Followmont Transport celebrates legacy anniversary

Queensland-based transport company, Followmont Transport, is celebrating the seven-year anniversary since the Tobin brothers purchased the business.

On 30 June 2016, Mark and Ben Tobin made the decision to continue the legacy of their father, Bernie, and his business partner, Alan Salpietro, which began back in 1984 by becoming the new owners of Followmont Transport.

Today, the two brothers are behind the wheel of the business as Managing Director and General Manager of Linehaul respectively, driving their teams into the future.

Managing Director, Mark Tobin, told Prime Mover the move to purchase the company he had grown up in was about respecting legacy and caring for people.

“The business was in a position where it was about to be sold to another company and hundreds of our team would lose their jobs,” he said.

“For us as a family, we were so passionate about keeping the business to save everyone’s role and take Followmont to a whole new level.”

In 2016 Followmont Transport operated throughout Queensland with 16 owned depots, 650 employees and 700 pieces of equipment.

Seven years later in 2023, it now proudly services both Queensland and New South Wales through its 23 owned depots and network of subcontractors powered by 1,000 pieces of equipment and 1,000 employees.

Over this time, Followmont Transport has invested $180 million into the company. This includes property, infrastructure, equipment, enhanced executive capability and an in-house training department – while watching its people grow and take pride in the fact they are part of the Followmont family.

“A big thing we always say at Followmont is never forget how we got here,” Tobin said.

“We show and work with respect and that is what drives us forward.

“It’s been an amazing journey, but at the end of the day we don’t own the business, our people do.”