In 1941, William "Pen" Pengelly took a bold step into the transport industry by investing £120 of his savings as a deposit on a second-hand Chevrolet truck. This marked the beginning of what would become the Pengelly Group’s longstanding presence in the transport and logistics sector.
Operating from his home, Pen joined the ranks of carriers at the Auckland wharf, competing for cargo as it became available. Over the next two decades, he expanded his business to include a fleet of a dozen vehicles and relocated operations to a warehouse facility in Parnell—strategically positioned near the waterfront.
The business saw further growth when Pen’s sons, Trevor and Warren, joined in the mid-1960s. Together, they navigated the industry’s evolution, consolidating and expanding through the export boom of the 1960s and adapting to the deregulation challenges of the 1970s and 1980s.
In the early 1970s, Pengelly’s diversified its offerings by introducing Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarding services, followed by the addition of Travel services in 1981. By 1984, the company had expanded into Wellington and Christchurch, allowing the Group to provide comprehensive "all port services" to major trading companies across New Zealand.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the Australian market, Pengelly’s acquired International Trade Management (ITM) in 1992. Established in 1896, ITM had a strong presence in Sydney and Melbourne, providing Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarding services. Under Pengelly’s ownership, ITM expanded into Brisbane in 1996, Adelaide in 2003, and Perth in 2010. Today, a team of 200 experienced professionals supports the full range of Pengelly’s services across both countries.
Driven by the vision of Pen Pengelly, the leadership of Warren and Trevor, the expertise of dedicated staff, and the trust of a loyal client base, Pengelly’s has become a leading force in the New Zealand and Australian transport markets.
From humble beginnings over eighty years ago, the Pengelly’s Group of Companies now operates in two countries, with ten offices, 200 staff, and twelve service divisions—continuing to deliver excellence in transport and logistics.