Victorian based air cargo road feeder service provider Skyroad Logistics has revealed a new agreement with a major overseas company, that will assist in growing the fleet, along with the development of new products and services.
Luxembourg-based Wallenborn, which is Europe’s largest road feeder service (RFS) provider, will acquire a major shareholding in Skyroad Logistics. This will add Oceania to its fast-growing RFS network which already provides extensive coverage in Europe and the Middle East.
Skyroad Logistics will continue to operate from its head office in Melbourne, and service depots in Sydney and Brisbane. The agreement will cover the Air Cargo RFS, Express Transport and Project Transport service offerings.
Peter Assel (pictured left), who co-founded the business, will remain as a major shareholder as well as managing director.
The news was announced during a Skyroad Logistics event last week, where Assel revealed the company had achieved its goal of market leadership in RFS in Australia within just seven years.
With strong growth and a strong future investment plan in place including record fleet orders from Kenworth, he said it was timely to seek further investment partners.
“Since my co-founder Anthony Clark passed away from cancer early in 2020 my focus has been on our goals and our company vision,” Assel said.
“However, with our rapid expansion, it was obvious I needed a partner and Wallenborn ticks all the boxes with a similar customer profile, an ambitious business plan and the expertise to scale up.”
By the end of 2023 Assel expects the business in Australia to have at least 34 trucks and 40 trailers. He is also working towards bringing new products to market that will reduce their carbon footprint.
“We intend to rapidly leverage off the Wallenborn knowledge and quality management to bring even better services and capabilities to Australia and to extend our lead in service capability,” said Assel.
“Skyroad’s strengths will remain unchanged with our strong commitment to company owned fleet, great suppliers such as Kenworth, Cummins, and Thermo King, and of course our commitment to sustainability.
“We’re very proud to have Wallenborn come a long way to join us in Australia.”
Wallenborn was founded in 1920. It employs over 1100 drivers and controls more than 900 trucks.
“Skyroad is a perfect fit in our portfolio of quality-focused organisations providing a full spectrum of products and services,” said Frantz Wallenborn, president and CEO at Wallenborn Transports.
“They’re pioneers in the Australian market – for example the first TAPA TSR certified company in Australia – and their ‘can-do’ spirit has dramatically changed the air-cargo landscape since 2015.”