Finemore Holdings, formerly Finemores Transport and Finemores Haulage Contractors, was an Australian logistics company.
History Initially trading as Finemores Haulage Contractors, the company was established in November 1966 by Ron Finemore in Wagga Wagga with an International hauling fuel to farms. It expanded into grain, fertilizer, livestock and processed meat haulage, securing a contract with meat processor RJ Gilbertson in Melbourne. It later began hauling sheep from western New South Wales to Melbourne. and diversified into general and refrigerated freight.Finemore's…a highly mobile regional operation Truck & Bus Transportation February 1977 pages 66 118, 119
The businesses of Bruce Dickenson Transport, Dubbo, Bruce Marks Transport with depots in Hamilton, Mount Gambier and Wodonga, Clive Brothers Transport of Melbourne and Gills Transport with depots in Casino and Moree were purchased expanding the fleet to 160 trucks.Finemore prepare for the 80s Truck & Bus Transportation October 1979 pages 64-71 In December 1979 it was placed in voluntary administration with Arthur Young & Co appointed as administrator.Business as usual at Finemores: Future bright Truck & Bus Transportation January 1980 page 80
The business was restructured with the fleet reduced to 70 trucks. Ron Finemore retained a 20% shareholding. It entered the car carrying business and would go onto become the largest national carrier with contracts with Ford and Holden. It came out of administration in September 1983 after a scheme of arrangement was agreed.Finemores…after the receivers have gone home Truck & Bus Transportation January 1985 pages 6-8, 32 In 1985 Wodger Corporation of Queanbeyan purchased a majority shareholding.Woodger to buy haulage firm Canberra Times 15 August 1985 page 3
In 1986, Wodger Corporation was purchased by Ron Finemore and renamed Finemore Holdings in a reverse takeover.Woodger to become Finemore Canberra Times 3 May 1986 page 3Finemores Takeover Parent Australian Transport November 1986 page 21 It moved into the interstate freight express market with purchase of AEI Group Transport Services, Sydney.Finemore expands further Canberra Times 29 October 1986 page 34Finemores buy AEI Australian Transport December 1986 page 17 In 1987 South Australian based Friendly Transport and Power Transport Group were purchased with over 100 vehicles.Finemores to make further expansion Truck & Bus Transportation May 1987 page 8Finemore Holdings acquire two more transport groups Truck & Bus Transportation July 1987 page 19
It entered the fuel sector, winning Ampol’s distribution contract in Sydney and later Woolworths petrol business and in the 1990s, was awarded a contract by ExxonMobil in Thailand.
In June 2000 Toll Holdings launched a takeover offer.Toll launches $120m bid for Finemore Australasian Transport News 28 June 2000 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.Finemores/Toll still keen on takeover deal Truck & Bus Transportation November 2000 page 8 A scheme of arrangement, that only required 75% acceptance, was accepted with the transaction completed in March 2001.Toll will rebid for Finemores - need 75% Australasian Transport News 2 November 2000Toll Holdings complete Finemores merger Australasian Transport News 2 March 2001How Little turned ailing Toll into a giant The Age 23 August 2005
In 2004, after completing a non complete clause, Ron Finemore returned to the industry, purchasing Lewington's Transport and renaming it Ron Finemore Transport.Our History Ron Finemore Transport
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