Schmitz Cargobull acquires majority stake in Freighter Group to expand Australian trailer production
Key takeaways
- Schmitz Cargobull takes majority control of Freighter Group, an Australian trailer manufacturer.
- A $50M Ballarat facility upgrade boosts production capacity and integrates global engineering with local manufacturing.
- Freighter Group expands service, parts, and leadership with a focus on uptime, efficiency, and customer support.
Schmitz Cargobull recently acquired a 72% majority stake in Australian trailer manufacturer Freighter Group, increasing its investment in the business. The company, which manufactures trailers, continues to operate under the Freighter Group name while expanding its manufacturing and service capabilities in Australia.
The investment builds on a partnership established in April 2023 and includes a $50 million upgrade to the Ballarat manufacturing facility. The upgrade supports advanced production capabilities and integrates Schmitz Cargobull engineering and global technology with Australian-built trailer manufacturing.
“We have been serving Australian customers for 15 years, and by increasing our stake in Freighter Group, we are reaffirming our long-term commitment to the Australian market,” said Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Schmitz Cargobull. “This step is also a testament to our belief in the strength of the local team. Our role is to support and enable the continued development of Freighter Group—providing access to global expertise, technology, and networks, while the Freighter team continues to shape the business with its deep local knowledge and customer focus.”
Freighter Group will continue operating under its established name as it develops new solutions for the Australian transport industry. The company also named Michael Temminghoff as CEO, effective immediately, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience within Schmitz Cargobull.
