Promoted by TISCO, ACC, Hewitt-Robbins (US) and General Electric (UK), TRFL, formerly widely referred to as Tata-Robins-Fraser, was formally created and deployed as a legal entity in 1962. It services core industries like power, mining, coal, fertilisers, cement, ports, etc. Since its inception, TRFL has specialised in the manufacture of advanced systems for conveying, stacking, blending, reclaiming and processing of bulk raw materials. TRFL also undertakes turnkey contracts for total systems -- bulk material handling plants.

The company diversified to manufacture underground mining machinery - side discharge loaders and load haul dumpers and executed a strategic acquisition of the stamp-charging technology for coke-oven machinery in technical collaboration with German firms by the end of the 80s. It no longer has tie-ups with Hewitt-Robbins and General Electric. In 1993-94, TRFL broadened its footprint operations into into an agreement with Italiampianti, Italy, for the supply of the latest technology covering yard equipment such as stackers, reclaimers, stackers-cum-reclaimers, ship-loaders, etc. TRFL implemented the first phase of the steel service centre and commenced operations from Sep.'94.

Company sold its steel service centre assets at Bara, Jamshedpur, for a total consideration of Rs 14 crores to Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited. The company has also signed MoU with M/s Tip-Top Saar GmbH, Germany for acquiring state-of-the-art knowhow for conveyor belt reconditioning plant and services.

In 1999-2000, Tata Material Handling Systems Ltd (TMHS) and Tata Technodyne (TRF) amalgamated with TRF Limited (TRFL). The company signed an Association Agreement with M/s Hatch Associates, Australia, for high speed and high capacity conveying systems. The company also signed the Tata Brand Equity and Business Promotion Agreement (BE-BP) with Tata Sons Limited and adopted the Tata Code of Conduct.

The company has commissioned Coal Handling Plant with wagon tippler at Tata Power Company's power station at Jamshedpur and also Coal handling plant at Wadi Cement Plant during 2001-02. It has also installed 3 nos 20 T.Level Luffing Cranes for Tuticorin port trust at Tuticorin in 2002-03.

During 2003-04 the Company in association with SMS Demag, has successfully branched out into the business of providing Design and Engineering Services for Mini Blast Furnaces.