Mainfreight Limited Analysis

Overview

The company's origins go back to 1978, with Mainfreight listing in June 1996 following the sale of 60% of the shares on issue by founder Bruce Plested and Neil Graham at 96c each.

Mainfreight is a specialist freight forwarding and distribution business. It also has interests in managed warehousing, hazardous substances transportation, air & ocean international freight, full truckload freight and global supply chain logistics. Based in Auckland, the Group has domestic transportation and managed warehousing in NZ, Australia, the Americas and Europe. It also offers air & ocean international transportation in NZ, Australia, the Americas, Europe and Asia, supported by agents in other worldwide locations, and wholesale air & ocean freight services in USA.

Mainfreight’s expansion in the late 1990’s included a series of acquisitions including a 75% stake in Lep International (NZ), Lep Air International in Australia and Australian express transport operator K & S Express plus Express Lines, an Australian air & ocean operator with interests in Asia.

In July 2003 Mainfreight launched a takeover bid for Owens Group in New Zealand, ending up with a 79.6% share after Toll Holdings acquired a minority position. In May 2005, Mainfreight completed a full takeover of Owens Group when Toll sold its 11.8% stake.

In April 2007 Mainfreight sold Pan Orient Project Logistics, and its 75% shareholding in LEP (New Zealand and Australia) for over AU $83m.

The 2008 year was significant for Mainfreight following a US$53.7m acquisition of US based Target Logistics, a freight forwarding and logistics company. Mainfreight also acquired the remaining interests in their Asian operations giving them 100% ownership.

In April 2011 Mainfreight made its largest acquisition with the €110.0m acquisition of Europe based (Netherlands) Wim Bosman Group. The European operations have now been rebranded as Mainfreight.

In the 2025 financial year Mainfreight's revenue was NZ$5.24 billion, with 337 branches in 27 countries, and 11,130 team members.

Performance

The following information was extracted from Mainfreight Limited's full year results, released on 29 May 2025:

Financial result for the twelve months ended 31 March 2025 (Unaudited)

Commentary

Mainfreight is pleased to confirm our full-year financial result to 31 March 2025. This result is in line with our expectations and as signalled during our market update issued on 2 May 2025.

Result Summary

Revenue $5.24 billion Up 11%

Profit Before Tax $383.6 million Down 3%

Net Profit $274.3 million Up 31%

• Adjusted for foreign exchange impact, Group Revenue is up 9% and Profit Before Tax is down 4%.
• Operating cashflows improved from $505 million to $584 million.
• A final dividend of 87.0 cents per share has been authorised by the Board of Directors, payable on 18 July 2025.
• Net profit in the prior year was impacted by a non-cash abnormal tax accounting adjustment on buildings.

This is a satisfactory result, assisted by a pleasing performance from our Australian operations, which has become our largest revenue and profit contributor.

Sales revenue increases were achieved in all five regions and across our three divisions: Transport, Warehousing and Air & Ocean. Asia, the Americas and New Zealand saw profits decline.