{{Short description|Australian-based logistics company}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Toll Group | logo = Toll Group logo.svg | type = [[Subsidiary]] | traded_as = | fate = | successor = | founded = 1888 | founder = [[Albert Toll]] | defunct = | location_city = [[Melbourne]] | location_country = Australia | locations = | area_served = | key_people = Alan Beacham ([[Managing Director]])<br />Thomas Knudsen ([[Chairman]]) | industry = [[Freight Forwarding]]<br />[[Logistics]]<br />[[Transportation]] | products = | services = | parent = [[Japan Post Holdings]] | revenue = [[Australian dollar|$]]5.8 billion (2023) | operating_income = | num_employees = 16,000 (October 2023) | divisions = | homepage = {{URL|https://tollgroup.com/}} }}
'''Toll Group''' is an Australian [[freight company]] that operates a [[logistics]] and global [[Freight forwarder|freight forwarding]] network spanning 150 countries, with over 20,000 customers. Toll has more than 16,000 workers across 500 sites.<ref name=":3">{{cite web | url=https://www.tollgroup.com/about | title=About }}</ref> It is a subsidiary of [[Japan Post Service]].<ref name=":0">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160417172902/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20150402/pdf/42xpyzfstgf63z.pdf Scheme Booklet registered with ASIC] Toll Group 2 April 2015 page 19</ref>
==History== [[File:Toll Albion (10299902226).jpg|thumb|An AF Toll [[Albion Motors|Albion]] [[flatbed truck]]]] [[File:Toll Chadwick (10299973496).jpg|thumb|A Toll-Chadwick [[Kenworth#Australia|Kenworth K series]]]] Albert Toll established Toll in [[Newcastle, New South Wales]], in 1888. The business began by moving coal with horse and cart, and by the time of Albert's death at 95 in 1958, Toll was running a range of fleet trucks from five different locations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/about/history |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Toll Group|language=en}}</ref>
National Minerals purchased the business in 1959.<ref>New Premises, Fleet for Newcastle Firm ''[[Truck & Bus Transportation]]'' February 1961 page 70</ref> It then became a part of mining conglomerate Peko Wallsend a decade later. Peko Wallsend utilised the Toll transport business for all its transporting needs, making Toll a popular domestic carrier across the country.<ref>From Newcastle to the Moon ''Truck & Bus Transportation'' December 1965 pages 59–62</ref>
The business changed name to Toll-Chadwick when its new owners wanted to blend their businesses and start using containerised shipping. By the mid-1980s, Toll-Chadwick had evolved into one of Australia’s most significant transport companies, operating beyond the nation’s capital cities.<ref>Toll is the Name ''Truck & Bus Transportation'' July 1985 page 7</ref><ref name=":2" />
Toll was purchased by its management team in 1986 by Toll’s first Chairman, [[Peter Rowsthorn (businessman)|Peter Rowsthorn]] and Toll’s Managing Director at the time, [[Paul Little (businessman)|Paul Little]]. The duo developed the business through acquiring modest, strategically located transport companies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2005 |title=How Little turned an ailing Toll into giant |url=https://www.theage.com.au/business/how-little-turned-an-ailing-toll-into-giant-20050823-ge0qoo.html |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=[[The Age]]|language=en}}</ref>
===Public company=== In 1993, Toll was listed on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] (ASX).<ref name=":0" />
After its listing on the ASX, Toll progressively built its reach and service capabilities via a program of strategic acquisitions. In the process, Toll expanded its operations in logistics and freight forwarding across the Asia-Pacific region.<ref name=":2" />
In June 2000 Toll Holdings launched a [[takeover offer]] for [[Finemore Holdings]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060828135855/http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/index.cfm?storyid=3110&cp=displaystory Toll launches $120m bid for Finemore] ''[[Australasian Transport News]]'' 28 June 2000</ref> The bid was not successful with Toll only gaining a 68% acceptance when 90% was required, with [[Lindsay Fox]] using his 10.1% shareholding to veto the deal.<ref>Finemores/Toll still keen on takeover deal ''Truck & Bus Transportation'' November 2000 page 8</ref> A [[scheme of arrangement]], that only required 75% acceptance, was accepted with the transaction completed in March 2001.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060819151129/http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/index.cfm?storyid=4577&cp=displaystory Toll will rebid for Finemores - need 75%] ''Australasian Transport News'' 2 November 2000</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060824042008/http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/index.cfm?storyid=5586&cp=displaystory Toll Holdings complete Finemores merger] ''Australasian Transport News'' 2 March 2001</ref><ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/business/how-little-turned-an-ailing-toll-into-giant-20050823-ge0qoo.html How Little turned ailing Toll into a giant] ''[[The Age]]'' 23 August 2005</ref>
In 2003, Toll acquired New Zealand rail, road and ferry operator [[Tranz Rail]], while selling the rail network to the New Zealand Government. Tranz Rail was later renamed Toll Rail. Toll then sold Toll Rail, without its trucking operation, to the government in 2008.
Toll’s acquisition of SembCorp Logistics (SembLog) in 2006 significantly increased Toll’s market presence and reach across South East Asia, Greater China and the Indian Sub-Continent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2006 |title=Toll acquires stake in SembCorp |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/toll-acquires-stake-in-sembcorp-20060307-gdn3ji.html |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|language=en}}</ref> In this period, Toll acquired ST Logistics, a standalone subsidiary business in Singapore, which supports the Singapore Government with logistics in healthcare, defence, and homeland security.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Milestones {{!}} ST Logistics Pte Ltd |url=https://www.stlogs.com/our-company/milestones/ |access-date=20 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2008 Toll acquired BALtrans Logistics.<ref name="tollbal">6 March 2009 (6 March 2009). [http://ichainnel.com/en/news/239360_537aef-em-toll-global-forwarding-em-completes-baltrans-integration "Toll Global Forwarding Completes BALtrans Integration."] Logistics Insight Asia. Retrieved 23 July 2013.</ref> In 2009 Toll acquired Express Logistics Group, one of New Zealand's largest freight forwarding companies. In the same year Toll acquired Logistic Distribution Systems, a Dubai-based international freight forwarding company.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=21 December 2009 |title=Toll Holdings Limited – completed acquisition of Express Logistics Australia Pty Ltd |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/public-registers/mergers-registers/public-informal-merger-reviews/toll-holdings-limited-completed-acquisition-of-express-logistics-australia-pty-ltd |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=[[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2009 |title=Toll acquires Logistic Distribution Systems |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/toll-acquires-logistic-distribution-systems-1.524278 |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=[[Gulf News]]|language=en}}</ref>
In 2010 Toll acquired United States freight forwarder Summit Logistics.<ref name="smhtoll">[http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/toll-acquires-summit-logistics-20100202-naw1.html Toll acquires Summit Logistics] ''Sydney Morning Herald'' 2 February 2010</ref> In 2010 they acquired WT SeaAir and Genesis Forwarding.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2010 |title=Toll makes two acquisitions in UK |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/toll-makes-two-acquisitions-in-uk-20100709-102yh.html |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> The acquisitions added significant scale to the Toll Global Forwarding division in Europe.
In 2011 Toll acquired SAT Albatros, a Dubai-based provider of sea-air services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=FreightWaves |date=1 February 2011 |title=Toll acquires Dubai sea-air specialist |url=https://www.freightwaves.com/news/toll-acquires-dubai-sea-air-specialist |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=FreightWaves |language=en-US}}</ref>
By 2014, Toll had 40,000 team members across 1,200 locations in more than 50 countries, and annual revenue of $6.5 billion.<ref name=":2" />
===Japan Post acquisition=== On 18 February 2015, Toll's Board announced that it had accepted a proposal from Japan Post to acquire all of Toll's shares. Japan Post was looking to Toll to grow its global logistics operations and expansion across Asia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 February 2015 |title=Japan Post snaps up Toll for $6.5 billion to create global logistics powerhouse |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/japan-post-snaps-up-toll-for-6-5-billion-to-create-global-logistics-powerhouse-20150218-13i3ct |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref>
On 13 May 2015, Toll shareholders voted in favour of the acquisition.<ref name=":1">[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-18/toll-board-backs-8-billion-dollar-japan-post-takeover/6138590 Toll board backs $6.5b takeover by Japan Post] ''ABC News'' 18 February 2015</ref> On 28 May 2015, Toll formally became a division of Japan Post.<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/business/toll-takeover-japans-great-australian-takeaway-20150218-13hsp8.html Toll takeover: Japan's great Australian takeaway] ''Sydney Morning Herald'' 18 February 2015</ref> Toll remained headquartered in Melbourne and retained the Toll brand in Australia and around the world.
Toll continued to grow in Asia, investing AU$228 million in Toll City, a multi-story logistics facility in Singapore in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toll city |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/about/innovation-insights/toll-city |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, Toll divested its logistics business in the United States, maintaining its freight forwarding operations; and on 1 September 2021, the Toll Global Express business in Australia and New Zealand was sold to [[Allegro Funds]] and rebranded [[Team Global Express]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toll Group completes sale of Global Express to Allegro Funds |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/about/news-and-media/media-releases/toll-group-completes-sale-global-express-allegro-funds |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Toll acquired a business in Australia, ASQ, an operator of uncrewed aircraft systems (drone), and became the majority shareholder in its joint venture in Dubai, CWT-SML.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toll to become majority shareholder in its Dubai joint venture |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/about/news-and-media/toll-become-majority-shareholder-its-dubai-joint-venture |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref>
Today, Toll has dual headquarters in Melbourne and Singapore, with contract logistics operations across the Asia Pacific and a global freight forwarding business. In 2023, the company had 10,00 team members globally, 20,000 customers, and revenue of AU5.6 billion.<ref name=":2" />
In October 2024, [[Pel-Air]] was purchased from [[Regional Express Holdings]].<ref>[https://www.tollgroup.com/about/news-and-media/toll-group-expands-aeromedical-services-through-acquisition-pel-air Toll Group Expands Aeromedical Services through the Acquisition of Pel-Air] Toll Group 24 October 2024</ref><ref>[https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/rex-subsidiary-sale-finalised/ Rex subsidiary sale finalised] ''[[Australasian Transport News]]'' 25 October 2024</ref>
==Toll's service offering== ===Freight forwarding=== [[File:Toll Volvo FH.JPG|thumb|A Toll [[Volvo FH]] [[semi-trailer truck]] in [[Ballarat]] in August 2013]] Toll provides international freight forwarding and supply chain management services that range from airport-to-(air)port and door-to-door freight forwarding movements to complex supply chain services and project movements involving over-dimensional, out-of-gauge, and heavy haulage cargo.<ref name=":3" />
Headquartered in Singapore, Toll Global Forwarding operates in four regions: Australia and New Zealand; Asia; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and North America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/locations |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> It has 90 sites in 28 markets which, combined with an agent network, services more than 150 markets. It is one of the largest freight forwarders on the Asia to Australia, New Zealand, and USA corridors.<ref name=":2" />
In 2023, Toll Global Forwarding managed around 500,000 air and ocean freight shipments.
===Contract logistics=== [[File:ＴＸＪ車輌.JPG|thumb|A Toll [[UD Trucks|UD]] delivery truck in [[Japan]]]] Toll provides warehousing and transportation contract logistics across the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, Taiwan and Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asia Pacific |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/locations/asia-pacific |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref>
Toll provides end-to-end supply chain services for a range of industries including retail and consumer, grocery, healthcare, automotive, industrial, energy, government and defence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Industries |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/solutions/industries |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Toll Liquids 20m tanker (13684983933).jpg|thumb|A Toll [[fuel tanker]] ]]The company operates 500 plus warehouse facilities and a transportation fleet of more than 44,000 vehicles, vessels, plant and equipment.<ref name=":3" />
Toll provides logistics, transport and warehouse distribution including:
* Automated warehousing design * Omni-channel and ecommerce<ref>{{Cite web |title=eCommerce & Omnichannel Logistics |url=https://www.tollgroup.com/solutions/supply-chain-logistics/ecommerce-omnichannel-logistics |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.tollgroup.com |language=en}}</ref> * Dedicated, specialised higher capacity transport * Advanced, integrated telematics for bulk transport.
Toll is the first and only service provider to operate a fleet of Super B-doubles on a fixed route in Singapore and operates the Toll Helicopter ambulance rescue services in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boilerplate |title=Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter Service |url=https://www.tollambulancerescue.com.au/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=The Toll NSW Ambulance Aeromedical Service |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2019-05-17 |title=Toll operates Vawdrey super B-double in Singapore |url=https://www.globaltrailermag.com/2019/05/17/toll-operates-vawdrey-super-b-double-in-singapore/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Global Trailer |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Former divisions== * [[Toll Domestic Forwarding]] apparently disappeared in a restructuring in 2017. * [[Toll Resources & Government Logistics]], assumed restructured.
===IPEC=== [[File:Tasmanian Achiever II at Port of Burnie 20190328-001.jpg|thumb|''[[Tasmanian Achiever II]]'' at the [[Burnie|Port of Burnie]] in March 2019]] The [[Toll Ipec|Interstate Parcel Express Company]] (IPEC) was established in January 1954 and operated two [[Peugeot]] utility vehicles on express parcel services from [[Adelaide]] to [[Melbourne]].<ref>Fast handling is key feature of new Ipec transfer terminal ''[[Freight & Container Transportation]]'' May 1974 pages 34, 35, 45, 46</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130305061234/http://www.tollipec.com.au/history.aspx History] Toll Ipec</ref> It was later taken over by university friends Greg Farrell (of the [[Federal Group]]) and [[Gordon Barton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/rise-and-fall-of-australias-great-gatsby-19930528-k5em6|title=Rise and fall of Australia's Great Gatsby|first=Valerie|last=Lawson|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=28 May 1993|access-date=8 March 2026}}</ref> By 1968 it was operating in all Australian capital cities.<ref>Ipec takes over removals business of WHA Clues ''[[Truck & Bus Transportation]]'' May 1968 page 127</ref>
In 1963, IPEC commenced operating interstate air freight services from [[Essendon Airport|Melbourne]] to [[Launceston Airport|Launceston]] service commencing with [[Douglas DC-3]]s chartered from Brain & Brown operating three services per night.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/136929278 IPEC flight defies Govt] ''[[Canberra Times]]'' 23 June 1966 page 1</ref>In 1966 IPEC began operating another interstate air freight service between [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]] and [[Cowra Airport|Cowra]] that contravened the [[Two Airlines Policy]] using a chartered Air Express Holdings [[Bristol Freighter]], where it connected with trucks to Melbourne. IPEC had already purchased a [[Douglas DC-4]] in England, however the [[Australian Government|federal government]] would not allow it into Australia.<ref>Ipec in the air ''Truck & Bus Transportation'' July 1966 page 194</ref><ref>Ipec air freight on the move ''Truck & Bus Transportation'' August 1966 page 120</ref> The Cowra service ceased in 1967.<ref>Ipec air freight plan is shelved ''Truck & Bus Transportation'' August 1967 page 112</ref><ref>Ipec sells plane: Bris-Cowra air service stopped ''Freight & Container Transportation'' August 1967 page 42</ref> [[File:ZK-TLD Boeing 737-3B7(SF) Toll Aviation (Airwork New Zealand) (6213991158).jpg|thumb|Toll Priority [[Boeing 737]] at [[Brisbane Airport]] in May 2011]] In 1977 IPEC imported two [[Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy|Argosys]] followed by a further two in 1978.<ref>Govt gives Ipec green light to import planes ''Freight & Container Transportation'' March 1977 page 3</ref><ref>Two more Argosies for Ipec arrive ''Freight & Container Transportation'' July 1978 page 6</ref> In 1979, IPEC commenced operating services between Melbourne, [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]] and Brisbane using chartered [[East-West Airlines (Australia)|East-West Airlines]] [[Fokker F27 Friendship]]s.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110564799 New IPEC services] ''Canberra Times'' 3 July 1979 page 7</ref><ref>Ipec's air cargo service starts as scheduled ''Freight & Container Transportation'' August 1979 page 5</ref> A [[Douglas DC-9]] was purchased in 1982.<ref>Govt has approved Ipec importing jet aircraft ''Freight & Container Transportation'' September 1981 page 12</ref><ref>Ipec flying into Qld – and moving into air charter market ''Freight & Container Transportation'' August 1982 page 3</ref>
In October 1979, IPEC purchased British freight company Sayer Transport Group.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110605089 IPEC buys British transport group] ''Canberra Times'' 13 October 1979 page 24</ref> In December 1980 it purchased Skypack International with operations in 26 countries.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126163630 IPEC pays $3m for Skypack courier group] ''Canberra Times'' 12 December 1980 page 15</ref> IPEC owned the [[Angus & Robertson]] publishing business until selling it to [[News Corporation (1980-2013)|News Corporation]] in May 1981.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125631207 News group to buy A and R] ''Canberra Times'' 2 May 1981 page 19</ref> In 1983 Skypack International was sold to [[Thomas Nationwide Transport]].<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116450659 Ipec sheds a global operation] ''Canberra Times'' 17 February 1983 page 21</ref><ref>TNT take over Ipec's foreign courier service ''Freight & Container Transportation'' March 1983 page 31</ref>
In 1983 [[Mayne Group|Mayne Nickless]] purchased a 50% shareholding.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122486026 Mayne Nickless lifts profit to $17.3m] ''Canberra Times'' 26 February 1985 page 14</ref> In 1998 IPEC was purchased by Toll and rebranded Toll IPEC.<ref>Mayne-Toll Deal ''[[The Australian]]'' 30 September 1998 page 43</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150331050456/https://www.tollgroup.com/acquisitions Acquisitions] Toll Group</ref>
In July 2007, Toll Holdings Limited acquired Victorian Express Pty Ltd which provided intrastate express freight services within Victoria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Commission |first=Australian Competition and Consumer |date=7 April 2009 |title=Toll Holdings Limited – completed acquisition of Victorian Express Pty Ltd |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/public-registers/mergers-registers/public-informal-merger-reviews/toll-holdings-limited-completed-acquisition-of-victorian-express-pty-ltd |website=Australian Competition and Consumer Commission}}</ref>
===Global Express=== '''Toll Global Express''' was a logistics and transportation division of the group. In 2012 it had plans to extend its [[compressed natural gas]]-powered fleet to more than 70 trucks.<ref>30 March 2012 (30 March 2012). [http://www.logisticsmagazine.com.au/news/toll-s-green-rise-with-new-isuzu-cng-fleet-deal "Toll's green rise with new Isuzu CNG fleet deal".] Logistics & Materials Handling. Retrieved 18 August 2013.</ref> In 2014 it announced a $150-million, 71,000-square-metre, parcel-sorting centre near [[Melbourne Airport]], to be built in partnership with [[Australia Pacific Airports]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toll starts work on huge Melbourne Airport facility |url=https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/logistics-news/1406/toll-starts-work-on-huge-melbourne-airport-facility |website=[[Australasian Transport News]]|date=11 June 2014 }}</ref>
Toll agreed to sell the division to [[Allegro Funds]] in April 2021.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 April 2021 |title=Toll Global Express has found a buyer |url=https://www.trailermag.com.au/toll-global-express-has-found-a-buyer/ |publisher=Trailer Magazine}}</ref> In 2022 it was rebranded Team Global Express.<ref>[https://trailermag.com.au/toll-global-express-is-rebranding/ Toll Global Express is rebranding] ''Trailer Magazine'' 6 September 2022</ref> The Toll Shipping business was rebranded [[Strait Link]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230326162533/https://straitlink.com.au/toll-shipping-renamed-strait-link-and-becomes-an-independent-company/ Toll Shipping renamed Strait Link and becomes an independent company] [[Strait Link]] 2 September 2022</ref><ref>[https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7886691/green-turning-to-blue-as-bass-strait-shipping-company-rebrands/ Freight company Toll Shipping rebrands as Strait Link] ''[[The Advocate (Tasmania)|The Advocate]]'' 2 September 2022</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20221220062506/https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/logistics-and-supply-chain/top-stories-of-2022-toll-shipping-becomes-strait-link/ Toll Shipping becomes Straight Link] ''[[Daily Cargo News]]'' 20 December 2022</ref>
Texel Air Australasia also won a contract in March 2024 for [[Team Global Express]], operating with B737-800 converted freighters under the call sign "Team Air".{{Cn|date=June 2025}}
==See also== {{portal|Australia|Companies}} *[[List of oldest companies in Australia]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline|Toll Holdings}} *{{official website|http://www.tollgroup.com}}
{{Portal bar|Australia|Companies|Transport|Aviation|Energy}}
[[Category:Australian subsidiaries of foreign companies]] [[Category:Companies based in Melbourne]] [[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange]] [[Category:Conglomerate companies of Australia]] [[Category:Logistics companies of Australia]] [[Category:Toll Group| ]] [[Category:Transport companies established in 1888]] [[Category:Transport companies of Australia]] [[Category:1888 establishments in Australia]]