About Mainstream

• Overview
• History
• Board
• Community

In December 1992 Greg Haliday received an unexpected call. "I have four pallets of freight on the floor. They need to be in Nelson tomorrow. I'm not interested if you have a company or not - you're the right man for the job!" Mainstream had an inconspicuous start.

History

Mainstream began business in response to market demand for a reliable and capable freight company. One providing a higher level of service, and that could handle difficult jobs and not let the customer down.

During his roles with a number of nationwide freight companies, Greg Haliday's attitude and performance had made an impact. Customers recognised his ability to think laterally and provide innovative solutions. Greg was also 'well connected' within the industry, giving him knowledge and access to a wide range of transport options.

Mainstream Forwarders (known today as 'Mainstream') was formed in 1992. Following that infamous phone-call. Greg and his wife, Diane, originally ran the business from their home before moving to a small office in the Auckland commercial suburb of Onehunga. Together they operated a 'virtual' transport company. With Greg's knowledge and connections used to the full to provide the best transport solutions for the varying freight demands of customers.

"Business grew from word-of-mouth", said Greg. "We were given all the difficult jobs - urgent, perishable, late orders, fragile and time-sensitive. It was challenging but we always got the job done. And customers kept coming back."

Despite it's Auckland base much of Mainstream's early work was focused in the South Island. That led to the opening of a Christchurch branch in 1994. The rationale was to efficiently manage the growing South Island freight business.

The number of North Island customers increased too. Managing expansion and establishing a presence in the North Island became a priority. So during 1996 Mainstream branches were opened in both Hamilton and Tauranga.

After initially out-sourcing its freight services, Mainstream made another commitment in 1996. The company purchased its first fully-owned and operated truck. It was sign to everyone involved that Greg and Diane backed themselves, and Mainstream to be successful.

Mainstream has gone on to purchase all its own equipment. Equipment ownership, as opposed to leasing, is a company philosophy. Another value established early was to enhance and invest in Mainstream's service with a long-term view. The approach held that done right profit would follow later.

Four years after moving its first consignment, Mainstream customers included Aluminium Systems Limited (ASL), Castrol, Thermakraft, Flint Group and McPhersons.

The time between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s were a period of consolidation for Mainstream. Establishing systems and services - and growing at a controlled rate.

2007 saw the beginning again of an expansion strategy aimed at building a world-class integrated supply chain. For both New Zealand and international freight. A number of strategic acquisitions took place and new businesses were established. Together it created an integrated Mainstream offer across four businesses units:

• Mainstream New Zealand
• Mainstream International (linked with freight specialist, GT International Logistics)
• Mainstream Logistics
• Mainstream Containers

Talking about the business today Greg said, "It's funny now. We never ended up doing what we planned. Mainstream was the name we selected because we saw the company managing freight specifically from the US West Coast, through to Australia and then into Lyttleton. That was the main stream of freight at the time."

What is planned for the future?

• New Auckland purpose-built premises in 2012
• Greater service integration - including a single customer invoice
• Mainstream brand development
• Opportunities for business acquisition are regularly explored
• Developing more branches with access to rail services (rail-sidings)

Milestones

• 1992... Mainstream Forwarders established
• 1994... Christchurch branch opened
• 1996... Hamilton branch opened
          ... Purchased first company-owned truck
          ... Tauranga branch opened
• 2007... Mainstream Global established
• 2007... Acquired nationwide transport operator, National Express
• 2008... Acquired Manawatu regional transport operator, C.W. Murray
• 2010... GT International established (joint-venture)
• 2010... Acquired Network Storage and Distribution - renamed Mainstream Logistics

 

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