History

It all started with the vision, hard work and horse and cart of one man - Albert Toll.

The Toll business was founded in Newcastle, Australia in 1888 by Albert Toll when he began hauling coal by horse and cart. From these modest beginnings, a transport company was founded. By the time of his death in 1958 at the age of 95, Albert was operating a fleet of trucks in five locations.

After Albert Toll

The business that Albert founded left the Toll family’s hands in 1959 when it was purchased by National Minerals. In the decade following, it became part of mining conglomerate Peko Wallsend, which used the Toll business for the transport activities of it entire operations. Under Peko Wallsend, Toll was developed into a national carrier.

The company subsequently underwent a name change to Toll-Chadwick, as its new owners sought to integrate its businesses and expand into containerised shipping. By the mid-1980s, Toll-Chadwick had grown into one of Australia’s biggest transport operation outside the capital cities.

Into the modern era

In 1986, Toll was bought by its management team, led by then Managing Director Paul Little and Toll's first Chairman, Peter Rowsthorn. They were armed with a clear vision of growing the business through the acquisition of small strategically-placed transport companies.

Toll’s modern era of growth and expansion began in earnest when this team led Toll’s 1993 listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

After its listing on the ASX, Toll responded to increasing customer demand for complete end-to-end logistics solutions by progressively building its reach and service capabilities via a program of expansion and strategic acquisitions. In the process, we became one of the Asia Pacific region's leading providers of integrated logistics services, employing around 40,000 people across some 1,200 locations in more than 50 countries. In 2014 we generated annual revenue of A$8.7 billion.

A new future with Japan Post

On 18 February 2015, Toll's Board announced that it had accepted a proposal from Japan Post, one of the world's largest companies, to acquire all of Toll's shares. Japan Post was looking to Toll to spearhead its global operations.

The reaction from Toll's shareholders was extremely positive and on 13 May 2015, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of the acquisition.

On 28 May 2015, Toll formally became a division of Japan Post. Toll continues to be headquartered in Melbourne and retains the Toll brand. We're now growing globally with the support of Japan Post behind us.

Toll Today

On 1 September 2021 the Toll Global Express business was sold to Allegro Funds. Today, we have dual headquarters in Melbourne and Singapore and retain the Toll brand.

Our 16,000 team members can help solve any logistics, transport or supply chain challenge – big or small. We have been supporting our customers for more than 130 years. Today, we support more than 20,000 customers worldwide with 500 sites in 26 markets, and a forwarding network spanning 150 countries.

We continue our global growth with the support of Japan Post.

We’ve come a long way from hauling coal by horse and cart, but we’re still delivering the same essential service – transporting what our customers need to where they need it.