New Zealand-based freight and logistics leader Mainfreight Ltd released its financial results for the year to March 2025 yesterday and it is the Australian arm of the business that’s leading the way.
In a management commentary statement the global logistics provider said the revenue result of $5.24 billion and Net Profit of $274.3 million was in line with the expectations it has signalled to the market via an update on May 2.
For the shareholders, the key information is that a final dividend of 87.0 cents per share has been authorised by Mainfreight’s Board of Directors, payable on 18 July 2025.
“This is a satisfactory result, assisted by a pleasing performance from our Australian operations, which has become our largest revenue and profit contributor,” the Mainfreight statement says.
“Sales revenue increases were achieved in all five regions and across our three divisions: Transport, Warehousing and Air & Ocean. Asia, the Americas and New Zealand saw profits decline.”
In terms of freight volumes for the past 12 months, the business reported an 8 per cent increase in total air freight kilograms, a six per cent increase in sea freight TEUS, three per cent increase in domestic transport tonnes and a two per cent increase in total warehouse orders picked up.
“Whilst freight activity has increased across all sectors of the business, margin performance was poorer than expected, impacted by an intensely competitive environment and significantly higher property overheads as we migrate to new facilities,” Mainfreight said.
“There has been a variety of supply chain responses from our customers as tariff negotiations triggered by the United States administration continue.
“Many are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach, while others begin to adjust their manufacturing hubs and explore different trade lanes.
“Ongoing uncertainty is likely to result in fluctuating freight volumes, and inconsistent trade lane pricing in the immediate future.
“Mainfreight is well positioned to assist our customers as they manage through the disruption”.
Australian story
The Australian element of the Mainfreight business contributed revenues of $1.51 billion, up 16.5 per cent on the previous year. This led to a Profit Before Tax of $137.4 million, up seven per cent on last year.
“Leading this growth is our Transport business, where strong market share gains in the LTL sector have provided improved utilisation and profit performance,” the Mainfreight management statement said.
“New transport facilities are currently under construction in Brisbane and Townsville, with expected completion in late 2026.”
The statement says Australian warehousing profitability “improved as we increase utilisation and find efficiencies across our new sites” and that the “exit of three overflow warehouses by mid-November 2025, will generate further margin improvements”.
“We expect the growth achieved in FY25 across all of our Australian divisions to continue”.
Around the regions
The worst performing area for the company in the past 12 months was the Americas which produces a Profit before Tax of US$15.2 million, down 30 per cent. The largest proportion of that loss came from the transport division.
Profit before Tax of US$9.8 million for the Asia region was down 29.4 per cent on last year, and the Profit before Tax result of Euro $31 million result for that region represented an 11 per cent improvement on last year.
The outlook
The final element of Mainfreight’s management statement looks to the future.
“Current trade tariff negotiations initiated by the United States has generated supply chain uncertainty for the immediate future.
“We expect a short term increase in freight volumes from China to the USA during the tariff pause period, with the likelihood of increased freight rates, however this may also result in capacity on container vessels becoming limited and container equipment shortages.
“It remains difficult to predict if international freight volumes will remain elevated post the tariff negotiations,” the statement says.
“Irrespective, we expect our customers to accelerate plans for diversification of their supply chains to reduce volatility.
“Our network across 27 countries positions us well to take advantage of these shifts and assist our customers with their changing freight requirements.
“Our sales activity is strong as market share opportunities continue to become available across all regions.
“It is our expectation that our developing network in Europe, the Americas and Asia will add to the success we have already gained in Australia and New Zealand.”
Mainfreight will release its financial results for the first half of the 2026 financial year to the market on 12 November 2025.