2026 marks 80 years since the first Freighter trailers claimed their place on Australian roads. What began as a pioneering post-war workshop has evolved into a position of advanced manufacturing leadership, with Freighter Group now leveraging its eight-decade legacy to spearhead a new era of high-tech trailer design in Australia.
The Freighter story is woven into the fabric of the Australian landscape, sparked by the vision of Noel Peel. In 1945, Peel saw untapped potential in McGrath Trailers – the country’s largest but struggling trailer manufacturer at the time. He established Freighters Ltd, a name reportedly inspired by a champion racehorse of the era. With its first order of business, acquiring McGrath Trailer Equipment.
From day one, the company operated with an “anything is possible” mentality. Before becoming the national benchmark for heavy-duty trailers, Freighter’s versatility saw them producing everything from aircraft buoys to buses. By the 1970s, the brand’s dominance was undisputed, with an estimated nine out of every ten transport trailers on Australian roads bearing the Freighter name.
The brand’s trajectory was further shaped by key industry titans. In 1982, Peter White took the reins, introducing aggressive cost management and the landmark licensing of the Tautliner – a move that redefined Australian logistics.
This momentum carried into the 90s, eventually catching the eye of Jim Curtis, the force behind the ASX-listed Maxi-CUBE. Though Freighter was the larger entity, Curtis saw it as the perfect engine for his growth ambitions, acquiring the business in 1998. This merger birthed MaxiTRANS, yet the Freighter name remained a cornerstone of the brand, anchoring the company’s expansion throughout the 2000s.
In September 2021, the business returned to its roots through an acquisition by a group of local private investors. Their mandate was clear: deliver long-term stability while completely transforming the Australian manufacturing landscape. This triggered a massive overhaul, headlined by a $50 million injection into the Ballarat manufacturing site to pivot the facility toward a high-tech, advanced manufacturing model.
To signal this new era, the company rebranded as Freighter Group. The move was a tribute the brand’s rich heritage, but more importantly, aligns with the company’s reimagined Vision of ‘Freight it for Life’ – which is a total commitment to supporting customers for the life of the product.
“Eighty years in operation is a significant milestone, but we aren’t just looking in the rearview mirror,” says Greg L’Estrange, Freighter Group CEO. “Our success belongs to the support of the multi-generational customers who have trusted us for decades. That loyalty is exactly what fuels our growth, as we want to make sure that the products we design and build today are well equipped for the next generation of transport.”
“Our shift toward advanced manufacturing allows us to meet the evolving needs of the industry with exacting precision. For our customers, that translates to higher reliability on the road and greater returns on their equipment. We are taking the pioneering spirit of 1946 and pairing it with the best technology of 2026.”
“This most recent chapter marks a rapid transformation for the business. Beyond the advanced manufacturing upgrades, we have strategically relocated our company-owned dealership in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia to new, purpose-built sites, significantly expanding on our sales and service capabilities in these regions.”
“In addition to this growth, we have streamlined support by rolling out comprehensive spare parts across our dealer network for all Freighter Group OEM products. As our parts range continues to diversify, we have positioned our network to provide a level of aftermarket support that is unmatched in our industry. This ensures that support is never too far away for our customers whenever they need it.”
“As Freighter celebrates 80 years as Australia’s longest standing trailer brand, we take this opportunity to thank all our customers, suppliers and staff for their on-going support throughout Freighter’s history.”
“Looking ahead to this new era, our focus remains on the operators who keep Australia moving,” said Greg. “We look forward to the next 80 years of service, ensuring that Freighter Group continues to be the backbone of the industry and a vital partner to our customers nationwide.”
