IFC Celebrates 35 Years in Business

35 years of growth, innovation and independent Australian supply chain management 

In August 1991, IFC was established in Melbourne as an independently owned and operated international supply chain management business. 

Thirty-five years later, IFC is celebrating a significant milestone. From our first Melbourne office, the company has grown into an Australian-owned logistics and warehousing business providing international freight, customs, warehousing, distribution and technology solutions to customers across Australia and around the world. 

From Melbourne to an international network 

IFC’s journey began with the opening of a Melbourne office in 1991, followed by its first Sydney office later that year. 

As customer requirements evolved, so did IFC’s capabilities. In 1995, the company established its customs clearance division, expanding the services it could provide across the international supply chain. 

Technology also became an important part of IFC’s development. In 1999, the company began developing its own “Freight Supply Chain” software. That investment in in-house technology continued over the following decades and evolved into IFC’s current technology capabilities and CSCHub platform, supporting supply chain visibility and information management. 

Warehousing became another key part of the business. IFC opened an 8,000 square metre purpose-built warehouse in Melbourne in 2006 and later established further company-owned facilities in Sydney. Our international network also expanded, including a joint venture warehouse operation in Shanghai in 2019. 

Building the infrastructure for the future 

A major chapter in IFC’s more recent growth came in 2023, with the opening of two purpose-built warehousing and distribution facilities. 

In May 2023, IFC opened its 28,000 square metre warehouse, distribution and head office facility in Altona, Victoria. The facility increased local pallet capacity to 45,000 and was developed to support growing customer requirements and operational efficiency. 

Later that year, in October 2023, IFC opened its 20,000 square metre warehouse and distribution centre in Leppington, New South Wales. 

Together, these facilities represent a significant investment in IFC’s Australian warehousing and distribution capabilities, complementing our national and international network. 

Today, IFC has a network of five national distribution centres and 23 international locations, supporting customers with freight forwarding, 3PL logistics, warehousing and distribution, customs and technology solutions. 

More than moving freight 

IFC works across industries including food and beverage, fashion and homewares, electrical and technology, healthcare, hardware and building supplies, and agricultural supplies. 

That breadth reflects how significantly supply chains have evolved since 1991. Today, a single supply chain can involve multiple countries, carriers, customs requirements, warehouses, systems and delivery channels. 

For IFC, technology and logistics have developed alongside one another. Our in-house IT division focuses on cloud-based logistics solutions and supply chain visibility, connecting freight, warehousing, customs and information across the supply chain. 

This approach has also been recognised through industry awards, including multiple Information Management Excellence Awards, the 2022 Supply Chain Innovation & Technology Award and the 2024 DCN Customs Broker of the Year Award. 

35 years of independent Australian ownership 

Throughout our 35-year history, IFC has remained independently owned and operated. 

That independence has supported the company’s continued investment in its people, technology, facilities and capabilities as customer requirements and the broader supply chain environment have changed. 

From our humble beginnings in Melbourne to our current national warehousing footprint and international network, IFC’s history has proudly been shaped by continued development and investment. 

Looking ahead 

Thirty-five years in business is a significant milestone, but it is also an opportunity to look ahead. 

The supply chain industry will continue to change. Technology will continue to develop, and customer expectations will continue to evolve. 

IFC’s focus is to keep building the capabilities, infrastructure and services needed to support our customers through those changes. 

After 35 years, IFC remains proud of our Australian roots, our independent ownership and the journey that has brought the business to where it is today. 

Most importantly, IFC would not have reached this milestone without the customers, partners and our team members who have been part of the journey. 

Thank you for 35 years!