Our History
TIP Group's Canadian subsidiary, TIP Canada, has merged with Transportation Equipment Network (TEN) to strengthen our focus on the European market. This strategic move allows us to expand and electrify our fleet, enhance our maintenance network, and better serve our customers, reinforcing our position as a leading equipment provider.
In 2022, TIP introduced the trademark name “TIP Group” to reflect the full business entities, activities and geographical scope, the diverse fleets of various assets.
Additionally, TIP acquired Next Rent in Spain and the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder in the UK.
In 2021, TIP acquired Eurotrail UK Ltd in the UK and Transportkjoling Midt-Norge in Norway.
TIP Trailer Services acquires PEMA GmbH, a commercial vehicle operational leasing and rental company.
TIP Trailer Services acquires Trailer Wizards, a leading supplier of trailer rental and leasing services in Canada.
TIP Trailer Services celebrated their 50-year anniversary.
In August, I Squared Capital, an independent international infrastructure investment manager, signed a contract through its ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund II to acquire a total stake (100 percent) in TIP Trailer Services.
TIP Trailer Services acquired Dutch rental and leasing company, Twan Heetkamp Trailers (THT), which had a fleet of around 3,000 trailers operating across Europe.
New acquisitions:
HT Hauser Trucks GmbH
Fischer und Knöbel Vermögensverwaltungsgesel lschaft mbH and takes over the assets of F u K Trailer Service GmbH in Austria
Grayrentals TIP supported HNA in the acquisition of Grayrentals’ trailer leasing and rental business based in Hull, United Kingdom.
Toscon offers national coverage for repair and maintenance of (semi-)trailers. In 2015 acquisition of Toscon almost doubled TIP 3rd party maintenance and repair revenue in the Netherlands.
TIP took advantage of a favourable financing market to expand liquidity while substantially reducing cost and diversifying funding.
Trailer inspection app smartphone app launch for trailer fleet operators to create inspection reports online with photo, search, share, and compare features.
HNA Group Company Limited (HNA) of China, a leading diversified industrial and services company, acquired TIP Trailer Services Group (TIP). At that moment of time TIP operated a network of 48 branches throughout 16 European countries, and owned and managed the fleet of 48,000 units.
In 2007 TIP entered into third party maintenance services segment. The UK were the first region to in-source their branch workshops and technicians. Later on it was brought on the European level. Fleet-Care was established, which completed the services portfolio and could be bought separately.
Pan European RIP Roadside service became a service on its own.
Bob joined GE in 1982 and held leadership positions in a number of GE divisions including roles in Finance, Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Leasing, and General Management.
He was appointed to the position of chief executive officer of TIP in 2003.
By 2003 the fleet grew to 67.000 trailers.
Around the same year TIP became active in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Romania, and Czech Republic.
Before and during this acquisition TIP started to be active in Norway, Italy, Spain and Austria. The UK still had the biggest fleet with high amount of box vans, and Germany remained the second biggest market.
In 1997 TIP acquired Central Rentco (CTR) group - rental and leasing company spread all around Europe. With this acquisition TIP grew its fleet with around 22.000 additional units.
Before the acquisition TIP had a fleet of approximately 11.000 assets and was operating in the following countries: UK&IE, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, and Belgium.
In 1993 TIP was brought in as a stand-alone division of GE Capital.
After this acquisition, the business was transformed into a full-service leasing and rental company. TIP started to expand the business and became more structured in its processes. The main goal was to become number 1 trailer leasing and rental company. Laurie Weisheit was a CEO at the time.
Also in 1993 TIP launched remarketing trailer sales operations.
Listed on the stock exchange in Amsterdam and London - Euronext
TIP completed management buyout backed by HAL as an outside investor. Employees were allowed to buy stock options.
In the 80s TIP started to expand more in the Nordics, adding Denmark and Finland to its geographical portfolio. In the early 80s TIP operated a fleet of over 14.000 trailers and container chassis from over 60 branches throughout the Europe.
Gelco's acquisition of CTI Container Corporation resulted in financial losses that TIP’s profits were ultimately unable to offset. In 1986 and 1987, Gelco reported losses of $6.4 million and $4.9 million, respectively. To recover, Gelco sold TIP Europe in 1986 to a management and investor consortium.
TIP Renamed Transport International Pool Inc (TIP)
By 1975 Transport Pool entered Irish and Swedish markets. When recession hit in 1975, the firm’s stock dipped to $2 per share. Minneapolis-based Gelco Corporation, a firm that leased cars and trucks to large corporate fleets, offered $5 per share (about $30 million). The company was sold, with about 500 employees at the time. Transport Pool’s operation changed little under Gelco’s supervision.
In 1971, a holding company of Transport Pool was listed by NASDAQ. By this year Transport Pool opened branches in Belgium.
TIP began as Transport Pool with branches in the Netherlands and Canada.
In 1968 US based Transport Pool opened its first international branch in the UK and a corporate office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. That is when the concept of trailer rental pioneered.