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Direct ChassisLink
Direct ChassisLink (DCLI) is the world’s largest container chassis leasing and pool operator, managing over 270,000 chassis.
Direct ChassisLink
Direct ChassisLink was founded in 2009 as a carve-out from Maersk, pioneering the exit of ocean carriers from chassis ownership. It incorporated to serve three primary ocean carrier customers and established the first daily-rental chassis pool model in New Jersey. The company has since grown through multiple private equity ownership transitions, including acquisitions by LittleJohn & Co., EQT Partners, and Apollo Funds. Its current ownership consortium includes Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, Canadian pension OMERS Infrastructure, and UK-based Wren House Infrastructure Management. The company’s fleet exceeds 270,000 chassis, with over 500 locations at or near key US port facilities and intermodal hubs. DCLI’s core businesses include Direct ChassisLink Pools (DCLP), the Direct ChassisLink Domestic Pool (DCL53), and Direct ChassisLink Leasing (DCLL), offering daily rental and long-term lease options. It has invested over $2B in fleet enhancements, including radial tire conversion, LED lights, and chassis refurbishment, and spent an additional $1B on fleet additions to meet demand (per the firm, 2025). Notable acquisitions include the Specialty Chassis fleet from Penn Leasing, the purchase of TRAC Intermodal’s domestic chassis fleet, and the acquisition of REZ-1 (now Blume Global). CEO Lee Newitt assumed the role in January 2024 after serving as President since 2019 and CFO since joining in 2013. The company reports over 600 employees according to its website, with office locations in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Austin, Charlotte, Singapore, and San Francisco. In January 2026, DCLI appointed Mike O’Malley as Chief Administrative Officer and Philip Wolfe as Chief Operating Officer (per the firm, January 2026). DCLI is a private operating company rather than a traditional investment vehicle. Its ownership by three long-term infrastructure investors — GIC, OMERS, and Wren House — positions it as a core infrastructure asset within their portfolios, distinct from a family office or fund structure. The company operates with a board that oversees capital deployment and fleet strategy, but does not manage third-party capital.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2009
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Menlo Park
Corporate office
Menlo Park, CA, United States
Additional offices
Palo Alto · Austin · Charlotte · Singapore · San Francisco
Principals
Lee Newitt
Chief Executive Officer
Ryan Houfek
Chief Commercial Officer
Philip Wolfe
Chief Operating Officer
Matt Stiff
Chief Financial Officer
Nagesh Galivity
Chief Information Officer
Mike O'Malley
Chief Administrative Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Direct ChassisLink?
DCLI is currently owned by a consortium of three infrastructure investors: GIC (Singapore sovereign wealth fund), OMERS Infrastructure (the infrastructure arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), and Wren House Infrastructure Management (the infrastructure investment arm of the Kuwait Investment Authority). Previous owners include Apollo Funds, EQT Partners, and LittleJohn & Co. (per the DCLI website).
Does Direct ChassisLink operate as an investment fund, or is it an operating company?
DCLI is an operating company, not an investment fund. It directly manages a fleet of over 270,000 container chassis, operates pools, and provides leasing services. Its ownership by infrastructure investors treats it as a core infrastructure asset, not a vehicle for third-party capital management.
What are Direct ChassisLink's main business lines?
DCLI operates three principal segments: Direct ChassisLink Pools (DCLP), a daily rental chassis pool serving marine and domestic customers; Direct ChassisLink Domestic Pool (DCL53), a 53-foot domestic container chassis pool; and Direct ChassisLink Leasing (DCLL), which offers long-term lease options for chassis. The company also provides a chassis fleet management portal called Blume Global.
How large is Direct ChassisLink's chassis fleet?
As of the firm's most recent publicly available information, DCLI owns or manages more than 270,000 marine and domestic chassis. The company has invested over $2 billion in fleet enhancements since inception, including radial tire and LED light conversion programs. In 2025, DCLI announced a $1 billion investment in chassis fleet additions and enhancements (per the firm).
Who manages Direct ChassisLink?
Lee Newitt is Chief Executive Officer, having assumed the role in January 2024. The executive team includes Ryan Houfek (Chief Commercial Officer), Philip Wolfe (Chief Operating Officer, appointed January 2026), Matt Stiff (CFO), Nagesh Galivity (CIO), and Mike O'Malley (Chief Administrative Officer, appointed January 2026). All executives' roles and appointments are as stated on the company's website.
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