History

In its current form, VTG originated from VTG Vereinigte Tanklager und Transportmittel GmbH, which was founded as a state-owned enterprise in 1951 and privatized in 1961 in the framework of the sale to Preussag - now the TUI Group. The roots of VTG along with its subsidiaries extend as far back as the 19th century.

During its 45 years of being part of Preussag and later the TUI Group, VTG concentrated on the Wagon Hire business area, but also operated in inland shipping and the tank farm business. By means of various targeted acquisitions and disinvestments, the business operations were oriented towards the following three segments: Wagon Hire, Rail Logistics and Tank Container Logistics. Since the IPO in June 2007, the VTG Aktiengesellschaft has been listed on the official Prime Standard market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange – since September 2008 on SDAX index too. The Compagnie Européenne de Wagons S.à r.l., a company, the majority of whose shares are held by funds managed by the international investment group based around WL Ross & Co LLC, New York, USA, is the main shareholder in VTG Aktiengesellschaft.

The main milestones of the company include in particular:

2011

Rail Logistics Division restructured and with unified market approach; focus on three product segments: liquids, agricultural goods and industrial goods
Doubling of vehicle fleet in North America due to acquisition of the business activities of SC Rail Leasing America; merger with Texas Railcar Leasing and change of name to VTG Rail
60 years of VTG – jubilee, among other things with the exhibition “A look back to the future” at Hamburg headquarters dealing with the past, present and future of the VTG Group
Purchase of Railcraft group of companies and thus entry into the CIS and Baltic markets with a fleet of about 870 wagons
Acquisition of vehicle fleet (about 300 mineral oil wagons) from the Italian competitor Sogerent

2010

Acqisition of 1,800 freight wagons and entering of the European grain transport market
VTG takes over a 100% shareholding of the rail logistics company TMF

2009

Foundation of "OOO" VTG Russia including a sales office in Moscow

2008

Closing of the acquisition of the wagon hire company Texas Railcar Leasing Company Ltd. (1,000 rail freight cars) and entering of the North American rail freight market
VTG takes over the wagon manufacturing division of the Graaff Group
Joint venture of VOTG Tanktainer GmbH with the Chinese company Cosco Logistics; Shanghai Cosco VOTG Tanktainer Ltd.
VTG share is listed on the sub-segment SDAX

2007

Initial public offering (IPO) on June 28, 2007 (Prime Standard, Frankfurt Stock Exchange)
Acquisition of UK tank container hire company Tankspan Leasing Ltd. with 3,100 tank containers
Increase in stake in VOTG Tanktainer GmbH from 58.35% to 100%

2005

Sales of VTG by Tui to Compagnie Européenne de Wagons S.à.r.l.

2004 to 2007

Strengthening of the Wagon Hire segment by approx. 6,500 wagons through the acquisition of the rail freight car and tank container fleet of Algeco S.A., Paris, France; as well as the fleets of OMV AG, Vienna, Austria; of Rexwal Finance S.A., Zug, Switzerland; of Railtrans, Cologne, Germany and of Nordwaggon AB, Bromma, Sweden

2004

Increased its stake in Transpetrol GmbH Internationale Eisenbahnspedition to 74.9%
Sale of the Bulk and Special Logistics business unit that was not part of the core business

2002

Acquisition of the European Rail Logistics activities of the Australian Brambles Group and thus an expansion of its wagon fleet by approx. 23,000 wagons

1997

Foundation of VOTG Tanktainer GmbH

1994

Cooperation on TRANSWAGGON AG

1992

VTG takes over the majority of Transpetrol GmbH Internationale Eisenbahnspedition

1981

First Tank Container activities

1961

Privatization as part of the sale to Preussag - today TUI-Gruppe

1951

Foundation of VTG Vereinigte Tanklager und Transportmittel GmbH