Thomas Nationwide Transport (TNT) was an Australian logistics and transport company. Founded in 1946, it was taken over by KPN in 1996 and in 1998 became part of the TNT Post Group.
History TNT was founded by Kenneth William Thomas in 1946 with one International truck as KW Thomas Transport, being renamed Thomas Nationwide Transport in 1958.KW Thomas Now Named Thomas Nationwide Transport Truck & Bus Transportation September 1958 page 80Dynamic Growth of Thomas National Transport in 14 yrs Truck & Bus Transportation July 1961 pages 253, 399Thomas Ken National Road Transport Museum In January 1962 it was listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange.TNT-Alltrans Network March 1984 pages 37-39History TNT ExpressTNT Express celebrates 60 years in Australia Australasian Transport News 20 March 2006
In 1967 it merged with Alltrans to form TNT-Alltrans with Peter Abeles becoming managing director.TNT, Alltrans plan to merge Canberra Times 25 April 1967 page 11Merger of transport groups forms largest Aust company Truck & Bus Transportation June 1967 page 104 In 1968 it purchased Kwikasair.Kwikasair business bought by TNT Canberra Times 21 September 1968 page 19 In 1970 it commenced hiring complete freight trains to operate between Sydney and Melbourne.World Report International Railway Journal August 1970 page 8
It diversified into shipping, acquiring a 25% share in RW Miller in 1968, a 33% share in Bulkships in 1970, increasing it to 63% by 1976, a 50% share in Union Shipping in 1971, and a share in Anglo-French freight ferry firm; Truckline Ferries in 1973.National and International expansion by TNT / Alltrans Truck & Bus Transportation October 1968 page 132TNT moves further into shipping operation Truck & Bus Transportation September 1970 page 141TNT-Union SS deal finalised Freight & Container Transportation January 1972 page 6 In March 1972, TNT acquired a 23% shareholding in Ansett Transport Industries.TNT-Ansett shark fight Tribune 11 April 1972 page 11Charge of TNT into Ansett may bring freight boom Freight & Container Transportation April 1972 page 3 It launched a takeover offer for Ansett, but withdrew it after the Government of Victoria advised it would legislate to prohibit it.TNT drops offer for Ansett group Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 28 April 1972 page 6TNT makes takeover bid for Ansett then withdraws Truck & Bus Transportation May 1972 page 121 In 1979, TNT increased its shareholding in Ansett to 50% with News Corporation holding the balance.
In the early 1970s it expanded into Asia, Brazil, Europe and North America.TNT moves into Canada; transcontinental operation Truck & Bus Transportation January 1970 page 105TNT acquires another Canadian company Freight & Container Transportation October 1971 page 52TNT may burst on the British haulage scene Commercial Motor 15 June 1973TNT adds Brazil and Singapore Truck & Bus Transportation July 1973 page 218Aussie haulage group aims high in Australia Commercial Motor 3 August 1973 In February 1983 TNT purchased global document courier Skypak International from Ipec.Ipec sheds a global operation Canberra Times 17 February 1983 page 21TNT take over Ipec's foreign courier service Freight & Container Transportation March 1983 page 31 TNT was awarded a 50-year concession in October 1985 to operate the Sydney Monorail, which opened as TNT Harbourlink in 1988.Never the rail deal Sydney Morning Herald 18 June 2013TNT Harbourlink - The Sydney Monorail TNT Harbourlink
from 1980 until 1996, Thomas Nationwide Transport was the official referee sponsor for the New South Wales Rugby League.
In December 1985, Thomas Nationwide Transport Limited was renamed TNT Limited to better reflect its common name.Thomas Nationwide Transport Limited Canberra Times 16 December 1985 page 16 In 1987, Red Star Express Lines, Newark, New Jersey with 38 terminals in 12 states was acquired.TNT Expands in USA Australian Transport July 1987 page 17
In 1991 TNT sold it 11% shareholding in Airborne Freight.TNT offloads US operation Australian Aviation issue 68 July 1991 page 6 In 1992 TNT acquired a 50% shareholding in Guernsey based Condor Ferries.Transport companies see divisive market approach Truck & Bus Transportation November 1992 page 19 In the same year it took a 50% stake in GD Express Worldwide, with the other 50% of shares held between partners KPN (Dutch telecoms and postal company) and the state owned postal companies of Canada, France, West Germany and Sweden.TPG N.V. History| Funding Universe
In 1994 the Shipping and Development Division of TNT was spun-off and floated on the Australian Securities Exchange as Holyman.TNT to sell most of its shipping Australian Financial Review 23 February 1994Holman float closes oversubscribed Canberra Times 31 March 1994 page 15
In July 1996, TNT purchased a 30% shareholding in the Port of Geelong in partnership with Infrastructure Investment Corporation. In 1996 TNT sold its 50% shareholding in Ansett to Air New Zealand, although it retained its shareholding in Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services.TNT to sell its Ansett interests to Air NZ Canberra Times 18 November 1995 page 65 It also sold its trucking businesses, including its 50% shareholding in Union Shipping to Brierley Investments, its Brazilian operations and Australian trucking interests.TNT chief flags sale of Union Shipping stake The Australian 4 December 1996 page 37TNT sells Brazilian arm The Australian 3 September 1996 page 21End of the road. -Why TNT is getting out of trucking Australian Financial Review 26 July 1996 In August 1997, TNT commenced operating the Sydney Light Rail as TNT Transit Systems, under contract to Sydney Light Rail Company.
In January 1997, KPN took full ownership of TNT after launching a friendly takeover.Dutch win TNT with $2bn bid, Communications giant snares troubled transport group The Australian 3 October 1996 page 1Costello clears TNT takeover The Australian 1 November 1996 page 37 In June 1998 TNT merged with KPN's PTT Post division to form the TNT Post Group.
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