What Mainstream does

Mainstream is a New Zealand-headquartered, privately held freight and logistics company founded in 1992 by Greg Haliday and his wife Diane. The company provides four integrated service lines: domestic freight (same-day, next-day inter-island and point-to-point metro), international freight (air and sea freight, customs brokerage, and a Special Cargo Division), third-party logistics and warehousing, and container transport operated through its TDL Group subsidiary. Operations span an asset-heavy network of 18 freight terminals, 200+ vehicles, 22,000 pallet positions, and 50,000+ TEU moved annually, handling 650,000+ consignments for 1,500+ active B2B customers. The headcount of 400+ staff is distributed across facilities in Auckland, Hamilton (Te Rapa), Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Cromwell, with the Auckland Airport warehouse (5,200 sqm) serving as a key air-freight node.

The company's technology backbone is a 25-year-old, in-house developed freight and warehouse management system, complemented by the Edge Online Portal (24-hour tracking and electronic proof of delivery) and a custom driver application with real-time tracking, traffic-aware routing, and electronic POD endorsements. EDI integration supports B2B order intake, while international freight visibility is enabled through the third-party WiseGrid Shipment Tracking platform. Mainstream holds exclusive New Zealand membership in the CTN Group, providing access to a vetted global freight forwarding network. The company maintains certifications including ACC Tertiary Accreditation (workplace safety for nearly a decade), Toitū Carbon Reduction Certification (ISO 14064-1:2018 with a 25% emissions reduction commitment by 2025), and Greenstar 5 ratings on new facilities.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-fee pricing on freight movements and managed-services fees on 3PL contracts, sold through a sales-led direct account management model. The go-to-market combines dedicated account managers, a self-serve customer portal, and relationship-driven service for enterprise and mid-market customers. Recent strategic activity includes the July 2025 acquisition of PBT (transport, containers, logistics), the February 2025 openings of new Te Rapa and Cromwell hubs, and ongoing fleet modernization (Scania R660 trucks, Heli G2 electric forklifts). All pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and the company remains entirely founder-owned with no institutional investment or external funding rounds identified.

Name

Mainstream

Legal name

Mainstream Limited

Website

https://mainstream.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Mainstream is a New Zealand-headquartered, privately held freight and logistics company offering domestic freight, international freight and customs brokerage, 3PL warehousing, and container transport to B2B customers. It operates 18 freight terminals, 200+ vehicles, and in-house proprietary management systems across an integrated national network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight & Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), General Freight Trucking, Local (48411)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking (No Local) (4213), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)

akta.pro primary industry

Personalization & Value-Added E-commerce Fulfillment (Kitting, Inserts, Engraving) (TLAIADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ambient General Merchandise Warehousing (Dry Storage) (TLAIACAA), Cross-Border Transportation Management (Customs-Integrated) (TLAIAEAI), Returns & Reverse Logistics Orchestration (End-to-End) (TLAIABAI), Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding
• Logistics services
• 3PL warehousing
• Container transport
• Supply chain management

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Domestic Freight Services: Full and part service logistics for domestic transport across New Zealand including next day delivery within islands and 2-day inter-island services
2. Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Warehousing, pick-and-pack, inventory management, and integrated supply chain solutions from country of origin through to final customer delivery
3. International Freight: Air and sea freight, customs brokerage, and global forwarding services through international partner network memberships
4. Container Services: Container transport, coastal shipping, and containerized freight options for door-to-door capabilities

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mainstream is a New Zealand-based freight and logistics provider offering domestic freight, international freight forwarding, third-party logistics (3PL) warehousing, and container transport services. Founded in 1992, the company delivers end-to-end supply chain solutions for business customers across New Zealand.

Product overview

Mainstream is a New Zealand-based logistics company offering a comprehensive suite of freight and supply chain services. The portfolio is organized around four core service lines: Domestic Freight Services (road transport across New Zealand), International Freight Services (air/sea freight and customs brokerage including a Special Cargo Division), Logistics Solutions (3PL warehousing and integrated supply chain management), and Mainstream Containers (container transport via TDL Group). All customer-facing operations are unified through the Mainstream Edge Portal, a proprietary customer portal providing real-time tracking and electronic proof of delivery. The company operates a fleet of 200+ vehicles from 18 freight terminals nationwide and handles over 650,000 consignments annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Domestic Freight
• International Freight Forwarding
• 3PL Logistics & Warehousing
• Container Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 650,000+ consignments delivered annually with full-service logistics coverage
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PBTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2025Acquisition of PBT transport, containers, and logistics operations. PBT has been a major freight operator for over 50 years. Integration expected to be complete by September 2025. Strengthens express freight, container transport, warehousing, and global forwarding capabilities.
• Overland FootwearminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2025Community partnership supporting NZRL boot donation program. Overland Footwear provides boots that Mainstream delivers to youth rugby league clubs across New Zealand.
• ScaniacoreOthers · 4 May 2023Fleet vehicle supplier providing 18 new Scania R660 linehaul trucks. Vehicles equipped with Euro 6 emissions technology, Guardian driver monitoring cameras, and advanced safety features. Partnership for fleet expansion and renewal.
• New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 February 2023Principal Sponsor of Kiwi Ferns and Referees, Associate Sponsor of the Kiwis. Four-year partnership extension through 2025 World Cup. Includes community programs such as boot donations to youth rugby league clubs. Partner since 2017.
• SonaSafecoreTechnology or IntegrationThree-year partnership developing proximity warning sensors with visual and audio warning systems for dynamic exclusion zones in freight hub environments. Implemented SonaSafe solution resulting in 80% reduction in near misses and 65% reduction in exclusion zone breaches.
• CTN Group (Certified Transportation Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive international network membership - only NZ freight organisation awarded CTN membership. Elite worldwide group of international freight forwarders with rigorous screening and accreditation process.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mainfreight: Mainfreight is the largest NZ-headquartered freight and logistics company, operating domestic and international road, rail, air, and sea freight with a global network — directly comparable as a NZ-based multi-modal 3PL/freight forwarder competing for the same enterprise customers.
• Toll Group: Toll is a major Asia-Pacific road, air, sea, and contract logistics provider with significant NZ operations; it competes head-to-head with Mainstream in domestic freight, international forwarding, and 3PL warehousing across New Zealand.
• Fliway Group: Fliway is a NZ-based transport and logistics company providing road freight, container transport, and warehousing — a directly comparable mid-sized NZ logistics operator competing in similar service lines and geographies as Mainstream.
• NZ Couriers: NZ Couriers is a domestic parcel and freight network serving NZ businesses with same-day and next-day delivery, overnight, and international options — competing directly with Mainstream's domestic and B2B freight services.

Regional players

• Carter Holt Harvey (distribution arm): Major NZ building products distributor with significant in-house transport and warehousing capability across NZ — comparable as a large NZ-based shipper that also operates captive logistics, and a potential 3PL customer/competitor overlap with Mainstream.

Broad incumbents

• Maersk (NZ operations): Maersk is a global ocean container and integrated logistics giant with NZ operations; competes with Mainstream in container transport, international sea freight, and supply chain services for NZ import/export customers.
• DHL Global Forwarding (NZ): DHL is a global logistics incumbent with air/sea freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and contract logistics in NZ; competes with Mainstream's international freight and Special Cargo Division for the same import/export customers.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Kuehne+Nagel is one of the world's largest freight forwarders with global air/sea and contract logistics; comparable to Mainstream's international freight services and customs brokerage as a large incumbent competing for NZ import/export volume.
• C.H. Robinson: C.H. Robinson is a major global freight broker and 3PL with strong digital freight matching capability; relevant as a forwarder/broker alternative that could disintermediate Mainstream's international forwarding and domestic linehaul for mid-market customers.

Others

• CTN Group members (global partner network): CTN is the elite global freight forwarder network of which Mainstream is the sole NZ member; relevant as ecosystem partners and indirect peers providing international capacity to Mainstream's cross-border customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mainstream