CRT Group and QR – A New Way Forward

QR (Queensland Rail) will proceed with the purchase of the CRT Group, one of Australia’s leading logistics companies, effective as from July 1.

QR has a global reputation for providing innovative rail-based transport services and is currently implementing its strategy of providing a fully integrated national logistics service to the Australian marketplace.

According to Mr Phillip Rees, CRT Group Director, the purchase provides major benefits for both organisations.

“CRT has developed a strong working relationship with QR and we see this acquisition as an opportunity to further expand our business as a national logistics organisation,” said Mr Rees.

“Previously CRT has been a major customer supporting the volumes on QR’s interstate trains. QR has provided rail linehaul transport for CRT containers between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

“We are pleased to be joining an organisation with a similar strong commitment to excellent customer service with the added benefit of being able to provide our customers with a fully integrated rail freight service, and an increased ability to grow and develop our operations.”

CRT’s logistics business is nationally integrated across road, rail and sea, and specialises in handling, packaging, warehousing and distribution of polymer (plastics) and food ingredient products. The company currently provides terminal facilities and services for QR’s interstate trains, operating into the CRT Altona terminal in Melbourne.

According to QR CEO, Mr Bob Scheuber, this significant acquisition is a key part of QR’s strategy to become an even larger force in the national freight and logistics market.

“QR is a $2 billion a year business, operating more than 1000 trains and moving more than 440,000 tonnes of freight on any given day,” said Mr Scheuber.

“We are the largest bulk freight carrier in Australia, but to be a viable competitor in the containerised freight market we need to be a full service logistics provider.”

“The purchase of CRT is a building block for QR’s expansion plans and will assist in establishing a true Perth to Cairns interstate rail freight service.”

Australia’s rail freight industry is now experiencing the benefits of a new competitive business environment and QR is assessing its options to grow and develop its existing business.

“QR is now directly competing against aggressive and acquisitive organisations that are dedicated to massively increasing their rail freight assets around Australia,” said Mr Scheuber.

“As a result we are considering the many opportunities that this new environment is providing as we look beyond our traditional state border to grow our business.”

“We have already announced the increase in our containerised services between Brisbane and Melbourne from four to six days a week and we will continue to keep the market aware of other initiatives that further increase our interstate freight capacity.

“Our aim is to continue to operate CRT as a distinct entity within QR and other than the change in ownership, its focus will continue to be on its core operations. No changes to either the management team or staffing levels in general are expected.”