Max Luff, the chairman of Border Express, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his significant contributions to the road transport industry and the community. This accolade was announced as part of the Australia Day honours list, recognizing Luff’s extensive career and impact on the sector.
At the heart of Luff’s story is his passion for the open road, a love affair that began in his hometown of Bega at the age of 17. Despite initially pursuing a teaching career, Luff’s dedication to trucking eventually led him to establish Border Express, a company that grew from humble beginnings into one of Australia’s largest transport firms.
From Teacher to Transport Tycoon
Max Luff’s journey into the transport industry began while he was still a student at Sydney University, where he studied to become a teacher. He spent his school holidays driving trucks, a job that not only provided financial support but also fueled his passion for the road.
After graduating, Luff taught English and history at Nowra High School in 1953. However, the call of the road proved too strong, and within two years, he left teaching to manage a transport company in Nowra, increasing his weekly wage to 20 pounds. This decision marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the transport industry.
Building Border Express
In 1981, on his 50th birthday, Luff founded Border Express with just seven flat-top trailers, four staff members, and one customer, Moore Business Systems. The company quickly expanded, teaming up with Ron Finemore to acquire and rebuild Finemore’s Transport. Luff served as board chairman until 1993 and continued as a director until the company was sold to Toll.
Under Luff’s leadership, Border Express transformed from a small operation into a national powerhouse, boasting 18 facilities, over 700 vehicles, and 1700 staff and contractors. Reflecting on this achievement, Luff stated,
“The proudest thing for me is that we built a business from nothing over 40 years and persevered through good times and bad times and turned it into one of the biggest transport companies in Australia.”
A Family Affair and Community Impact
Luff’s four sons, Geoff, Grant, Mark, and Jon, have all played roles in the company, contributing to its growth and success. In November 2023, the family decided to sell Border Express to Freight Management Holdings, a subsidiary of Singapore Post, concluding a three-year negotiation process. The sale, valued at $210 million, was finalized on March 1, 2024.
Beyond his business achievements, Luff has been deeply involved in his community. He served as an alderman for Albury Council from 1962 to 1968 and was a foundation member of North Albury Apex. His contributions to local organizations, such as the Albury Club and Albury Golf Club, are well recognized. Additionally, Luff has supported the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund since 2013, and The Scots School Albury named The Luff Pavilion in his honor for his fundraising efforts.
Recognition and Legacy
In 2011, Luff was named the Australian Freight and Logistics Personality of the Year by the Victorian Transport Association, further cementing his status as a leading figure in the industry. His story is not just one of personal success but also of a family’s collective effort and a community’s growth.
Reflecting on the changes in the industry, Luff noted,
“All of those bigger companies built over the ’70s and ’80s are basically all gone. Now Albury has expanded very well on its own creative industries. For an inland city, you wouldn’t live anywhere else!”
As Max Luff receives the OAM, his legacy in the Australian transport industry is celebrated, marking a career that has not only shaped a company but also left an indelible mark on the community and the industry at large.
