Unitrans Business Operations
Our History
Our Proud History
Unitrans started as United Transport in 1962 after acquiring a family-owned business, Thornton’s Transport which dated back to 1892. Since these humble beginnings, our company has grown to be one of Africa’s most recognisable logistics and supply-chain brands. Now well over 100 years old, Unitrans continues to grow and innovate.
1892: The story begins
The origins of the company date back to the 19th century, long before the existence of United Transport. The original core of the business was Thornton’s Transportation, a solid and respectable family transport business founded in 1892 by native Californian Samuel Thornton. Thornton’s steady growth through the acquisition of other transport companies eventually resulted in a major buyout by the United Transportation Company. In turn, the United Transportation Company had started life as a bus operating company in the United Kingdom in 1930. The bus company evolved into a diversified freight and bus business which, prior to the Thornton acquisition and the entry into SA, successfully operated in several other African countries.
1962: United Transport looks to the future
By the early 1970s in South Africa, United Transport had become the country’s largest road transport organisation, with capabilities and major interests in freight haulage, passenger transport, tourism, tanker services, as well as crane and plant hire. The group operated a fleet of some 1 400 buses and commercial vehicles, making it the second largest fleet in the country after the SA Railways. It had also branched out into a car hire business with some 900 vehicles.
1971: A focus on growth history
Unitrans has been in business as United Transport since 1962, our company is one of South Africa’s most recognisable logistics and supply-chain brands, with fleet on roads all over Southern Africa. Now well over 100 years old, Unitrans Africa continues to grow and innovate.
1982: New formation
Saw the formation of United Passenger Transport and United Freight Transport as holding companies for the passenger and freight divisions.
1987: Unitrans is born
United Transport finally listed on the JSE in 1987. United Freight Transport changes its name to Unitrans limited with all of its subsidiary businesses assuming the name Unitrans.
1998: From the late 1990's onwards
Several significant acquisitions expanded the range and geographical reach of the Unitrans business. These included the acquisition of Matthysen Bus Transport, which would be renamed Mega Bus and Coach – still an integral part of the Unitrans passenger transportation business. Malbak Motors, a leading national vehicle distributor at the time, was acquired and renamed Unitrans Motors. This was followed by the launch of Unitrans Finance to provide consumer credit to the burgeoning motor vehicle market. Unitrans Motors’ subsequently acquired the balance of shares in Hertz Rent-a-Car. The Unitrans Motors successes were followed by the acquisition of the entire shareholding in Roadway Logistics(Pty)Ltd., which had been a 50/50 JV with Steinhoff Africa.
2006: A modern restructure
In this year a major restructure of the business saw the creation of Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions. This response to sophisticated changes in the supply chain market saw the existing operations of Unitrans Freight, Fuel and Chemical, Agriculture and Mining Services and Roadway Logistics grouped under the new holding division. An important new function, Unitrans Customer Solution Development, was created to deliver new business to these operational divisions.
2008: Acquisition
Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions acquires 26% stake in a line haul business Xinergistix Management Services
2012: Welcome aboard
KAP Industrial Holdings acquires Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions and Unitrans Passenger
2015: One Unitrans
In the spirit of constant innovation and sustainable business growth, a new business model was successfully implemented at Unitrans. Unitrans operates as one business and functions as one team. The key approach is customer first.
2016: Lucerne Transport
Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions acquires commercial tanker transport company Lucerne Transport
2018: Unitrans Africa
Unitrans Africa emerged as a focused African business in 2018. Following in-depth evaluations of the ways of doing business in Africa, the Unitrans operations in Africa, with a footprint across 9 countries, were given independence in order to allow them to grow at an accelerated pace.
In the same year, Xinergistix becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions business.
In the spotlight
Our News
Four things you may not have known about long-distance truck drivers
As we’ve mentioned before, three of our key cornerstones are road safety, social development and sustainability. With that in mind, it is important to look at some things that the general public might not be aware of when it comes to the real heroes of our logistics network, our drivers. Here are five things you might not have known about long-distance drivers.
Route Planning
In Southern Africa, where transportation infrastructure and road networks can be challenging, we rely on sophisticated technology and expert planning to ensure the efficient movement of our payloads.
The mining boom
Various articles by economic- and business-trend forecasters have eluded to the fact that Africa is on the verge of a mining boom in 2023
A Look Back At Some Highlights From 2022
What a year it has been! As we gear up for an exciting 2023, we look back fondly at everything from the thousands of kilometres our road trains travelled to the exciting innovations in logistics, farming and warehousing.
Some trends to look out for in the logistics industry for 2023
Unitrans play a significant role in sugar production in Southern Africa, with big contributions at various points in the supply chain.
How we help make your coffee sweet
Unitrans play a significant role in sugar production in Southern Africa, with big contributions at various points in the supply chain.
