Forum Archive Index - September 2001

["G Stolwyk" <stolwyk@wave.co.nz>]

I have been thinking for some time that LAC could be taken over by Toll Holdings.

 

The resulting combination, if approved by the Commission, will lead to a seamless operation from the factory to the ports. Just for now, they have formed a joint venture: 

 

The joint tender - see below - will be a very powerful one. LAC could tender on their own but to do that in conjunction with Toll, is a positive and clever move.

 

Gerry

 

Source: Stockness:

HOMEX - Sydney
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
MEDIA STATEMENT

Toll Holdings Limited and Lang Corporation today announced they would
form a consortium to bid for National Rail and Freightcorp.

The Federal, NSW and Victorian Governments last month announced they
would proceed with the joint sale of the two rail businesses and
would seek expressions of in
terest from the private sector.

In a joint statement, the Managing Director of Toll Holdings Limited
Mr Paul Little and the Managing Director of Lang Corporation Mr Chris
Corrigan said, "The sale of Freightcorp and NRC represents a unique
opportunity to transform and grow Australia's railway services to
become a viable and effective alternative to road transport.

"We believe the consortium will bring together the management
expertise, financial strength and market knowledge
needed to improve
the efficiency and competitiveness of rail operations nationally.

"Toll and Lang have complementary but different business strategies
which, to be successful, require a reliable, cost effective rail
service able to support customers who want national and international
logistics solutions.

"Toll is NRC's largest intermodal customer and is focussed on
improving the efficiency of rail freight movement between the capital
cities and encouraging modal shift to
rail from both interstate and
regional markets.

"Lang is following a strategy of improving rail links to the Ports so
it can offer a seamless service for importers and exporters.

"Our clear objective is to dramatically improve rail's share of
domestic and international freight and to deliver very significant
efficiency improvements to existing and potential rail users.

"In recent years rail's share of the intermodal interstate freight
task has fallen to approximately 20%
with the remainder held by road
transport. Road has enjoyed significant Government support over many
years with massive infrastructure spending and regulatory benefits
such as increased mass limits.

"For rail to be re-invigorated there must be dramatic improvements in
the management and operation of above-rail services and real
commitment from Governments to improved infrastructure management and
performance."

Lang: Chris Corrigan 0418 677 701
Toll: Paul Little    0418 335
053