Freightways’ Express Package and Business Mail division delivered revenue growth, ebita growth and margin improvement during the half year.
Allied and Post Haste performed particularly well through the period with strong demand for their oversize and economy services, respectively.
Big Chill revenue and earnings were also both up, although the recovery appears slower in the food/hospitality sector, according to the business.
Freightways said the result was supported by same-customer volume growth, net market share gains, and pricing actions implemented at the start of the financial year.
The business was also able to improve its margin despite incremental IT costs on the development of a new billing platform incurred during the period.
Demand for the segment in New Zealand was more heavily focused on the business’ economy services at the expense of overnight express services.
Australia, in comparison, delivered strong growth and improved ebita performance through its Allied Express business.
Freightways’ Information Management and Waste Renewal division delivered a more mixed performance, with revenue broadly flat for the half while ebita grew modestly.
The business suggested lower digitisation activity and the exit of unprofitable Product Destruction revenue streams as potential reasons for the result.
Freightways was also hit with A$1.6m of net one-off costs in the half that are not expected to be repeated.
As for the global business, a new tariff commences on April 1, which alters the cost structure for customs clearance. This will mean shipments and mail will incur a charge, and Freightways is actively pursuing a mitigation strategy.
Freightways’ JV partner in Parcelair, Airwork, was placed into receivership in July 2025.
Receivers are currently operating the business as a going concern while a sale process is undertaken, with the expectation for this to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
Two of Freightways’ remaining 737-400 aircraft are anticipated to be retired from its network in late 2026, and will be replaced with two 737-800s to provide a core three 737-800 network.
Outlook
Freightways said margin improvement remains a key priority for the remaining half, with cost inflation remaining moderate and the group’s cost base stabilising, particularly with respect to labour.
Back in October, Freightways faced strike action from union workers who alleged unsafe working conditions and health and safety breaches.
The business is continuing the implementation of its new billing platform for the New Zealand Express Package segment, which is expected to support improved billing capability, pricing discipline and longer-term margin outcomes.
Freightways is expecting a steady improvement in same-customer volumes in the second half, particularly in New Zealand, driven by a continued economic recovery.
The business said it remains focused on retaining customers through service quality, attracting new business and pursuing disciplined mergers and acquisitions that are directly complementary to the growing Australian express network.
Freightways announced in December 2025 that it had entered into an agreement to purchase the business and assets of VT Freight Express, a Victorian freight company.
Freightways declared an interim dividend of 21 cents per share for the half, representing a 10.5% increase on the prior corresponding period.
Amova Asset Management portfolio manager Michael De Cesare believed there were opportunities for the business to leverage in the year ahead.
Amova Asset Management portfolio manager Michael De Cesare said the result was largely in line with expectations.
“Freightways’ double-digit profit growth is broadly in line with expectations and market forecasts, reflecting steady execution – with cost control and integration discipline – in a tough freight environment,” De Cesare said.
“While customer sales were up, these reflect a slow and steady recovery and therefore the result may have disappointed those looking for a potentially stronger signal for the NZ economy.”
De Cesare said margins were still below pre-Covid, but expected them to be a medium-term driver for the business.
He suggested the main challenges for the business would be its chilled distribution business Big Chill, which remains subdued, and its document destruction business Shred-X, which is currently being restructured.
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
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