Silk Logistics Holdings

What Silk Logistics Holdings does

Silk Logistics Holdings Limited (ASX: SLH) is an Australian-owned, asset-light logistics business providing integrated port-to-door supply chain services to blue-chip enterprise customers across FMCG, food and dairy, light industrial, specialised retail, containerised agriculture, and high-value goods segments. The company operates through two divisions — Port Logistics (wharf cartage moving more than 420,000 TEUs per year) and Contract Logistics (warehousing and distribution across 21 premium-grade facilities providing approximately 300,000 square metres of storage space) — and serves customers in all mainland Australian states through its Port Melbourne headquarters.

The company's technology foundation is a tier-1, technology-enabled platform that combines predictive analytics, control tower visibility, and inventory optimisation from wharf to warehouse through to last mile distribution, supported by the proprietary ONE Network real-time tracking system and a 4PL Virtual Distribution capability that aggregates pricing and schedules from third-party transport providers. This asset-light architecture — favouring leased facilities and transport contractor relationships over fleet and equipment ownership — is paired with industry certifications including HACCP, AQIS, and dangerous goods handling.

Silk's business model is built on contract logistics agreements with service level agreements (SLAs) for enterprise customers, generating revenue through transaction fees for port cartage services, recurring storage and handling fees for warehousing, distribution service fees, and professional services for value-add capabilities such as container unpacking, re-labelling, e-commerce support, and reverse logistics. The company distributes services through direct enterprise sales relationships and its virtualised 4PL platform, targeting large blue-chip customers requiring multi-city integrated logistics rather than the SMB long tail. Silk's history traces to the consolidation of Hoffmann Transport and Kagan Logistics in 2008, with a 2014 management buyout led by co-founders Brendan Boyd and John Sood, followed by ASX listing and the August 2023 acquisition of Secon Freight Logistics.

Name

Silk Logistics Holdings

Legal name

Silk Logistics Holdings Limited

Website

https://silklogisticsholdings.com.au

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Silk Logistics Holdings is an ASX-listed Australian asset-light logistics provider offering integrated port-to-door services — wharf cartage, warehousing, and distribution — to blue-chip enterprise customers across FMCG, food, retail, and industrial sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Marine Cargo Handling (488320)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Freight Brokerage (Truckload/LTL/Intermodal) (TLAIAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Container Stuffing/Unstuffing & Depot-Based Value-Added Services (TLALAJAM), Cross-Dock & Transload Operations (Short-Dwell) (TLAIACAI)

Keywords

• Contract logistics services
• Wharf cartage transport
• Warehousing and distribution
• Supply chain visibility
• Port-to-door logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Port Logistics Services: Wharf cartage services operating under Silk Contract Logistics and Rocke Brothers brands, moving containers between major Australian ports and facilities. Revenue generated through freight/cartage fees for container transport services.
2. Contract Logistics - Warehousing: Bespoke warehousing solutions for customers based on specific contract requirements and service level agreements (SLAs). Operates 21 premium-grade facilities providing approximately 300,000 square metres of storage space. Revenue from storage fees and handling charges.
3. Distribution Services: Domestic distribution services provided through 4PL virtual distribution platform matching third-party transport businesses with client requirements. Revenue from distribution/logistics service fees.
4. Value-Add Services: Additional services including container unpacking/packing, stock modifications, re-labelling, e-commerce support, reverse logistics, and product batch recall management.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Silk Logistics Holdings provides integrated port-to-door contract logistics services across Australia through two divisions: Port Logistics, offering wharf cartage moving containers between major Australian ports and facilities under the Silk Contract Logistics and Rocke Brothers brands, and Contract Logistics, offering customised warehousing and Australia-wide distribution from 21 premium-grade facilities covering approximately 300,000 square metres of storage. Services are delivered through an asset-light, technology-enabled platform that combines predictive analytics, real-time control tower visibility, the ONE Network tracking system, and a 4PL Virtual Distribution capability linking third-party transport providers with customers.

Product overview

Silk Logistics Holdings is an Australian-owned logistics business providing an integrated 'port-to-door' service through two primary divisions: Port Logistics (offering wharf cartage) and Contract Logistics (offering warehousing and distribution). The company operates under two main trading brands—Silk Contract Logistics and Rocke Brothers—serving blue-chip customers across FMCG, light industrial, food, specialised retail, and containerised agriculture sectors. The business model is asset-light, using a tier-1 technology-enabled platform and 4PL Virtual Distribution capability to deliver predictive insights, inventory optimisation, and supply chain visibility from wharf to last mile distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Port Logistics (Wharf Cartage) Time-certain wharf cartage services moving containers between major Australian ports and client facilities, offered through the Silk Contract Logistics and Rocke Brothers brands. The division operates in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide and moves more than 420,000 TEUs per year for blue-chip customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 420,000+ TEUs moved per year
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Rocke BrotherscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRocke Brothers operates under Silk's Port Logistics division as one of two trading brands (alongside Silk Contract Logistics). Operates two sites in Victoria (Tottenham and Lara) with access to a third-party site in Derrimut. Part of the integrated Port Logistics offering moving containers between ports and facilities.
• Third-Party Transport CompaniescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilk maintains relationships with multiple third-party transport businesses through its 4PL Virtual Distribution platform. These partners provide cost-effective transport services matched to specific client needs. The platform consolidates pricing and schedules from various providers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Linfox: Linfox is Australia's largest privately owned logistics company, operating extensive warehousing, transport and distribution services nationally across FMCG, retail and industrial verticals — directly comparable to Silk's contract logistics and 4PL distribution model.
• SCT Logistics: SCT Logistics is an Australian rail and road freight operator with intermodal terminal operations, providing port-to-door services similar to Silk's wharf cartage and freight logistics offering.
• Qube Holdings: Qube Holdings (ASX:QUB) is an ASX-listed integrated logistics provider with port logistics, bulk and container handling, warehousing and freight operations across Australia — overlapping significantly with Silk's Port Logistics and Contract Logistics divisions.
• Mainfreight: Mainfreight (NZX:MFT) operates an asset-based global logistics network with significant Australian warehousing, transport and 3PL operations. Comparable to Silk in contract warehousing and multi-modal distribution, with a similar blue-chip customer focus.
• Toll Group: Toll Group (owned by Japan Post) is Australia's largest integrated logistics provider, offering contract logistics, warehousing, wharf cartage and freight forwarding. It directly competes with Silk in port logistics, contract warehousing and distribution across Australia.
• Lindsay Australia: Lindsay Australia (ASX:LAU) is an ASX-listed transport and logistics company providing rural, containerised freight and contract logistics across Australia — a comparable mid-cap Australian listed peer in freight and warehousing.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Supply Chain Australia: DHL Supply Chain is a global contract logistics incumbent with Australian operations across warehousing, fulfilment and distribution. Competes with Silk for large FMCG and retail contract logistics mandates, but as part of a broader global portfolio.
• CEVA Logistics: CEVA Logistics (CMA CGM subsidiary) is a global 3PL provider with significant Australian contract logistics and freight management operations, serving comparable FMCG, retail and industrial customers as Silk.
• Kuehne+Nagel Australia: Kuehne+Nagel operates a global freight forwarding and contract logistics network with Australian warehousing and 4PL services. Overlaps with Silk's contract logistics and integrated port-to-door offering for multinational customers.

Others

• DP World Australia: DP World operates Australian container terminals at Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle. While primarily a port operator rather than 3PL, DP World is a key upstream/downstream partner and adjacent player in Australia's port-to-door logistics chain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silk-logistics-holdings

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Logistics Holdings