Our community: Freightways

From their beginnings in 1964 as a courier company with six Morris vehicles, Freightways have never stopped growing. Since the 1980s they have been neighbours to the Bates family businesses at 205 Station Road, Auckland, and have become one of New Zealand’s leading transport companies. Their location in the city’s industrial hub is integral to that success.

’We’ve had more than 50 years on our site,’ says general manager of the Express Package division of Freightways, Steve Wells. ’It’s central for the transportation network to get around Auckland.’

Located on Botha Road, directly adjoining Station205, their head office and depot is home to Freightways brands like New Zealand Couriers and Post Haste Couriers. As Freightways has expanded, the need to accommodate staff has also grown.

A good location for staff

‘The labour pool for our depots is mainly South Auckland. We have people who come from Pakuranga, Howick,’ says Wells. ‘Many staff use the train to nearby Penrose station, or the local bus network, but most still seem to drive.’

So when the demand for staff car parking outgrew their own site, Freightways looked next door to Station205. ’As we grow, we take advantage of the Station205 land, which is good,’ says Wells. ‘We have more options and can lease. It’s right next door so it ticks the location, and they’re decent people, a nice team to work with.’

Thinking of future trends in transport

Being in the transportation business, Freightways have an interest in the development of greener alternatives, and especially the increasing use of electric vehicles. For Wells, this represents another opportunity for growth.

‘I think it will change. Some staff have electric vehicles now. We are assessing our onsite infrastructure for EV vehicle charging to facilitate the growth of electric cars.’

Freightways, Bates and Station205 are proud to share a long history in Penrose, one of the best strategic locations for the dispatch of goods to anywhere in Auckland.

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To find out more about warehouses and yards for lease at Station205, contact Andrew Nixon.