Schmitz Cargobull has increased its investment in Australian trailer manufacturer Freighter Group and now holds a 72% majority stake in the company. The transaction marks the next step in the long-term partnership between the two businesses and supports Schmitz Cargobull’s long-term commitment to the Australian market.
The increased investment follows the strategic partnership announced in April 2023. For Freighter Group, the partnership provides long-term stability and direct access to Schmitz Cargobull’s global expertise and product development pipeline.
The majority acquisition builds on recent investments, including the $50 million upgrade of the Ballarat manufacturing facility, which has transformed it into a modern production hub. The infrastructure enables Freighter Group to integrate Schmitz Cargobull’s engineering and production technologies with Australian-built durability.
The company is also strengthening its aftermarket service and parts network. According to the release, this is intended to increase uptime and provide access to local and global parts supply chains.
Freighter Group has appointed Michael Temminghoff as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He has worked for Schmitz Cargobull in multiple roles for more than 15 years and will focus on supporting Freighter Group’s development while preserving its customer-first culture.
“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 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.”
