Customer Portal

info@cooltranz.co.nz
Freephone: 0800 141 545
National Support
24 Quadrant Drive, Hornby
Christchurch, 8042
New Zealand

Our Story: People, passion, and innovation

CoolTranz is the brainchild of Graham Rule and was born out of his 30 years of experience, desire and understanding of the chilled and frozen space.

Having celebrated our 10-year anniversary in 2024, it was clear that this privately owned business that has the passion, knowledge, people and innovation is only getting started. Every day is a new day in the 100-year cycle, we start each day as if it was the first! The business is to never be sold allowing our team the unique feeling of safety and security to get the job done.

MEET THE TEAM

What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

Investment into our team has been the vision from the beginning, undoing the industry wrongs and turning them in to industry rights. When it comes to how our people are valued and treated, we realise it is paramount to the ongoing success of CoolTranz. Our team was started with a group of handpicked industry leaders who knew how to move the freight and had the right attitude. As we have grown so has our team, our vison is to pass on these skills, knowledge and expertise ensuring our people succeed.

In 2014, Graham founded CoolTranz, building on decades of experience and a passion for transport. Starting with a small, dedicated team, CoolTranz has grown into a thriving nationwide company driven by innovation, resilience, and a focus on people. Today, Graham holds a governance role, supporting his team to grow the business on the same foundations that built its success, service and care for customers, CoolTranz’s people, contractors and its suppliers. His journey reflects a lasting commitment to smarter freight solutions, strong teams, and a business that continues to evolve and lead the industry.

Graham Rule

Director

Alastair Mathews has spent the last decade driving growth and innovation at CoolTranz, shaping the company into a strong, people-focused transport network. With decades of experience across New Zealand’s transport sector, he brings a wealth of knowledge in operations, sales, and leadership. As CEO, Alastair is passionate about developing both the business and the people within it, fostering a culture of collaboration, high standards, and continuous improvement. Known for his straightforward, people-first approach, he is dedicated to building sustainable growth, strengthening client relationships, and ensuring CoolTranz continues to deliver reliable, high-quality transport solutions nationwide.

Alastair Mathews

CEO

Ben Gorst joined CoolTranz in 2023, following a 12-year period running a successful construction hire business that grew exponentially after the 2011 earthquakes. After selling his interest, he brought his passion for commercial business management, system implementation, and team development to CoolTranz. In his role as General Manager of Systems, Ben focuses on streamlining operations, enhancing communication, and fostering a strong culture that supports people growth. Transitioning into the transport industry, he is embracing the challenges and opportunities it brings, applying his experience and enthusiasm to help CoolTranz continue to develop as a high-performing, people-focused business.

Ben Gorst

General Manager Systems

Dion Hazlewood is CoolTranz’s General Manager, bringing extensive experience across driving, long-haul operations, and branch management. Before joining CoolTranz, he held senior roles at Johnston Brothers, Strait Freight, STL Linehaul, and other transport companies, giving him a deep understanding of what it takes to run a smooth, reliable network. Known for setting high operational standards, Dion ensures the right people and equipment are in place to execute every task efficiently. His hands-on leadership emphasizes safety, efficiency, team development, and making transport fun, fostering a culture where employees are empowered, supported, and motivated to deliver excellence.

Dion Hazlewood

General Manager Network

Dave Quigley’s transport career began unexpectedly when he moved from restaurant work to a driver’s assistant role at Fliway, quickly discovering his talent for moving freight efficiently. Over the years, he progressed through delivery driving, owning his own truck, and roles in warehouse operations and branch management, gaining hands-on experience across almost every part of the industry. Joining CoolTranz in 2017 as Christchurch Branch Manager, he now serves as National Operations Manager. Renowned for his “freight mastery,” Dave has an exceptional understanding of logistics, ensuring every movement across the network is handled efficiently, reliably, and seamlessly.

Dave Quigley

National Operations Manager

Andrew de Vries has built his career in transport from the ground up. Starting straight out of high school with a part-time role at a removal company, he quickly found his calling and has since worked across driving, dispatch, operations, and management. His experience includes several years in his uncle’s North Island business and nearly a decade at Strait Freight alongside Graham Rule, followed by a role at Mainstream. Joining CoolTranz as a driver, Andrew soon progressed to Branch Manager and is now Fleet Manager. Known for his hands-on approach, he thrives on challenges and values CoolTranz’s family-like culture.

Andrew De Vries

National Fleet Manager

PURPOSE & VALUES

CoolTranz lives its purpose and values, ensuring everyone in its network embodies the “Providing Service & Care” vison.

“Providing Service and Care” start with the right people who embody our values—trust, resilience, excellence, and fairness. Paired with top-quality equipment and facilities, this creates a leading service industry environment. Our purpose drives our ambition; it’s not just words on a wall, but our “Why”. When we deliver service and care to our people, customers, suppliers, and partners, CoolTranz is fulfilling its vision.

Trust

Building strong relationships through honesty, reliability, and consistent actions.

Resilience

Adapting and bouncing back stronger in the face of challenges, no matter the obstacles.

Excellence

Striving to deliver the highest quality in everything we do, exceeding expectations at every turn.

Fairness

Treating everyone with respect, equality, and transparency, ensuring a level playing field for all.

HISTORY

In 2014 it all began, and as new doors opened the knowledge, relationships and desire to create a market leading business in the chilled and frozen transport space were born.

As one door closes, another opens—and this was literally the case when CoolTranz was born in July 2014. Graham Rule, then an employee of Bullet Freight (an adaptation of his now-sold business, Strait Freight), received a call from a liquidator that would change everything for him. Graham knew he still had a responsibility to the customers he had worked so hard to build and maintain relationships with. So, he took a huge personal risk, set the wheels in motion, secured a key client, and gave CoolTranz its start.

Christchurch Branch

24 Quadrant Drive,
Hornby, Christchurch 8042

Dunedin Branch

9 Midland Street
South Dunedin, Dunedin 9012

Nelson Branch

5 Factory Road
Brightwater, Nelson 7022

Palmerston North Branch

76 Setters Line Milson,
Palmerston North 4414

Invercargill Branch

27 Mersey Street,
West Invercargill, Invercargill 9810