What Silk Contract Logistics does

Silk Contract Logistics (SCL) is a 100% Australian-owned third-party logistics (3PL) provider delivering integrated port-to-door landside supply chain solutions across Australia. SCL operates through two principal divisions: a Port Logistics division that runs wharf cartage using an owned fleet of prime movers, side-loaders, and trailers; and a Contract Logistics division that offers customised warehousing (multi-user facilities, client-dedicated facilities, and facility management) alongside distribution and last-mile delivery. Headquartered in Port Melbourne with state offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, SCL serves enterprise customers in FMCG, retail, light industrial (oil, mining, chemicals, dangerous goods), and food—verticals that benefit from its HACCP, AQIS, fumigation, dangerous goods, and export certifications.

The company's service delivery rests on Tier 1 Warehouse Management Systems and Transport Management Systems integrated through a middleware platform and unified under the ONE Network Control Tower, which provides real-time end-to-end supply chain visibility. The Silk Online web portal gives customers 24/7 access to stock holdings, order tracking, proof of delivery, and standard reports. Voice-directed picking, deployed via Zebra Technologies in September 2017, supports warehouse productivity. Across the portfolio, SCL operates offices, warehouses, and port-adjacent facilities covering all major Australian capital cities, including a 5.5-hectare greenfield facility at the Port of Brisbane (opened August 2019 with 20,000 m² of hardstand and 15,000 m² of warehouse) that consolidated four prior sites.

SCL's commercial model is B2B enterprise sales with a direct-account-management motion. Revenue is generated through transaction-based port cartage, managed-services warehousing (storage, handling, and value-add services such as cross-docking, e-commerce support, container packing, and reverse logistics), and transaction-based distribution. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company was formed in 2012 through the alignment of Kagan Logistics and Hoffmann Transport—each with more than 50 years of operating history—and became independently owned in February 2014 when the management team executed a buyout from Gresham Private Equity. SCL has since pursued a roll-up strategy in port logistics, completing three wharf-carrier acquisitions within 14 months through August 2019 (including Rocke Brothers in Melbourne), supported by serial capital investment in fleet and warehouse infrastructure.

Name

Silk Contract Logistics

Legal name

Silk Contract Logistics Pty Ltd

Website

https://silklogistics.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Silk Contract Logistics is a 100% Australian-owned third-party logistics provider delivering integrated port-to-door landside supply chain services—wharf cartage, warehousing, and distribution—across all major Australian capital cities for FMCG, retail, food, and light industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Port Logistics Services: Wharf cartage and port logistics services including import/export containerised transport, with a comprehensive fleet of prime movers, side-loaders, and trailers operating across Australian ports.
2. Warehousing Services: Customised warehousing solutions including multi-user facilities, client dedicated facilities, and facility management services. Revenue generated through storage and handling charges based on space used and services provided.
3. Distribution Services: Australia-wide distribution and freight management services providing transportation of goods from warehouse to final destination, including last-mile delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Silk Contract Logistics is an Australian third-party logistics (3PL) provider delivering integrated 'port-to-door' landside supply chain solutions. Its core services span wharf cartage and port logistics, customised warehousing (multi-user and dedicated facilities), and nationwide freight distribution, all supported by a fleet of prime movers, side-loaders, and trailers operating across all major Australian capital cities.

Product overview

Silk Contract Logistics operates as a third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering an integrated port-to-door solution across two primary divisions. The Port Logistics division provides wharf cartage services, while the Contract Logistics Division offers warehousing and distribution services. The company's technology platform consists of Tier 1 Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transport Management Systems (TMS), and Integration Solutions middleware, all accessible through the Silk Online customer portal and supported by the One Network Distribution system with Control Tower for end-to-end visibility. The product portfolio includes multi-user facilities, client-dedicated facilities, and facility management services, with certifications for HACCP, fumigation, AQIS, export, and dangerous goods handling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Port Logistics Wharf cartage and port-side logistics services including import/export containerised transport, intermodal capabilities, and fleet operations with prime movers, side-loaders, and trailers for enterprise customers moving goods through Australian ports.
• Warehousing Customised warehousing solutions including multi-user facilities, client-dedicated facilities, and facility management with certifications including HACCP, AQIS, fumigation, export, and dangerous goods handling for clients requiring storage and value-add services near Australian ports.
• Distribution Australia-wide transportation and freight management services providing customisable distribution solutions including last-mile delivery, with customised solutions for retailers, FMCG companies, and industrial customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Container consolidation from four sites to one at Port of Brisbane facility
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Zebra Technologies CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2017Zebra Technologies deployed their voice-directed warehouse picking solution at Silk Contract Logistics to enhance worker productivity and competitive advantage. Zebra is the market leader in mobile computers, scanners and barcode printers enhanced with software and services to enable real-time enterprise visibility solutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Toll Group: Toll Group is one of Australia's largest logistics providers offering warehousing, transport, and port logistics across the region. Direct competitor to SCL's port-to-door 3PL offering with a much larger asset base.
• Linfox: Linfox is a major Australian privately-held logistics company providing warehousing, transport, and supply chain services. Competes with SCL across warehousing and distribution but operates at significantly larger scale.
• DHL Supply Chain Australia: DHL Supply Chain is the contract logistics arm of Deutsche Post DHL, offering integrated warehousing and distribution in Australia. Directly comparable to SCL's 3PL contract logistics model but as part of a global portfolio.
• Kuehne+Nagel Australia: Kuehne+Nagel operates contract logistics and freight forwarding in Australia as part of its global network. Competes with SCL for FMCG and retail contract logistics work but with broader international capability.
• Qube Logistics: Qube is an ASX-listed logistics infrastructure company operating port logistics, warehousing, and intermodal services in Australia. Comparable to SCL's port logistics specialization but at a much larger infrastructure scale.

Direct peers

• ACFS Port Logistics: ACFS Port Logistics is an Australian port logistics specialist focused on container transport and warehousing near Australian ports. Closely comparable to SCL's port cartage and port-adjacent warehousing business.
• SCT Logistics: SCT Logistics provides interstate transport, warehousing, and port logistics services across Australia. Comparable to SCL's integrated port-to-door 3PL offering with similar mid-market positioning.
• Centurion Transport: Centurion Transport is an Australian transport and logistics company providing warehousing, distribution, and freight services. Comparable mid-market 3PL competitor to SCL across Australian capital cities.
• Kings Transport: Kings Transport provides national transport, warehousing, and distribution services in Australia. Similar mid-sized 3PL competitor with comparable FMCG and retail customer focus.
• NorthLine: NorthLine is an Australian national transport and logistics provider offering warehousing and distribution services. Comparable mid-market 3PL with similar national footprint and customer mix.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SilkContractLogistics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silk-contract-logistics

Compliance5 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 Silk Contract Logistics