TR Group is eyeing growth in Australia

New Zealand heavy vehicle rental and lease company TR Group has moved into Australia through the acquisition of Semi Skel Hire, which has been renamed as TR Group Australia.

The purchase of the Melbourne-based trailer rental company is described as "a first step into the Australian truck and trailer hire market".

As part of TR's strategy to expand nationwide, a new 75,000 sqm Melbourne site will open in September, to augment a recently opened new Brisbane branch.

The business has operated as TR Semi Skel Hire in Australia since the takeover. "As we expand beyond Melbourne and add trucks to our fleet, we feel the time is right to be clear about who we are and what we can offer to the Australian transport industry," says local head Chris Perry.

"TR Group has grown steadily over the last 30 or so years in New Zealand, on the back of being the best we can be at renting and leasing trucks and trailers. Our aim is to try and build a similar business across Australia showing the same level of service and expertise so we can all be successful together."