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Former Army Colonel Andy Maclean is excited about the next phase of his career in his new role at Toll on the Defence Theatre Logistics contract, on behalf of the ADF.
In a significant win for Toll Group, their Government and Defence business have landed a highly coveted 10-year, $1.5 billion contract with the Department of Defence, assuming control and ownership of the Defence Theatre Logistics (DTL) contract supporting the Australian Defence Force.
The scope of the work includes major warehousing and storage at 18 sites and 38 supporting warehouses offering over-the-counter services as well as a national, multi-modal distribution service. Toll’s role is as much about seamless distribution as it is about storage of Defence stores and equipment.
With a new contract win comes tailored and dedicated customer service and Toll has invested in some new talent and expertise, in people such as former Army Colonel Andy MacLean.
Andy is a well-known and highly respected former member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). In 2018 he completed a 37-year career as a logistics officer in the ADF, and across his career he had a range of senior leadership roles in joint logistics planning and operations as well as training and education, which is a key reason why Toll were so keen to get him on board as part of their team.
We caught up with Andy recently to ask him a couple of quick questions about joining the DTL contract at Toll, and what he’s looking forward to providing the ADF in his role as Head of Supply Support.
Q. What excites you about the DTL contract being at Toll, and the new role you have?
AM: “I’m extremely proud to continue to support the ADF as a leader within Toll, who are already a trusted industry partner to Government and Defence. The new Defence Theatre Logistics Contract commenced the phase-in of operations from 1 October 2025, with transition due for completion by April 2026.
We will onboard some 800 new staff members, we will supply new vehicles and MHE and we will deliver safe, reliable, and responsive warehousing, storage, distribution and customer services across the Joint Logistics Network. Being able to build this dedicated team and the capability from the contract start is a unique and exciting opportunity for which I’m very grateful.”
Q. What do you see as the main advantages, strengths and innovations that Toll can bring to this contract to assist Defence?
AM: “Toll has a strong track record in Australia for over 135 years, in particular the last 25+ years in supporting Defence and other Government requirements. Toll also has extensive broader commercial experience in other sectors such as retail, mining, and healthcare in Australia and overseas.
Toll will harness this deep experience to ensure that ‘best practice’ is brought to the contract through a continuous improvement program. We will always seek ways to provide safer, more effective and more efficient services for our customers. Our values are what set us apart. Not only as Toll people, but as an entire organisation.
As a global leader in supply chain solutions, the Toll team spirit and positive culture we share is instrumental in all we do. Hence our strong, unwavering focus on our customers, teamwork, progress, accountability and integrity.”
Q. Being Defence-side previously, you would understand the importance and impact that this contract has on ADF results. What will be your focus points as a leader on this contract?
AM: “Toll has been selected by Defence to have custody of Defence weapons, vehicles, stores and equipment stored within the Joint Logistics Network and, when required, to provide distribution services between logistics hubs and customer units, for up to 10-years. This contract will enable Defence operations, activities and investment services through the storage and distribution of assets to meet directed priorities.
My focus will be on managing supply services operations across the sites we will operate nationally, to ensure everyone stays safe, we meet or exceed Defence theatre logistics requirements and performance standards, and we actively collaborate in Defence logistics planning as a trusted industry partner.“
Jenine McCoach, Senior Vice President of Growth Solutions within the Toll Government and Defence business, is ecstatic about the contract win but equally excited about the quality of the team that will be delivering the contract.
“This is significant validation that we have the skills and expertise within our business to respond to complex government tenders, as well as the acumen and agility to be able to navigate a process that requires detailed planning, quick responses and flexibility. This win is a fantastic result, not only for our business, but also for all the team members involved throughout the tender process. Having talented and experience people like Andy joining us on delivering this contract - who deeply understands the needs and expectations of Defence - is critical in supporting our focus on the customer.”
With operational readiness as the headline, the transition-in phase kicks off now. The stage is now set for a transformation — where precision, speed, and a spirit of innovation will define the next chapter of Defence Theatre Logistics.
If Defence needs it, Toll will have it at the ready.
Learn more about Toll, their warehousing and distribution solutions, as well as other ways in which they work with and support defence forces globally at the below links:
https://www.tollgroup.com/
https://www.tollgroup.com/
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