Irish Trucker magazine February 2013

IRISH

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FEBRUARY 2013 Vol. 16 No. 1 EURO 2.95 stg.£2.50

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The opinions expressed in Irish Trucker do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers, their agents or Irish Trucker.

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INDUSTRY NEWS DERRY BROS. Celebrating 50 years MANFREIGHT Supplying an excellent service to its customers SEAN MORIARTY TRANSPORT LTD. Offering a freight forwarding solution DUFFY TRANSPORT Providing a fast, cost-effective and reliable nationwide service TYRE & SERVICE SUPERSTORE (SQUARE FIT LTD.) Irish Semperit Tyre Retailer of the Year 2012 DENNEHY MOTORS Renault Pro+ Centre for Limerick county & city EUROLINK PPP Company that maintains and upgrades the M3 and M4 IRISH ROAD MOTORS LTD. 30 years experience in the crash repair industry MOTABILITY IRELAND LTD. SIMI Independent Retailer of the Year 2012 KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Ensuring the county road network is among the best in the country INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RECOVERY SPECIALISTS (IFRS) Leading vehicle recovery training body in Ireland HENLEY FORKLIFT GROUP LTD. Extensive range of products, services and advice SANDY ARTHUR One of Ireland’s leading road transport training providers JJ GRIFFITH LTD. 65 years in business AH FUEL OILS LTD. Thriving family-run company DIRECT ROUTE (FERMOY) LTD. Responsible for the Rathcormac-Fermoy bypass TRANZAURA Innovative technology solutions to the transport industry CLASSIFIEDS

Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd. P30

Irish Road Motors Ltd. P51

Henley Forklift Group Ltd. P72

JJ Griffith Ltd. P78

AH Fuel Oils Ltd. P82

Caffrey International marks New Year with major Actros order The new year has promised to be a happy one for transport company Caffrey International and Mercedes-Benz. As part of their planning for 2013, the Ashbourne-based company has embarked on a plan to enhance their truck fleet with the purchase of 20 additional new Mercedes-Benz Actros units.

Founded in 1965, Caffrey International took delivery of their first Mercedes-Benz truck over forty years ago in March 1972.

Since then, they have been loyal supporters of the brand having recently taken delivery of their latest Actros unit.

According to their managing director, Brian Caffrey “Mercedes-Benz has been a key part of our business for over four decades. In that time, they have helped us to progress Caffrey International has purchased 20 and provide a reliable and quality service to our customers.’ additional new Mercedes-Benz Actros units Expressing his delight at their decision, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager Fergus Conheady said “Caffrey International is one of Ireland’s success stories. Quietly, they go about their work delivering a proven service to their customers. We are proud that they have chosen us as their transport provider over such a long period in their histor

Euro-6 to affect small hauliers Smaller hauliers risk getting caught out by the introduction of the Euro-6 emissions standard, which comes into force in less than a year’s time, according to exclusive CM research. The research, taken from UK Commercial Vehicle Operator Report, reveals that almost half (46%) of smaller haulage fleets (5 to 25 vehicles) have given no thought to the imposition of Euro-6 from January 2014. This is in stark contrast to medium (26-50) and larger (51+) players, where almost threequarters and more than two-thirds respectively, have agreed on a Euro-6 policy. Overall, 39% of operators said Euro-6 would not affect their vehicle purchasing strategy. However, 20%, crucially the larger players that will be buying significant volumes of Euro-5 equipped vehicles, intend to pull forward their buying cycles to cocoon themselves from the need to purchase the more expensive Euro-6 vehicles.

New car sales down compared to 2012

Less people have bought new cars compared to this time last year

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Figures show that the registration of new cars in the first ten days of 2013 were down from the corresponding period last year. 6,690 cars were registered – compared to 8,530 in 2012. The early days of January are usually one of the busiest periods of the year for new cars as pre-orders are delivered. However, due to the change in the registration system on January 1st, the motor trade still hopes to shift some of the 'new' business towards the second registration period in July.

Toyota topped the market for the ten-day period, with a 13% share, its Avensis the best-selling model, followed by the Volkswagen Golf. Volkswagen finished last year as the best-selling brand in Ireland but has fallen to fourth place in the early registrations. Korean firm Hyundai claims second place at the start of the month, while Ford retains the third-place spot it also held at the end of last year.

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Taoiseach opens new Fleetmatics Group Global Headquarters facility in Dublin The Fleetmatics Group’s new global headquarters facility, which houses their global product development centre, was opened during January in Dublin by The Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny T.D. Fleetmatics, the leading global provider of fleet management solutions for smalland medium-sized fleet businesses, is helping business owners worldwide to easily and effectively track and manage vehicles through more informed and timely business decisions. Its solutions are marketed under both the Fleetmatics (www.fleetmatics.ie) and SageQuest (www.sagequest.co.uk) brands.

“Ireland is our birthplace,” said Jim Travers, CEO of Fleetmatics, to the audience at the office opening. “The vision and work ethic that power Pictured L – R: Minister of State Brian Hayes, T.D., Dan Foley (Vice President of European the dynamic growth of Fleetmatics operations), John Goggin (Senior Vice President, Global Sales), An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D, Jim Travers (Chief Executive Officer), Peter Mitchell (Chief Technology Officer) come directly from our Irish heritage. Its influence drives both product innovation and our sales growth. It is this Irish sensibility that allowed Fleetmatics to successfully focus on helping the small- and mid-sized business owner, when so many others have tried and failed.”

Growing on a global scale, Fleetmatics Group. has more than 17,000 customers and produces insight and analysis on the daily activities of more than 300,000 fleet-based vehicles around the world, as reported in its financial results ended September 30, 2012. It operates offices in the UK, and US including Reading, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Tampa, Charlotte and Phoenix. Most recently, Fleetmatics raised more than $100 million from investors during an initial public offering, becoming only the fifth Irish company ever listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

“Today’s event reinforces our commitment to Dublin as our centre of innovation,” said Travers. “This new facility in Cookstown will serve as our primary global product development centre. In addition to the Cookstown location Dublin is also home to the joint Global Data Centre responsible for the European market.”

Fleetmatics currently employs fifty personnel at its Cookstown facility, including thirty five software developers. In the short-term, the company plans to increase its staff of high-end software developers by roughly 30 percent and, in due course, the total employed at the facility is expected to double.

Offering intuitive, cost-effective web-based solutions, Fleetmatics Group solutions provide fleet operators with visibility into vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage. It also offers insights into mobile workforces, enabling customers to reduce operating and capital costs, as well as increase revenue. The company is continually developing new products and strategically adding software engineering resources.

Limerick manufacturing plant to create 100 jobs One hundred new jobs are being created in Limerick, with a €100m expansion of manufacturing operations at Vistakon.

Vistakon Ireland was established in Limerick in 1996. A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, it designs, manufactures and markets the Acuvue range of soft disposable contact lenses, the world’s number one brand. The company already employs 650 people at the plant in the National Technology Park. It is one of several Johnson & Johnson companies operating in Ireland, employing a total of 1,900 people. Recruitment for the new positions is expected to be completed by mid 2013, with the new recruits to be taken on over the next six months. It is also expected that the 18-month construction phase will create 200 temporary positions.

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Record year for Volkswagen VW isn’t feeling the pinch of the economic downturn on our doorstep as the German vehicle manufacturer reported a record year for 2012. The German giant has confirmed that its 2012 group sales reached a record high, with growing global demand more than compensating for slow sales in Europe.

For the first time, in excess of nine million vehicles were delivered by Volkswagen. The total came to 9.07 million - up 11.2% from the 8.16 million delivered in 2011. December sales were also up 20.7% over the same month last year. VW was also the No.1 selling model here in Ireland. North American sales soared by 26.2% to 841,500 vehicles, while registrations in South America rose 8.2% to 1.01 million. Asia-Pacific sales were up 23.3%, at 3.17 million. Proving that it’s a big world out there, those impressive increases dwarfed the 6.5% drop in western Europe (excluding Germany) to 1.85 million vehicles.

German sales climbed 1.9% to 1.18 million vehicles.

Tullow Oil expects to be busy again in 2013 Busy start to the year for Tullow Oil

Tullow Oil expects a busy start to the year as its Jubilee field offshore Ghana ramps up to full capacity.

Tullow is Europe's biggest independent oil and gas company and Jubilee is its only significant African producing field. Tullow has long targeted 120,000 barrels a day of output at Jubilee and had once hoped to reach that by 2011. The company says it is now producing 110,000 barrels a day. Tullow says it will write off $219m for dry holes and licence relinquishments in the full year results, which are due next month, and it will continue to focus on high value oil and early monetisation in its exploration-led growth strategy. This means selling assets where it has found oil relatively early in the development and production. In Kenya and Ethiopia, Tullow expects a result from its high-risk PaiPai-1 well in February and a flow rate test completion at its Twiga-South-1 well in the same month. It plans to start drilling at the Sabisa-1 well within two weeks. At another important prospect in French Guiana, drilling at Priodontes-1 started at the end of December, and is expected to continue for four to five months.

CV Show 2013 filling up fast With nearly three months until the Commercial Vehicle Show and Workshop 2013 opens at Birmingham’s NEC, the organisers report a strong flow of space applications covering all sectors of the UK industry.

“Halls 4 and 5 are just about full to capacity and it looks as though the same will be said for Hall 3a,” said Geoff Dunning, representing Show Partner the Road Haulage Association. “The 2013 Show will showcase one of the widest-ever ranges of exhibitors including the majority of the truck, trailer and van manufacturers, tyre specialists, telematics experts, tyre, hydraulic and lifting gear suppliers, tanker operators - the list is seemingly endless. The return of the Cool Pavilion in Hall 4 will be of particular interest to the refrigerated transport operator, with the likes of Cartwright, Gray & Adams, Lawrence David, Paneltex and Solomon bringing their latest developments to operators’ attention. “I am confident in saying that 2013 will be a great Show for exhibitors and visitors alike. If ever an indicator of the strength and determination of the UK’s road transport and logistics industry were needed, there can be no better example than the 2013 Commercial Vehicle Show and Workshop. If you’re an operator or involved in vehicle maintenance, the NEC is the place you have to be, from 9-11 April.” Free Tickets are now available online at www.cvshow.com. Just click the Free Tickets button and fill in the application and your ticket will be delivered to your e-mail address instantly. Every visitor will receive a £2 off CV Show Breakfast Voucher with the compliments of the organisers.

The CV Show is proving as popular as ever

NI motorway service station gets go ahead Plans for the first motorway service stations in Northern Ireland have been given the go-ahead. Environment Minister Alex Attwood recently announced planning permission for two new service stations on the M2. Currently, commuters have to leave the motorways at an existing junction to find a nearby service station. The stations will have direct slip road access on and off both motorways. On the M2, the new service stations will be located opposite each other on either side of the motorway at Browns Road, Ballycraigy, about two miles west of the Sandy Knowles roundabout. On the M1, the proposed service stations, are again to be located opposite each other.

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Schneider Electric partner with Hy-Tech Logistics ~ For Warehousing and Field Service Solutions ~ Hy-Tech Logistics, the Dublin based Logistics services provider, has teamed up with its Warehouse and Inventory Management Systems partner, Advanced Business Solutions, formerly ATMS, to provide a ground-breaking service for the field service engineers of Schneider Electric. The new service provides a real-time, web based stock enquiry and call off system together with stock status to eliminate the need for telephone enquiries and enable more efficient service operations.

Hy-Tech Logistics has managed the Schneider Electric spare parts bank for many years and provided the infrastructure and support to provide a 24/7 operation, all year round utilising the Advanced Business Solutions StocktrackPlus Warehouse and Inventory Management System.

Pictured (l-r) are Stuart Burke, managing director, Hy-Tech Logistics and Brian Duffy, business development manager, Hy- “We’ve been using the StockTrack PLUS Warehouse and Tech Logistics. Pictured by Conor McCabe Photography inventory Management System for several years now,” said Stuart Burke, Managing Director, Hy-Tech Logistics. “It’s been vital for controlling our Warehousing and Inventory operations.”

Hy-Tech Logistics had identified a major need to support the field service business of Schneider Electric across Ireland and overseas. Field service engineers and technicians are the people who work tirelessly to keep vital equipment, machinery and services working round the clock and are usually required out of normal working hours. Field service staff needs speedy access to a wide variety of spare parts, service items and replacement equipment and units.

From an early stage of the working relationship, Hy-Tech Logistics identified a need to further develop the product to cater for all Schneider Electric’s local and global requirements. The result was a partnership approach whereby Advanced Business Solutions worked with Hy-Tech Logistics to further implement key modules of the new Global Track solution.

The companies worked together to provide two key elements to the solution. The first is a web based stock enquiry and call off system that enables authorised personnel, including for instance the service engineers themselves using their mobile phones, to view the stock held within the Hy-Tech Logistics warehousing facilities.

The efficient 24/7 logistics service solutions that Hy-Tech Logistics has in place means that in most cases stock can be centralised within the one Hy-Tech Logistics warehouse. This cuts down on unnecessary stock duplication and cost. If required, the system is designed to support multiple warehouses, spread across the world allowing Schneider Electric call urgent products from any global site. Stock status can be viewed, stock can be called off, and picking and delivery status can be monitored.

Secondly, the facility can be used to view the status of incoming stock replenishment shipments – from the point of manufacture, for instance, in the Far East. Schneider Electric IT Stock can be called off from Hy-Tech Logistics warehouses through the web service or through automated electronic communications in real time. The system provides a real-time on line solution removing the requirement for telephone/fax or email, which can add unnecessary time to an urgent situation.

“The implementation of this new service will help our field service engineers to provide customers with more accurate information about replacement parts availability and help to make service calls more effective, said Declan O’Neill, service operations manager. “We believe it will help Schneider Electric to provide increased levels of customer satisfaction with an even higher rate of first time fixes during service appointments.”

Celtrak gives money to charity Celtrak presented a cheque for €400 before Christmas to KTL (Killarney Communications Ltd). KTL, a Celtrak customer won the money as part of Celtrak’s christmas charity giveaway.

Celtrak, gave their customers throughout Ireland and England the opportunity to nominate a charity to win €/£400. Celtrak shortlisted three charities and featured them on their Facebook page. Whichever charity got the most likes won the money.

KTL won the money on behalf of the Gavin O’Hagan Trust, an organisation very close to their heart www.gavinohagantrust.org Celtrak are Ireland’s original provider of GPS vehicle tracking solutions. Based in Galway City, they provide GPS solutions to customers in over 30 countries worldwide. (http://www.celtrak.com) Their clients include KTL, Thermo King, Roadbridge and Brady Family Ham.

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At the Celtrak Charity Giveaway are Geraldine Moran, KTL, Caoimhe McWeeney, KTL and Nicola Jones Celtrak

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Airporter strengthens partnership with Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) Raymond Taggart MBTVNI and Niall McKeever Airporter

Airporter, the award winning provider of public transport in Northern Ireland, has commissioned Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) to provide critical safety inspections on its full fleet of vehicles.

In response to recent tough new VOSA amendments to transport legislation in Northern Ireland Airporter has embarked on a proactive initiative to meet all the VOSA requirements using innovative cloud based software. And, says Airporter Director, Niall McKeever, the natural provider for the resulting safety inspections was Mercedes Benz Truck and Van, Northern Ireland (MBTVNI).

“We run a fleet of 10 Mercedes Benz vehicles travelling more than 1 million kilometres each year on Northern Ireland’s busiest roads. Passenger safety is absolutely critical to us and we trust MBTVNI to keep us on the road. We were impressed with the equipment, trained technicians, knowledge and service back up that MBTVNI can provide and they were our first choice service provider.”

VOSA legislation requires that the stringent vehicle safety checks must be carried out on each vehicle every eight weeks by an independent third party.

MBTVNI’s flexible operation means inspections will be carried out in Mallusk and at Airporter’s base in Derry/Londonderry.

MBTVNI’s Raymond Taggart says “The inspections we carry out are VOSA approved and the vehicle history we can keep through Truckfile means Airporter will no longer have to keep paper records. Not only that, the records can be accessed by VOSA themselves directly giving a totally transparent picture of each vehicle’s service history and more. Yet again Airporter is leading the way in public transport provision in Northern Ireland, demonstrating why they win so many awards.”

McKeever concludes “The service package MBTVNI offered has met and exceeded our expectations which is why we’re delighted to cement our partnership further.”

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Dublin to host major conference showcasing transport solutions ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Ireland (www.itsireland.ie) will host the ninth the 9th European Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems at the Convention Centre Dublin from 4th to 7th June 2013. The congress’s theme is ITS: Real Solution for Real Needs. It will focus particularly on innovative ITS solutions that are delivering value for money while solving real transport problems.

Individuals in the ITS industry can now summit a draft paper to be considered for presentation and publication at the Dublin 2013 ITS European Congress. Draft papers must be submitted by 21st December 2012 and full details are available on www.itsineurope.com Dublin has been using ITS for a long time now and local examples include Dublin Port Tunnel and the HGV Management Strategy that supports it, the dublinbikes scheme, integrated ticketing schemes such as LEAP, M50 free flow tolling, Real Time Passenger Information displays at bus stops and Dublin City Council’s Traffic Management Centre.

There are many additional examples throughout Ireland and many of these examples will be showcased to the expected 1000’s of delegates.

“ITS is all about using technology to support policy on making all modes of transport safer, more efficient and more sustainable. It has played a key role making roads safer for all road users. ITS also plays a vital role in improving traffic flow and public transport performance. This is important for city’s economy” says Brendan O’Brien who chairs the organising committee and is Head of Technical Services with Dublin City Council’s Roads and Traffic Department.

Mitsubishi Motors launches 8 Year Warranty for Irish motorists Mitsubishi Motors Ireland has announced the launch of a market leading 8 year / 150,000km warranty, which will come as standard on every new Mitsubishi passenger car, including the all-new Outlander and soon to launch Colt replacement – the new Space Star.

Mitsubishi cars already enjoy a strong reputation for reliability and value for money, supported by a 3 year manufacturer warranty. Now, to give customers the same confidence in their purchase that Mitsubishi Motors in Ireland already has, Mitsubishi Motors Dealers, in conjunction with Mitsubishi Motors Ireland, are now offering an extended warranty resulting in cover of 8 years or 150,000km (whichever comes first) as standard on all passenger cars, which is fully transferable to a new owner at any point during the cover period.

Kim Kilduff, Sales Manager with Mitsubishi Motors Ireland has said: "The Mitsubishi range has always had a reputation for quality and reliability. The launch of our new 8 year warranty, at a time when we are launching new environmentally friendly models, will further enhance this reputation and demonstrates the confidence Mitsubishi has in its vehicles and technology.

The new, market leading, long term warranty will also provide customers with significant additional peace of mind and another reason to choose Mitsubishi.”

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Joe Duffy Motor Group acquires McAllister Volkswagen North Dublin Volkswagen main dealers McAllister Volkswagen and the Joe Duffy Motor Group have concluded an agreement whereby the ownership of the McAllister Volkswagen business will transfer in its entirety to Joe Duffy Motor Group by year end. The arrangement is one that will allow the present owners of McAllister Volkswagen, brothers Richard and Alex McAllister, to retire from the industry having enjoyed life-long careers in motor retailing.

Under the agreement, which will see the McAllister Volkswagen staff of twenty-two transfer to the Joe Duffy Motor Group, the dealership will continue to operate under the name McAllister Volkswagen at its high-profile location in Airside Motor Park, Swords, County Dublin.

Gavin Hydes, Joe Duffy Motor Group CEO said, “This acquisition marks the beginning of another exciting chapter in the Group’s development. We have long been admirers of the Volkswagen Brand and are very pleased to be representing Volkswagen in such a key geographic location”.

McAllister Volkswagen has a heritage in motoring which dates back almost 100 years to when the late father of its present owner, also named Richard McAllister, provided mechanical services to the legendary Dr. Colohan of Malahide, the gentleman famed for having imported Ireland’s first motor car. Appointed Volkswagen main dealers in 1994, the company originally operated from premises in Malahide before moving to its current location in Airside Motor Park in 2004.

Under McAllister family ownership, the McAllister Volkswagen dealership established a strong customer base in North Dublin. Through their purchase of the business, Joe Duffy Motor Group, Ireland’s leading motor retailers, will further increase the number of franchises that the Group represents and strengthen its position in North Dublin in line with its strategic plan for growth and expansion.

Joe Duffy Motor Group, established in 1972 currently has a team of 160 employees. It is retail partner to ten of the world’s most prestigious marques which it represents across six flagship sites in Dublin. In addition to Volkswagen, their portfolio also includes BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad, Audi, Opel, Mazda, Porsche, Volvo and Land Rover.

Welcoming the agreement and the many commercial and career opportunities that it provides, both for the company and its employees, McAllister Volkswagen dealer principal Richard McAllister said “we are pleased that the future interests of our customers and staff will be safeguarded under the ownership and management of the Joe Duffy Motor Group whose culture and values mirror those that have been central to our business since its foundation.”

Macroom Haulage takes Top Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Award 2013 Specialist volume load carrier Macroom Haulage was announced as Irish Haulier of the Year 2013 at the eighth annual Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner, held at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday evening 6 November. Paddy Murphy, Managing Director of the family owned County Cork company received the top prize in the Irish Road Transport industry from Mr. Pat Rabbitte, TD, Minister for Energy, Communications & Natural Resources and John Lynch, General Manager, Rosslare Europort, award sponsors.

Established to honour excellence in operation or services to the road transport industry, in all 14 awards were presented on the night with over 700 representatives from the road transport industry attending the Gala Dinner hosted by RTE TV & Radio personality Marty Whelan.

Paddy Murphy expressed his delight on receiving this major award by commenting, “Macroom Haulage success is a combination of family support, customer loyalty and staff commitment. We all strive to be the best, that's what gives us the 'Drive to Deliver', which is our motto.”

Macroom Haulage now goes forward to represent Ireland in the European Transport Company of the Year finals in 2013.

Earlier the company was named as National Haulier of the Year 2013.

Other successful companies that were honoured include: * International Haulier of the Year – Dixon International (Dublin) * Owner/Driver Haulier of the Year – Dunne Haulage (Kildare) * Own Account Transport Operator of the Year – Celtic Linen (Wexford) * Regional Transport Operator of the Year – Sligo Haulage & Distribution * Livery of the Year – W.S. Dennison (Antrim & Limerick) * Environment Award – eircom (Dublin) * Innovation Award – Fleetmatics (Dublin) * Pallet Network Member of the Year – Tuckmill Transport (Wexford) * Customer Service Excellence – Hireco (Dublin) * Safety Award – Iron Mountain (Dublin) * Transport/Fleet Manager of the Year – John McEvoy (Kerry Foods) * Women in Transport Award – Lynda Lonergan (Mark Lonergan Transport, Kildare) * Technician of the Year – Eddie Shorten (MAN Importers Ireland) * Special Award – Gabriel Warde: Scania Young European Truck Driver of the Year 2012 The second element to the Fleet Transport Awards 2013 saw the Mercedes-Benz Actros scoop the Irish Truck of the Year 2013 title in association with Texaco Lubricants with Iveco and Isuzu winning their category, and Fuso and Smith Electric sharing the ESB ecars Green Commercial of the Year 2013 titles.

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Easytrip Teams Up with O2 For First Mobile Toll Payments Solution (New Charge2Mobile service allows car drivers to pay tolls through their mobile phone account) Easytrip, Ireland’s leading provider of electronic tolling payment services has today announced the launch of its new Charge2Mobile toll payment service, in partnership with O2. The first of its kind, the service will provide a more convenient channel for paying tolls on the M50 for car drivers who currently pay by cash. Available immediately to O2 customers in the Republic of Ireland, Easytrip hopes to rollout its Charge2Mobile tolls offering across other networks over the coming months and to add to its support team for this new service.

Easytrip’s Charge2Mobile Tolls service allows car drivers who use the M50 and all other Irish toll plazas Pictured at the launch of the service were (from left): Dermot MacEvilly, Chief to pay their tolls through their pre-pay or bill pay O2 Executive Officer at Easytrip and Eugene Mitchell, Marketing and mobile account. Charge2Mobile is ideal for those who Innovation Director at Telefónica Ireland. use the M50 primarily, who currently pay by cash and who occasionally receive M50 fines. This new payment concept will enable Irish car drivers to avoid M50 fines and to stay in control of toll charges.

To use the service, a customer signs up online at http://charge2mobile.easytrip.ie or lo call 1890 67 67 68. They are sent an Easytrip electronic tag in the post, which is linked to their O2 mobile account, and which is then placed on the windscreen of their car. Once they drive through a toll location their trip is recorded and the appropriate charge is made against their mobile phone account. The customer will receive a text message from O2 confirming that the toll has been paid.

“The inherent value of our new service is its convenience,” said Dermot MacEvilly, Chief Executive Officer at Easytrip. “We identified a customer need for the 10,000 or so users of the M50 every day and developed this niche product to meet it.

M50 users can now have tolls charged directly to their mobile phone account and they no longer have to worry about fines or next day deadlines, plus it applies to all toll roads nationwide. It’s just one less thing for motorists to think about in their busy lives.”

“We are delighted that O2 has partnered with us for this exciting first in mobile toll solutions. The entire team at Easytrip is proud to be pioneering this original concept and look forward to rolling it out to all mobile operators over the next 12 months,” Dermot MacEvilly, Chief Executive Officer at Easytrip concluded.

Commenting on the introduction of the new service Eugene Mitchell, Marketing and Innovation Director at Telefónica Ireland, which operates the O2 brand, said: “The application of this innovative Charge2Mobile Tolls service represents a credible example of how innovations in mobile services can make customers’ lives easier. It is a perfect fit for our current charge-to-mobile strategy at O2 where we believe mobile payments has a very strong future. To-date we have enabled over 90 merchants with a wide range of Charge to Mobile services, including: Facebook, DoneDeal.ie and Blackberry App World. Working with Easytrip and Oxygen8 to be first to market with a solution that brings benefits to our customers has been very rewarding. ” The Charge2Mobile solution between O2 and Easytrip has been facilitated by Oxygen8's mobile payments platform.

Oxygen8 Group is a market leader in payments and corporate solutions serving a variety of blue chip and key media clients. Ray Tierney, Oxygen8 Ireland's CEO, commented: "This solution is an exciting development in the area of mobile payments, and a significant step in making more tangible goods and services available for sale via the mobile channel.

Not only will the Easytrip C2M solution for O2 customers improve the quality of their lives by taking the stress out of tolls, but it will also save them money in penalties and fines in the long run".

The service will be promoted to O2 customers via extensive SMS marketing campaigns and digital advertising all managed through “O2 Media,” a new division within O2 in Ireland. Interested customers can lo call 1890 67 67 68, free text TAG to 50400 for a call back from Easytrip or simply go on line and register at http://charge2mobile.easytrip.ie. The Easytrip Charge2Mobile Toll Payment service is only available to cars, for larger vehicle solutions, motorbikes and information on the full range of Easytrip’s portfolio of services go to www.easytrip.ie or lo call 1890 67 67 68.

DHL win £100m contract Panasonic has awarded DHL Supply Chain a £100 million contract to manage its UK warehousing and transport operations. DHL will take end-to-end responsibility for Panasonic’s UK supply chain, handling order fulfilment of consumer electronic goods, manage a shared warehouse operation, and enhance the leading electronics supplier’s domestic transport operation. Panasonic’s existing facility will be converted into a technology campus featuring an enhanced plug and play IT solution plus a dedicated transport control tower, providing full visibility of the secure transport network.

14

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TEXA Tour TEXA are please to announce they will be undertaking a tour of 3 key venues in Ireland, to allow customers both current and potential to see the latest products from TEXA. As a company Texa provide diagnostic equipment for many types of vehicle workshops, including TRUCK, BUS, COACH, CAR, MOTORCYCLE, AGRICULTURAL, CONSTRUCTION and MARINE, and due to the lack of trade shows in Ireland TEXA have decided to stage a series of events to support these customers.

The Service and Diagnostic software is constantly moving forward in all these market sectors, and TEXA are inviting workshops to these local events to discuss these changes and their individual workshops requirements, to ensure they have the latest information available.

For Franchise workshops TEXA will also have their full range of AC service stations compatible with the new refrigerant R1234yf on display. Workshops will need to equip themselves with service stations specifically designed to handle this new refrigerant, as vehicles are released into the market, and these local events provide an ideal opportunity to see the units and refrigerant identifiers, and discuss with the TEXA technical team any question they may have.

Texa are offering an open invitation to all workshops, to join them at one of scheduled venues during the afternoon/evening on the dates listed below. There will also be a short presentation which will be held at 6pm, this will cover a range of topics.

Tuesday 26th February - Corrs Corner Hotel, 315 Ballyclare Road, Newtownabbey, Wednesday 27th February - Horse & Jockey Hotel, Horse & Jockey, Co Tipperary Thursday 28th February - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 Starting at 4.00pm, with a short presentation at 6pm with the event finishing at 9.00pm To secure your place, please call Becky Jump on 01282 606787 or email info.uk@texa.com.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

15

Dennison Commercials pulls in a crowd for Wee Oscar

Setback for Megatrucks

Staff of Dennison Commercials Ltd, Northern Ireland’s Volvo Truck & Bus Dealer, took to the streets of Belfast on Saturday (10th November) to raise funds for Oscar Knox, the Mallusk four year old that has captured the hearts of the Nation.

Oscar is currently Dennison Truck pull in action fighting Neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, and has been at the centre of a social media sensation, that has propelled him, his family and his struggle with the condition into the spot light.

Oscar’s Grandfather, Brian Knox, has been working for Dennison Commercials for just short of 40 years, so when Dennisons staff heard of Oscar’s Appeal to raise money for immunotherapy treatment, they put their heads together to come up with fundraising ideas.

John Jenkins, Managing Director for Dennisons commented: “We knew that we wanted to support Brian and his family in their time of need. Their struggle with this awful disease is unimaginable for those of us within Dennisons that have Children and Grandchildren of our own, and the only way we knew we could make a difference was to help raise funds for Oscar’s treatment. Personally, I was also motivated to get involved out of gratitude to Brian, for being, not only one of the longest serving members of the Dennisons team, but also for being so dedicated even throughout Oscar’s diagnosis and treatment”.

The idea for the truck pull came from Neil Arbuthnot, a Vehicle Technician based at the Ballyclare branch of the Company. It was a fortunate coincidence that the truck pull came close on the heels of the launch of the brand new flagship Volvo truck. The new Volvo FH was launched globally on 5th September and thanks to Volvo Trucks UK, Dennisons were able to get one of the new demonstrators, a 13 litre 540 horsepower model across from Volvo Headquarters in Warwick for the weekend to use in the event.

This was only the second time that one of the new FHs has been to Northern Ireland, having visited Dennisons on 23rd October as part of an All-Ireland Roadshow.

Around fifty of Dennisons 130-strong workforce turned out to take part in the half mile truck pull along Royal Avenue / Donegall Place in Belfast City Centre. Not content with pulling a truck on its own, as has been done before by other transport-related companies in aid of various charitable causes, Dennisons decided to increase the stakes on the challenge by adding a 40ft trailer to the pull, which made up a combined weight of around 15 tonnes! It is believed that this is the first truck pull in Northern Ireland to have featured both a truck and trailer.

Ulster rugby player, Adam D’Arcy, and local comedian, May McFettridge both made appearances at the event to show their support.

Laura Dougan, Marketing Manager for Dennisons who was heavily involved in organising the event said: “The support for Oscar has been fantastic and his popularity has certainly made all aspects of organising this event a lot easier. This is particularly true of Adam D’Arcy from the Ulster Rugby Squad and John Linehan (May McFettridge). The generosity and enthusiasm shown by our customers, suppliers and, of course, our staff for this event has been overwhelming”.

The Company would urge anyone whose Saturday afternoon was brightened by the scenes of the truck pull to donate via their Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/DennisonsForOscar) or by texting ‘DENN50’ followed by an amount of £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070. All money raised will go directly to the Neuroblastoma Alliance Oscar Knox Appeal. Dennisons are aiming to raise £25,000 towards the Appeal.

New research claims to expose flaws in industry lobbying for bigger, heavier HGVs. Casualties, congestion and pollution will rise, not fall, if 82ft (25-metre) mega-trucks are introduced to UK roads, according to new research.

Campaigners, including Freight On Rail, say the new research from the Metropolitan Transport Research Unit “highlights deep flaws in the arguments being put forward by Kimberley Clark to justify mega-trucks”. Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager, who commissioned the research, said it highlighted three significant considerations absent from modelling used by industry: increases in fatalities – “The European Commission has stated that mega-trucks are involved in more traffic collisions because of their size”, increased congestion – “Increased road space and lower manouvreability mean mega-trucks increase congestion”, increased carbon dioxide emissions – “Assuming similar capacity efficiencies as conventional trucks, the use of mega-trucks on UK roads would lead to an increase in emissions”. Edmunds said: “The economic, safety and environmental case for megatrucks is highly questionable.

The only beneficiaries are the big logistics companies with society picking up the bill. The UK government must see industry lobbying for what it is and continue to keep megatrucks off UK roads.” She added: “Parts of the logistics industry have an insatiable appetite for bigger, heavier HGVs. There is also overwhelming evidence to show that any length increase will lead to demands for increased weight. “In the Netherlands, the weight limit on 25-metre mega-trucks has been increased from 50 to 60 tonnes, with Finland increasing the weight limit to 76 tonnes. And Sweden is now trialling 30-metre (100ft) HGVs with an 80-tonne weight limit in urban areas.”

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Irish start-up wins respected technology innovation award from European Space Agency Irish technology start-up ‘Vicinity Systems®’ was awarded first prize for Ireland at the European Space Agency’s prestigious technology awards ‘The Galileo Masters’. The awards took place in Munich, Germany. In addition to winning the regional prize, the company was also shortlisted for the ‘ESA Special Prize for Innovation’, and was runner up for the global technology award.

It is the first time that an Irish company has won a prize.

The technology under development by Vicinity Systems® increases the driving range of electric vehicles. Through integration with in-car SatNav, the technology analyses all potential routes to a destination and calculates the most power efficient – in consideration of mountains, traffic and other obstacles which consume battery power.

The Galileo Masters, also known as the ‘European Satellite Navigation Competition’ (ESNC), is an international technology innovation competition that recognises the best ideas in the field of satellite navigation, the technology that powers in-car SatNav systems. The competition seeks to gather outstanding solutions for commercial applications of satellite navigation and promote individual ideas by offering prizes. In 2012 there were over 400 entrants from around the globe.

Receiving the award, company founder and chief technologist Con Costello commented: “This is a great validation of our technology. Electrics cars are the future; the US alone is spending $2.4 billion in the development of electric vehicle technologies. It’s important that Irish companies get in early and secure intellectual property.”

Since the inaugural awards in 2004, the competition has transformed into an international network that embodies innovation and expertise with the support of leading stakeholders in the field, such as the European GNSS Agency (GSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). Since 2011, the competition is also supported by the European Commission.

The Irish competition is coordinated by the National Space Centre in Midleton, County Cork. The National Space Centre is Ireland’s only teleport. It is involved in emerging satellite technology projects – including the development of S-AIS and marine mapping projects with the European Space Agency and has provided technical support services for Europe’s Galileo Satellite Programme.

The Galileo satellite programme is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) currently being built by the European Union and European Space Agency. The primary aim of Galileo is to provide a high-precision positioning system upon which European nations can rely, independent of the widely used Global Positioning System (GPS) operated by the US Department of defence.

Vicinity Systems wins 1st place at ‘The Galileo Masters’ awards

Book recalling Ireland’s motoring past launched

Pictured at the launch of the publication was IVVCC President Tom Farrell with Stephen Byrne (left), chief executive of Mercedes-Benz in Ireland and the book’s author Anselm Aherne IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A new book entitled ‘Historic Motoring in Ireland’ which recalls Ireland’s motoring history from the earliest days has been published to commemorate 50 years of the Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club.

The 170-page hardback production – which has a cover price of EUR25 and can be obtained through the club website, www.ivvcc.ie – was compiled and edited by IVVCC club member Anselm Aherne.

Published with sponsorship from Motor Distributors Limited, it contains a fund of articles, information and historical recollections and is richly illustrated with photographs, many of which were never previously published.

17

Dublin Tunnel Commercials To The Rescue!

Irish and UK based Transport company Reynolds Logistics wins European Transport Company of the Year 2012 An Irish family-run logistics company, Reynolds Logistics was awarded the European Transport Company of the Year 2012 at the awards ceremony in Citywest recently. This is the first time these awards have been presented in Ireland and it is fitting an Irish company has won the accolade.

The European Transport Company of the Year award recognises the achievements of the finest road transport operations throughout Europe.

The aim of the contest is to give an award to an operator whose management skills, customer dedication and all-round professionalism can be considered as an example to follow for the whole European freight transport industry. Reynolds Logistics were the only Irish company to be shortlisted as a finalist. Finalists included

Dublin Tunnel Commercials has delivered a custom built rescue/recover vehicle to Statewide Towing

Newly established FUSO Trucks Dealer, Dublin Tunnel Commercials, has delivered a custom built rescue / recovery vehicle with an aluminium tilt and slide body to Statewide Towing, an established operator in the sector.

Developed on a FUSO Canter Duonic 3.5t chassis and cab, the economy, comfort and flexibility of the vehicle were key factors in the decision to choose a Canter according to Statewide’s Mark Hoare. “The strong fuel economy allows us to offer customers the best value while the high levels of equipment and comfort are a huge benefit to our drivers for whom this vehicle is their office.”

Ray Gregan, Managing Director of Dublin Tunnel Commercials added: “The Canter Duonic is a perfect fit for a job like this. In addition to the economy and comfort of the vehicle, it’s hugely reliable and delivers a superb driving experience, especially around town.”

· Reynolds Logistics (Ireland) · Snel Logistic Group (Belgium) · Matra Transport (Czech Republic) · Maszonski (Poland) · Transportes Pascoal (Portugal) · Com Divers Auto (Romania) Reynolds Logistics is a family business established over 80 years ago with a proven history in the logistics of liquid products from hydrocarbon fuels, lubricants and their derivatives, chemicals and bitumen.

Now with the family in their third generation Andrew Reynolds the CEO is shaping the company to continue its growth into new markets with safety, innovation and customer satisfaction as the key drivers. The company has two main operating bases in Dublin, Republic of Ireland and Ellesmere Port, United Kingdom, with several strategically placed out-bases to ensure a seamless network of transport operations throughout Ireland the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Reynolds Logistics employ 260 people and have an annual turnover of €35 million. Reynolds Logistics, Dublin, former winner of the Fleet Transport ‘Irish Haulier of the Year’ and Silver award recipient in the European Transport Company of the Year in 2009.

The announcement of Reynolds Logistics win of the European Award happened the same week as the leading petroleum distribution specialists secured a €50 million plus contract with Topaz Energy, ahead of some other blue chip international companies in the same field. “It’s the biggest logistics contract won by an Irish company in many years and proves that we can compete with some of the top names in the business and additional trucks, tankers and staff will be taken-on as a result.” stated Andrew Reynolds, CEO, Reynolds Logistics. He added “To win the European Transport Company of the Year 2012 is a great accolade and the award is a testament to all of our staff. Each and every one of them contributed to this award”.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Leading Transport Companies Awarded Certification to National and International Standards by NSAI Three of Ireland’s leading transport companies were awarded certified standards at a recent NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) certification event. They joined 45 other private and public sector organisations that received important certified standards from the Minister of State for Small Business, Mr John Perry T.D. The Elmore Group was certified in Quality Management Systems, Rivval Limited received certification in Environmental Management Systems, while MRSE Limited received certification in both Quality Management Systems and Environmental Management Systems.

The construction companies joined the likes of the international telecommunications company Vodafone and the state’s Forensic Science Laboratory in achieving certified levels of excellence under a range of headings.

The Minister joined the CEO of the National Standards Authority of Ireland to present the awards and to recognise the importance of standards in today’s competitive climate.

“Standards are vital in the current economic climate, particularly for SMEs,” the Minister said. “Implementing standards in business can help to focus the resources spent on research and development, and to effectively allocate resources in the toughest of times and improve their ability to innovate.”

Leading companies are seeing real business value by achieving certified standards and there is an increase in

Minister of State for Small Business, Mr. John Perry TD, Una and Michael Murphy from Rivval Limited and Maurice Buckley NSAI CEO pictured at the recent NSAI certification event.

Minister of State for Small Business, Mr. John Perry TD, Una and Michael Murphy from Rivval Limited and Maurice Buckley NSAI CEO pictured at the recent NSAI certification event.

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Irish Ferries supports ‘The Gathering’ WITH 100 FREE COACH SPACES ON BRITAIN TO IRELAND SERVICES Irish Ferries has pledged its support for the Irish Government’s ‘The Gathering’ initiative by rolling out its own ‘green carpet’ to attract overseas visitors from Britain to Ireland this year.

First of the support packages being launched is the announcement that 100 free return coach spaces are being set aside on its cruise ferry services from Holyhead to Dublin and Pembroke to Rosslare this year, all for the purpose of supporting groups wishing to attend ‘The Gathering’ events.

Valued at up to GB£50,000 and available to eligible groups participating in officially registered events, this offer is billed as just one of a selection of ‘green carpet’ offers which the company plans to make available as part of a programme of support for this initiative.

The offer promises free return carriage to Ireland for groups travelling with coaches - from small mini buses to vehicles with seating for up to 30 passengers. With free coach spaces on offer for travel every week, spread across the full twelve months, this could mean free transport to Ireland for up to 3,000 extra tourists.

Groups wishing to apply for the free transport should visit www.irishferries.com/thegathering for more details and make an application by email to gathering@irishferries.com.

Commenting, the company’s Head of Passenger Sales, Dermot Merrigan, said ‘this allocation of 100 free return coach spaces is the first shot in what we intend will be a number of ‘green carpet’ offers that we will roll out between now and year end.’

‘As Ireland’s national sea carrier, we plan to play our part in attracting groups from our biggest overseas tourism market – Britain – and ensure that tourism providers around the country benefit to the greatest extent possible from the Government’s plan’ Mr. Merrigan said. international companies who expect certified standards to be present at entry level.

“There is a return on investment from implementing standards. The companies present today confirm that; they are leading companies from various industries and sectors including public, private and the charities sector, and they would not be spending time and resources on achieving these standards unless they knew they had a real benefit. We are seeing a growing trend of European and international customers who expect such certified standards as entry level for doing business with them,” Said Maurice Buckley.

The standards awarded were: ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems;, ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems; OHSAS - Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems; ETP 1000 - Excellence Through People; I.S. EN 15838 - Customer Contact centre standard; The NSAI Agrément Thermal Modeller Scheme NSAI invites members of the business community and the general public to get involved in the development of standards by visiting Your Standards, Your Say on www.nsai.ie.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Diamond Pin Award for Kevin Connolly Volkswagen Popular Volkswagen Retailer Kevin Connolly has been presented with the highest individual award from Volkswagen.

Kevin Connolly has been awarded the Volkswagen Diamond Pin for services to the brand. Connolly, who operates in Ballina, County Mayo and in Sligo, was presented with the prestigious award at a celebratory ceremony at the manufacturer’s global factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Kevin said: “I’m thrilled to have been awarded a Diamond Pin, it’s a huge honour.

“I really enjoy my job and the motor business, so that brings its own rewards, but being surrounded by a great team makes the job more enjoyable and ultimately more successful so this is as much an award for them as it is for me.”

Kevin was presented with the award by Xavier Chardon, Head of Sales Europe for the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand.

John Donegan, Deputy Brand Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Ireland, said: “Kevin thoroughly deserves this award after more than 20 years in the business and for consistently delivering outstanding results.

“In particular Kevin showed a dramatic improvement in terms of finance penetration in the dealership and this, along with the satisfaction rating of his customers means he is a worthy recipient of what is Volkswagen’s highest honour.”

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P&O slam Eurotunnel bid P&O Ferries has slammed Eurotunnel’s bid to run the ports of Calais and Boulogne as “beggaring belief”.

Lloyd’s Loading List.com recently reported that Eurotunnel had made a preliminary submission to run the two Channel ports owned by the Nord Pas-de-Calais Regional Council – within the framework of a new 50-year public service concession. The Côte d’Opale Chamber of Commerce, which currently runs Calais and Boulogne, also declared its interest in operating the new concession. P&O spokesman Brian Rees told Lloyd’s Loading List.com that Eurotunnel taking the reins at Calais would represent “a very serious conflict of interests”, raising competition and regulation issues. He said: “We’d have a situation where the group with the biggest share of cross-Channel trade [Eurotunnel] would be running a key port, where its own ferries are operating [as My Ferry Link] P&O have clashed with Eurotunnel and where P&O Ferries, its biggest competitor, has the core over the latter’s plans to run ports of its business. “It’s unimaginable. The [EC] competition of Calaid and Boulogne authorities would be pricking up their ears. Eurotunnel diversifying is one thing but this would be a big step too far.” A Eurotunnel spokesperson said: “Our candidacy is a logical step in the development of the group, as we already manage infrastructure in the form of the 50km Channel Tunnel. Calais is an important traffic hub and we would bring a new vision of port management from a private sector perspective and one focusing on development."

New Alcoa Wheels distributor in Northern Ireland Alcoa Wheel Products Europe has announced that as of January 2013, Modern Tyre Services will be distributing Alcoa forged aluminium wheels. Modern Tyre Service is a province-wide network of 26 retail fast-fit centres, an aluminium wheel wholesale company & a Southern Ireland tyre wholesale company, making it the largest independent tyre retail / wholesale company in Ireland.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

21

1963 That was the year that Ireland experienced one of it’s harshest winters, with temperatures below freezing through most of January with harsh blizzards in early February.

Ireland’s membership to the EEC progresses American President John F. Kennedy visited Ireland. His tour included a day at his ancestral home in County Wexford.

Derry Bros Celebrating 50 years 1963 has always been a memorable year in Ireland, if you are of a certain generation. U.S. President John F. Kennedy visited his ancestral home, severe weather created havoc across the island and Ireland was making headway to join the EEC. In the heart of Armagh, otherwise known as the Orchard County, two brothers and young entrepreneurs, Jim and Paddy Derry, were working hard building a business transporting fruit and veg from the markets in Dublin and Belfast to shops all over Ireland. Their mode of transport at the time was two mini vans.

Brigid Derry Managing Director Their passion for business, dedication to hard work and courage to build a business, in times that were politically very challenging, navigated the business through many a storm. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s, Jim and Paddy expanded the business from fruit and veg to haulage. They continued to work together until in 1990 they decided to split the business. Jim took over the haulage division which was to become Derry Bros Shipping, whilst Paddy continued with the fruit and veg side of the business, which still continues to operate today. Brigid Derry who today is Managing Director of Derry Bros Haulage continues the Derry Bros story.

My fathers business grew from two mini vans to a fleet of 100 artics and trailers over a period of 30 years. He saw opportunity and where he and his brother had started their business bringing fruit and veg from the Dublin markets to shops all over Ireland, it soon became apparent that other businesses needed the same service.

The business eventually evolved into a transport operation providing haulage services across a number of industries not only to fresh produce providers. Not least was the transport of livestock. “As my Dad was also a farmer he was also heavily involved in this industry. He would travel the length and breath of the country dealing in cattle. To this day, I still meet people who would have had dealings with my Dad back in the 80's and 90’s. During that time, Ireland was changing in many ways, and it was a time of real challenge. The business survived several recessions and with each, my father had to find ways to continue. By the late 70's he had three children, myself and my two sisters, so he had a real sense of responsibility to make it work”.

“He was no stranger to diversification. During the 90’s he developed Greenhall Trailers, hiring out curtain-siders, fridge trailers and low loaders.

At one point he went back to his roots with Greenhall Produce, a fresh produce wholesale business supplying the hotels and restaurant across the country. We were not unfamiliar with hard work ourselves and could often be found peeling potatoes at 2 AM. In the lead up to Christmas, we dreaded the prospect of preparing millions of brussel sprouts to be consumed at Christmas parties and Christmas lunches across the country”.

Galway beat Dublin in the All-Ireland Football Championship.

The Beatles played a concert at the Adelphi Cinema in Dublin.

President de Valera attended the funeral of American President J. F. Kennedy.

New Zealand played rugby against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

By the mid 1980s, Derry Bros Haulage was shipping high volumes of freight across the Irish Sea. Once again opportunity came my fathers way, with one of the shipping companies approaching him to become an agent for them. For those of us who will remember, the Pandoro Larne - Fleetwood route, was proving to be somewhat problematic for shipping. My father was given the opportunity to sell space on this route and so this is where we pick up the story of Derry Bros Shipping.

My father soon had the route back on its feet, and so amidst and despite the chaos of yet another recession during the early 1990’s he decided to keep shipping on as part of the business.

I think that what really stood to my Dad was his knowledge of haulage and how it worked hand in hand with shipping. Myself and my sisters worked in all of his businesses. I got my HGV license when I was 21 and my Dad’s attitude was that its important to know what makes the customer tick, what challenges them and to put yourself in the shoes of the customer. That way you’ll always have a business.

My father sadly and suddenly passed away in 2000. The business continued to operate modestly up until 2006 when I decided to get involved on a full time basis. With a new generation brings new changes. Today we ship livestock, refrigerated goods and general freight from Dublin, Rosslare, Belfast, Larne, Warrenpoint and Cork. We ship to virtually every port in the UK and Europe, driver accompanied lorries, unaccompanied trailers,

Celebrating 50 years horse-boxes and heavy haulage. We also offer landbridge bookings that are moving freight from Ireland to the continent via the UK. Surprisingly when added up, we actually can offer a choice of over one thousand crossing options on the Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea. When I took on the business, we concentrated one hundred percent on shipping to build a successful entity. Like my father did back in his day we have had to find ways to work with this recession and over recent years have been building up a freight forwarding service. In some ways we are going back to our roots but we have the advantage of knowing the industry inside out and so have the flexibility to respond to the current economic challenges by diversifying.

Derry Bros Shipping has been built on a knowledge foundation that was passed down by my father. We know we are very competent at what we do and that’s not something we say lightly, but we are also always learning and know that keeping up to date with customers and the industry we operate in is vital.

It’s been an interesting time since taking over the business. We have enjoyed the benefits of the Celtic Tiger but we’ve also faced off the challenges of this never ending recession. I think my father would be very proud of Derry

Bros Shipping. His old values still live on - that customer is always king and whilst that seems old fashioned to some, we know that when we have this right, we have a great business.

What sets Derry Bros apart from other shipping agents is our knowledge of the industry. We have a strong foundation in transport and can empathise with the small and medium sized haulier. We must be doing something right. Year on year we have experienced growth. Admittedly the rate of growth has slowed in recent times, however we can still put our hands up and say yes we are growing. I guess thats something in this particularly difficult economic time.

I think if my father were to see the business today, he would see so many changes. The use of computers, mobile phones, and technology in general has increased greatly. We now have an online booking system for customers through www.Derrybros.com, where you can get online quotes. This would fascinate him I’m sure. And as for my running of the business, knowing my Dad I’m sure he’d have something to say on how things are done.

Last year I was awarded “Women in Transport 2012” it was one of the proudest moments for me, but I can’t forget that the business and my knowledge began with the foresight of my Dad back in 1963. I guess that was the year that was!”

Jim Derry

Manfreight has a fleet of 46 trucks and 13 trailers

Manfreight is a second generation family business

Manfreight keep on trucking 24

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The success of any business can be gauged by many different levels like quality of service; customer base and longevity to name just a few. For any company to be prominent in all these areas is a major achievement, especially in the current economic climate.

M

any businesses have been forced to scale back their operations in order to ensure that they survive, while unfortunately for some, the recession has seen their doors close. Despite the troubled economy that has seen fuel costs go through the roof, there are many haulage firms that continue to provide the same level of service that their customers have become accustomed too over the years.

One such haulage firm is Manfreight Ltd, which has been supplying an excellent service to its customers for 40 years now. For this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we profile this family run business and speak to managing director Chris Slowey about the success of the business and the changes that they have seen in the IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

industry throughout the last four decades.

The business was established by Chris' father Chris Snr, whose hard work and endeavour ensured that the company would be a success.

Unfortunately, Chris Snr passed away in 2010, but his legacy lives on and his ethos of providing the highest standard of service for their customers is continued to this day.

“My father had a great drive and determination about him. He started out delivering coal and fertiliser before turning to refrigerated work for Tunney Meats in Clones. The name of the company, Manfreight came after he bought his first new truck, a MAN diesel from a dealer in Ballyclare. He explained to the dealer that he didn't want to call the company Slowey

Transport, as there was a competitor with that name already. After much discussion they came up with Manfreight, as the first truck was a MAN and it would be used in the freight business, and he decided to go with that,” revealed Chris.

“Throughout the years he built up the business, but when the recession hit in the eighties, he was forced to scale back and he became an owner driver, but by 1989, he started to build the business back up, which was a huge undertaking given what he had gone through in the years previous to that.

“We did do some Continental work, but decided to pull out of that in the early 90's and our focus now is on UK Cross Channel work for the major GB multiples, such as Marks & Spencer,

25

Best Wishes To Manfreight

TECHNICAL TRANSPORT PRODUCTS Woodside Ind. Estate, Woodside Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim N. Ireland BT42 4HX Tel : +442825646481/+442825640373. Email : ttp@thermoking.co.uk Website : technicaltransportproducts.com

26

Sainsbury and the Co-Op, delivering from the factory to the retailer. We have tried to continue what my father worked hard to achieve and I'm sure he would be pleased with what we are doing.”

Manfreight now operate 46 trucks (and have 13 trailers as well), the majority of which are Volvo and bought from Dennison Commercials in Ballyclare and Chris revealed that they have a good business relationship with this main dealer.

“We have been dealing with Dennison for many years now as we have found Volvo a very reliable truck.

Dennison's are always on hand to deal with any problems that may occur, but in saying that there seldom is. We upgrade our trucks on a regular basis and we have six brand new ones coming this year and they will replace some of the older models that we have.”

The company not only operate from Monaghan, as

in 2009 they opened a yard in Portadown, while they also have a premise in Belfast, which allows them to cater for the work that they do from the docks in the city.

“We have worked for DFDS (formerly Norfork Line) for many years and as they have grown, so too have we. We employ 68 people in total, but like the majority of businesses, we have had to take a look at our overheads and see where we could make some cutbacks.

“The core of our employees have been with us over ten years and they are a huge asset to the company. They are one of our real strengths.

“The fuel bill is now the biggest expense on the company, but we have worked closely with Volvo in an effort to reduce our fuel costs, by trying to see how to best utilise the way we use fuel and as a result we are able to reduce our Carbon footprint.

“We have installed a Dynafleet Telematics system which keeps track of our fleet, monitors fuel consumption and IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To Manfreight 28

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The Manfreight fleet on the move

drivers’ behaviour. We can monitor drivers’ loading and idling, and then work with them to improve economy.

“We are able to monitor the Co2 emissions of all our vehicles, daily and weekly. We are doing our bit for the environment by reducing our emissions and our Carbon footprint, all of which is helped as well by having a modern Euro 5 fleet.”

To do this, Manfreight have introduced Volvo's I-shift, which works best with Dynafleet. Volvo I-Shift is a 12-speed, two-pedal, automated mechanical transmission that maximizes driver comfort, payload and fuel economy. It's designed to integrate seamlessly with all Volvo engines.

There's no clutch pedal, and the gearshift is operated by intelligent electronics.

Chris is pleased with the direction that the company is heading and he thanks their customers for the service, while

he stressed that it was up to Manfreight that they continue to provide the level of service expected.

“Our customers have been good to us, but we know that we cannot afford to let our standards slip in anyway.

Business is good considering the environment that we are working and hopefully we can continue that for many years to come.”

Best Wishes To Manfreight, From

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

CONTACT DETAILS Manfreight Ltd. Phone: 028 3839 9889 2a Carn Court Road Portadown, Craigavon, Armagh BT63 5YX

Continued Best Wishes To Manfreight

Best Wishes To Manfreight, From

29

A familiar name since 1985

Moving forward

One of the company’s LGVs

In response to changing economic conditions, Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd. intends to offer its freight forwarding solution to more and more customers in 2013. An even greater emphasis will be placed on servicing export markets in the UK as well as across the continent. At the same time, the Dundalk-based company will continue to provide the exceptional nationwide groupage service for which it is renowned.

Sean Moriarty Transport serves the North East from its Dundalk base

30

T

he nature of haulage in Ireland today is such that those who stand still will get left behind.

Companies need to be versatile; they have to be prepared to respond to changes in the marketplace. They must think on their feet and plot a path forward that fits in with current and future economic conditions. To this end, Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd. in Dundalk will not be found wanting.

Having provided a superb level of service to its customers and partners alike over the past 27 years, Sean Moriarty Transport is preparing to enter the next phase of its evolution, as the eponymous founder and managing director told Irish Trucker: “We do a good bit of work in and out of the UK as it is, but we’re going to be moving into freight forwarding on a IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

larger scale in 2013. It’s an area of the business that we intend to focus on more strongly and we’ll be opening a new department to cover that.

“The domestic market is our bread and butter and that will remain as important to us as it always has been.

We won’t be taking our eye off the ball on that front. But freight forwarding is an area that we expect to take off and we want to be part of that.”

It should prove to be a seamless transition as Sean will be providing the service to a number of existing customers and will continue to work in tandem with long-term network distribution partners Why exactly has he decided to tweak his business model? “The Irish market is saturated,” the Louth man observes. “We just felt that it was time to diversify and to develop this aspect of the business a bit more. You have to take stock of things every now and then. We took a look at the situation to see what other markets are out there and this is an area where I can see potential growth.”

Statistics show that Irish exports are increasing and common sense dictates that these products have to be transported out of the country, so

Rested and ready to roll!

Sean’s conviction makes perfect sense, though he is keen to stress that this is by no means a new departure for Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd.: “This isn’t new. It’s a bolt-on to what we are doing already. We started doing freight forwarding about three years ago and we’ve been doing a lot of deliveries into England and Scotland. Basically, we want to develop it more and put a bit more structure on it. Nothing else will be changing. We will focus on both the domestic work and the freight forwarding under one umbrella.

“I think this is the way to go. With exports on the up, we want to exploit

the growing export market as much as we can. We will continue to work through our existing network partners but we will also be looking to develop a network of new partners around the continent and also in the UK and Ireland.”

Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd. was established as a one-man, one-van operation in 1985 and – in response to steady growth – relocated to its present state-of-the-art HQ on Dundalk’s Coe’s Road in 1994.

The company has developed a large base of customers, providing a versatile and comprehensive transport service from small packages and pallet loads to full containers.

Sean Moriarty Transport is evolving

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

31

Continued Best Wishes to Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd

- Storage Distribution & Asset Management - Sales & Service t: e: w:

+353 429 324 567 info@freezerlogistics.ie www.freezerlogistics.ie

Best Wishes to Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd, from

Continued Best Wishes To Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd

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Best Wishes to Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

An exceptional level of service is provided to customers in the North East (specifically Louth and Monaghan), delivering their freight nationwide overnight throughout the 32 counties. Using a modern, reliable fleet of twelve vehicles, a highlyprofessional team ensures that all transport solutions are provided

All freight is handled with care

promptly, affordably and with a minimum of fuss.

Sean Moriarty Transport is working with network partners with awardwinning service offering same day / next day services in Ireland and to and from the UK and Europe. As part of this network, the Dundalk-based company guarantees fast, efficient and flexible delivery options to and from Louth / Monaghan.

A crew of twelve is employed by Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd., with all fleet maintenance tasks handled in-house by an experienced, knowledgeable technician. All artics, rigids and vans are presented in immaculate condition at all times, therefore performing at an optimum level.

Ideally located, close to the M1 motorway, the company embraces modern technology and employs only the best drivers and administrative staff. Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd. is holding its own in challenging times for the haulage industry and – with one eye fixed firmly on the future – the signs are encouraging that there are a few more chapters yet to be written in this particular success story.

Continued Success to Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Sean Moriarty Transport provides an excellent service

CONTACT DETAILS Sean Moriarty Transport Ltd., Coe's Road, Dundalk, County Louth.

Tel: 042 9328111 Fax: 042 9328202 El: freight@moriartytransport.com

CONTINUED SUCCESS TO SEAN MORIARTY TRANSPORT LTD

33

‘Quality of service’ the secret of Duffy Transport’s success Duffy Transport was founded in 1994

Basked in Rakeeragh, Co Monaghan, Duffy Transport continues to provide a fast, cost-effective and reliable nationwide service on a daily basis. Managing Director Mac Duffy spoke to Irish Trucker about the growth of the business and the recent opening of Duffy Motors.

D

uffy Transport is a family-run haulage business that was founded by its managing director Mac Duffy in 1994.

Since its inception, the company has provided a first class distribution service and has expanded and grown rapidly.

Covering the 32 counties, Duffy Transport prides itself on providing a rapid and reliable delivery of customers consignments.

34

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Combined with a c o m m i t t e d , experienced and skilful workforce of 16, the Monaghanbased operation is dedicated to a s u c c e s s f u l partnership with its customers.

The company’s drivers are fully aware of the importance of customer service.

Managing Director Mac Duffy and the staff at Duffy Transport ensure that all movements whether large, small or complex are completed with the same degree of commitment and professionalism.

“What sets us apart from our competitors is our quality of service - we’re always on time and we never turn down a job, no matter how big or small,” revealed Mac who had five years experience in the haulage industry before taking the decision to go out on his own 19 years ago.

“We offer box vans, curtain sided, fridges, flatbed trailers and container services. We also offer rigid box van and fridge vehicles.”

Duffy Transport has maintained a loyal customer base by offering competitive pricing, superb customer service and a commitment to the highest standards.

The company is involved in general haulage, particularly the transportation of foodstuffs, and counts reputable companies such as Boyne Valley Foods amongst its customers.

The company is performing well at the moment but, as Mac says himself, he is taking nothing for granted.

“We’re very busy. Year on year, we’ve grown by approximately 10%.

The reason for that is our good loyal customer base and we always do the job right. We follow every lead and nothing is taken for granted.”

Duffy Transport operates a large modern fleet of Volvo vehicles and trailers taking pallets of freight and general haulage freight throughout Ireland.

These vehicles range from vans, through 18 tonne rigid body vehicles, right up to articulated vehicles with tractor units.

All trailers and rigid trucks are fitted with tail-lifts. As a result of this Duffy Transport can be flexible, depending IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

on what their client’s individual requirements are.

Operating 24/7 throughout the year, this family business, combines outstanding service, with strong family tradition.

Mac’s wife Maire looks after the accounts while son Mark is in charge of the workshop.

Two years ago to the month, the company moved premises to its current four-acre site which allows it offer long and short-term storage to his customers.

“It has also given us a bigger garage

facility for our in-house maintenance and better office facilities,” Mac pointed out.

All of the company’s vehicles are equipped with the latest satellite tracking and navigation technology which offers a quick response to customer demands in respect of collections, delivery queries and addressing potential problems.

With any vehicle fleet, fuel consumption is becoming a progressively larger cost to the business.

“We recently moved to Fleetmatics

Wishing Continued Success To Duffy Transport, From

35

for our tracking needs,” Mac explained.

“We could have 80 to 90 drops every day. Now we send each route to Fleetmatic, the driver taps on the next drop and the system gives him the best route to take.

“That’s where you save money. The system gives the driver the most efficient route for the next delivery and the knock-on effect is that it’s less hours for the driver and less fuel.

“We had no option but to look at different ways of cost-cutting and saving on fuel and that is one measure we came up with.”

Mac added: “As everyone knows, the price of diesel is a major factor that is hindering the entire haulage industry. We’re watching every last cent on diesel and we try not to run any dead miles.

“The price of diesel has leveled out somewhat over the last few months but who knows what next week will bring.

Every haulier is in the same boat.”

Not one for resting on his laurels, Mac added another string to his bow when he opened Duffy Motors to the

Continued Best Wishes To Duffy Transport, From

general public four months ago.

Duffy Motors offers full car service and repairs on all car models and light commercials and has the very latest diagnostic equipment and specialist tools at its disposal.

It is committed to ensuring that its customers receive the highest standards of service and care in order to make every mile of their motoring as trouble-free and enjoyable as it can be.

All vehicles undergo a thorough multipoint check at its independent service centre.

Whether your car needs, servicing, fault diagnosis, repair, parts fitting or NCT work, Duffy Motor’s service technicians will carry out all work to the very highest standards.

It’s certainly a case of onwards and upwards for Duffy Transport and Duffy Motors.

es To Best Wish sport n Duffy Tra

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36

Duffy Transport Rakeeragh, Monaghan, Co Monaghan Tel: +353 47 72711 Fax: + 353 47 72922 E: info@duffytransport.ie www.duffytransport.ie

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The Tyre & Service Superstore team receive their Semperit Tyre Retailer of the Year 2012 award

Driven to succeed Business awards are earned through hard work, dedication to customers and providing a top quality service among other criteria and any company that is honoured in this way should be proud of their achievements.

T

o win a business award in the current economic climate is even a more gratifying experience and one that should be commended by all as the times we live in are one of the toughest in this country's history. Survival is the key for many companies, but to maintain a high level of service, while producing competitive prices is equally as important.

That is why for this month's edition of Irish Trucker we profile Dublin based Tyre & Service Superstore (Square Fit), which has been recently being named the Irish Semperit Tyre Retailer of the Year for 2012.

Tyre & Service Superstore with outlets in Tallaght, Walkinstown and Finglas specialises in supplying a wide range of tyres as well as servicing and general maintenance of vehicles. Company managing director and founder is Kevin Farrell, who's hard work and dedication has seen the business grow over the years This family owned business was set up in 1991. Their premises is adjacent to the Square shopping centre in Tallaght with the company being called Square Fit Ltd. Since then it has grown to be a very well known garage throughout Dublin.

“We strive to provide the best service and value for money possible for our customers through keen pricing and high safety standards. This is a successful and innovative tyre and car service centre with branches located The Tallaght premises was opened in 1991 across Dublin. We have expanded IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

and in 2011, we re-branded the company as the Tyre & Service Superstore. We opened our latest branch on the Lower Ballymount Road in Walkinstown in 2010, having opened our second in Finglas in 2007.”

Two thousand and twelve was a big year for the company as stated, they were named the Semperit Tyre Retailer of the Year. From a field of some 25 tyre retailers nationwide, Tyre & Service Superstore was selected as the best performing across a number of criteria.

Commenting on the win, Paddy Murphy of Semperit Ireland said: “I am delighted for Kevin Farrell and his team in Tyre & Service Superstore. This is our third year to run this nation-wide competition which we set up to highlight and reward excellent service in the tyre retail sector in Ireland. Our judges, saw a marked improvement across the board with all participants and there was very little separating the shortlisted finalists”.

The award is mainly judged on how each participant demonstrates excellence in customer service, a key cornerstone of business.

Semperit Ireland put in place a high level, independent panel of judges who assessed the levels of customer service of each participant in the awards programme. Those judges were RTE broadcaster and experienced motorist, Ronan Collins; Automotive training expert, Mark Richardson; and managing editor of the Tyre Trade Journal and experienced motoring journalist,

37

Congratulations to Kevin on his 20 years in business, from

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Best Wishes To Kevin Farrell, From

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38

8140080/8140081/8140084 Unit 5 Knockmitten Lane, Naas Road, Dublin 12 Tel: 01 4565644 Fax: 01 4566447 Email orders.irl@eur.bosal.com

Continued Best Wishes To Kevin Farrell IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Padraic Deane.

Each participant underwent stringent customer service testing through video-recorded mystery shop visits and recorded telephone audits.

In addition, the judges assessed proactive marketing activity including the user-friendliness of the retailer's website. The assessments included analysis of the retailer's handling of customer requests, including range of products / services offered, value for money, courtesy and professionalism of staff and the quality / cleanliness of the facilities available to customers.

Kevin was delighted to be successful in the competition and said: “We are thrilled to have won the Semperit Tyre Retailer award. It really is a great tribute to the dedication of our whole team and our focus on constantly improving customer service”.

The company's aim is to increase their level of customer satisfaction even further. Each branch is fully set up with high-tech computerised equipment needed for the tough demands of modern motoring. And all of their

branches are AA approved.

Tyre & Service Superstore are also unique in the fact that they are the only company in Europe to have a mobile app that allows their customers to download their full price list for all their products.

“Customers are far more price conscious than they were a few years ago and this app allows them to see the price list in full.

We have a mobile version of the vehicle maintenance pricing guide that can be accessed from any smart phone so that you can price a job when you are out and about. This useful and innovative app allows you to get a price for the work that needs to be done on your vehicle before you even enter a garage saving you time and money.

“This mobile application incorporates 95% of our pricing structure into our website to be used for reference by our customers. This will hopefully enable them to budget accordingly through these financially challenging times.

We would welcome feed back from users to maintain and increase our level of service.

The Information from the website is also downloadable to a mobile phone via the Android Marketplace or the Apple App Store.”

The company opened their facility in Walkinstown in 2010

Continued Best Wishes To Kevin Farrell, From

The company's business policy shows their determination to provide a top quality service to its large customer base for the past 21 years. It says “We aspire to offer a positive motoring experience for all our customers, through a firm focus on safety and our belief in recommending only the required work to be undertaken.”

CONTACT DETAILS Ballymount Road Industrial Estate (tel.: 4299918); St. Margaret's Road, Finglas (tel.: 8110782);

The Finglas branch is based on St. Margaret’s Road, Dublin 11s

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Call Leo on 042 938 2611 or Email: leo@crumbrubber.ie for a FREE QUOTE or log onto www.crumbrubber.ie

Old Blessington Rd. , Tallaght (tel.: 4511156).

39

Limerick’s new Renault dealer: Dennehy Motors

Dennehy Motors has launched Renault PRO+

At the Renault Pro+ launch are l/r: Liam White, Dave Dennehy, Stephen Kearney and David Murray

Dennehy Motors unveils Renault PRO+ Dennehy Motors has been named as the Renault PRO+ centre for Limerick County and City. Irish Trucker takes a look at this state-ofthe-art operation, which offers commercial vehicle users a full range of services under one roof.

Lyndsey Purtill, Nicola Kerley, Margot Dennehy, Mike Reddy and Joan Walsh

Joseph Cahill (Cahill Truck Bodies) and Florent Ojardias (Fleet Manager Renault Ireland)

I

n December 2012, Dennehy Motors in Limerick officially launched the Renault PRO+ programme. Paddy Magee – Renault Ireland’s sales director – welcomed guests to the company’s well-appointed Dock Road premises for the launch of the new franchise which is dedicated to business customers, from sole traders to fleet operators and semi-state companies.

Delivering innovative LCV solutions to business customers, Renault PRO+ offers unrivalled fleet expertise through dedicated and highly-trained staff, comprehensive sales and aftersales service, and finance solutions. It can provide the customer with converted vehicles tailored to their precise requirements and – in conjunction with Renault’s partners – specific vehicles such as ambulances, box bodies, fridge units and crew cabs can be delivered.

Speaking at the launch, Dennehy Motors dealer principal Denis Dennehy commented: “We are delighted to be announced Renault PRO+ dealer in this county and look forward to welcoming business customers of all sizes to assist them with their vehicle needs and also finance options through Renault Finance.”

Paddy Magee added: “Renault PRO+ in Limerick is a very good example of

40 Val O'Mahony, Maureen Healy, Patsy Fitzgerald, Bob Healy and Kevin Fitzgerald

Michael Keane, Managing Director Christy Cahill and Liam Butler

Margaret O'Connor, Ronan McMahon and Pat Reeves

Denis Dennehy (Dealer Principal)

what should be put in place in the commercial area. It is a particularly well-adapted response to the specifications of the business customer – a response which is different from the one brought to retail customers.

“Commercial vehicles are a working tool, a business tool, and for that reason we’ve got to listen carefully to our business customers and make everything possible to please them on a day-to-day basis.”

Renault PRO+ is an exciting new programme offering business and fleet customers everything they need on one site. Dennehy Motors’ impressive premises at Riverside Business Park on Limerick’s Dock Road is an ideal venue to sample the many benefits of PRO+, which include: sales and aftersales teams dedicated exclusively to business customers; a large display of commercial vehicles, including conversions; on-the-spot commercial vehicle test drives (with no booking required); guaranteed quotes within 48 hours; commercial vehicle maintenance and repair for vehicles up to 5 tonnes (all makes); and extended working hours for business

users.

In order to optimise commercial vehicle investments and to guarantee continuity of the owner’s business, PRO+ also promises a detailed invoice and estimation of work time for all repair work, a suitable courtesy vehicle and within-the-hour diagnostics.

Renault PRO+ at Dennehy Motors is a one-stop, bespoke centre where all your service needs will be taken car of to ensure continued mobility. With a professional, fully-trained commercial vehicle team in place, customers can benefit from the expertise and understanding of specialist advisors who know how to create fleet mobility solutions tailored to each individual customer.

Dennehy Motors also offers new and used car sales, full crash repairs facilities, a spare parts and accessories division, long- and short-term leasing and a DOE testing centre for light and heavy commercial vehicles.

Dennehy Motors is Limerick’s new main Renault dealer, creating twelve new jobs through the acquisition of the Renault agency a massive boost for the local economy. The new showrooms

stretch to 10,000 sq. ft. to provide for the full range of Renault passenger and commercial vehicles along with the brand’s pioneering electric vehicles. Conveniently located and easily accessible, Dennehy Motors is also a service, parts and finance facility and boasts ample forecourt room for the collection and dropping off of vehicles.

The ideal partner, Renault manufactures a versatile range of commercial vehicles, with something to suit every need, including the Kangoo ZE – voted International Van of the Year 2012.

The Dennehy name is synonymous with commercial vehicles in Limerick and beyond. Offering Isuzu, MAN and

The audience at the launch of the Renault Pro+

41 Denis Dennehy (Dealer Principal) and Paddy Magee (Sales Director Renault Ireland)

Margot Dennehy, Catherine Lillis (Cataché Skincare) and Antoinette O'Connell (Hat Designer)

Wishing Continued Success To Dennehy Commercials & Dennehy Motors, From

O’Mahony Murray & Co. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 6A Time Square, Ballincollig, Co. Cork | Tel: 021-4876244 | Fax 021-4876225 Email: gillianomahonymurray@gmail.com | www.omahonymurray.com Best wishes to all at Dennehy Commercials & Dennehy Motors from

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Phone: +353 57 86 62397 Fax: +353 57 86 62411 Email:sales@ebd.ie

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Telephone (029) 79200 Fax. (029) 79042, E: Fvbb@eircom.net | www.fitzgeraldsvbb.ie Continued Success To Dennehy Commercials & Dennehy Motors, From

Tel: (051) 440440 • Fax: (051) 440111 Email: info@nvd.ie

www.nvd.ie

42

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Denis Dennehy (Dealer Principal), Christy Cahill (Managing Director), Pat Reeves (Commercial Sales Manager), Xavier Bombart (Pro Plus Manager France), Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Gerry McLoughlin, Gaelle Humbert (Managing Director RIC Banque), Paddy Magee (Sales Director Renault Ireland) and Florent Ojardias (Fleet Manager Renault Ireland)

Iveco dealerships, Dennehy Commercials is a mainstay of the local motor trade, priding itself on the strength of its products and the dedication and experience of its staff, which has a wealth of experience in every aspect of service within the commercial vehicle industry, guaranteeing the customer long-term peace of mind in the form of exceptional aftersales support.

Dennehy Commercials’ success is based on their ability to orient their products and services to the needs of their customers. It is their aim to increase profitability for their customers through innovative and reliable vehicles with low operating costs and efficient service and to optimise driver safety and comfort.

Dennehy Commercials recently upgraded its computer system incorporating the best operating systems in the industry. This

Florent Ojardias (Fleet Manager Renault Ireland), Olivia Kett and Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Gerry McLoughlin

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Des McInerney (Vision Signs), Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Gerry McLoughlin, Pat McLoughlin (Pinnacle Maintenance) and Ashley Walker (Snap Printing)

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43

Wishing Continued Success To Dennehy Commercials & Dennehy Motors From

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Cussen & Co. (Crane Hire) Ltd.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Gerry McLoughlin, Denis Dennehy (Dealer Principal) and Xavier Bombart (Pro Plus Manager France)

Xavier Bombart (Pro Plus Manager France), Chris Moore (RIC Banque), Pat Reeves (Commercial Sales Manager), Paddy Magee (Sales Director Renault Ireland) and Florent Ojardias (Fleet Manager Renault Ireland)

enables the company to meet the challenges ahead as regulations become more stringent and the industry becomes more demanding.

The directors embrace these changes, viewing the related demands as a challenge, and look forward to serving their wide customer base in the years ahead by becoming the best business partner with the best transport solutions.

Dennehy Motors buys into the same ideals as Dennehy Commercials and will benefit enormously from the experience and knowledge of the longrunning original business. As Limerick’s author-ised Renault PRO+ centre, Dennehy Motors is a breath of fresh air and a novel prospect for commercial vehicle drivers, offering its business customers the full range of Renault services under one roof.

Best Wishes To Dennehy Commercials & Dennehy Motors

CONTACT DETAILS Dennehy Motors Riverside Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick.

Tel: 061 442444 www.dennehymotors.ie

Denis Dennehy (Dealer Principal), Xavier Bombart (Pro Plus Manager France), Dave Dennehy and Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Gerry McLoughlin

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

45

Some of the Eurolink maintenance fleet

The winter programme Travelling on the roads during winter can be a daunting experience as more care must be taken in order for us all to get to our destinations safely.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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ouncils are under pressure to get all roads gritted and salted at a moment's notice, which in effect is almost impossible to do, and most of us breathe a sigh of relief when the motorways are gained access to. The reason for this is that all the country's tolled motorways have designated teams working continuously on them to ensure that motorists travel safely and reach their destinations with no undue delays.

Eurolink is the PPP company that is responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of the M3 and M4 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

motorways. For this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we speak to Operations Manager Enda Tyrrell about the role it plays in keeping us all safe on these stretches of roads.

Eurolink is in its seventh year operating the 36km M4 from Kilcock to Kinnegad, which also runs through parts of Meath at Enfield and Clonard. They also marked the second anniversary of operating the M3 Motorway on 3rd June last.

Eurolink is here for the long haul and is committed to providing and maintaining these vital elements of

Enda Tyrrell is Operations Manager for Eurolink on the M3 and M4 motorways

the country's infrastructure over the coming years.

Ireland's biggest-ever road project, the M3, which runs from north of Kells - close to the Cavan border - to

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Clonee - on the Dublin border - opened two months ahead of schedule on June 3rd, 2010. The â‚Ź1 billion, 60km motorway bypasses Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells, cutting an hour or more off peak-time journeys between north Meath and Dublin. The M3 motorway was conceived as a Public

Private Partnership between the National Roads Authority (working with Meath County Council) and Eurolink Motorway Operations (M3) Ltd., who designed, built, financed and now operates the motorway.

Eurolink employs 53 people directly between the M4 and the M3 and also

employs 75 people indirectly as subcontract staff. Thus, in total, Eurolink provides steady employment to 130 people approximately - a huge boost in these dark economic times.

"The M3 effectively runs the full length of Meath, from the Dublin border to the Cavan border, and it couldn't have

Eurolink provides steady employment to 130 people

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come at a better time to entice industry into the county. It's a brilliant network, offering convenient access to the M50 and Dublin Airport and will become the economic artery for the County over the coming years,” said Enda "From Day One, the reaction to the new motorway has been favourable.

People are becoming more and more used to the road and traffic is increasing month on month. During the snow storms in 2010, we kept the road open at all times and demonstrated to people using the motorway that we will do whatever is necessary to keep the road in a good condition during inclement weather conditions."

Enda revealed that a team of hard working and dedicated people ensure that the roads are safe to drive on at all times. “Our winter maintenance programme sees the group split into teams of three and they are placed on a three-week rota where they are on call 24/7 for that period.

“We have foremen on each motorway and they monitor the weather all night

long and they decide when and if the motorway should be gritted. The foremen have live continuous access to the information gather by the weather station on each motorway and this aids them in their decisions making process.

The weather station has sensors built into the road surface and this gives us information on the road temperature, the surface state and the amount of salt in-situ on the carriageway via a computer program.

“It can be very tedious work, but this has to be done to ensure that motorists are travelling on a safe surface. People take for granted that the motorways will be in good condition, but a lot of work is put in to ensure that.”

The current economic crisis has resulted in a reduction in vehicles on the motorways, but Enda believes that the country is slowly finding its way back and the reason for this is the fact that the volume of trucks on the road is increasing.

“We have noticed an increase in articulated trucks on the motorways this

year, which is a good thing for the country. Our export market is on the rise and this is certainly a good sign. At each of our toll plazas we have dedicated the left hand lane for trucks in order to aid the passage of trucks through the toll plaza. This works quiet well as the vast majority of trucks on the motorway have tags so they pass quickly through the plaza” The Eurolink crew not only specialises in road maintenance, but they will also be called out to the scene of an accident and Enda stressed that safety is paramount.

“Our job is to ensure that motorists feel safe on the motorways. This is a situation that not only focuses on winter, but all year round as well.

Routine maintenance is always being carried out on both stretches of motorway.

“We have a 30-year contract with the NRA and we have to make sure that we continue the level of service that is needed and expected.”

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The Irish Road Motors Ltd. team celebrate the UK Independent Accident Repair Centre of the Year award

A quality finish Being involved in a motor accident of any size can be a very traumatic experience, which can lead to a great deal of stress.

A vehicle is recovered after a breakdown

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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rash repairs are an expense that we all strive to avoid, but unfortunately it is something that the majority of people endure at some stage during their driving careers.

However, the stress and strain of a crash can be greatly reduced by bring the vehicle to a competent repair centre. One such business in Northern Ireland is Irish Road Motors Ltd Accident Repair Centre, which is located in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

IRM has 30 years of

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experience in the crash repair industry and through this experience they can take the stress out of repairing a damaged vehicle.

Company MD Derek Martin speaks to Irish Trucker about the services that the company provide and they success this family run business has achieved.

The company was established in 1982 and that time they specialised on accident repair and were Ford Dealers. However, in 1992, the Ford Dealership was dropped and the company concentrated solely on crash repairs. Thirteen years ago, the company moved to new premises and they now operate from facilities in Campsie, Co Derry and Craigavon.

The crash repair industry is a highly specialised area and all personnel must be highly trained in their field of

Continued Best Wishes To Irish Road Motors Ltd, From

Charles Hurst Parts 62 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6LR Tel: 0044 2890 381 721 www.charleshurst.com 52

years and the company MD believes that the quality is worth paying for.

“We carry out our work to the highest standard possibly and use all the latest technology to help us achieve this. We have identified a far-reaching programme aimed at providing a flexible and rapid response to customer requirements. We have considerable experience in meeting the exacting requirements of our customers and as a result have developed a strong customer focus, a good track record and the systems and technology to offer customers a reliable and efficient service with "state-of-the-art" equipment.

Derek revealed that as the business has grown so to has the customer base and many have returned to avail of their services on a regular basis.

He added: “We get a lot of repeat business which speaks volumes for the quality of An external view of the premises at Campsie work we do. Word of Business Park mouth is also very important and we are continually attracting new customers. We are in business for more than 30 years so our track record speaks for itself."

IRM's ability to produce consistently high quality work over the years has earned them many accolades including UK Accident Repair Centre of the Year and approvals from many

expertise.

“We have a staff of 15 working here and all our highly trained in their field of expertise. The majority of the employees have been with us for years and have got to know the customers first hand,” said Derek.

“This is a family run business and my sister Amanda and brother Paul are also involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

Nowadays the company operates from state-of-the-art premises and utilises all the latest equipment to offer a peerless service to its wide customer base. “We work for all the major insurers. We also do a lot of work for hauliers throughout Ireland,” Derek remarked.

IRM has an emphasis on quality, price and timing, which has seen the profile of the company rise over the

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popular insurance companies.

The days of the toolbox are well and truly behind us as technology plays and ever increasing part in the repair industry as Derek reveals.

“We use digital video imaging which will detail any repairs needed and will help to speed up the repair progress of your repair as it allows us to gain authorisation from your Insurance Company to proceed with repairs. All of our estimating systems are multi user therefore avoiding estimate delays leading to increased downtime on overall repair progression.

“Our equipment and technology is second to none - so you can rest assured that your car will soon be returned to you in perfect condition.

“We utilise all of the most precise and superior equipment on offer to repair your vehicle back to the manufacturer's specifications.”

Courtesy vehicles are also on offer and IRH has a fleet of over 70 vehicles available for hire if a customer requires.

“We can guarantee delivery of your replacement car within

On right is Managing Director Derek Martin, alongside Brendan Ramsey, Accident Repair Centre Manager

24 hours. We make sure that we keep you motoring while we take care of repairing your vehicle.”

IRM is a burgeoning business that is focused on improvement and delivering an even better service to its customers, if that's possible and with Derek driven to succeed, who's to stop this company from reaching its goal in the foreseeable future.

CONTACT DETAILS

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Carbon Group, Ringaskiddy, Cork.

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Tel: 02887 723376 www.saltmarine.com 53

Motability Ireland adapts vehicles for drivers and passengers with disabilities

A godsend for disabled motorists Twenty-twelve saw Motability Ireland scoop the prestigious SIMI Independent Retailer of the Year award, which was presented to managing director Malachy McElmeel and sales manager Jonathan Moore by RTE’s Des Cahill at a highprofile gathering in The Burlington Hotel. Irish Trucker decided to take a closer look at this Ashbourne, County Meath based operation, which specialises in adapting vehicles for drivers and passengers with disabilities.

M

otability Ireland Ltd. was established in 1999 by Malachy McElmeel, who identified a demand for quality products and services tailored towards people with disabilities, their families and carers. Operating from extensive workshop / showroom facilities in Ashbourne, County Meath, Motability’s core business activities include: car adaptations for disabled drivers and passengers; the sale of new and preowned wheelchair-accessible vehicles and drive-from-wheelchair vehicles; and the short- and long-term hire of adapted vehicles for disabled drivers / passengers.

“Malachy started out with just himself and one other employee, but the business has grown over the last ten

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years and is now Ireland’s largest suppliers and manufacturers of car adaptations for disabled drivers and passengers,” Jonathan Moore notes.

“We have ten employees now and it’s growing year on year. We’re also the largest supplier of wheelchairaccessible vehicles in Ireland as well as running the nation’s only adapted vehicle hire service, which caters for both the domestic customer and tourist visitors.”

Providing a complete package, the company designs, manufactures and supplies car adaptations to assist disabled drivers and passengers. The range of products and services extends from design and installation of hand controls for disabled drivers to a fullycustomised solution enabling mobility for all individuals with physical disabilities.

Innovation, research, technical design and customer service are the key drivers of the business and the primary

focus of the team at Motability is on customers and their carers.

With an extensive range in stock, Motability is Ireland’s leading supplier of wheelchair-accessible cars for disabled passengers. It is also the leading specialist in drive-from-wheelchair vehicles, which afford wheelchair confined drivers complete independence (customised options available in this category include remote control door opening / closing, automatic lowering of suspension, Electronic Wheelchair Tiedown System and customised hand controls and secondary functions for safe comfortable driving).

Motability Ireland also offers an adapted vehicle hire service. Customers can hire a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to accommodate a wheelchair-confined passenger or an automatic car fitted with adaptations to accommodate a disabled driver. Anyone interested in seeing these products is invited to visit IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Ireland’s first dedicated showroom for adapted vehicles where vehicle valuations and free assessments are carried out daily. Alternatively, Motability will provide a free home demonstration.

Driver conversions - which can include hand controls, boot hoist, left foot accelerator, roof box wheelchair, infra red driving, joey lift, easy release handbrake, electric hand brake, swivel seat, easy transfer, turn evo seat, indicator and dip switch, pedal extensions etc. - are carried out by Motability Ireland at their extensive research and design workshop in Ashbourne. Meanwhile, the range of passenger conversions on offer includes swivel seat, person hoist, turny seat, carony seat, special needs child seat, boot hoist, seatbelt extensions and wheelchair lifts.

As Motability provides custom solutions tailor-made to suit each individual, customers should contact them in advance to ensure that they get the best adaptation possible. With safety and customer service as an absolute priority, all work is fully guaranteed by a full warranty and accompanied by a certified engineer’s report.

One would imagine that this is a

difficult business to promote, being involved in such a specialist area? “I suppose the nature of this work is that generally you won’t hear about us until you need us,” says Jonathan.

“We are involved with MS Ireland and many other disability organisations and we also advertise in target magazines, but most of our work would come through repeat business and word of mouth.

“If the business continues to grow at the present rate, we will eventually be looking at opening a second centre in the south of the country because we would have as many customers in Cork as we have in Dublin.”

MD Malachy McElmeel boasts a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge of this area, also overseeing two sister companies in Armagh and Belfast.

I asked

Motability were honoured as the SIMI Independent Retailer of the Year 2012. At the awards presentation are, from left: Jonathan Moore, Ronnie Whelan and Malachy McElmeel

Continued Best Wishes To Motability Ireland Ltd

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Motability Ireland are the largest supplier of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in Ireland

Jonathan how should a prospective customer go about sourcing an adapted vehicle from Motability Ireland: “Ideally, they would contact us first so we can fully assess them and make recommendations. They should remain in contact with us through every stage of the adaptation so that we can help them choose the perfect solution. Our engineers research all new makes and models of cars and they will be able to

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come up with an optimum solution every time. All our staff are trained on an ongoing basis and we send them to the UK, Germany and America to make sure they remain at the forefront of the industry when it comes to technology and techniques.

“Remember, the list of adaptations we can fit – for both disabled drivers and passengers – is literally endless. For example, there are a number of versions of the swivel seat mechanism we fit to the existing seat to allow wheelchair-bound passengers access the v e h i c l e .

Everything is tailored to a customer’s precise requirements.”

Looking to the future, Jonathan concludes: “We will keep an eye

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To Motability Ireland Ltd 56

on world technology. We always introduce the very latest technology from around the world as well as our own inventions. We also have plans for shows in Donegal, Cork and Limerick to exhibit our vehicles because people don’t know how much can be done when it comes to vehicle adaptations.

“There are also a lot of tax breaks available to those who wish to have vehicles adapted and we can inform customers on how to avail of these. It’s all about getting your loved ones mobile and we are here to help in every way possible.”

CONTACT DETAILS Motability Ireland Limited, Unit 21 Ashbourne Ind. Park, Ashbourne, County Meath.

Tel: 01 8359173 Fax:01 8359043 Mobile: 086 8055072 E:sales@motabilityireland.com www.motabilityireland.com

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The M9

Keeping the show on the road (and the show off the road!)

Kilkenny County Council performs a vital role in ensuring that the transport infrastructure in the county is up to scratch all year around.

While their work takes place behind the scenes and is taken completely for granted by the public at large, it is absolutely vital for the continued safety and economic viability of the region.

Kilkenny County Manager Joe Crockett

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

T

hese are tough financial times for everybody but Kilkenny County Council is doing everything in its power to ensure that the roads network in the county is amongst the very best in the country. Despite the obvious financial restrains hindering them, they are doing an excellent job.

There are three distinct groups within the Kilkenny County Council roads section, which provides and maintains public roads, footpaths and public lighting; implements traffic management; and promotes road safety. Its overall aim is to secure safety and efficiency in the transportation of people and goods by road, which will in turn facilitate increased economic development and maximise the safety of all users of the roads network – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The first section is Roads General (County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny). Roads General has responsibility for road maintenance, repairs, local roads projects, road safety, public

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lighting and bridges. Roads Projects (Roads Office, 1 Dean Street, Kilkenny) is the second section.

Roads Projects has responsibility for major national road projects taking place in Kilkenny as part of the National Development Plan. Thirdly, we have Road Design (Roads Office, 1 Dean Street, Kilkenny), which is responsible for the design of roads and traffic systems throughout Kilkenny.

The Kilkenny Road Safety Plan 2007-2012 was developed in consultation with An Garda Siochana, Ambulance Services, Health Service Executive, Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, National Roads Authority, Road Safety Authority and local community representatives. The plan provided for the establishment of coherent policies and actions at local level so as to realise reductions in the numbers of collisions, deaths and injuries on the roads of County Kilkenny.

The key provisions of the Kilkenny Road Safety Plan 2007-2012 were: the establishment of the Road Safety Together Committee to oversee the development and implementation of the Kilkenny Road Safety Plan; to achieve a reduction of 25% in the average number of fatal/serious injury road accidents over the period of the Plan; to establish annual objectives in order to achieve the overall, primary objectives; to make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians; to review accident statistics annually so as to identify accident cluster sites and to rank such sites for remedial action; to implement a range of measures to improve road safety including engineering works, enforcement, special speed limits, education and awareness, and traffic

Kilkenny County Council offices

Kilkenny Castle

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safety teams.

Kilkenny County Council’s Winter Maintenance Policy is second to none. Motorists themselves have a general duty of care to consider prevailing weather and road conditions when planning and/or undertaking journeys across the public road network and Kilkenny County Council seeks to

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Kilkenny County & Borough Councils From

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ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the prevention of ice formation and of s n o w accumulation on Priority 1 routes.

K i l k e n n y County Council will furthermore seek to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the prevention of ice formation and of snow accumulation on Priority 2 routes.

In extreme weather events and/or in circumstances requiring resource prioritisation, Priority 1 routes will take precedence over Priority 2 routes in terms of the allocation of available resources.

Kilkenny County Council will also provide periodic winter maintenance services on Priority 3 routes. Such services will only be provided on selected occasions associated with the anticipation of particularly severe weather conditions.

Road-users should not assume that pre-salting services have been provided to the Priority 3 network.

Best Wishes To Kilkenny County & Borough Councils, From

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T: 056 7761608 M: 087 9323198 59

A vehicle recovery demonstration by M8 Recovery

IFRS celebrates 10 years in Ireland In 2003 Derek Beahan and Eamon Kelly introduced the International Federation of Recovery Specialists (IFRS) to Ireland. Ten years on, the IFRS has firmly established itself as the leading vehicle recovery training body in this country.

Eamon Kelly is a co-founder of the Irish branch of the International Federation of Recovery Specialists

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“W

e’ve gone from strength to strength every year,” Eamon Kelly, co-founder of the Irish branch of the International Federation of Recovery Specialists, enthuses.

“We have 95 per cent of the Irish training market. In addition, we get a lot of international enquiries. For example, we trained over 290 recovery operators in Hungary last year and six new trainers for the UK market in August. Things are going well, despite the fact that the recovery industry has been badly affected by the recession.”

Founded in Belgium over 20 years ago, the IFRS is a recovery training federation set up by recovery operators for recovery operators. Derek Beahan and Eamon Kelly began training recovery personnel a decade ago at a new 44,000 square feet facility in Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow, which is adjacent to IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes To IFRS

Eamon Kelly, David Holmes, Brian Drury, Derek Beahan, Adrian Mitchell and Alan Sherwood

Eamon’s recovery business, Kelly Motor Services. The training centre has two classrooms where courses are held almost every weekend.

“All the hard work we put into setting up the centre paid off when Boniface Engineering in the UK approached us to train and do live demonstrations in Europe. The first course in Budapest was a great success,” Eamon says.

“IFRS Ireland was formed with Derek and I as directors, Brian Drury as director, while trustees from all over Ireland and UK are also involved.”

The aims of the IFRS are: to provide a competent range of training courses; to The stunt show was a big hit at last year's Tow Show

The IFRS is the country’s leading vehicle recovery training body

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes To All At IFRS Ireland, From

www.irishtrucker.com 64

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The impressive Kelly fleet

Nothing is too big for M50 Recovery Service

provide thorough, competent inspections at competitive rates for LOLER and PAS43; to offer a competitive insurance market place for members; to provide guidance on new legislation; to create a safer work place for all recovery operators; to increase the number of IFRS members; to further increase the range of benefits available to members; to offer additional business opportunities for members; to unite all recovery operators and associations in the EU. The IFRS is committed to raising the standard of operators by providing affordable training in all aspects of recovery. The accreditation is recognised throughout Europe and is valid for five years. Courses provided include motorcycle recovery, light recovery, heavy recovery, forensic awareness, drivers CPC, lockout, forklift, controller, health and safety, customer care and first aid.

In recent years, the J&S Motors are based in Meath IFRS has raised its IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To Kelly Motor Services From

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Continued Best Wishes To IFRS Ireland, From

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Unit 2, North Esk Business Park, Glanmire, Cork T: (021) 4354252 • F: (021) 4354874 • M: (087) 7414327 E: jdrecoveryoffice@eircom.net • www.jdrecovery.ie

TO BOOK ADVERTISING SPACE please contact

COLM on 00 353 (0) 46 9241923

Call T: 01 287 3017 • M: (087) 2580657 F: 01 201 1655 Email: shaneobrienmotors@eircom.net

Unit 4-5 Woodstock Business Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow Wishing Continued Success To Kelly Motor Services

ETE ES FSR TIMA E

Continued Best Wishes To Eamon Kelly From

DEREK BEAHAN LTD 24 Hour Emergency Towing & Repair Service Rear 90-98 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 9

Telephone: 01 4534567/4549626/4549627 Fax: 01 4549628 Mobile: 086 2559188 Email:derekbeahan@eircom.net 66

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A demonstration by PC Commercials, a member of the IFRS, at a recent truck show

More fun and frolics from the Tow Show

profile significantly in this country by staging an annual Tow Show.

Last July, the IFRS and AVRO (Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators) joined forces to hold a three-day show at the Tullamore Court Hotel in Co. Offaly. The show is a mixture of exhibits, trade stands, displays and practical demonstrations, with evening entertainment also Irish Towing Services Dublin

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

67

Vehicle Recovery and Breakdown Service 24 hours 7 days a week.

IRISH TOWING SERVICES. Turnpike Road, Ballymount Dublin 12 Phone: +353 1 429 8482 | Fax: +353 1 456 9256 Email: info@irishtowing.ie | www.irishtowing.ie

Continued Best Wishes To Eamon Kelly Wishes Eamon Kelly & IFRS Continued Success In The Future, From

NATIONWIDE VEHICLE RECOVERY SERVICE BASED IN KILDARE Contact Tom: 087 929 4605 -Niall: 085 820 2040 Email: arecoveryservice@gmail.com www.a-recoveryservice.com

Best wishes to all at Kelly Motor Service, from

& ALLOY WHEEL REPAIR PROVIDING A TOWING SERVICE FOR ALL VEHICLE TYPES DAY OR NIGHT 24 HOUR RECOVERY & STORAGE SERVICES Kilmacrennan, County Donegal, Ireland Email: info@jdrecoveryservice.com Phone 00 353 (0) 74 91 39303 Mobile: 00 353 (0) 86 228 9494. Fax 074 91 39010 Web: www.jdrecoveryservice.com

Continued Best Wishes To IFRS Ireland

Fairgreen Terrace, Bray, Co. Wicklow Tel: 01-2860483 Mobile: 087-6316950 Email: dargletyres@gmail.com

www.dargletyreservice.com Prop: SIMON BYRNE

to the Leave iterts Exp

Best Wishes To All At IFRS From

IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Don’t be left in the dark log on to

www.irishtrucker.com 68

DM Consultancy Services Ltd. H

• Defensive Driving • Collision Investigation • Independent Vehicle Inspections • Collision Analysis • Traffic Management • Roadworks Signing Advice • UKAS Accredited PAS 43 Assessor 2 Eastbank, Strathfoyle, Co. Londonderry BT47 6UW

Tel/Fax: 0044 28 71861144 Mobile: 0044 7800 913040 Email: dmhconsultancy@aol.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Grange Builders Providers are great supporters of IFRS Ireland

Statewide towing are members of the IFRS

The Tow Show is a mix of entertainment, displays, demonstrations and a special stunt show

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

provided.

Last year’s Tow Show was the fourth staged by the IFRS and the 35th by AVRO, but it was the first time the two organisations came together to stage an event. It opened on Friday, July 27 with trade stands and entertainment into the late evening at a specially-erected marquee. It continued throughout the Saturday and Sunday with the usual mix of entertainment, displays, demonstrations and a special stunt show. The event also included a health and safety conference.

Some of the exhibitors who attended were: Bollingtons, Singer Asset Finance, AIT Autofit, Lugworks Data Solutions, Boniface Engineering, Recovery & Winch, RIES, Cardno, CP Commercials, Ryan Automotive, Autodrain, Crash Services, Crean & Co and ARD Products.

“We’ve held it in the Tullamore Court Hotel every summer for the past few years. It’s getting bigger and bigger with about 500 people having attended last year’s show,” Eamon explains.

While the IFRS can count ESB Networks, First Bus Scotland, AXA Insurance and the Irish Army among its clients, Eamon admits it’s a tough time for the industry.

“The overall recovery industry is down 40 per cent. You have the knock-on effect from there being less traffic and new vehicle sales.

There has been a big drop in the number of new people coming into the industry because the work isn’t there.

“Companies aren’t hiring staff anymore. The vast majority of the people we are training at the moment are those who are renewing their training certs. It used to be all people who were new to the industry.”

He continues: “Worryingly, the recession has given rise to more ‘cowboys’ in the industry. You have operators out there who are not properly covered insurancewise. But the bottom line for all

69

SERVICING & FLEET MAINTENANCE OF CARS, LIGHT COMMERCIALS & TRUCKS Specialise In 24 Hour Recovery & Breakdown Service NATIONWIDE

Tel: 01 5355940 | Mobile: 085 1485655

Email: kevin@auto-services.ie | www.auto-services.ie WISHING CONTINUED SUCCESS TO IFRS IRELAND

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Eamon Kelly & The IFRS, From

Grange Builders Providers

Homevalue BUILDING SUPPLIES | BUILDING MATERIALS | HOME BUILD MATERIAL Unit 25, Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 | T: 01 8390193 | F:01 8392060 | www.grange.ie

Congratulations to Kelly Motor Services

Best Wishes To Kelly Motor Services, From

G

NOEL P GERAGHTY & CO LTD Chartered Certified Accountants

Practical Solutions For Challenging Times

Suite 18, Broomhall Business Park, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow Tel: 0404 68882 E: info@npg.ie

IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Don’t be left in the dark log on to

www.irishtrucker.com 70

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

recovery operators is that they must be trained to IFRS standards if they’re applying for Government or Garda contracts. The IFRS wouldn’t exist if people didn’t need us.”

Despite the downturn, Eamon is optimistic for the future of the industry.

“Money is tight at the moment, but recovery operators will take hope from the fact that more NRA (National Road Authority) contracts are coming on stream. As for the training side of things, Derek (Beahan) and I recently met other EU training bodies in Frankfurt where we discussed the future of the industry at length.

Everyone was in a positive mood, so the outlook appears bright.”

Eamon and Derek operate their own vehicle recovery companies – Kelly Motor Services and Derek Beahan Ltd. Kelly Motor Services, which trades as KFG Ltd, was founded by Eamon’s brother Liam, who has remained as a director along with sister Eilish, in 1976.

The company now employs 25 staff and operates 32 tow trucks.

In 2007, Kelly Motor Services was awarded the inaugural M50 and M11 Motorway vehicle recovery service contract by the NRA. The aim of the service is to minimise traffic disruption

The IFRS is clearing scaling dizzy heights!

caused by broken-down vehicles, especially during peak hours.

Kelly Motor Services had five recovery vehicles dedicated to the M50 which are strategically located along what is Ireland’s busiest motorway.

To book a course at the IFRS’s training centre in Unit 1, Holfeld Park, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow, please contact Christine on 01-2762607 or 087-6900895.

Credit card details must be provided for booking deposit.

In your time of need, Ireland’s recovery experts will look after you

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

71

Lift-off for Henley’s 40th celebrations An extensive range of products, services and advice underpin the success of the Henley Forklift Group which reaches a milestone year in 2013. Service & Hire Director Mark Kenny revealed the secrets behind the company’s success.

H

enley Forklift Group Limited is a wholly owned Irish company who are celebrating 40 years experience in materials handling in 2013.

Established in 1973, a new company logo has been specially designed to commemorate this landmark year in the company’s proud history and a new website is

due to be launched shortly.

The company is also embracing social media so customers will be able to keep up-to-date with all the latest news, developments and their

Henley Forklift Group Operations Manager Paul Roche hands over a fleet of new Mitsubishi FB15PNT electric counter balance trucks and new Mitsubishi PBP20N Power Pallet Trucks to John Smith of Newbridge Foods. They are on contract hire for five years

72

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Henley Forklifts can supply a Mitsubishi forklift for any handling and storage situation

special offers via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Linkedin.

They are moving with the times and it is a policy that has stood them in good-stead in the past.

Headquartered in Dublin, the company has nationwide operating facilities in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Kerry and Belfast and employ a staff of 80 plus.

“We’re nationwide but we like to think of ourselves as local,” says Mark IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Kenny who is the company’s Service & Hire Director and who is based at the Dublin head office.

As sole Irish distributors for the full range of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, Henley is well-equipped to provide customers with the advice they need, the product they want and the service support they expect.

Mitsubishi’s exceptional standards of quality, reliability and value are applied equally to a range of

warehouse equipment that covers every handling and storage situation.

If it’s a forklift you are after then Mitsubishi and Henley Forklifts should be your first port of call.

The dependable Mitsubishi product range includes Diesel, Gas, Electric and Warehouse equipment.

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks are manufactured in Almere, The Netherlands and Japan. All products are built to the ISO9002 certification

73

Continued Best Wishes To Henley Group, From

Best Wishes To Henley Forklift Group Ltd From

NYHAN TRANSPORT Speciallising In Forrktrruck Trransporrt

Tel: 01 406 1573 | 087 641 3436 Fax: 01 4414 816 Email: derek.adprint@gmail.com TALLAGHT, DUBLIN 24

Contact Eddie Nyhan (087) 2657852 Nyhan Ind Est., Tramore Rd., Cork.

Email: eddienyhan@eircom.net

Continued Best Wishes To Henley Group, From

Kelly’s Car & Commercial Repairs Ltd Units 3/4 Clondrinagh Ind Est., Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 455981 | Fax: 061 321988 Banogue, Croom, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 600717 | Fax: 061 602929 Email: kellysgaragelimk@yahoo.ie Unit 2, Ballyvolane Commercial Park, Ballyvolane, Cork Tel: 021 4500775 | Fax: 021 4500649 Email: kellysgaragecork@yahoo.co.uk Best Wishes To Henley Group

Clifford’s Garage Proprietor: Jerry Clifford Also Trading As

- Kingdom Recovery Services

LEADING RECOVERY SPECIALISTS IN CO. KERRY

24 HOUR RECOVERY SERVICE • All Repairs Carried Out • Spray Painting & Panel Work A Speciality • Modern Equipped Workshop • Personal Attention Guaranteed

The Kerries, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Tel/Fax:(066) 7122432 Mobile: (087) 2542724

Best Wishes To Henley Group, From

SALES: New & Used Trucks SERVICE: L.P.G. Diesel HIRE: 1-16 Ton Lift with Or Without Driver Training Board Approved Members TRANSPORT : Machinery Moved & Installed TELESCOPIC HANDLERS AND DRIVERS Unit D, Dargan Court, Dargan Crescent, Dargan Ind Est., Belfast BT3 9JP

Tel: 028 9077 0937 | Fax: 028 9077 0812

Email: info@islandforklifts.co.uk | www.islandforklifts.co.uk

irishtrucker.com 24 HR Roadside Assistance & Recovery Sales & Service - All Cars & Commercials Headford Rd., Galway

T: 091 765099 | E:rescuu@eircom.net www.rescuu.com

for all the latest industry news

Best Wishes To The Henley Group 74

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

standard.

“The Mitsubishi range is definitely one of the most economical forklift trucks, both diesel and LPG, on the market. They are durable, reliable and price competitive,” Mark pointed out. “Mitsubishi is expanding and we are expanding alongside them.”

In the unlikely event that a Mitsubishi forklift doesn’t suit their customers’ requirements, Henley also stock Atlet Warehouse Equipment, Terex Sideloaders and Container Handlers and Sichelschmidt Flameproof Forklift Trucks.

The service and hire arm of the business is performing well at the moment according to Mark who has been with the company for 14 years.

“Henley has built on service and hire. Technically, we are a service company and although we do sell products our focus is service orientated.

“We have 550 modern forklifts in our hire fleet and we have good experience in servicing and maintaining all makes and models across the range.”

Henley Forklifts boast one of the most modern hire fleets in the county with the latest range of machines. No second hand or trade in trucks are used in their fleet, all are purchased new.

Amongst the many advantages of using Henley includes the fact that they can offer immediate replacement if a machine breaks

down and they also offer casual/short term hire.

They also provide an excellent back up service and all their machines are certified and conform to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act Regulations of 2007. All machines are fully inspected prior to delivery.

The company sells used forklifts nationwide and their second hand forklift range are fully reconditioned and of the highest quality.

On top of all that, Henley Forklift Group provide a nationwide ‘Thorough Examination Service’.

Their panel of trained service engineers can carry out a detailed Thorough Examination Service which will help customers become compliant with current legislation and ensure that Materials Handling Equipment is certified to ensure that it conforms with all current safety legislation.

Meanwhile, the Henley Forklift Training Centre – which was set up in 1999 - provides Certified Operator Training in accordance with the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 1989.

Training is available on the following

range of Materials Handling Equipment: Counterbalance Forklifts, Reach Trucks, Sideloaders, Reach Stackers, Warehouse Equipment and Manual Handling Certification.

Service is ‘key’ to the continued wellbeing and growth of the Henley Forklift Group.

“We have a long list of established customers, some of whom have been with us from day one,” explained Mark.

“We supply parts for all makes and models. We don’t just focus on our own products. We have experience and technical know-how for all products.”

A long list of satisfied customers can testify to that.

CONTACT DETAILS Henley Forklift Group Limited Henley Industrial Park Killeen Road Dublin 10 Tel: 01 620 9200 Fax: 01 626 5406 E: henleysales@henley.ie www.henley.ie

Best Wishes To Henley Forklift Group Ltd

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

75

Training day Irish Trucker sent a correspondent to Convoy, County Donegal to meet up with Sandy Arthur, who heads up one of Ireland’s most successful driverand construction-related training schools.

E

stablished in 1984, Sandy Arthur Training Services Ltd. is one of Ireland’s leading road transport and construction industry training providers. The company was established in Convoy, County Donegal and also has a base in Limavady, Co Derry as well as a presence across England, Scotland and Wales.

With the ever-changing new laws across the European Union, Sandy Arthur is delivering the new driver CPC at a large number of venues throughout Ireland. Many more courses are also available including (but not limited to) large good vehicles training, ADR dangerous goods and transport management training, car, car and trailer, construction plant, and Safepass and Health & Safety courses.

All courses at Sandy Arthur Training Services are fully accredited by the RSA, CSCS, City & Guilds, SQA, FAS and FETAC. In terms of LGV / PCV training, the company handles everything from arranging a client’s medical to offering fully tailor-made tuition for both rigid and articulated vehicles.

Training is provided from Sligo, Donegal town, Letterkenny and Buncrana.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Meanwhile, ADR relates to the carriage of dangerous goods by road.

These regulations cover the training of drivers carrying dangerous goods in tanks and packages.

In order to be legally qualified to drive a vehicle carrying dangerous goods, a driver must be in possession of an ADR vocational training certificate. Sandy Arthur’s course includes exams on the last day of each course – no need to take extra time off work or travel to exam centres in Dublin or Galway!

CPC is an essential requirement for anyone applying for a goods vehicle operator’s licence. If you operate goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, then you will require an operator’s licence.

To obtain a standard licence, one must hold the relevant Certificate of Professional Competence.

This provides just a very small insight into the multitude of courses offered. Across the board, Sandy Arthur Training Services Ltd. provides a vast range of construction- and driver-related courses as well as crane operator training.

Eponymous MD Sandy Arthur, who has been fronting the company for 28 years now, reflects on its genesis: “I had been driving trucks – doing crosschannel and continental work – and I developed an interest in the safety side of things. I didn’t enjoy being away from home and I looked at different areas I could work in. Driver training was the one that stood out so I bought my own lorry and built it up

from there.

“I operated from home for a while, then moved into an office in Limavady before developing a purpose-built training centre here in Convoy 16 years ago. I have grown the fleet from one TK Bedford to 50 vehicles in total.”

In addition to its nationwide coverage in the Republic of Ireland, Sandy Arthur Training Services Ltd. is the largest transport / construction plant training organisation in Northern Ireland and one of the biggest in the UK, employing a team of 25 instructors. All types of vehicles are catered for, with commercials particularly busy at present. Between the four centres, up to 50 tests a week are catered for.

What’s the secret of being a good truck driver? “You have to be prepared to learn. Experience and training are important but you have to

have your head screwed on and realise that no matter how long you have been at it, you will learn something new every day.”

Like the rest of us, Sandy has seen better days and he’s looking forward to the day when the transport / construction sectors bounce back: “We’re not inundated with work any more but we are tipping along nicely and keeping the wolves from the door,” he concludes.

CONTACT DETAILS Sandy Arthur Training Services Ltd. Office 11, Convoy Enterprise Park, Convoy, County Donegal.

Tel: 00353 7491 47722 http://www.sandyarthur.ie

Full Load & Groupage Service Throughout Ireland & U.K. Daily DEPOTS AT NEWRY T: 028 3026 4127 F: 028 3026 0995 CARDIFF T: 02920 490200 F: 02920 490205 BRADFORD T: 01274 731199 F: 01274 731114 E: info@surefreight.co.uk www.surefreight.co.uk Continued Best Wishes To Sandy Arthur IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

77

JJ Griffith offer a full range of light commercial vehicles

JJ Griffith celebrates 65 years in business Sixty-five may be the normal retirement age, but for well-known Ford dealers JJ Griffith Ltd, it’s very much a case of onwards and upwards.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A Fiesta Van

O

ne of the country’s oldest Ford dealerships, JJ Griffith Ltd of Claremorris and Castlebar, is celebrating 65 years in business.

Established by JJ Griffith in Claremorris, the dealership spent a number of years in the hands of the McMahon family before it was taken over by current managing director Jim Hughes and his family in 1988. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength with the opening of a second garage on the Newport Road in Castlebar in November 2011 being among the highlights.

“The recession hasn’t stopped us from expanding,” JJ Griffith sales manager John Brady stresses.

“In the past seven or years alone, we’ve built a new stateof-the-art showroom, opened a new VTN Centre and opened a second branch in Castlebar. We’ve been a Ford dealership since the business was founded 65 years ago and have customers from within a 50-mile radius. We cover all of Connacht, basically.”

JJ Griffith employs 30 people between its two Co. Mayo outlets, many of who have spent all their working lives with the company. “I joined the company 35 years ago and our general manager Padraig Fahey has been here for 50 years.

We have a lot of long-serving staff who have years of experience in the motor industry,” John explains.

JJ Griffith Ltd stocks the full range of Ford cars and JJ Griffith Car Sales commercials as well as a wide variety of quality used cars in Claremorris and commercials. The commercial range includes the Fiesta Van, Connect and the new Ranger and Transit models. The Transit Custom was recently voted Continental Irish Van of the Year 2013 by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association (IMWA). With 69 points, it finished ahead of the Citroen Berlingo Airestream on 49 points and the Peugeot Partner Euro 5 on 44 points. Members of the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association van jury cast their votes on the basis of value-for-money, reliability, versatility and lasting residual value among other attributes.

“The award should give the new Transit a big boost. It’s by far our biggest selling commercial and the new model is slicker and more aerodynamic than the last one. Starting at €23,000, it offers terrific value-for-money. And with a four-year warranty available on all our new commercials, you can’t go wrong.

“We’re one of the largest commercial dealers in the West. Commercials account for about 50 per A selection of new Fords in cent of our overall sales,” John continues. the Griffith showroom The family-run concern has established a IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

79

Wishing Continued Success To JJ Griffith

Premco Distributors Ltd Unit 30N Greenogue Industrial Estate Rathcoole, Co Dublin Tel: 01 257 0257 Fax: 01 257 0250 Email: sales@premco.ie www.premco.ie

Best Wishes & Continued Success To JJ Griffith, From

Michael Keane & Co Solicitors

Services Available

Property / Conveyancing | Wills & Probate Personal Injury | Family Law | Debt Recovery Criminal Law / District Court Summons

McEveney’s 24 Hour Recovery & Breakdown

James Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo T: 094 9371208| 094 9371601 F: 094 9371977 E: info@mkeanesolicitor.com www.mkeanesolicitor.com Continued Best Wishes To our valued clients, JJ Griffith Limited, Main Ford Dealers

Best Wishes & Continued Success To JJ Griffith, From

P. McHugh & Sons Ltd Newtown Business Park, Ballindine, Co. Mayo Tel: 094 938 6010 | Fax: 094 938 6012 Email: mchughoffice@gmail.com

SPECIALISTS IN GARAGE & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

Best Wishes To JJ Griffith

• Lifts • Lubrication Equipment • Compressor & Airlines • Exhaust Extraction System • Waste Oil System • Workshop Equipment

Unit D5, Ballymount Drive, Walkinstown, Dublin12.

T: 01 4569157 | F: 01 4500484 | M: 087 2557979 E: tshanahan@toolauto.ie www.toolauto.ie 80

Nationwide collection and Delivery Service Don’t Fuss........

Call Us” Contact Pat on

087 2346924 Best Wishes To JJ Griffith, From

Design, Project Management, Engineers, Architects

DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT ENGINEERS | ARCHITECTS The Square,Claremorris,Co. Mayo P: +353 (0)94 937 2120 F: +353 (0)94 93 72911 Website: www.waldrons.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The impressive Ford Kuga

tradition of value-for-money and total dedication to customer service over man years. If you are looking for a particular model, you’ll be able to sit in it at Griffith’s spacious showrooms in Claremorris and Castlebar. If you are not sure what you are looking for, there are a comprehensive range of models available to help you choose the right vehicle for your needs.

John points out that the needs of commercial vehicle customers are completely different to those of car buyers.

“You’re dealing with a different type of person altogether,” he says.

“Commercial sales are more specialised. Things like dimensions, specifications, weights and sizes mightn’t mean much to the car buyer, but they mean a lot to the customer that’s looking to buy a commercial.”

All of Griffith’s used cars are fully

checked, valeted and serviced before leaving their showrooms. Griffith’s can service your car or commercial regardless of make or model. Their fully-trained and highly-skilled technicians will take care of your vehicle at a very reasonable price.

Repairs and services must be booked in advance.

JJ Griffith’s has been part of the VTN (Vehicle Testers Network) for many years. VTN is a network of test centres appointed in each county by the relevant local authority and is regulated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). It is mandatory for commercial vehicles to be tested once a year. There are two classifications of vehicles – Light Goods Vehicle (up to 3,500kg) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (3,501kg and over). The purpose the network is to provide a strong and vibrant network of test centres which are required to

operate to the highest international standards. At Griffith’s, there is a light and heavy bay area for testing vehicles which ensures there is no backlog in waiting for a test.

JJ Griffith Ltd’s sales, services and parts departments are open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

CONTACT DETAILS JJ Griffith Ltd Main Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo .

Telephone: 094 937 1055 Email: sales@griffith.ie

Wishing continued success to the Griffith Motor Group

McDonald Walsh Ltd Chartered Accountants

Specialists in Auditing, Accounting, Taxation & Consultancy Services Shop Street, Tuam, Co. Galway | Tel: 093 24693 Fax: 093 28691 Email: reception@mcdonaldwalsh.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

81

AH Fuel Oils is 25 years in business

Andrew Hutchinson is MD of Solo Petroleum

Fuelling Northern Ireland

Celebrating 25 years in business, AH Fuel Oils Ltd is a thriving family-run company founded by Cookstown, Co. Tyrone man Andrew Hutchinson, who is also the brains behind the successful Solo Petroleum brand.

F

rom humbling beginnings, AH Fuel Oils has grown into a successful company which delivers to domestic, agricultural and petrol retail outlets throughout Northern Ireland.

Starting out with a single truck in 1988, Andrew Hutchinson has seen his Cookstown-based company go from strength and strength in the intervening years. He now operates a fleet of 14 tankers and employs 20 staff. In addition, he is managing director of Solo Petroleum which is the brand behind 60 service stations in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

“The first 25 years have gone well for us, and hopefully the next 25 will be just as successful,” Andrew smiles.

“I set up the business on leaving school, initially supplying domestic

82

Solo Petroleum fuel trucks are a familiar sight on the roads of Northern Ireland

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

heating oil and then branching out into supplying petrol forecourts about 20 years ago. This led to us developing our Solo Petroleum brand three years ago with the help of Malcolm Hill, who previously worked for BP. “We now have seven co-owned sites and 53 franchise dealer sites. Fiftyeight of these service stations are located in Northern Ireland with the other two in Stranraer in Scotland. We supply fuel to these sites ourselves and are one of the largest and fastest growing petroleum companies in Northern Ireland.”

Andrew, whose mother Rita and sister Helen are also involved in the family business, says the key to AH Fuel Oils’ success has been a strong emphasis on customer care.

“A team of people working effectively and efficiently means we can give a much better service to the customer.

We don’t use the words ‘no’ and ‘cant’,” he stresses.

AH Fuel Oils Ltd is committed to offering a complete service and full customer care. The company offers same-day delivery where possible and always tries to meet its customers’ requirements. A six-day manned ordering service is in operation as Andrew believes customers do not want to hear any answer phone if they are in a difficult situation and need oil or repairs urgently.

Customer care extends to planned payment schemes, regular ‘top-up’ services and advice on energy saving. AH Fuel Oils offers different payment options such as credit card, pay-point and direct debit schemes.

Solo Petroleum has invested heavily in building a brand that has a reputation for the highest standards in both product quality and supply. With a combined offering of convenience shopping, this franchise model is geared for rapid expansion to meet the ever-increasing demand.

“With the experience I had in the industry, I decided to develop the Solo Petroleum brand three years ago. There was an opening for this type of brand, especially after the bad IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

AH Fuel Oils is based in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Best Wishes To AH Fuels From

HOME HEATING OIL RED DIESEL PETROL DERV FIRE WOOD LOGS KINDLING

83

Tel: 028 7963 1604 Mobile Tyre Service

TRUCK TRACTOR MOTORCYCLE CAR

Mob: 07712 875 099 Roadside Assistance Best Wishes & Continued Success To AH Fuels

Units 7-9 Milltown Business Park, 88 Castledawson Rd., Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry BT45 6RZ

Open Monday - Friday 8.30 - 5.30 | Saturday 8.30 - 1.00pm www.russellshiels.com Wishing Continued Best Wishes To AH Fuels

Best Wishes To AH Fuels

TankSafe Solutions have developed expertise in the inspection and testing of tank vehicles used for the carriage of petroleum products Our Services include:

Leakproofness Test | Hydraulic Pressure Testing Vapour Tightness| EPRV | FL,OX and AT vehicle type inspection Calibration of High Level Overfill Prevention System

18c Cockhill Road, Maze, Lisburn BT27 5RS T. 028 8676 5703 M. 07860 627878 E. tanksafesolutions@hotmail.co.uk wwwtanksafesolutions.co.uk IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COMPANY FEATURED IN

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50 Creagh Rd, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim BT41 3SE Tel +44 (0)28 796 50841 Fax +44 (0)28 796 50941 www.centraltankerservices.co.uk

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CONTINUED BEST WISHES TO AH FUELS

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

press some independent filling stations had got in the North.

Because we’re a relatively small company, we feel we are more in touch with our customers and that has given us a definite edge over our bigger competitors,” he continues.

“We offer tailor-made packages to forecourts at competitive prices.

Because the margins on the sale of petrol and diesel are small, you have to get the customers into your shop to spend more and that’s where the Solo brand can help.”

Solo Petroleum entered the retail market in May 2009 and has introduced a fresh, new approach to forecourt retailing in Northern Ireland. In a short space of time, the brand has established a large network of partners and suppliers to ensure that customers get the best possible product and service.

Supplying unleaded petrol, super unleaded, diesel, gas oil/kerosene, lubricants and solid fuels, Solo is dedicated to delivering value-for-money through a distribution network that promises quality products and professional service.

Customer response has shown that people prefer a Brand on their filling stations, and Solo has cleared filled that requirement.

The objective is to brand the numerous sites which are

Another AH Fuels Oils tanker prepares to leave Belfast Port

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There are 60 Solo Petroleum service stations in Northern Ireland and Scotland

AH Fuel Oils delivers to domestic, agricultural and petrol retail outlets

currently unbranded, and to offer the Solo brand to sites considering rebranding. Solo aims to offer a quality brand, quality product at a competitive price in a flexible package to fuel retailers. Each offer is unique to each individual site, thus providing a personal, yet professional relationship between supplier and retailer.

There are many opportunities to become a part of the Solo Petroleum franchise. Solo is only interested in prospective franchisees that will be as dedicated, passionate, focused and hard working as it is. The franchisee will also receive initial 'hands on' training on all aspects of the business model, including Solo’s bespoke computer system, CONTACT DETAILS customer service, marketing and business AH Fuels Oils Ltd financial management.

9 Clare Lane, You will be partnering Cookstown, with a successful Co. Tyrone company with a proven BT80 8RJ business model. You will Telephone: 028 8676 2447 enjoy being your own Fax: 028 8676 1500 boss, yet you will have all Email: sales@ahfueloils.com the support of Solo www.ahfueloils.com Management Team.

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The M8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass was financed, designed, constructed and is now operated by Direct Route

Take the direct route Nobody likes paying tolls. They are – on the face of it – an additional expense that we can all do without. However, the counter-argument is that you can actually save money by paying them. For example, studies show that road users will save, time, fuel and money by paying the moderate tolls in place along the M8 Rathcormac –Fermoy Bypass and DirectRoute (Fermoy) general manager Wilko Braal suggests that more drivers should take advantage of these savings.

A recent survey showed a 7-litre fuel consumption saving and ten minutes of time – on a Sunday (usually the quietest day of the week). Assuming a €1.50 cost per litre of diesel, this could generate the above savings.

T

he M8 Rathcormac - Fermoy Bypass was one of the projects announced by the NRA in June 2000 under Tranche II of the PPP Roads programme. This project lies on the N8 Cork to Dublin route and involved the construction of a 17km+ stretch of road incorporating a Blackwater crossing viaduct with an approximate length of 450 metres.

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The NRA recognised a need to remove significant volumes of long-distance traffic from travelling through towns and villages on the old N8. Thus the construction of the new national primary route - built to motorway standards between Watergrasshill and Moorepark in County Cork, named the M8.

The M8 provides a dual two-lane motorway bypassing and serving the

communities of Fermoy and Rathcormac. The N8 connects Cork to Portlaoise and forms part of the strategic link between Cork and Dublin.

The M8 provides a high-quality dual carriageway between the townlands of Meenane, in the south at Watergrasshill and Gortore, in the north at Moorepark, Fermoy.

DirectRoute (Fermoy) Ltd. – which directly and indirectly employs 50 people locally - is responsible for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass for the 30year period of the contract. “We are responsible for the 17km between junctions 14 and 17,” says DirectRoute (Fermoy) general manager Wilko Braal.

“Construction commenced in 2004 and this stretch of road opened on October 2nd, 2006. We will operate it until 2034.”

On June 11th, 2004, the National Roads Authority signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract with DirectRoute (Fermoy) Ltd. - a special IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

purpose company that has been formed specifically for this project and is owned by a consortium comprising Lagan Holdings, Roadbridge, John Sisk & Son, KBR (UK), Strabag (Austria), Bank of Scotland and First Irish Infrastructure Fund.

The Intolligent Ltd. has been contracted by DirectRoute (Fermoy) to operate the tolling facilities and collect revenues.

The M8 Rathcormac - Fermoy Bypass is located in North Cork and provides a vital link on the DublinCork corridor, offering long-awaited bypasses of the congested town centres of Fermoy and Rathcormac.

At peak times, using the bypass can take up to 45 minutes off the travel time between Cork and Dublin. A brand new motorway built to the latest safety standards, it allows faster, safer and more convenient travel.

The Rathcormac - Fermoy Bypass is one of two locations on the Dublin-

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Cork corridor which was designated in the National Development Plan 20002006 as a toll road with private sector participation. The tolls are at a

moderate level and are governed by the bye-laws to the scheme.

The NRA have ensured that the contracts entered into represent value for money for the public sector and that the revenue sharing arrangement included in the contract is such that DirectRoute will not earn large profits from this scheme.

DirectRoute is a consortium of international companies with an extensive track record in delivering construction, financing and operation of major road projects all over Europe.

DirectRoute has been formed with a view to help improve road networks across Ireland and combines international expertise with a strong Irish base.

The tolls on the route are just €1 for a motorbike, €1.90 for a car, €3.30 for a bus of LGV, €4.70 for a HGV with two or three axles and €6.00 for a HGV with four or more axles. Tolls can be paid by cash in manual lanes to a

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toll collector, with change given, while some lanes are equipped with automatic coin machines. The easiest and fastest way to pay tolls is by electronic tag.

There are two toll plazas along the bypass. A mainline toll plaza near Watergrasshill at the southern end of the Project Road is equipped with six lanes in each direction, one being an express lane solely reserved for use with electronic tags. Five lanes in each direction allow for manual payment with two lanes are additionally equipped with automatic coin machines (only for the use by cars). All lanes are capable of accepting electronic tags.

The ramp toll plaza at the Corrin interchange has two lanes in each direction, where tolls can be paid manually or by electronic tag. One lane in each direction is additionally equipped with a double height automatic coin machine suitable for both trucks and cars, which will give change.

With the country in recession and austerity budgets leaving people with less and less disposable income, people are extremely reluctant to pay tolls, even if they are saving them money in the long run. It might be illogical, but the majority of people would rather use up the petrol or diesel in their tank than hand over another €1.90 or €6.00 at a toll booth.

“There is a definite lack of traffic due to the economic circumstances that prevail in Ireland,” Wilko confirms. “”Fuel prices are also hitting people’s pockets hard and they don’t want to pay any more.

There are serious benefits to use the M8 rather than the backroads, however, especially for hauliers.

“But there is a nationwide fall in the volume of traffic on the roads. We are getting an average of approx.

14,500 vehicles per day, which is on the lower end of our projection. We would certainly welcome more traffic on the road.”

The Maintenance and incident response of the road is subcontracted to Lagan Projects who now have more than 6 years of experience on the project road.

“It is also worth remembering that a toll plaza is a 24-hour business and Direct Route (Fermoy) employs more than 50 people including direct and indirect employees. This is a massive contribution to the local economy, which people don’t see. But that’s what’s going on behind the scenes – a 24-hour economy. By using the M8 and paying the toll, people can not only save time and money themselves but they can also help keep others in work and provide a boost to the local economy.”

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Direct Route, From

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Best Wishes To Direct Route, From

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By Email Enclose your postal address and credit card details (Card type, number and expiry date) to contact@lynngroupmedia.com A receipt will be enclosed with your first magazine.

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Tranzaura is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the transport industry

Tranzaura - Technology for Transport With offices in Limerick and Northampton, Tranzaura is fast making a name for itself as a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the transport industry. Sales director and founder Mike Price explains more.

I

n just three years, Tranzaura’s range of technology solutions have become a “must have” for fleet managers across Ireland and the UK. The brainchild of Mitchelstown, Co. Cork native Mike Price, Tranzaura has developed three route planning and route optimisation software solutions – TranzTacho, TranzSafety and TranzRoute – which allow transport companies to achieve greater efficiency and up to 20 per cent savings on their annual distribution costs. The products have been developed by the company’s team of engineers in Limerick city.

Such has been the success and demand for these products that Tranzaura recently opened a second

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office in Northampton, giving it a presence on both sides of the Irish Sea. “We’ve come a long way since we set up the business in July 2009,” Mike proudly states.

“We’re fortunate in that we have a great team who are working hard to develop software and improve our range of products. This has been an exciting year for us with the opening of our UK office in Northampton and the launch of our new TranzSafety product. We currently employ 11 staff and expect that figure to grow on the back of the launch of the new product.”

Mike had been directly involved in the transport and logistics sector both in Ireland and the UK for over 20 years

before he got the idea to set up a company specialising in innovative technology solutions.

“I had my own transport company and worked for other companies as well,” he explains.

TranzTacho is a tachograph analysis software programme that makes it easy to analyse digital and analogue driver cards and vehicle units. By quickly identifying any problems with driver hours and by analysing available driver hours for the forthcoming seven days, it offers fleet managers a valuable tool in keeping vehicles and drivers utilised to maximum benefit.

Within 30 seconds, the web-based system analyses the information on a IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tranzaura sales director and founder Mike Price

driver’s tachograph for the previous 21 days, and advises on availability and necessary rest periods for the upcoming period. The system can notify drivers by text message and fleet managers by e-mail on when the next tachograph upload is due, as well as issuing alerts to drivers and managers regarding any necessary driving documentation.

“The TranzTacho system will help a manager make time savings of 50 to 60 per cent. This really was the bane of my life throughout my years in fleet management,” Mike says.

“TranzTacho makes it easy, and gives the fleet manager complete peace of mind. It helps you ensure that your drivers will always be compliant in terms of working and driving time and rest periods. When your drivers are compliant and taking their rest periods, you have safer, more efficient drivers. A driver that hasn’t taken the proper rest periods is a danger to other road users.

“The headache for fleet managers comes when arranging the schedules in order ensure that only compliant drivers are on the road. It’s this process that is made so much more IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

manageable for fleet managers,” he added.

TranzSafety is Tranzuara’s new Smart Phone Vehicle Safety App, which has been exhibited at a number of tradeshows this year.

“There has been a massive response so far, so we expect it to go well for us. It also shows that we’re not standing still. We’re all about developing software that enables transport fleets to manage their compliance requirements, safety obligations and to achieve greater efficiency through the delivery of up to 20 per cent savings on their annual costs,” Mike says.

TranzRoute is a powerful vehicle route scheduling system which can be

used for “what if” simulations, master route creation and for the daily optimisation of distribution routes and operations. With TranzRoute it is possible to obtain substantially improved service levels and striking cost savings at the same time.

The system is equipped with advanced algorithms, which makes it possible to handle and assess real world planning challenges in both “what if” simulations and daily route plan generation. TranzRoute uses upto-date digital roadmaps, accurate distance and time calculations and detailed information about service levels, resources, customers and order requirements.

Earlier this year, Tranzaura was chosen as winners of the prestigious Technology category for its

Continued Best Wishes To Tranzaura Depots Nationwide

Walker Vehicle Rentals Ltd

Tel: 01 456 8433 Fax: 01 450 3939 Cork Office: Tel No: 025 87770

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CONTACT DETAILS Tranzaura Ltd, 46 Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick, Ireland.

Phone 0818 287 387 Mobile +353 87 642 4481 Fax +353 61 338065 Tranzaura UK Ltd, Victory House, 400 Pavilion Drive, Northampton Business Park, Northampton, NN4 7PA, United Kingdom Phone 0844 544 7797

Andrew Moloney, Technical Director of Heavey RF presents the Technology Award for TranzTacho at the Irish Logistics & Transport Awards to Mike Price, Sales Director and Founder of Tranzaura.

TranzTacho product at the Irish Logisitics & Transport Awards in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel. The awards ceremony, which was organised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, was the largest ever held with over 450 representatives from the transport and logistics industry attending the gala dinner hosted

by Richard Curran, presenter of RTE’s Dragon’s Den programme. Tranzaura saw off competition from blue-chip companies Dell and Glanbia as well as the National Transport Authority of Ireland to land the Technology award.

Mike concludes by saying: “While it was a great honour to receive the award, the greatest recognition we receive is from customers who recommend our products to other customers. It’s an endorsement of what we’re doing. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for helping us to make the software the success it is and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Best wishes to Tranzaura, from

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