mitch Gregor
Let’s remember what makes us different from other transport providers:
• Our people and our culture
• Our international network and supply chain capabilities across Transport,
Warehousing, and Air & Ocean
• Our ability to move at pace and be flexible
• Our great service and value for money
• Direct loading and less handling, reducing damages and claims
• Our local decision-making close to our customers
• No call centres, and being easy to deal with and quick to fix issues
• Our immaculate image, blue trucks, and an amazing team of owner-
drivers
• Our long-term commitment to customers and business
Bring your energy, have some fun, and help our team and customers achieve
the results we all deserve. Make your branch stand out for the right reasons.
Clean Trucks are the Best Form of Advertising
Our new sustainable truck wash in Chicago keeps the fleet looking great,
and washes a truck and trailer in less than 3 minutes, using recycled
rainwater collected from our depot roof!
Three things to do better in 2026
1. Quality: Let’s get our depot systems right and focus on delivery
performance.
2. Growth and further investment in sales: Sales is everyone’s
responsibility.
3. Margin: Freight rates, truck utilisation and pickup, linehaul and delivery.
Thank you to everyone in our American Transport
business for your continued commitment, especially our
owner-drivers. We cannot do this without you!
Best wishes for the festive season with your families and
friends, stay safe. Keep on trucking.
43
Americas2025
Things Happening in Transport USA
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2025
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week was an important occasion for us to
express gratitude to all professional truck drivers, especially our owner-drivers,
and to recognise them and their families for their hard work and commitment in
tackling one of our economy’s most important and demanding jobs. This week-
long celebration honoured the dedicated drivers who deliver our freight safely
and securely each day.
To show our appreciation, our team organised special breakfasts and lunches,
distributed care packages and gifts, and even provided thorough truck
cleanings. It was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their contributions
and strengthen our community.
Take Pride in Your Ride: Some Recent Examples of Trucks Ready to Roll
Thanks so much to our local team of owner-drivers, who recently invested in tidying up their trucks and gear. It looks fantastic.
Omar Bitars new Volvo. It’s so new
that it still has its delivery stickers
on! – Chicago Transport
Jonathan Lomeli of Mid-City
Transport, new Kenworth’s.
– L.A Transport
One of our two Electric Trucks in
Los Angeles used for
delivering containers
L-R: Jose Romero, Jonhant Iglesias,
Milton Javier, Adrian Guerrero,
Jonathan Tejada from Miami
L-R: Senad Agu, Milan Cihak,
Abraham Gonzalez and
Enrique Rivera from Philadelphia
L-R: Gerardo Gomez, Juan Zamora,
Nicholas Christilaw, Andres Aguilar
from San Diego
Marteicus Taylor from Charlotte
during National Truck Driver
Appreciation Week
44
2025Americas
Recently the Americas Transport
business hosted a workshop,
“Transportation, Efficiencies, and
Customer-Facing Technology for the
Future,” in collaboration with Nilesh
Bhuthadia, our International Software
Manager.
The goal of this event was to bring
together innovative thinkers from
various areas of Americas Transport
to explore ideas where operational
processes, technology and innovation
could drive meaningful change for our
customers and teammates.
To set the stage for the day, participants
heard from Nilesh, who underscored
the potential for leveraging technology
already in use in other regions, as well
as what’s on our software roadmap.
Then, Americas team members
Ben Keane, Aden Gelmi, and Coral
Shultz provided background on
current operational challenges in the
Transport Americas IT
Workshop
Coral Shultz
Americas region, emphasising the
need for innovation in mobile device
dispatching, and exploring how such
approaches could accelerate freight
handling. Jay Patel, Martin Moncada,
and Cameron MacLean continued the
discussion by highlighting customers’
needs for data accuracy, increased
tooling and faster business-to-
business connections.
Participants then joined multiple
breakout sessions organised around:
• The Customer Experience
• The Driver Experience
• Operational Efficiency
• Accounting Improvements
During these sessions, participants
brainstormed current pain points
and future vision statements to
form the foundation for innovative
solutions. The day concluded with
teams regrouping to share the most
promising ideas and discuss next
steps.
As a direct result of the workshop,
Mainfreight Americas is pleased to
announce the following initiatives:
• Increased Mainchain
performance by 40%+
• Improved Cargo Claims Portal
via Mainchain
• EDI Appointment Updates for
greater data transparency
• Paperless Dispatch for faster
arrivals and real-time tracking
visibility
The following initiatives are also
underway for 2026:
• A new Driver Experience App for
use in the field
• Customer Dimensional Rating
• Drive-Thru Freight
Dimensionalisers with AI imaging
The workshop inspired participants
to dig deep, surface meaningful
challenges and develop innovative
solutions for Americas Transport.
Whether through operational
process changes, customising
existing technology for the American
market or new development, these
solutions represent an initial step in
a broader commitment to continuous
improvement through regular
engagement.
Recently, we celebrated a true
Mainfreight legend - Shane Michalick,
who marked an incredible 40 years with
the team!
Shane’s journey with Mainfreight began
in 1985 with our Transport Team in
Auckland (Morrin Road), NZ. Shane’s
career has taken him across New
Zealand and the United States, leaving
a lasting impact at every stop.
From his early days in Rotorua as a
driver and Branch Manager, to leading
the Palmerston North and multiple
Wellington branches, and helping
Shane Michalick 40-year Legend 1985-2025
launch new locations like Whanganui,
Paraparaumu and Masterton, Shane
has been a special part of our team and
the expansion of our footprint across
New Zealand, and internationally.
In 2011, Shane moved to the USA, initially
as a Branch Manager in New Jersey,
then in Los Angeles, and, more recently,
to Chicago, where he continues to help
develop our operations and support our
owner-drivers in the Americas.
Shane’s influence goes far beyond what
he does day to day. He’s a mentor, a
culture carrier and someone who brings
energy and fun to everything he does.
Many of our team members have had
the privilege to learn from him, and his
legacy continues to inspire us all.
Shane, thank you for your 40 years of
commitment, leadership, and passion.
You’ve made your mark and been part
of shaping what Mainfreight is today.
We’re incredibly grateful to have you on
our team.
Here’s to you, Shane, and to the next
chapter of your journey with us!
Shane at 18 years old, Auckland NZCelebrating 40 awesome years
45
Americas2025
Firstly, a big thank you to our branch
teams who continue to innovate and
overcome the hurdles presented daily. A
special thanks to our team on the floor,
picking product, dispatching, loading
trucks, and unloading containers. You
are the driving force in our business,
and the reason our customers remain
so loyal.
The first half of our financial year has
been challenging, but it’s making us a
stronger business that will thrive in the
years ahead. Regardless of the trading
environment, we have continued to
invest in markets to grow our service
offering. In Canada, we have tripled our
pallet capacity, an exciting step for our
network as we develop our warehousing
business in the Toronto region.
In the US, we have doubled our footprint
in New Jersey, just a stone’s throw from
the second-largest port in the country.
This warehouse is equipped with
infrastructure strategically designed to
serve fast-moving beverage customers
who import products and require
flexibility in their supply chain. If you’re
in the beverage industry and looking for
space, we have limited availability in
New Jersey. Please reach out.
Given the size of the market we
operate in, our sales pipelines remain
unsatisfactory. To address this, we
now have a sales presence in all our
branches, and are ensuring our sales
teams are on the road, conducting
joint calls with our Transport and Air &
Ocean teams to uncover warehousing
opportunities at every turn.
Warehousing Americas
Andrew Coulton
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Sales: We must drive this every day across all levels, with more focus and attention from Branch Managers
leading the way - their teams will follow.
2. Efficiency and cost reduction: Doing more with less, and reducing unnecessary costs. We need improved margins
from our current team and network to drive future growth.
3. Attention to detail: From how our warehouses and teams are presented, to consistency in our service offering -
this is what our customers expect.
4. Continuous improvement: Simple technological advancements are available that can make our team more
efficient. We are reviewing and implementing these where they make sense for our customers and us.
5. Staying true to our strategy: Focusing on business-to-business customers who provide opportunities across our
supply chain.
Lots of exciting things are happening in Toronto as we prepare to move into
our new branch in early 2026. Right now, we’re spread across three sites,
including taking over our transport dock. We want to highlight the support
from our Transport team - thank you for letting us use your dock over the
past year! It’s been a massive help while we’ve been getting everything in
place, and your flexibility and teamwork haven’t gone unnoticed.
As we move closer to combining all three sites into one in the coming
months, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead, and the smoother
operations this will bring. Shoutout to the incredible, hard-working team for
being such a key part of the journey - we’re nearly there!
The new facility in Toronto is strategically positioned next to the container
terminal. The building is Grade A and will be food certified. We’ve increased
pallet capacity per square foot by selecting a 40 ft clearance building,
and implementing a very narrow aisle (VNA) racking plan across 35% of
the footprinwt. Together, these enhancements have increased the pallet
capacity of the 245,000 sq. ft warehouse by 10,000 locations, bringing the
total site capacity to 35,000 locations. This increases storage margin while
also providing room for growth with new customers, and added flexibility for
our existing customer base.
Team Toronto Blowing up the North
Katie Becker, Branch Manager, Toronto
Okeke and Johnson hands-on in the setup
46
2025Americas
Newark 2.0 is Ready for All
Angus Morrissy, Branch Manager, Newark
An update from the Garden State!
It’s been a busy few months at the
Elizabeth branch. While results
are not yet where they need to be,
several key improvements to the site
have positioned us well to attract the
right customers moving forward.
1. Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) – Now
Live!
In our last team review, we discussed
the benefits of having an on-site
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). After more
than 12 months of hard work, we’re
proud to announce that the FTZ is
now fully operational (complementing
our existing bonded solution) and
ready to accept freight! A huge thank
you to Mark Neumann and everyone
who contributed to making this a
reality.
As previously reported, the benefits of
the FTZ are:
• Goods aren’t subject to fees or
duties until they leave the Zone.
• Fewer customs entries - rather
than per shipment, it’s per week.
• Improved process and enhanced
security.
We welcome “Big Dex,” the robot who will be joining the team in Northlake, Texas!
Following the great work achieved at Mainfreight Europe, we are taking this big
step forward for our customers, too.
Why?
Quality
• Real-time analysis: stock accuracy is expected to improve significantly.
• Provides a complete picture of the status and condition of warehouse racks and
products, which is kept on record.
• Reduces human error during stock checks.
Time
• Stocktakes normally require stopping order flow for days. This technology
allows a full warehouse stocktake overnight, reducing the time needed for a
complete count.
Cost
• Frees up resources for more value-added tasks.
• Eliminates the need to allocate reach trucks to check high-level locations.
• Allows team members to focus on investigating discrepancies.
Our MIMS (Mainfreight Inventory Management System) Team are Automating Stocktakes
in Texas!
Marissa Monteroso, Warehousing IT Team
Victor Corniel in the
Very Narrow Aisles of our new
Foreign Trade Zone
Our new Chef –
Terrance (Terry) Butler
Dex can scan UPCs or licence
plates to confirm the correct SKU
is in the correct location
2. Kitchen – A new hub for health
and connection
With Terry joining the team, we now
have a fully functioning Mainfreight
kitchen on-site! Serving hot, healthy
meals to both team members and
visitors, the kitchen helps keep
everyone energised, connected and
well-supported throughout the day.
Even better, it creates a welcoming
space for the team to enjoy meals
together, thereby strengthening the
branch’s culture.
3. Training Centre – Supporting
growth and teamwork
Our new training area recently
opened, hosting an MDP Year 3
session. With several inductions
and other training sessions planned
for the East Coast over the coming
months, the space is already proving
to be a valuable asset. It not only
supports structured learning and
development, but also fosters team
cohesion by allowing everyone to
gather and connect during mealtimes,
strengthening relationships and
collaboration across the business
units.
vs. Franyelis Peralta in our
regular-sized aisles in Newark
47
Americas2025
Push for progress every
single day. The smallest
things add up. And
don’t forget to have a
bit of fun out there!
Hi Team,
We find ourselves once again dealing
with a few bumps in the road as the
current geopolitical landscape brings
new challenges. The rollercoaster of the
“Trump tariffs”, for example, has created
uncertainty for our customers, making
it imperative to stay in front of them.
One thing we know for sure - and have
said before - is that these are the times
we shine. It does require tremendous
effort, and our team has been putting
in the work to showcase who we are.
As things continue to change, we
have an opportunity to support existing
customers, while sharing our services
with new ones.
For our business, we see freight rates
near all-time lows, putting pressure
on return on revenue - a key indicator
of the health of our branches and the
overall business. This can be offset by
reviewing branch expenses and finding
efficiencies. It’s a chance to develop
smart habits in evaluating all costs and
processes.
Cash collections are as important as
ever, especially as tariffs put stress
on the economy. Now is the time to
be even closer to our customers. With
the increase in tariffs and higher duty
rates, larger outlays for our customers
make it essential for us to collect prior
to delivery.
Consolidation utilisation remains an
area of opportunity. For airfreight
consolidations, our target is to build full
units with a minimum of 1,500 kilograms.
In ocean freight, we should only be
building 40’ HC containers. Well-utilised
consolidations bring benefits such as
improved margins and lower pricing for
customers - a win-win.
Air & Ocean America
Matt Gustafson
Five things to do better in 2026
1. Pipeline Development – Ensure we have high-value opportunities that
demand quality service.
2. Selling the Network – We have a strong offering that makes us unique.
Bring up Warehousing and Transport on every call. When prospecting
new customers, share the lead with our teams overseas so we can
approach from both ends.
3. Quality – Customer demand for quality will never go away.
4. Operational Efficiency – Ask yourself: Have we challenged the process?
Are there redundancies in how we operate? Discuss this in every PAT.
5. Succession – Prepare successors and those who can help expand the
network.
Passion in Airfreight
Alejandro Chavez, Operations Manager, Chicago Airfreight
There’s a unique excitement that comes with building an airline pallet in a
Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF). Every day is fast-paced, from
assembling lower decks to stacking and securing cargo of all shapes and
sizes. It takes timing and teamwork, where every inch of the unit matters.
Our team is constantly strategising on how to make it all fit - from boxes and
pallets to odd-shaped freight, fitting together like a game of Tetris, only this
one’s bound for the skies.
Amid the hustle, there’s a deep sense of pride in watching a well-built
airfreight pallet come together, knowing that the placement of each piece
contributes to an aircraft’s balance, efficiency and safety. It’s not just about
moving freight; it’s about making sure our customers’ freight is shipped safely
and damage-free, while also ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
L-R: Carlos Salgado Jr., Alejandro Chavez, and
Michael Broglin from Chicago Air Team
48
2025Americas
A note from Charlotte Air & Ocean
Branch Manager, Will Young.
We are excited to welcome Emmy
Beam to the Charlotte Air & Ocean
team. Emmy, a graduate of North
Dakota State University and a proud
Minnesotan, joined Mainfreight in early
2024. As a member of our Mainfreight
Development Programme, she began
her journey with the Minneapolis Air &
Ocean team.
Consistent with our core beliefs, Emmy
worked in an operational capacity,
handling both air and ocean imports.
This experience provided a strong
foundation and invaluable exposure to
operational workflows, a key skill set to
Moving and Shaking from Minneapolis to Charlotte
obtain early in her career.
With passion and determination to
explore the sales realm, Emmy took a
leap of faith and relocated to Charlotte,
North Carolina. She has embraced the
challenge and jumped straight into the
world of sales. Whether it’s researching
prospects, cultivating new manufacturing
pockets, engaging the global network,
or lifting activity levels, we’re excited to
see the tenacity and hustle she displays
as she works towards securing the next
ideal Mainfreight client!
Get your popcorn ready as we attack
the South Atlantic market, and watch
Emmy smash her targets!
Emmy Beam - ready to close
some business!
Hola team! As we approach the end of 2025, we’re
enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead for our
team. We are a team of four with great energy and
passion for the business, and we’re excited about
what the near future holds. As part of our development
plan, we look forward to seeing our young team grow
and prepare for leadership and sales roles. With the
support of the Mainfreight family, our team is building
a strong foundation for long-term careers at our
branch.
Recently, we celebrated Iván’s 9th anniversary, a
great example of promotion from within, moving from
operations to sales. Cheers to Iván, and to many
more milestones ahead!
We are not just the USA - A Note from Querétaro
Angélica Sais, Branch Manager, Mexico
My Mainfreight journey began in 2022 through our Development Programme,
where I learned the backbone of our operations, and the power of executing
the Mainfreight way. After two years on the operations floor, I made the leap
into sales, focusing on developing existing partnerships and building new
ones. I found early success in helping customers strengthen their global
supply chains.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to open our newest Air & Ocean
branch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an experience that has tested and rewarded
everything I’ve learned so far. From hiring a team to developing new business,
it’s been a privilege to help grow Mainfreight’s footprint and culture from the
ground up.
A Path to Leadership
Nick Arthurs, Air & Ocean Branch Manager, Milwaukee
The Team in Querétaro, Mexico
L-R: Ingrid Magos, Iván García, Angélica Sais, Jerry González
49
Americas2025
The New York Ocean export
team has been working hard to
improve utilisation and margins
in our consolidations. Recently,
Cristian Corrales, who operates the
Melbourne ocean consolidation,
spent time on the floor with our
Newark transport team, where all our
consolidations are loaded. Learning
the process - from a transport
booking request to receiving freight
on the dock, weighing and dimming
it, developing a load list, and staging
the freight - has proven beneficial
for the team.
We’ve seen an average 15%
Pushing Consolidations
Brianna Stein, Branch Manager, Newark Ocean
At Mainfreight, traditions aren’t just customs, they’re a reflection of who we
are. One of our most cherished traditions is our annual apple giveaway,
a simple yet heartfelt gesture that symbolises our commitment to care,
community and well-being.
Each autumn, as the air turns crisp, Mainfreight teams across the country
deliver fresh apples and sincere thanks to our valued customers and partners.
But these aren’t just any apples. They come from our trusted friends at
Garwood Orchards, a family-owned farm known for its dedication to quality
and sustainability.
An Apple a Day
Chris Michalek, Branch Manager, Chicago Ocean
The US government embraced tariffs
this year, and the almost-daily barrage
of tariff news kept our Director of
Customs and Compliance, Mark
Neumann, busy with webinars and
presentations.
While documenting the widespread
scope of these changes, he hosted
numerous webinars for customers
and business associations, focusing
on past tariff actions dating back to
the 1890s. He also reviewed whether
certain processes, such as the First
Sale Doctrine and the strategic use
of bonded warehouses, could help
importers reduce their duty exposure.
The challenge for our customers, and
Keeping up with Tariffs
Mark Neumann, Director of
Customs and Compliance
for Mainfreight, was staying on top of
the numerous layers of tariffs that were
implemented. The Mainfreight Customs
team had their work cut out for them
as they supported our customers and
partners to ensure minimal disruption to
our business.
Our freight teams also stepped in to
assist clients as they worked to reorient
their supply chains, and adapt to the
realities of a changing world. Mark
Neumann’s regular “Did You Know?”
emails kept our customers informed of
these developments. It’s all part of the
superior performance we deliver daily,
as we help customers navigate the
complexities of imports and exports.
increase in utilisation for our
consolidations in September. We
are working to reduce the use of
20’ containers by ensuring weekly
stocktakes are completed and
freight is pushed out consistently.
Mark Neumann, our “Tariff” Man
Cristian Corrales loading a
consolidation in Newark
Cristian Corrales and
Tyara McQueens in front
of the Quality Board
50
2025Americas
As we kick off the second half of the
financial year, the team is energised
by the momentum we’ve built over
the past six months, and the exciting
opportunities ahead.
The CaroTrans USA team has been
hard at work bringing on new agent
partners, enhancing our customer-
facing tools, and aggressively regaining
lost business. The rebuilding of our
network is still a work in progress, with
some remaining gaps to fill, but progress
is being made every week. Every time a
new market reopens to us, so does the
opportunity to grow our business.
After a long journey, our quality is back,
and so too is customer confidence.
The team is enjoying the ability to sell
a product they can stand behind again.
We’ve got new sales representatives
on the road in Atlanta, Boston, Miami,
Charlotte and New Jersey to help bring
on new customers, regain old ones
and grow the business with existing
customers.
While we continue this journey, it’s
important that the team enjoys each
day’s work and takes pride in what they
do for the company and our customers.
Whether you’re celebrating a recent win,
or gearing up for the next big challenge,
know that you’re part of something
special at CaroTrans, and we’re proud
to have you on our team.
CaroTrans Americas
Matt Bloom
Five Things to Work On
1. Focused sales approach to improve volume, one destination at a
time, through a series of Sales Fire Drills.
2. Improve our export console utilisation to 50m³ per 40HC.
3. Continued growth of the LCL import product between CaroTrans Asia
and CaroTrans USA.
4. Branch Managers on 10 sales calls per week.
5. Launch of new export LCL direct services where it makes sense.
CaroTrans USA Sales Update
Jessica Veenendaal
Although cooler weather signals
winter in the Northern Hemisphere,
CaroTrans USA Sales is turning up
the heat. Our latest initiative is the
Japan Fire Drill. In partnership with
our wonderful partner Seino Logix,
we are approaching new business
with competitive pricing, direct
services and, an exciting addition,
the Mini-Land-Bridge direct service
from the East Coast to Chicago,
and onward to Japan. Our first week
started strong with an increase in
Japan bookings. Next on our radar
is Korea, where we will work closely
with our trusted partner Molax.
We recently hosted Julian Geise,
Tradelane Manager at Greencarrier
Germany, along with a six-member
team from Daygard U.K., for their
first visit since our partnership began.
Together, we covered six cities and
made numerous sales calls, giving
the market a strong introduction
to our services. A reciprocal visit is
already planned, where I will join the
Greencarrier sales team to present
our US strengths to European
decision-makers and influencers.
These efforts are setting the stage
for an exciting few months ahead.
Our sales push has also allowed us
to relaunch previous services and
open new ones, including Houston
to Nhava Sheva, Houston to London,
and New York to Liverpool, among
others. These expansions reflect our
commitment to growth and delivering
value to customers worldwide.
The energy is high, the results
are real and the opportunities are
endless. Let’s keep the momentum
going, because at CaroTrans we’re
not just adapting to the season,
we’re setting the pace.
25 Years... The Man, the
Myth, the Legend!
business, Erik brings a tough attitude,
a passionate approach to work and a
voice that could easily be mistaken
for Hulk Hogan (RIP). “Don’t even try
to expense that water, brother. We
give you a water bottle. Fill it up!”
Erik has a keen eye for detail and
a deep understanding of financial
systems. He ensures every report,
audit and penny is accounted for
and accurate. In addition to his
fiduciary responsibilities, Erik is
The CaroTrans New Jersey
team celebrating Erik’s 25-year
anniversary with the business
actively involved in supporting sales,
leadership and our agents overseas.
He’s quick to offer advice and mentor
new team members.
When he’s not at work, you can find
Erik enjoying live music, everything
from Van Halen to Beethoven. A true
original, we are honoured to have
Erik as part of our team, and look
forward to working with him for many
years to come.
If you’ve been around the business
over the past 25 years, there’s a good
chance you’ve heard of, or simply
heard, Erik Berger. A staple in our
51
Americas2025
Cleveland
Cleveland? Isn’t that the boring city
known for disappointing football? Well,
only half of that is true. The team is here
to tell you that it’s “Not That Bad!”
CaroTrans Cleveland is a unique market
with a massive opportunity. Over the last
few months this small, but mighty, team
has been working through an extensive
rebuilding period. Through key sales
efforts, they’ve been hitting the road with
a renewed focus on quality and service.
Texas
The team in Dallas love to show off
their spirit with Office Spirit Week! Every
autumn the team hosts Spirit Week
around apple season to bring energy
into the office. This year, the theme was
“Decades Day.”
In Houston, the team was excited to
welcome our colleague from Australia,
Andrew Petersen, to the office. His visit
was a great opportunity to strengthen
Baltimore
The CaroTrans Baltimore team attends
the Annual Propeller Club Crab Feast!
In August, members of the CaroTrans
team had the pleasure of attending the
Annual Propeller Club Crab Feast, a
long-standing industry event bringing
together logistics professionals, ocean
carriers and trucking partners for a
day of great food, good company and
valuable connections.
Our team was well represented, with
Annie Mackovjak from CaroTrans
Cleveland getting the buckets
ready for apple season
Around the Branches
Charleston
From new beginnings to major
milestones, the Charleston branch
has been on the move. A fresh start
in a brand new office space reflects
the energy and growth we’re building
in this gateway. Alongside welcoming
new team members, the move marked
a renewed commitment to collaboration
and momentum.
This summer, we focused on connection,
both globally and locally. We proudly
hosted international guests: Randy
Yard (CT Auckland), Andrew Petersen
(CT Melbourne), and Julian Geise
(Greencarrier Germany), strengthening
our partnerships across the Oceania
and Germany trade lanes.
Closer to home, our team explored
Charleston’s expanding logistics
capabilities with a Port of Charleston
tour, celebrated together at a Charleston
RiverDogs game, and spiced things up
with a team chilli cook-off. The season’s
highlight was honouring Beth Embry,
our Contract Management Director,
for 20 years of dedicated service, a
true inspiration to the entire CaroTrans
family.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but the
resilience, teamwork, and commitment
shown by the Charleston branch this
summer prove that this team is built for
the long run. We’re proud of what we’ve
accomplished, and even more excited
about what’s ahead.
Whether through joint sales calls with
agent partners and fellow CaroTrans
team members, or by hosting “Prospect
Power Hours” in the branch, they are
determined to strengthen their presence
in the territory and grow customer
relationships, one apple-and-orange
bucket at a time.
As true Clevelanders, hard work and
determination are a way of life. The
team is looking forward to a successful
2026!
cross-office collaboration and promote
our Australian services.
Both teams also took time to celebrate
Driver Appreciation Day with our
colleagues from Mainfreight Transport.
The Houston team and Andrew spent
meaningful time recognising the hard
work and dedication of our drivers,
while the Dallas team showed their
appreciation by bringing desserts and
ice cream to share with drivers at one of
Mainfreight’s famous BBQs.
Dallas team’s gifts for their drivers
on Driver Appreciation
Matt Bloom, Kika Veiga and Nori
Frasson joining our local team members
for the festivities. We were also thrilled
to host several of our valued customers
as CaroTrans guests, giving us the
opportunity to personally thank them for
their continued partnership and support.
In addition to the delicious Maryland
blue crabs, the event offered a fantastic
setting to strengthen relationships
with our customers, ocean carriers
and inland trucking partners. These
in-person connections remind us of
the importance of collaboration and
community across every part of the
logistics chain.
The CaroTrans Baltimore Team
enjoying the Crab Feast!
52
2025Technology
Technology
Season’s greetings, team!
As we wrap up another busy year, I want
to thank everyone for your dedication,
adaptability and the positive spirit you
bring to Mainfreight IT. Your hard work
continues to drive our business forward,
and makes a real difference for our team
and customers.
Modernising Our Technology
This year, we’ve taken big steps to
modernise our technology across the
business. From major system upgrades
to new tools and process improvements,
our focus has been on making work
easier, faster and more connected
for everyone. These changes help us
deliver better experiences for our team
and our customers, create a scalable
and more secure environment and
position us for continued growth.
Software Enhancements
The business has introduced new
software and refined processes to help
our team work as efficiently as possible.
Whether it’s automation and robotics
in warehousing, improved mobile
apps for drivers, enhancements in our
customer portal, Mainchain, enhanced
analytics, or even small software
improvements - these solutions are all
designed to save time, automate data
capture, and support you in delivering
freight every day. Some examples of
the enhancements that impact our
customers are detailed below.
Cyber Security Key Messages
Cyber security remains a top priority for
all of us. This year, we rolled out new
training and security measures to keep
our systems safe.
Remember: Staying vigilant, educating
yourself and reporting anything
suspicious are the most important things
you can do to protect our business.
Security is everyone’s responsibility -
thank you for playing your part.
John Eshius
Mainfreight New Zealand: Returns Solution
Mez Sethna
Mainfreight’s New Zealand Transport customers now benefit from improved
visibility of Return Consignments—whether created via our customer-facing
platform Mainchain or through EDI/API integration.
Through this enhanced visibility in Mainchain, customers can now see
whether the sender has:
• Confirmed the freight is ready for collection and is in the appropriate
condition.
• Specified when the freight will be ready for pickup.
In addition, Mainfreight gains greater operational insight to ensure a
smoother returns process:
• Packaging Condition: If the freight is not in its original packaging,
the sender is prompted to upload a photo. This helps prevent further
damage and ensures the product is returned in acceptable condition.
• Documentation Requirements: If consignment notes or labels are
needed, our drivers are notified in advance and can bring the necessary
paperwork at the time of collection.
Once the sender confirms these details, Mainfreight coordinates the
collection, ensuring a more efficient and transparent returns experience for
all parties involved.
We will continue to develop the application to include features such as
managing “Swaps” and managing communication with the sender.
Thank you again for your commitment and teamwork
throughout 2025. Enjoy a well-deserved holiday break with
friends and family, and I look forward to another successful
year together. Happy holidays!
53
Technology2025
Advanced Purchase Order Management Functionality
Nimitra Chandran
Smarter Purchase Order Management with Mainchain
Our commitment to supporting your Purchase Order
(PO) Management is steadily expanding. With enhanced
capabilities in our customer portal, Mainchain, you can now
manage your entire order lifecycle - from creation to delivery
- with greater control, visibility and efficiency.
Built for high-volume customers, this solution streamlines
order management, reduces disruptions, and enables
proactive decision-making through exception-based
workflows.
Key features
• Automated PO Creation - Automatically generate
orders with instant notifications to both customers and
Mainfreight teams.
• Real-Time Tracking - Gain full visibility into every stage
of the order process, supported by seamless approval
workflows.
• Customer Self-Service - Create, approve, and track
orders directly within Mainchain—anytime, anywhere.
• Supplier Collaboration - Suppliers can easily create and
manage bookings, improving coordination and reducing
delays.
Why it matters
• Efficiency - Automation reduces manual effort, delays,
and follow-ups.
• Risk Management - Early visibility into potential
disruptions helps you stay ahead.
• Cost Savings - Streamlined processes free up time and
resources for higher-value work.
Together, we’re building smarter, faster and more connected
supply chains empowering you to focus on what matters
most.
Purchase Order Management can be accessed by customers through Mainchain
Control Tower simplifies your order management
54
2025Technology
Exciting Progress on
Our Container
Scheduling Project
Samantha Ward
The Australian business is driving
the development of our Container
Scheduling project, which is
on track for delivery in the first
half of 2026. This innovative
technology will empower our port
teams with a competitive edge,
offering customers a seamless
way to schedule the pickup
and delivery of both import and
export containers - including full
and empty movements - directly
through our customer platform,
Mainchain.
The new design will enable customers to efficiently manage their orders, and forecast container volumes moving in and
out of their sites. Key features include:
Import Management
• View all import jobs, including expected vessel arrival and confirmed slot booking dates
• Request the preferred delivery date and time for import containers
• Specify delivery method: standard skel, swing lift, live unload/load, or drop trailer
• Allocate dock/door number for pickup or delivery
• Notify when containers are devanned and ready for dehire
Export Management
• View all export jobs, including receival commencement, cargo cut-off, and slot booking dates
• Request the collection of empty export containers for delivery
• Notify us when packed containers are ready for pickup
This project represents a significant step forward in enhancing visibility, control and efficiency for our customers. We look
forward to sharing further updates as we move closer to launch.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword; it’s
becoming a powerful part of how we work every day. From
writing and problem-solving to analysing data, AI tools
like Microsoft Copilot are transforming productivity across
industries. But with great power, comes great responsibility.
At Mainfreight, our adoption is through Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Why Microsoft 365 Copilot?
We’ve chosen Microsoft 365 Copilot because it’s supported
in-house and designed to keep our data safe. Unlike other
AI platforms, Copilot operates within our secure Microsoft
environment, ensuring that Mainfreight’s information stays
protected.
This means:
• No external AI tools for Mainfreight data.
• A secure version of Copilot will be provided for your work.
• Peace of mind knowing your data isn’t being shared or
learned from by third-party systems.
Navigating the Future with AI: Why Mainfreight Chose Microsot 365 Copilot
Using AI the Right Way
AI can be a fantastic assistant, but it’s not a replacement for
your judgment. Here are some key principles to follow:
Use the Right Tools: Stick to the approved version of
Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Do the Right Thing: Be honest about AI’s role in your work -
don’t claim full ownership of AI-generated content.
You’re Still Responsible
AI can make mistakes - sometimes mixing facts with fiction
(known as “hallucinations”).
Always:
• Review and edit AI-generated content before sharing.
• Make decisions yourself, especially when it involves
customers or sensitive data.
Protecting Our Name
Misusing AI doesn’t just risk data - it can damage relationships
and our reputation. Use your judgment, think long-term and
always protect the Mainfreight brand.
55
Training & Development2025
Training
& Development
Every year we approach the festive
season with a sense of anticipation;
anticipation for the silly season volumes,
and anticipation of a well-earned
break with family and loved ones over
Christmas and New Year.
This Christmas will see some team
members enjoying their first holiday
season in new facilities, adjusting to and
Martin Devereux
enjoying the change of surroundings
and the sense of what is to come.
Our business continues to expand its
reach and touchpoints across the world.
2025, like the years before, has thrown
new challenges and obstacles our way.
We overcome these through our vigilant
focus on culture, and on supporting our
brothers and sisters.
We are incredibly fortunate
to have strong Training and
Development teams assisting
this growth and helping our
teams maintain their focus. As
you will see, our touchpoints
are many, and our energy is
unwavering. Thanks team, you
make a huge difference.
New Zealand
Lizzie Judd
As we head into the final quarter
of the year, it’s a great time to
reflect on the ways our Training &
Development team have been actively
supporting our branches, and driving
business success across the country.
Blues Charitable Trust Partnership
Our partnership with the Blues Charitable
Trust continues to create meaningful
opportunities for young people. We’ve
completed a series of work readiness
workshops, introducing students to what
life at Mainfreight could look like. These
sessions have sparked genuine interest,
and we’ve been interviewing some
excellent and well-prepared candidates
for casual summer work experience
placements. We’re looking forward to
welcoming fresh energy into our teams.
Lift Smart, Not Hard
August saw the successful launch of
our manual handling safety campaign,
Lift Smart, Not Hard. With over 40
branches participating, more than 400
team members engaging in Kahoot
quizzes, and over 200 attending Richie
Patterson’s in-person sessions (plus
hundreds more tuning in virtually),
the response was phenomenal. Most
importantly, we saw a tangible impact:
manual handling lost-time accidents
dropped from 8 in July to just 2 in
August. A fantastic result that shows the
power of education and engagement.
Driving Digital – Supporting IT
Rollouts
We’ve been right alongside our
branches as they adopt new tools to
improve freight handling and delivery
processes. The Freight Handling
Tool for our CFS branches is now live
in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington
and Christchurch, helping streamline
operations and improve accuracy.
Next up is the Delivery Load Tool, which
is set to be rolled out in early 2026.
Testing will begin before Christmas
to ensure the system is bug-free, and
Richie Patterson, three time Olympian and Commonwealth Champion
Weightlifter – teaching the country about looking after their bodies with
better Manual Handling techniques
the training plan is fit for purpose.
This tool lays the groundwork
for the Driver Experience
Application, which will follow to
help enhance the experience for
drivers, teams and customers.
Supporting Our Teams
Development
Our courses continue to be well
attended, with strong engagement
across Induction, Customer
Care, Time Management and
the Mainfreight Development
Programme. It’s great to see our team
members investing in their growth
and development, and we’re proud to
support them every step of the way.
56
2025
Training & Development
Australia
Shona Taylor
Thank you to our team for another tremendous year of
support to the Australian business.
The effort and commitment to help support and guide the
branches on the projects and initiatives the business is
asking of us is very much appreciated.
We have successfully passed on knowledge, assisting
new team members to understand our culture and why
we do the things we do, giving them a base understanding
that, sets a solid foundation for the branches to continue
developing their teams. The various courses offered,
such as the Leadership Courses and other information
sessions, all help our teams upskill and strengthen their
contribution to the business.
Audits continue to be invaluable to the branches,
maintaining focus on providing quality in everything we do.
We have worked closely with the New Zealand Training
Team, and other regions, to deliver consistent messages
through Safety Campaigns and initiatives such as the
Mainfreight Development Program.
Below is a selection of successful projects, as well as the
fundamentals delivered to the business:
• Induction Courses: 35 courses held, 273 team
members trained
• Driver X: Driver app implemented in the Transport
business. Train-the-trainer model with 47 champs
trained, who in turn trained 634 drivers
• Branch Manager/Team Leader Training for the
Drug & Alcohol Program – 251 team members
trained
• Wharf Slotting and Planning Board Training
in preparation for the Container Booking Portal in
Mainchain
• DG Coordinators: 96 team members trained
• Spill Training: 17 team members trained
• Driver Assessments: 468 completed. The Owner
Driver fleet is assessed to ensure drivers’ skills
remain current and up to date, ensuring the safety of
our drivers and the public
• Load Restraint and Vehicle Standards –
Managers’ Training: 58 team members trained
• Safety Campaigns: Stop the Drop campaign,
Forklift Safety Awareness Month, Manual Handling
campaign
• Warehouse Inbound Fundamentals Training: 498
team members trained
• Leadership Courses:
• Emerging Branch Managers Course – 18
attendees
• TLS Level 1 – 96 attendees across six courses
• TLS Level 2 – 48 attendees across three
courses
• TLS Beyond Level 2 – 32 attendees across
two courses
• Outback Experience – 25 attendees across
two courses
• Team Leaders Course – 48 attendees across
three courses
• Outward Bound NZ – 11 attendees
• Mainfreight Development Program:
• Career Fairs – Attracting the next generation of
20-year legends
• Driving Force and Amazing Race events to
develop and build problem-solving skills
• Business Improvement Project – Developing
the problem-solving and presentation skills of
our MDP and future leader team members
• SharePoint Project: Supporting IT with the transition
and implementation of SharePoint Online
We continue to support the areas the business asks us
to assist with, ensuring we deliver quality and relevant
information. The basic fundamentals remain at the forefront
of everything we deliver, maintaining focus on why we do
what we do - and continuing to provide our customers with
quality service.
Thank you to the Training Team for
your consistent contribution and quality
of work. Please enjoy your break over
Christmas and spend valuable time
with those special to you while taking a
well-deserved rest.
Merry Christmas to you all.
The Business Improvement Project develops the
problem-solving and presentation skills of our
Mainfreight Development Program and future leader
team members. This is the winning Team.
Front Row L-R: Reyven Madamecilia,
Daniel Beeston, Paige Horo, Baden Wirtz
Back Row L-R: Dave Scott, Rodd Morgan,
Riyaz Jordan, Grant Draper, Simon Hart, Richard
Vlasblom, Mike Reid, Gabrielle Fage
Induction course on tour – Transport team taking
a tour through our Sydney Airfreight depot
57
Training & Development
2025
Europe
Courtney Bould
This year, we’ve been busy behind
the scenes doing what we love most:
helping Mainfreighters grow and
develop. Looking to the future, we’ve
been asking “what will our people
need to lead others, have deeper
conversations with customers,
develop their branches, and open
new ones?” A lot of this comes back
to culture and leadership - and this
year, we’ve doubled down on both.
Starting with the basics of what makes
a Mainfreighter, in 2025, the Induction
Course saw 428 team members
get the blue-blooded injection.
Leadership training has taken on a
new shape. Team members across
the business have stepped into new
roles with teams in their charge.
When this happens, they’re often
thrown in the deep end and learn
from those around them. What helps
them step up their leadership game
even further is joining a course with
others on the same journey, focused
on the skills they’re looking to hone:
tricky conversations, coaching,
delegation, communication, public
speaking and more. These are
covered across our training suite, and
this year we’ve seen, in real time, the
lightbulb moments and actions team
members have taken after getting
a dose of leadership upskilling.
We’ve run most of our courses
in English, French, Dutch,
and Romanian, helping teams
soak up both the culture
and the content even faster.
Regardless of what’s happening in the
world, we need good people. Getting
the Mainfreight brand in front of
future Mainfreighters across Europe
remains a key priority. There’s huge
potential to get our name out there,
and this year we’ve held 33 career
fairs, attended three guest lectures,
and hosted five in-house days. Our
name is more on the radar than ever,
with a record number of applicants
to the Graduate Programme!
Our blue safety culture continues to
strengthen with the implementation
of incident reporting in Resolver.
It provides a clearer overview of
incidents across branches, allows
team members to report in real time,
and improves both communication
and the overall speed and
quality of the reporting process.
We see every training session,
induction, audit and conversation as a
chance to build capability, strengthen
our culture and open doors. We’re
proud of the role we play, not just
in helping people grow, but in
helping the network move forward.
Induction photo in front of
our electric trucks
Asia
Winnie Tong
“Quality means doing it right when no
one is looking.”
2025 has brought its share of global
uncertainty, but great businesses don’t
wait for perfect conditions. They adapt,
stay focused and move forward.
In times like these, trust, reliability
and solutions matter more than ever.
That’s where Mainfreight stands out, by
sticking to our fundamentals. It’s those
special things that Mainfreight does for
our customers to show that we care,
that we’re here to listen, and that we’re
here to help them navigate tough times
and come out stronger.
Building Good People
We have our largest group of eight
trainees progressing through the
Mainfreight Development Program
(MDP), two more than in previous
years. We brought them together for a
dynamic one-day workshop designed
to showcase their growth, and identify
areas for continued development.
The day kicked off with a fun icebreaker,
before diving into real-world business
challenges that tested their problem-
solving and strategic thinking. After
lunch, the energy ramped up with a
hands-on activity that pushed their
teamwork, creativity and prioritisation
skills to the limit. Throughout the day
they were encouraged to reflect on
every element, asking themselves, “Is
this a standard I’m proud of?”
This session wasn’t just about learning.
It was about living our pillars, and
strengthening the team who will shape
our future.
Giving Them the Playbook
We believe in keeping things simple and
valuable. Honesty, integrity, and quality
in everything we do. That’s why we don’t
reinvent the wheel. but instead focus on
sharing what works.
From onboarding and sharing successful
sales stories, to communication
workshops that highlight how small
actions make a big difference, we’re
committed to equipping our teams with
proven tools that drive results.
This year, we’ve taken that commitment
further. Our Branch Manager Manuals
and Quality Audits, longstanding recipes
for success, have been refreshed with
deeper insights and more meaningful
data. These audits don’t just tick boxes,
they reveal how small gaps, if left
unchecked, can grow into bigger issues.
More importantly, they show how quickly
things can improve when we act early
and with intention.
When our people are equipped,
confident and clear on what good looks
like, they deliver the kind of service our
customers remember.
CaroTrans Branch Managers
Quality Workshop
L-R: Miya Li, Pizza Lin, Winnie Tong,
Ruby Zhu, Sophia Chen
58
2025Training & Development
Americas
Regina Warden
As we wrap up the year, it’s hard not to reflect on the
strength and heart of the Training and Development
team. While I was away on parental leave, the team
didn’t just keep things running, they leaned in, stepped
up, and continued to support the business with care and
consistency. That kind of ownership and trust is what we
hope to inspire across Mainfreight: showing up for each
other, especially when it matters most.
Supply Chain Induction Success
One of the standout successes this year has been the
continued momentum of the Supply Chain Induction
course, with nearly 200 team members completing it. It’s
become a touchpoint for new team members - something
they bring up immediately when we meet. The course
flexes to meet people where they are, whether they’re
outgoing or more reserved, and helps break down our
culture and business in ways that are practical, engaging
and real.
We’d love to hear from those who’ve attended.
Shoot us an email at
AMMFITeamDevelopment@mainfreight.com:
• What made the course impactful for you?
• Are there cultural values we’ve missed or could
explore more deeply?
• What are the “keep doing” elements you’d want
every new team member to experience?
Mainfreight Development Program
Beyond induction, we’ve seen 30 team members begin
their journey with the Mainfreight Development Program
through our third Year 1 Kickoff course. Twenty-one team
members explored their leadership styles in Year 2, and
20 team members tackled business relevant projects,
presenting their work to leaders and stakeholders across
the business. These programs continue to build leadership
depth and confidence - not just for today, but for the future
of Mainfreight.
Health and Safety Efforts
Health and safety continues to be a team effort, and the
impact is showing.
This year, we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the
quality of incident reporting. Team members are digging
deeper into root causes and crafting corrective actions
that actually stick. That kind of ownership is what drives
real change.
With the launch of the PIT Train the Trainer program, we’re
putting forklift certification back into the hands of our local
experts - empowering branches to train and certify their
own team members.
And perhaps most importantly, we’re hearing more stories
of team members checking in on one another - noticing
when someone’s struggling and taking the time to offer
support. That’s the kind of culture we want to build: one
where care is second nature.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, we’re growing! New faces are joining
the Training and Development team, which means we
can offer more needs-based training, refresh our current
offerings, and provide more one-on-one support. We’re
excited to keep building, keep connecting and keep
helping our people grow in ways that matter.
Thanks for being part of this journey.
Here’s to an amazing year - and an
even better one ahead!
Supply Chain Induction held in Chicago
Back Row L-R: Horacio Rodriguez, Jackson Lott,
Jacquil Campbell, Cyprian Amadi, Kevin Reyes, Braylon
Irving, Megan Jones, Corey Emory, Arismel Avilez
Front Row L-R: Anthony Lewis, Misael Roa,
Michelle Worden, Tiffany Gomez, Thwang Awi
59
Team Review2025
Bereavements
Stu faced his illness with remarkable bravery, though his battle with cancer was brief. He was
known for his generous spirit and willingness to support others, often setting aside his own tasks
to lend a helping hand. During his time at Mainfreight, Stu showed unwavering commitment - not
only to keeping the site clean and well-maintained, but also to ensuring recycling was handled
thoughtfully and responsibly. Although his time with us was short, Stu left a meaningful and lasting
impression. He was admired, valued, and loved by many. His absence will be profoundly felt.
Stu Eaton
Mainfreight Transport Hamilton
René Spaan
Mainfreight Warehousing Zaltbommel
It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beloved team member
René Spaan, a true legend of 30 years, has passed away. René started with us in 1992 at our
Nijmegen branch. He later moved to ‘s-Heerenberg. In September 2019, René “moved” along with
his customers to Zaltbommel, where he remained an indispensable part of the team ever since.
René had a tremendous heart for the company and was a wonderful colleague, well known for his
infectious laughter and dry sense of humour. René, we will miss you!
With great sadness, we had to say goodbye to our colleague, Ton Broekhuizen. Ton had been
a driver at Mainfreight ’s-Heerenberg since 1984. For over 39 years, Ton was a praised team
member. Ton, with his heart in the right place, and soul for the job and the team supporting him.
We will continue to remember him, and he will remain in our thoughts. Ton, we will miss you!
Ton Broekhuizen
Mainfreight Trucks & Drivers Netherlands
Jules van de Pavert
Mainfreight European Support
It is with deep sadness that we share the sad news that Jules van de Pavert, a 45-year legend,
has passed away. Jules started in ‘s-Heerenberg in 1976 as a traffic manager. Later, he would
be known as the European QESH Manager. In 2001, he started working in the Urgent & Special
Services team. In April 2021, Jules was able to enjoy his well-deserved retirement, but he could
never completely let go of Mainfreight. Even in his last days, Mainfreight held a special place in his
heart. Jules, we will miss you!
Bill dedicated 30 years of service to our business at Daily Freight Christchurch, with a strong focus
on the agriculture sector - particularly in the national coordination of seed potato movements. Over
the course of his career, he cultivated enduring relationships with merchants, growers and service
providers, which played a vital role in establishing and expanding this area of our operations. It
is with great sadness that we share Bill passed away peacefully on Thursday, 2nd October 2025,
with his beloved wife by his side.
Bill Clark
Daily Freight Christchurch
Marijke Dikker-Hamer
Mainfreight Warehousing Logistiekstraat
It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beloved team member
Marijke Dikker-Hamer has passed away. Marijke joined us in October 2016 and worked for all
those years in the Fiskars team. She was one of our core team members for this operation,
someone we could always count on. She knew the processes inside and out. Marijke was a true
pillar of our team. She had a remarkable attitude and incredible perseverance. Even during her
illness, she regularly came to work, simply wanting to get back to it. Marijke, we will miss you!
60
2025Team Review
Service Legends
1.3.
4.
1. Bill Browns, Air & Ocean Melbourne, 40 year legend (coinciding with Lynn Lius’ 15 year achievement).
L-R: Grant Draper, Dave Coughlin, Bill Brown, Lynn Lius, Brendan Ryan.
2. Robyn McCarthy, Air & Ocean Tauranga, 30 year legend. L-R: Shane Williamson, Robyn McCarthy.
3. Maureen “Aunty Mores” Paine, Celebrating 30 years with Mainfreight Auckland!
4. Craig Radich (Owner Driver) Mainfreight Auckland, 30 year legend.
5. Mark Lane (Owner Driver) Mainfreight Auckland, 30 year legend. L-R: Maree Lane, Mark Lane, Carl George.
6. Erik Berger, CaroTrans National Team, Americas, 30 year legend.
7. Tonia Durini, Mainfreight Columbus, 25 year legend.
8. Ambrose So, Mainfreight Hong Kong, 10 year legend. L-R: Yvonne Chan, Ambrose So, Jacky Lam.
9. Ivy Lam, Mainfreight Hong Kong,10 year legend. L-R: Jacky Lam, Ivy Lam, Yvonne Chan.
7.
2.
Celebrating our Team
5.
8.
6.
9.
61
Team Review2025
Service Achievements
The following members of our team have celebrated, or will shortly celebrate, 20 years or more with us:
20 Years
Agnieszka Raunmiagi - Transport Warsaw, Antonie Moonen - Transport ‘s- Heerenberg, Astrid van Dam - National Support - Europe,
Belinda Bright - Transport Prestons, Beth Embry - CaroTrans USA, Beth Rosenbrock - Transport Atlanta, Christophe Goossens - Trucks
& Drivers Belgium, Cora Greven - Ocean Freight Rotterdam, Corinne Lepine - Transport ‘s- Heerenberg, Donna Everaarts - Transport
Hamilton, Gerda Buffinga - Feddes - Transport ‘s- Heerenberg, Graeme Towns - Transport Nelson, Gregory Wong - 2Home Auckland,
Henk Kamphuis - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Hishem Maksoud - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Ivo Bod - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands,
Jamane Tarau - Transport Auckland, Jason Moroney - National Support - Warehousing Australia, Jayne Munslow - Daily Freight Christchurch,
Jimmy Sewalt - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Johnny Maurick - Crossdock ‘s- Heerenberg, Joumana Nasr - Air & Ocean Sydney Seafreight,
Joyce Ruesink - Warehousing Brede Steeg, Juliane Hein - Warehousing Meiland, Jurgen van Eerden - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands,
Karl Schubert - Warehousing Born, Kay Wijkamp - Transport ‘s- Heerenberg, Keith Penman - Warehousing Prestons, Leon Bleumink -
National Support - Europe, Mark Ruesink - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Michel Lenderink - Warehousing Brede Steeg, Michelle Allison
- CaroTrans Baltimore, Monique Streefland - National Support - Europe, Natalie Maree Poloni - Transport Epping, Neil Watson - Daily
Freight Christchurch, Niels Kok - Warehousing Brede Steeg, Olga Cazares - CaroTrans Chicago, Pam Moussiades - Air & Ocean Melbourne
Seafreight, Patrick Goossen - Warehousing Brede Steeg, Patrick Helmink - Crossdock ‘s- Heerenberg, Raymond ten Haaf - Crossdock
‘s- Heerenberg, Robert Hayes - FTL South Island, Robin Davids - Transport Dunedin, Rudi de Vries - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Semi Godinet
- Transport Dandenong, Sharon Ama - Transport Prestons, Sofia Rida - Air & Ocean Sydney Airfreight, Suza Paceskoski - Transport Prestons,
Tayfun Gezer - Transport Prestons, Tracey Wright - Transport Tauranga, Veronique Lootens - Transport Ghent, Zed Nuku - Transport Auckland.
25 Years
Annelies Spaan - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Annette Thiele - Warehousing Netherlands, Arjan Meijer - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands,
Bjorn Theijssen - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Earl Betty - Air & Ocean Wellington, Ferdinand Massop - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg,
George Mantzakos - Wharf Sydney, Hans Bruggeman - Transport Tilburg, Hayden Bell - Transport Auckland, Jeanette Frauenfelder
- Frazer - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Jeroen de Lange - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Joost Froeling - National Support - Europe,
Joost van Gaalen - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Karen Roberts - Air & Ocean Auckland Seafreight, Kees Plantinga - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg,
Leroy Elderman - National Support - Europe, Lisa Pearce - National Support - New Zealand, Lisa Raimondo - Air & Ocean Adelaide,
Lydia Baars - Kuster - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Marco Berndsen - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Marie Morales - National Support - Americas,
Milo Janssen - Warehousing Netherlands, Mirjam Soetekouw - Lieven - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Nazim Khan - Metro Auckland,
Nicole Donders - Warehousing Meiland, Olaf Eenstroom - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Patricia Heijnst - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Regan Somers
- Transport Auckland, Remco Berndsen - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Remo Verschueren - Crossdock ‘s-Heerenberg, Robert Deman -
Warehousing Ostend, Rowina Cardoza - CaroTrans Los Angeles, Saskia Daams - National Support - Europe, Servet Sahin - Trucks & Drivers
Netherlands, Tania Donis Psarou - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Tonia Durnin - Transport Columbus , Veronica Schock - CaroTrans Atlanta.
30 Years
Erik Ruesink - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Erik Berger - CaroTrans USA, Henare Morton - Transport Napier, Henk Peters - Warehousing
Netherlands, Hubert Kamphuis - Warehousing Netherlands, Jeroen Wierbos - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Jodi Vaughan - Chemcouriers
Hamilton, Natalie Weijenbarg - Bos - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Nick Verweij - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Owen Donald - Transport Christchurch.
35 Years
Corrie Ederveen - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Jurgen Lukassen - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Marcel van de Wetering - Trucks & Drivers
Netherlands, Robyn McCarthy - Air & Ocean Tauranga, Sander van Schie - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Timo van den Bos - Trucks &
Drivers Netherlands, Willy Kuiper - National Support – Europe.
40 Years
Arno Kuijpers - Warehousing Born, Astrid Martens - Verbeeten - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Joselien Hoen - Adams - Warehousing Born,
Karin Timmerman - Transport ‘s-Heerenberg, Robert Vincent - Wellington Transport, Shane Michalick - National Support - Americas,
Wichard Achten - Trucks & Drivers Netherlands, Wilfried van Dulmen - Warehousing Meiland.
45 Years
Anita Everaerts - Warehousing Born, Chris Roering - Warehousing Born, Mike Reid - National Support - Australia, Rex Edwards - Transport
Dunedin.
62
2025Team Review
Photoboard
Sandra Sanchez and
Jeremy Thomas from our Phoenix
Branch ready to feed the team
Warehousing Hamilton 2025 winner of
their Annual Bowling Competition - Our
new bowling champion Dylan Bartels
(L), takes the win from Finn Claridge
(R) in a fun-filled annual showdown
APPLE ALERT! Northlake team
preparing apple bucket deliveries for
our customers and our team
Past and Present Auckland Metro
Branch Managers
Ranjay Sharma Mainfreight Tauranga,
our 2025 Forklift Competition winner
(R) and his dad Rankesh (L)
Carl George and Nic Kay couldn’t
leave the AGM without getting a snap
with this impressive unit
A crowd favourite – we are talking
about the truck. Daniel Plested
admiring Nathan Anderson’s aka
Nugget, impression truck
Mainfreight Shanghai celebrated
Goddess Day by giving our ‘goddess’
delicate bouquets.
L-R: Cherry Wang and Jessica Tao
Some recent fleet photos from our
Los Angeles Branch showing the
investment from our team of Owner
Drivers- looking great thank you!
Adelaide Chemcouriers’ Heath Dwyer
proudly took out “Best Rigid” at the
2025 Mannum Truck Show with his
meticulously maintained Isuzu FYJ 350!
Our swing lift down in Invercargill has made the New Zealand Trucking ‘Top
Truck of the Year’ 2024-2025 - how awesome!! We are also on the front of their
Facebook page, and had the biggest write up in the magazine!
63
Team Review2025
Feedback
Melbourne Warehousing - Clayton
Firstly, thanks again for your time this
week and thanks to your team for
the presentation and the tour. I was
impressed with the apples story and
as promised, the bucket was given a
special place in our main entry. The
Clayton’s family always took part in the
community and we are proud to be part
of Mainfreight community and good
cause as well. I will review the latest
pricing provided to Ashely and we will
be In touch soon.
To the Superstars at Daily Freight and Mainfreight
This week, the Beehive team (Sales and Franchisee Support) had the pleasure of
spending time with most of our franchise network during two roadshows in Auckland and
Christchurch. These events are always a fantastic opportunity to connect in person, catch
up, and share ideas. Throughout the day, we engaged in casual conversations where
any concerns could be raised one-on-one. During presentations, various topics surfaced
organically, and we also broke into smaller groups to discuss strengths, problems,
opportunities, and threats. Reflecting on these two days, I realized that not a single issue
was raised regarding Dailyfreight or Mainfreight. In fact, I see our relationship with your
teams, the hard work you all consistently deliver as a major strength for Cookie Time.
It’s human nature to focus on problems, often overlooking the positives. The fact that MF
and DF weren’t even on our franchisees’ minds is a testament to the outstanding service
you provide. So, I wanted to take a moment to personally reach out and say a massive
THANK YOU to all the team members at Mainfreight and Dailyfreight in Christchurch
and Auckland who look after the Cookie Time accounts. Your support and high service
levels are appreciated. As most of you know, I’m passionate about supporting our
franchise network and being their voice. I hold the same commitment and respect for our
partnership with Dailyfreight and Mainfreight, and the exceptional service you provide
to Cookie Time. To show our appreciation, the Beehive team has put together some fun
thank you treat boxes, which will be sent out to the MF and DF teams in Christchurch
and Auckland next week. We hope you enjoy sharing these parcels with your teams
as a small token of our gratitude. Special shout-out to Noreen!You were being called
a legend around CTL today — and rightly so! We truly appreciate all the support you
provide behind the scenes and how you always jump in to help when we need you. Your
dedication doesn’t go unnoticed, and we’re so grateful to have you supporting Cookie
Time.
Josh Crouch
A quick thank you to Josh
Crouch from Mainfreight.
I have dealt with freight companies
for many years and have
experienced the challenges with
freight—damaged goods, delays,
wrong destinations, lost parcels.
But after a year building my own
business, I’ve seen first-hand
how much difference a great
freight carrier and BDM can make.
Josh always takes my calls and genuinely
cares about helping where he can.
That sort of support is gold
when you’re just starting out.
Just wanted to recognise the good
work and commitment to service.
Thanks for being there when it counted!
Brisbane Transport
As discussed, this morning, we’d love
to provide some positive feedback to
the Customer Service Team, and in
particular Maddie Kurtz. (Not sure if you
guys do a Rewards and Recognition
thing but if so, please nominate Maddie
on my behalf). Recently we tried to SSR
a bar and Maddie advised us that it
couldn’t be done, and she also provided
the reason. It could have been the end
of the story there, but Maddie went
above and beyond, letting me know
that she had reached out to make the
shipment a priority. Again she could
have stopped there, but she went a step
further, reaching out to the 3rd party
and keeping myself and the team at
King Bars updated and informed of any
changes that popped up along the way.
I’d like to say thank you to Maddie for
this brilliant service and let her know that
it did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
I’d also like to mention that the customer
service team are always a pleasure to
deal with. It doesn’t matter the question
or the request, the team always reply
promptly, I never have to chase them for
a response or an answer to anything.
Thanks for passing the feedback along
Chantelle
Thanks Mainfreight
Dear Alonso/Irina,
Albeit it is obviously not up to me (being
a simple salesguy in Benelux region)
to write you the below, I nevertheless
would like to grab this opportunity to
express to you my GREAT GRATITUDE
for your support last week and today. I
am aware (...and believe me; Ionela
has made us all ‘more than aware’) that
we did put an awful lot of constraint on
you all at ‘s-Heerenberg to get all these
big volume orders timely picked and
ell delivered to the end destinations.
Such during a period in the year where
there is anyway extra pressure to
have enough hands ‘on board’ to get
all the work done. But you did it! Quite
an achievement and thank you very
much for that extra support. Highly
appreciated! Thanks, Wiel
5 Stars
WOW ... talk about commitment – NOW
transport freight companies get SO
MANY bad reviews BUT you have to
remember there are so many parts that
can contribute to an item getting lost.
Mainfreight are a great freight company
overall and that would get them 4 stars
BUT Ash and Andrea worked tirelessly
to find my freight that got waylaid.
They got rained on while I waited for
them to locate my stuff. They kept
me in to loop all the time. Sometimes
staff can do lots to rebuild ones faith
in customer service. Ash & Andrea are
amazing employees and buck the norm
of the big company “I don’t give a .. ”
SO HUGE thanks to both Mainfreight
& Ash & Andrea, GREAT work – I am
indebted to you.
Nicholas Mitsakis
Hi Nicholas,
Thank you so much for following
through with this order for Coles and
I can confirm that it appears it was
delivered yesterday, as promised.
I really appreciate your attention to getting
this order redirected and managing the
process so that it could be delivered
within the time slot – you did a great
job! I must admit...I was sceptical that it
would arrive on time but I am absolutely
delighted that it has. I just wanted to
personally thank you for the extra efforts
involved, and if you could please thank
the Brisbane team for their help too.
I will endeavour to watch those ‘drop
downs’ when I am loading the orders...I
won’t make the same mistake again
(fingers crossed)!!
Celebrating 9 Years of Partnership!
Advanced Engineering Group
would like to extend a huge thank
you to Mainfreight for the amazing
BBQ shout on Friday, 20th June!
We were proud to celebrate 9 years
of working together with one of our
most reliable and valued courier
partners. Your continued support has
played an essential role in helping
us deliver quality and efficiency to
our customers across the country.
Here’s to many more years of
collaboration and shared success.
Thank you, Mainfreight, for being an
exceptional partner!
“A promise means nothing until it is delivered”
Merry Christmas from the Mainfreight Team
Carter Mullan, Age 7, Great Nephew of Jacqui O’Connor, Mainfreight 2Home Auckland
Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.
Other issuers discussed similar conditions around this time
Matched by meaning across NZX announcement text, not keywords — based on our semantic index of announcement bodies.
- MOV — MOVE Logistics Group Limited: MOVE 2025 Annual Meeting Speeches and Presentation2025-10-30
“CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT DELIVERED Q1 FY26 30 Q1 24Q1 25Q1 26 Total Sales Revenue -3.5% YOY Q1 24Q1 25Q1 26 Gross Margin % +1.2pp YOY Q1 24Q1 25Q1 26 Gross Margin $ +1% YOY Q1 24Q1 25Q1 26 +67.9% YOY Continued improvement despite economic contraction •Revenue impacted by economic…”
- MOV — MOVE Logistics Group Limited: MOVE Logistics Group - 1H26 Results2026-02-26
“1H26 Results Presentation24 One of the largest providers in the NZ market Multi-modal, end to end supply chain solutions Customer focused, culture of service excellence Experienced and passionate team Competitive, value for money, reliable and resilient provider Strong long term…”
- SPN — South Port New Zealand Limited: South Port New Zealand Limited - 2025 Annual Report2025-09-18
““ Above: The refurbished "Murihiku" is operational� NOTEWORTHY EVENTS 2024/2025 1� NPAT of $13.32 million (2024 - $7.38 million), a 80.6% increase on last year� 2� Normalised profit of $13.89 million (2024 - $9.96 million), a 39�5% increase on last year� 3� Total cargo of 3…”