TNT Express
International express-delivery and logistics brand acquired by FedEx in 2016.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
TNT Express was an international courier, express-delivery, and logistics company whose roots went back to 1946, when Ken Thomas established Thomas Nationwide Transport with a single truck in Adelaide, South Australia. The business expanded from a domestic transport operation into a multinational delivery company, eventually using the TNT name across road, air, freight, and supply-chain services. The company’s principal strength was its European road and express network, supplemented by air links and operations in the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It served business customers that required time-definite delivery of documents, parcels, freight, and other commercial shipments. Its network and brand were particularly significant in Europe, where TNT combined cross-border road transport with international air-express services. TNT also explored lower-emission and alternative transport methods, including a rail-freight trial in the United Kingdom in 2014. TNT Express became a separately listed company on Euronext Amsterdam on 26 May 2011, after being spun off from TNT N.V. Following the separation, TNT N.V. changed its name to PostNL, while TNT Express continued as the express-delivery business. The company subsequently became the target of two major takeover attempts. UPS announced a proposed acquisition valued at approximately US$6.7 billion in 2012, but the European Commission blocked the transaction on competition grounds in January 2013 after UPS failed to obtain regulatory clearance. FedEx announced an agreed proposal to acquire TNT Express in April 2015. The transaction was intended to strengthen FedEx’s European network and broaden its international express capabilities. After a European Commission review, the acquisition was approved on 8 January 2016 and completed on 25 May 2016 for approximately €4.4 billion. TNT Express thereafter operated as part of FedEx rather than as an independent publicly traded company. In June 2017, TNT’s operations were severely disrupted by the NotPetya cyberattack. Because some systems and communications infrastructure were connected to operations in Ukraine, the attack affected shipment processing, internal communications, and administrative records. TNT had to rely on manual procedures for an extended period, resulting in substantial backlogs; some data was reportedly lost. The incident demonstrated the operational dependence of global logistics networks on interconnected information systems. Following the acquisition, FedEx progressively integrated TNT’s technology, processes, and network into its broader organization. TNT remains historically important as a major European express carrier and as a key component of FedEx’s international expansion, but TNT Express is no longer an independent listed company. The standalone corporate identity has largely been absorbed into FedEx’s operating structure, even though TNT-related services, facilities, vehicles, and customer relationships formed an important part of the acquired network.
History
TNT Express originated in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1946, when Ken Thomas began Thomas Nationwide Transport with a single truck. The company’s early business was transport rather than the globally integrated express service later associated with TNT. Over subsequent decades, the organization expanded its geographic coverage and service range, developing road-transport, freight, parcel, and time-sensitive delivery capabilities. The TNT name became associated with international logistics as the business built or acquired operations beyond Australia. Its network eventually covered Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. In Europe, TNT developed a substantial road-express platform, linking national operations through cross-border services and combining this network with air transportation for international shipments. The company served commercial customers requiring reliable movement of documents, parcels, freight, and supply-chain materials. A significant corporate restructuring took place in 2011. On 26 May, TNT Express was separated from its parent, TNT N.V., and listed on Euronext Amsterdam. TNT N.V. subsequently changed its name to PostNL, reflecting its focus on postal activities. TNT Express continued as the independently traded express-delivery company. This separation made TNT Express a distinct corporate and investment entity while preserving its established operating brand. The company attracted takeover interest soon afterward. In March 2012, UPS announced its intention to acquire TNT Express in a transaction reported at approximately US$6.7 billion. The proposed combination faced extensive scrutiny because it would have joined two major parcel and express operators in Europe. In January 2013, the European Commission blocked the deal on competition grounds after UPS was unable to secure the required regulatory approval. TNT Express therefore remained independent for the time being. FedEx subsequently pursued the company as part of a strategy to strengthen its European presence. In April 2015, FedEx announced an agreement to acquire TNT Express for approximately €4.4 billion. The European Commission reviewed the proposed combination and approved it on 8 January 2016. FedEx completed the transaction on 25 May 2016. This acquisition brought TNT’s European road network and international customer base into the FedEx group and ended TNT Express’s status as an independent listed company. The integration period was complicated by the NotPetya cyberattack in June 2017. TNT’s systems were heavily affected, in part because certain operational and communications infrastructure was connected to systems in Ukraine, where the attack originated. Shipment handling, administration, and communications were disrupted. The company used manual processes for months, accumulated substantial backlogs, and lost some records. The event became one of the most visible examples of how a cyber incident can affect a large physical logistics network. Before and after the acquisition, TNT also examined ways to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of its transport system. In 2014 it conducted a rail-freight trial in the United Kingdom, assessing whether rail could support business shipments while reducing carbon emissions. Although the trial did not define the company’s entire strategy, it illustrated TNT’s interest in multimodal transport. After joining FedEx, TNT’s technology, processes, and network were progressively integrated into the larger FedEx organization. The TNT brand consequently lost its status as a standalone corporate company, although the acquired network and operational assets became important elements of FedEx’s European and international delivery capabilities. TNT Express is therefore best understood today as a former independent express carrier and a major historical component of FedEx’s global network.
- 2017
NotPetya disrupts operations
[1]A major cyberattack disables or disrupts systems, requiring extended manual operations and contributing to shipment backlogs.
- 2016
FedEx acquisition receives European approval
[1]The European Commission approves the proposed acquisition on 8 January.
- 2016
TNT Express joins FedEx
[1]FedEx completes the acquisition on 25 May, ending TNT Express’s independent listed-company status.
- 2015
FedEx agrees to acquire TNT Express
[1]FedEx announces an agreed acquisition valued at approximately €4.4 billion.
- 2014
United Kingdom rail-freight trial
[1]TNT conducts a rail-freight trial in the United Kingdom to assess business-support potential and possible carbon-emissions reductions.
- 2013
UPS transaction is blocked
[1]The European Commission prevents the UPS acquisition on competition grounds.
- 2012
UPS announces proposed acquisition
[1]UPS announces plans to acquire TNT Express in a transaction reported at approximately US$6.7 billion.
- 2011
TNT Express becomes a separately listed company
[1]TNT Express is spun off from TNT N.V. and listed on Euronext Amsterdam on 26 May. TNT N.V. later becomes PostNL.
- 1946
Thomas Nationwide Transport is established
[1]Ken Thomas establishes Thomas Nationwide Transport in Adelaide, South Australia, beginning with a single truck.
Products and positioning
Cross-border business express delivery and integrated road-and-air logistics, with a particularly strong European network.
Express delivery
International Express Delivery
TNT’s core international service moved time-sensitive business documents, parcels, and other shipments across borders. It combined local collection and delivery operations with international road and air transportation, serving customers in Europe and other regions. The service proposition centered on cross-border reach, scheduled handling, and business-oriented express delivery rather than consumer retail.
Road freight
European Road Express
The European road network was one of TNT Express’s defining operating assets. It connected national delivery organizations through cross-border road transport and supported parcel, freight, and time-sensitive business shipments. Road services complemented TNT’s air network and gave the company a substantial regional platform for intra-European logistics.
Air freight
Air Express and Freight
TNT used air transportation to support international express delivery and freight movements beyond its principal road markets. Air services linked Europe with the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa, allowing the company to offer faster international transit for commercial shipments.
Supply-chain services
Supply-Chain Logistics Solutions
Alongside parcel and freight delivery, TNT provided business logistics and supply-chain support. These activities addressed the movement and coordination of commercial goods across transport modes and geographies. The offering complemented TNT’s express network by serving customers with broader distribution and logistics requirements.
Controversies
2017
NotPetya cyberattack and operational disruption
The NotPetya malware attack severely affected TNT Express systems and communications. Manual workarounds were required for months, producing major shipment backlogs, while some records were reportedly lost. The incident exposed the vulnerability of international logistics operations to widespread cyberattacks.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014United Kingdom Rail Freight Trial
United Kingdom
TNT tested rail freight as a possible way to support business shipments while reducing reliance on road transport and lowering carbon emissions.
Outcome. The initiative was reported as a trial assessing operational and environmental benefits; a permanent standalone outcome is not specified in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2017
Shift to manual operations after NotPetyaOtherBackground
The NotPetya cyberattack disrupted information systems and communications supporting TNT’s logistics activities.
Action taken
TNT used manual processes while systems were restored and operational workarounds were maintained.
Aftermath
The company experienced prolonged backlogs and the loss of some records, illustrating the operational impact of the attack.
2015
Agree to FedEx acquisitionM&ABackground
FedEx sought to expand its European express-delivery network and international operating capabilities.
Action taken
TNT Express agreed to be acquired by FedEx in a transaction reported at approximately €4.4 billion.
Aftermath
The European Commission approved the deal in January 2016, and FedEx completed it on 25 May 2016.
Reported transaction value. €4.4 billion (2015 announced transaction)
2013
Respond to the blocked UPS transactionM&ABackground
UPS’s proposed acquisition was rejected by European competition regulators because of competition concerns.
Action taken
The planned UPS acquisition did not proceed after the European Commission blocked it.
Aftermath
TNT Express remained independent and later became the subject of FedEx’s successful acquisition proposal.
2011
Separate TNT Express from TNT N.V.StrategyBackground
The express-delivery business was separated from its former parent as part of a corporate restructuring.
Action taken
TNT Express was spun off and listed on Euronext Amsterdam on 26 May 2011, while TNT N.V. later changed its name to PostNL.
Aftermath
TNT Express operated as an independent listed company until its acquisition by FedEx in 2016.
Recent events
- 2017
NotPetya cyberattack disrupts TNT Express operations[1]
Other
The NotPetya attack disrupted TNT’s information systems and communications, forcing manual processing for months, creating major shipment backlogs, and causing the loss of some records.
- 2016
European Commission clears FedEx acquisition of TNT Express[1]
M&A · Regulation
The European Commission approved the proposed FedEx transaction on 8 January 2016 following its review of competition issues.
- 2016
FedEx completes acquisition of TNT Express[1]
M&A · Leadership change
FedEx completed the acquisition on 25 May 2016, ending TNT Express’s existence as an independent listed company.
- 2015
FedEx announces agreement to acquire TNT Express[1]
M&A
FedEx agreed to acquire TNT Express for approximately €4.4 billion to expand its European and international express-delivery capabilities.
- 2013
European Commission blocks UPS acquisition of TNT Express[1]
M&A · Regulation
UPS’s proposed acquisition, announced in 2012 at a reported value of US$6.7 billion, was prevented after European competition regulators declined to approve the transaction.
- 2011
TNT Express is spun off and listed on Euronext Amsterdam[1]
Other
TNT Express became a separately listed express-delivery company on 26 May 2011 after being separated from TNT N.V., which subsequently adopted the name PostNL.
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