Irish Trucker & Light Commercials magazine March 2015

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MARCH 2015

Vol. 18 No. 2

EURO 2.95 stg.£2.50

David Nodwell Ltd.

Noel Duffy & Sons Transport Ltd.

S&G Transport Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire Ltd.

Millbrook Foods

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SPECIALISTS IN HAULAGE & COMMERCIAL INSURANCES

All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be published or reproduced in any way without the written permission of the author or Lynn Group Media © Copyright Lynn Group Media 2014.

The opinions expressed in Irish Trucker do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers, their agents or Irish Trucker. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may appear.

30 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01-6618 080 Email: tk@kib.ie

Contents

www.irishtrucker.com

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Industry News A look at the most recent trucking & haulage industry news

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Nixon Haulage Ltd. Specialists in abnormal load services, heavy haulage transportation & crane hire

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Parker Car Transport Exceptional car transportation service

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BOC Gas & Gear Tommy Black, Technician of the Year

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PM Engineering Ltd. Recently launched its pioneering mobile concrete plant

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JJ Reid Motors Way ahead of their competition

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S&G Transport A professional and reliable service

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www.keaneyinsurance.ie

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David Nodwell Ltd. Providing services to ESB

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Blow-Tech Truck Services Specialists in bulk blower trailer repairs and servicing

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Campbell McCleave & Co. Ltd. Cheryl Magee, Transport Manager

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Doohamlet Motors Recently appointed main dealer for Isuzu Commercial vehicles

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BTS Recovery Offering a quality service

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Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire Ltd. Providing a wide range of services for the haulage and agricultural industries

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Ray McGrath & Sons Transport Magnificent fleet of hiab crane-equipped vehicles

First Direct Logistics Local, national & international transportation solutions

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Millbrook Foods Ireland’s premier distributor of frozen chilled and ambient food

Gerald McCluskey & Sons One of Northern Ireland’s foremost tarmac and paving specialists

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Classifieds

Noel Duffy & Sons Transport Ltd. One of Ireland’s premier providers of tanker transportation solutions

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by Irish Trucker is published th Mea Co. ls, Kel k, Par DG Press, Kells Business ynngroupmedia.com 9241926 e mail: contact@l 6) (04 : Fax 3 192 phone: (046) 924

Tele

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Thermo King V-800 MAX Spectrum delivers increased flexibility and more powerful multiple-temperature transportation

Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, is introducing a new, non-diesel, vehiclepowered V-800 MAX Spectrum unit designed to make multitemperature urban distribution easier for transporters.

Transporters need refrigeration solutions that can offer fuel efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership. Compared to several industry self-powered truck refrigeration units, nondiesel options provide more sustainable operations that produce fewer emissions. This is an important factor for many companies.

The V-800 MAX Spectrum responds to this demand and provides environmentally responsible transport refrigeration for trucks up to 12 ton gross vehicle weight (GVW), delivering reliable performance and more cooling capacity while maintaining low energy consumption This new product range offers both cooling and heating capabilities to ensure peak performance in the most demanding city distribution conditions with multiple stops and significant traffic.

Comprising two-piece split units designed to satisfy two-compartment transportation needs, the new series provides full temperature flexibility allowing customers to transport goods at any required temperature in either compartment whether they are fresh, frozen or heated for urban distribution.

“When designing this new V-800 MAX Spectrum Series, we wanted to provide our customers with a solution for all types of distribution applications, from shops, markets and food-chains through petrol stations, restaurants, catering companies up to retail home-delivery, pharmaceutical transportation and renting companies,” said Dwight Gibson, vice president and general manager, Thermo King, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The Thermo King V800 MAX Spectrum range replaces the V-700 MAX Spectrum and offers the following features: -

10 percent capacity increase in comparison to its predecessor.

Improved evaporator airflow and quicker pull-down for better product integrity.

- No requirement for a diesel engine due to the direct drive technology for sustainable operations, reduced fuel consumption, lower noise and less maintenance.

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New swash plate compressor powered by the vehicle’s engine.

Wide selection of models and voltages.

“This new range weighs less than its predecessor, offers increased performance and provides our customers with the most sustainable solution possible. V-800 MAX Spectrum is the most powerful range for both cooling and heating modes currently available on the multi-temp direct drive market-place,” said Gibson.

Thermo King worked together with truck manufacturers to increase availability of drive kits, providing an easier-to-install, lighter and more reliable compressor that maintains low energy consumption while delivering more capacity with increased reliability.

The new V800 MAX Spectrum uses the advanced Direct Smart Reefer controller, bringing the latest in microprocessor-based intelligent control to Thermo King’s direct drive range. The controller provides accurate single- and multi-temperature control. In addition, it employs an easy-to-use interface and offers best-in-class exposure experience.

For more information, please visit http://www.europe.thermoking.com or follow us on Twitter at @ThermoKingEUR.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

PARTS FOR:

Transpec Kingswood Business Park Baldonnell Road Lower Dublin 22 Tel: 01 464 2002

UNRIVALLED STOCKISTS FOR:

Transpec Rosmadda Business Park Ballysimon Road Limerick Tel: 061 437 932

DAF SCANIA Iveco MAN Volvo Mercedes Renault BPW SAF ROR Mercedes Trailer Parts

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Countdown is on to the Machinery Movers Construction and Quarry Show 2015

There are just a few weeks to go until the 2015 Machinery Movers Magazine Construction and Quarry Machinery Show (CQMS), proudly sponsored by Close Brothers Commercial Finance.

Taking place from the 17th – 18th April at Molloy’s Quarry, County Offaly, the event will showcase over €50 million of the latest construction, quarry, recycling and demolition equipment in a working environment, alongside over 100 exhibitors.

Up to 10,000 industry leaders and professionals are expected to attend across the two days, and with the event drawing closer its organisers are witnessing a significant surge in demand.

Adrian Madden, Head of Sales (Asset Finance) for Close Brothers Commercial Finance said: “It’s no surprise that the show is generating substantial interest among Ireland’s construction and quarry sectors.

“The event offers an unrivalled opportunity for business owners to network and view the latest technology in their industry, and it’s coming at a time when confidence appears to be growing among Irish firms.

“The latest Close Brothers Business Barometer found that over 80% of businesses in Ireland believe that the worst of the economic downturn is now behind us, while an equal number plan to invest in their operations in 2015.

“The outlook is positive and as activity increases, so the demand for machinery will continue to rise.

“The CQMS is taking place at a critical time to help cater to this growing need. After weathering the period of recession in our economy the sold out exhibition space and the number of visitors expected reflect the ambition that is re-emerging among Irish firms.

“The market is moving forward and businesses of all sizes need to ensure that they are in a position to respond, whether it is through the acquisition of new machinery and equipment, or by improving their cash flow.

“Not only will the CQMS showcase the latest equipment, but for businesses with any questions or queries there will also be a host of industry experts on hand to offer support. Our experienced team will be present throughout the event to help advise business owners on sustainable and bespoke funding solutions for equipment and machinery of any size,” Mr Madden added.

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For more details on the Machinery Movers Construction and Quarry Machinery Show, please visit www.machinerymovers.ie/cqms For further information on Close Brothers Commercial Finance visit www.closecommercialfinance.ie

Andrew Sheen appointed Managing Director, Irish Ferries

Irish Continental Group (ICG) has appointed Andrew Sheen to the position of Managing Director of its Irish Ferries division.

Andrew will assume his new role with effect from the beginning of April, reporting to ICG’s CEO, Eamonn Rothwell.

Operations Director since 2012, Andrew has been Andrew Sheen, who has been involved in shipping for appointed to the position of over twenty-six years, ten Managing Director, Irish Ferries.

He will assume his new role of them with Irish Ferries from the beginning of April 2015 first as a sea-going Chief Engineer and, since 2010, in shore-based operations roles.

A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineers, he holds a BEng (Hons) degree in Mechanical and Marine Engineering and an MSc in Marine and Offshore Engineering.

Previous appointments include roles in marine consultancy and Engineer Surveyor and Technical Performance Manager positions with the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Wishing Andrew every success in his future role, Mr. Rothwell said “Andrew has impressed us all with his strong skills in the ship operational area along with his undoubted drive and enthusiasm in developing Irish Ferries.”

Newly Weds Paul Baylon & Lisa Monaghan

Paul and Lisa got married on 14/2/15 (Valentines Day) and wish to thank John Shelbourne Haulage for the use of his lorry who specialises in low loader work, bulk haulage and dry goods.

Many thanks IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Axis Fleet Management add 200 new SDC skeletal trailers to their state-of-the-art fleet

Oxford based contract hire and leasing company Axis Fleet Management have recently added 200 new SDC Skeletal trailers to their extensive fleet of trailers, trucks and intermodal swap-bodies. The latest order worth E3 million is in response to a growing demand from the Axis Fleet Management have market, as Axis Fleet added 200 new SDC Skeletal Management now serves over trailers to their fleet 30 of the UK’s top 100 logistics companies.

Axis Fleet Management has worked with SDC Trailers over the last 5 years, providing customer solutions to match their logistics requirements. Managing Director David Potter of Axis Fleet Management said “We have purchased from various manufacturers over the years and we are always pleased with the products and service that SDC deliver. Their skeletal trailers are second to none, providing a reliable transport solution and excellent return on investment for our customers.

Axis Fleet Management recognises that the choice of trailer is critical and it’s not all about the monthly lease rate. By utilising our software we can make specific recommendations that consider the whole life cost of operating the asset. This includes factors in addition to the lease rate such as maintenance, vehicle excise duty, fuel and importantly innovative solution. We work with a number of funders which allows us to maximise credit lines and achieve the most effective market rates.’

Axis Management work with some of the UK’s top transport and logistics operators including DHL Supply Chain, Norbert Dentressangle, GIST, Yusen Logistics, Freightliner to name a few. Boasting one of the youngest rental fleets in the UK market, the company have gone from strength to strength in recent years as customers choose Axis Fleet Management for theiri high level of technical knowledge, customer service as well as competitive rates and wide-ranging trailer fleet.

Irish Continental Group Plc (ICG) has appointed Mr. David Ledwidge to the position of Chief Financial Officer

A Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a Bachelor of Science graduate from Dublin Institute of Technology, Mr. Ledwidge joined ICG from accountants Deloitte in 2006.

He has held various financial positions within the Group, first as Group Risk Accountant followed by his appointment David Ledwidge, as Irish Ferries Chief Financial Officer, ICG Financial Controller.

In 2013, he was appointed Irish Ferries Finance Director.

Dublin born, he is married and lives with his family in Donabate, North Co. Dublin.

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Robert Dunne Mercedes Benz Marketing coordinator

Mercedes-Benz Commercials appoints Marketing Coordinator Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles division has appointed Robert Dunne to the position of Marketing Coordinator. In this role he will be responsible for the day-to-day brand communications and other marketing functions, including the use of social media and the application of new digital marketing disciplines.

A Dublin Institute of Technology B.Sc in Marketing graduate, Robert has worked in Ireland and Australia gaining extensive experience across the broad spectrum of digital and traditional marketing methods, including a consultancy role in a specialist mobile marketing agency.

He is currently enrolled on a Digital Marketing Executive Programme hosted by the Marketing Institute of Ireland.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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EUROPEAN RECOVERY

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If you are in the market for a hard working high performance pump ormotor designed for demanding operations, look no further than the Sunfab range, available from Hi-Power Ltd., Sunfab’s sole Irish Distributor.

Swedish company Sunfab has almost 700 versions of motors which meet high performance requirements, from 12 to 130 cm3/rev, up to 40 MPa intermittent working pressure, up to 8800 rpm, in ISO, SAE (2-and 4 bolt flange) DIN and plug-in design, with splined or key shaft and many variants of connection covers.

Sunfab’s product range of hydraulic pumps, meanwhile, is among the most complete in the world. From 12 to 130 cm3/rev, 30 to 40 MPa constant working pressure, single or double flow, fixed and variable flow, in DIN, ISO and SAE design, for mobile and industrial applications.

So, whether you employ Forest Cranes, General Duty Cranes, Sludge Pump Trucks, Skip Loaders, Moving Cargo Floors or Refuse Collection Vehicles, Hi-Power has a motor or a pump to suit.

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FOR ALL YOUR TRUCKING NEWS

www.irishtrucker.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Bloodhound Supersonic Car will take centre stage at SDC Trailers Commercial Vehicle Show Stand 5C110

Bringing together bespoke trailer manufacturing and world class vehicle engineering, SDC Trailers have revealed that the Bloodhound Supersonic Car, a mix of car and aircraft technology, will feature alongside their trailer exhibition at the Commercial Vehicle show in Birmingham.

The Bloodhound vehicle which is designed to break the current land speed record at 1,000mph has been in development since 2006. With bespoke engineering and innovation at the centre of SDC’s manufacturing approach, the engineering marvel will complement the range of trailers on display at SDC stand 5C110.

In the run up to this year’s CV event SDC’s Managing Director Mark Cuskeran said “The Bloodhound Supersonic car Commercial Vehicle Show is the primary will feature at the CV Show event for the UK and Ireland’s road transport and logistics industry so we are delighted to be showcasing our range of products and services again this year. We will have a total of six trailers on display and our sister company FP&S Parts will also be exhibiting at stand 5C110. We are giving visitors to the SDC stand an opportunity to have a go in the driving seat of the Bloodhound Supersonic car, a thrilling piece of UK engineering.”

SDC’s ‘Fastliner’ Buckleless Curtainsider will feature alongside the Bloodhound at stand 5C110. The libner design with Eddie Stobart livery has sliding concertina aluminium planks attached to curtains running in the standard roof rail, giving a clear side aperture for easy loading. The sliding concertina system eliminates the need for side posts while providing customers with additional load security during transit. From the outside SDC’s Fastliner trailer resembles their standard curtainsider however the smart design offers increased aerodynamics, accessibility and safety functions.

Other SDC Trailers at the show include a 4.2m Hireco curtainsider, 4.6m TIP curtainsider and 4m TRL libner curtainsider which will be in the outside exhibition area. A 4.8m Owen’s curtainsider will be on display at Palletforce stand 4F100, as well as SDC’s hospitality trailer at stand 5C110.

SDC’s sister company FP&S Truck and Trailer Parts, a leading supplier of OE and aftermarket parts will also be exhibiting at the Commercial Vehicle show stand 5C110. With a comprehensive product portfolio ranging from axles, suspensions, ABS and air brakes to electrical components, landing legs and body parts, FP&S offer the ‘one stop shop’ for replacement parts and consumables. With a National UK network of 21 branches and 80 delivery vehicles, FP&S ensure that operator downtime is kept to a minimum.

The CV show opens on Tuesday 14th April in Halls 3a, 4 and 5 at the NEC in Birmingham and expects to draw 19,000 visitors over three days, giving commercial vehicle operators the opportunity to meet with industry suppliers. Tickets for the show can be ordered online through the Commercial Vehicle show website. Follow SDC Trailers on twitter @SDCTrailers for event updates and an exclusive prize giveaway.

McHale Plant Sales appointment further strengthens Komatsu Parts & Service support team Komatsu distributor McHale Plant Sales has further strengthened its customer services team with the appointment of Niall Culligan to the position of Parts & Service Sales Representative with primary responsibility to provide specialist field support services to Komatsu owners.

His appointment marks a return by him to the McHale Plant Sales team, he having previously held field service and workshop service roles at the company’s Birdhill and Rathcoole premises.

From Clonlara, Co. Clare, he is a graduate of University Of Limerick and a former pupil at Ard Scoil Ris in Limerick City. Married, he returns from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia where, since 2012, he was Service Manager with a major multi-franchise transport, plant and materials handling distributor.

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Niall Culligan, Parts & Service Sales representative IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Metso appoints McHale Plant Sales executive agents in Ireland

Metso, manufacturer of equipment used in quarrying, mining and oil and gas industries, has appointed McHale Plant Sales as exclusive agent in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for its mobile rock crushing and screening product lines.

From its headquarters in Helsinki, Metso manages a global enterprise which has a presence in 50 countries worldwide serviced by some 16,000 industry experts.

Widely regarded as world-leader in the manufacture of crushing and screening equipment, the company had sales of EUR 3.7 billion in 2014.

Under the new arrangement with McHale, the Birdhill-based company begins selling Metso products with A Metso Lokotrack LT330D - one of the high-profile models in the Metso range being marketed in Ireland by McHale Plant Sales. An efficient contract crushing and screening unit, it uses a immediate effect with primary focus Nordberg® GP330™ or HP300™ cone crusher and a DS20-55 Dual Slope screen on the acclaimed Lokotrack mobile crushing and screening plants, equipment that McHale believes will have significant appeal for Irish customers.

The appointment sees McHale Plant Sales return to the crushing and screening market – one in which the company previously enjoyed success. Noting the strong foothold that the company has within the quarrying, construction and civil works sectors - due principally to its work as distributors of Komatsu - its new role returns McHale to a position whereby it can plan for future growth built on its very considerable experience and knowledge of the crushing and screening market.

Describing their appointment as one that ‘rekindles our longstanding involvement in the crushing and screening market’, McHale Plant Sales managing director, Michael McHale said ‘the Metso product line gives us a premium product offering that fits perfectly into our operation and adds considerably to the value we can bring to customers.’

The expertise that McHale Plant Sales has within the sector is seen by Metso as a feature that should advance its market position in Ireland. This is especially significant at a time when the Irish economy is showing strong signs of recovery with some very significant infrastructural projects currently in the pipeline.

Metso’s Lokotrack mobile crushers and screens offer true mobility, high efficiency, quality end products and reliable operation and are engineered and built to work together seamlessly in a wide range of quarry and contracting applications. The new partnership with McHale will offer a superior level of local product support to existing and new customers.

During the start-up phase, both parties will support the appointment through a number of initiatives. On the Metso side, factory support in customer-focused areas such as spare parts supply logistics, technical training and product knowledge communication. On the McHale side, a key objective will be to undertake activities that will increase awareness of Metso crushing and screening equipment on the Irish market. Included in the measures planned is the opening in June of a high-profile Metso centre at Rathcoole, close to Dublin city.

One of Ireland’s leading construction plant and civil works machinery distributors, McHale Plant Sales has roots within the sector that date back to the 1950s. Last year, it celebrated its 20th anniversary as Komatsu distributor in Ireland. The company also has significant interests in the agricultural and materials handling sectors.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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MAN sets a precedent with DVLA personalised plates

Managing director of MAN Truck & Bus UK, Simon Elliott, is predicting the demand for personalised number plates on HGVs & LCVs could follow the trend in passenger cars.

The prediction comes as MAN becomes the first truck manufacturer to have a vehicle image appear on the DVLA web site so that owners can see what their chosen personalised plate could look like on an MAN TGX. Simon said: "Number plates are a real UK phenomenon and part of our everyday life so we wanted to make it easier for our customers to further personalise their truck. I see a very high proportion of trucks with a private plate already."

Jody Davies, DVLA personalised registration contracts manager, concurs: "Since the introduction of personalised plates in 1984, £1.3 billion has been generated for HM Treasury. They are as popular as ever with prices starting from just £250 up to tens of thousands of pounds.

MAN is the first truck manufacturer to “The most expensive plate was sold in November last year when ‘25 O’ sold have its image on the DVLA website for £518,000 knocking ‘1D’ off the top spot which sold in 2009 for £352,411."

MAN customers considering an MAN TopUsed truck can now select a number plate of their choice up to the value of £250, which could for example feature their company’s initials or even the model.

Customers are encouraged to visit the DVLA web site to search available plates and see what it could look like on an MAN truck.

For further information log on to DVLA web site - http://dvlaregistrations.direct.gov.uk/, choose a number plate and click the vehicle icon to see it on an MAN truck.

SDC Trailers awarded Northern Ireland’s Manufacturing Company of the Year

County Antrim Trailer Manufacturer SDC have been awarded Northern Ireland’s Top Manufacturing Company at the prestigious Made in Northern Ireland Awards held in Belfast’s Europa Hotel on Thursday night. The privately owned trailer manufacturer was recognised for its ongoing achievements in the manufacturing industry, and the valuable contribution they have made on a local and international scale from their Northern Ireland based John Donnelly (Chairman) and Darren Donnelly (Vice-chairman) production facilities. SDC Trailers is part of the Retlan from SDC Trailers collecting the Manufacturing Company of the Year Manufacturing Group who were named on the Insiders list of Top Award from John-George Willis (Partner and Head of Corporate, Tughans) 100 Manufacturing Companies in 2014.

The Made in Northern Ireland Awards recognise and reward manufacturing companies based in Northern Ireland that demonstrate excellence, innovation and quality in products and services.

The manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland generates annual sales approaching £20 billion, directly employing eighty thousand people, supporting production and employment in a wider supply chain and creating jobs and strong communities. A total of twenty three local companies were acknowledged at the event from the medical and life sciences, food and drink, export and manufacturing sectors. Two independent judges from manufacturing trade bodies in Northern Ireland scrutinised the nominations and selected the award winners. SDC will now go forward to compete against the best in the in the National Made in the UK awards.

The company’s Vice Chairman Darren Donnelly who received the award said “We are delighted to have been nominated and chosen for the Manufacturing Company of the Year award alongside some of the industry’s leading companies. SDC have worked hard in recent years to develop our manufacturing facilities in line with market demands, investing in the latest technologies and equipment to provide high quality products and specialist trailer builds. SDC understand our clients' business and logistics requirements, and design products based on their needs.”

SDC Trailers have been serving the road transport and logistics industry since 1978, working with some of the industry’s leading logistics companies and supermarket chains. With four manufacturing plants and over 500,000 square feet of production space, they offer the most modern and efficient facilities in Europe. Having pioneered a number of innovative design features and operational advancements, SDC are widely recognised as the industry leader with a wide portfolio ranging from flat beds, skeletals and curtainsiders to box vans and car transporters.

In 2014 the trailer manufacturer increased their production output by 30% following a number of sizeable orders from local and international markets. Group turnover has also risen sharply, projected to increase by £40 million to £170million for 2014 – 2015.

The SDC Group currently employ over 900 staff, having created 300 positions since the downturn in 2009.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Budweg, the Danish Caliper company produce an extensive range of caliper repair kits for both air and hydraulic calipers. When Irish Trucker spoke to Paul Kane, their Irish distributor, regarding the range of repair kits, Paul stated that ’The Irish climate and particularly the recent prolonged wet winter, has had its effects on all types of vehicle brake maintenance. Correctly serviced calipers will greatly improve braking performance, in addition to extending the service life of a caliper’.

601021

Compound / SB 5/6-7000 Series Mono / SN 6-7000 Series

601022

Compound / SB 5/6-7000 Series

Paul Kane

Vantruck & Bus Parts

601023

Mono / SN 6-7000 Series

For Further Information, Please Contact

Telephone

028 8774 7258

(ROI) 048 8774 7258

601024

Mono Special / SK 6-7000 Series

Perennial Freight, one of Ireland's largest transport companies, has strengthened its fleet with the addition of six new Mercedes-Benz Actros 2545LS tractor units

Delivered in Perennial's distinctive cobalt blue livery, the trucks will be put to work immediately at the company's Taghmon base in Wexford, from where it operates daily services across Ireland and the UK, complementing the existing number of Actros units already in their fleet . The new units feature 2.5m Streamspace cab, flat floor, predictive powertrain control, high performance engine brake and come equipped with the latest Fleetboard telematics system.

Commenting, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager, Fergus Conheady said: “Mercedes-Benz is proud to supply these trucks to one of the country’s leading transport companies, knowing that Perennial is an approved carrier for some of Ireland's largest “Blue Chip” companies. They can rely on the proven resilience and excellent fuel efficiencies that Actros provides”.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Perennial Freight has added six new Mercedes-Benz Actros 2545 LS tractor units

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DAF’s aftersales excellence delivers results for Carlsberg

DAF will supply After a competitive Carlsberg UK with 98 open tender, DAF new trucks has won an £11.7m order from Carlsberg UK for 98 new trucks for its in-house national distribution service.

Representing one of DAF’s biggest and most prestigious orders, the new vehicles will be the first DAF trucks on Carlsberg UK’s distribution fleet for 10 years, and will be based at eight of Carlsberg UK’s regional distribution centres across the UK doing multi-drop deliveries of beer, plus associated items such as gas cylinders.

DAF was able to provide vehicles that perfectly matched Carlsberg UK’s particular safety and environmental requirements, and is supplying them via a six year ‘Hire Plus’ agreement from its own PACCAR Financial PLC. The 98 vehicles include 15t and 18t LF rigid models, plus 26t CF and 6x2 tractors all sporting Carlsberg UK’s new hop leaf livery.

The CF tractor units are expected to do an annual mileage of around 130,000 km each, and around 60,000 km each for the LF and CF rigid models doing more local deliveries, making a total annual mileage in excess of four million kilometers for the new vehicles, which is why durability and a strong aftersales support from the DAF dealer network was a key reason why Carlsberg UK chose DAF this time.

Carlsberg UK is one of the only major beer and beverage businesses to retain its own drivers and in-house national distribution service, so used feedback from its drivers and trainers to specifically tailor the new trucks to the way it works, such as needing a low load height for unloading, and complying with strict load security safety standards, which DAF Trucks Sales Director, Ian Grant, worked closely with Carlsberg UK to achieve.

The curtainside bodies were designed to comply with the EN 12642XL load security standard, and to ensure the load stays inside the vehicle in the event of emergency braking or an accident, Carlsberg UK specified its own design of bungee restraint system able to withstand a 1g forward load restraint. The bespoke design also maximized the payload available by including safe storage of gas cylinders and trays which the trucks also carry.

Additional safety features fitted include anti-slip surfaces for the floor, tailgate lift and side guards which also act as access steps, side cameras, a forward camera to record any road incidents and an audible turning warning to alert pedestrians, cyclists and any other road users.

They also utilise specific tyre size and suspension settings with a bespoke interlaced body sub-frame to achieve the required, low 1100mm height for loading and unloading.

In addition, three-seat cabs were specified for 30 of the vehicles, so the Carlsberg UK driver training programme can train two drivers at a time, plus any new starters or agency staff can go out with the experienced two man crew usually used.

Commenting on Carlsberg UK’s satisfaction with the new vehicles, Andrew Davis, National Fleet Engineer, Carlsberg UK said: “The new DAF trucks will help our delivery fleet be greener and more efficient by delivering more with some of the cleanest, safest and best trucks on the road.”

“Driver feedback about the ride quality, cab and drivability has been really positive, plus there’s even some competitiveness to get the most efficient driving scores from the DPA (Driver Performance Assist) system, but the key reason for choosing DAF had to be because it had the best aftercare package from its dealers,” he continued.

Ian Grant, DAF Trucks Sales Director added: “It is very important to us, and satisfying, to have been able to meet, and hopefully exceed, Carlsberg UK’s requirements for its vehicles and aftersales service levels. The procurement process involved a big commitment for DAF, so we are delighted that the DAF range offered the right choice of vehicles that could be perfectly tailored to Carlsberg UK’s needs.”

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Michelin to showcase new 17.5” and 19.5” tyres at CV Show Michelin is planning its largest ever display of 17.5” and 19.5” tyres at this year’s CV Show, following the roll-out of additional sizes and tread patterns in its all-new X Multi range.

Six of the new tyres will feature on Michelin’s 144m² stand in Hall 5, including three multi-position and three drive patterns – each safer, more fuel-efficient, quieter and longer-lasting than the ten year old XDE2s they replace. The new range is purposedesigned for small and medium trucks from 7.5 to 16 tonnes, as well as midi-coaches.

The new tyres offer total performance year-round on all types of road thanks to their 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) certification, awarded following tests in defined snowy conditions. The accreditation shows the tyre has passed the “snow grip index” requirements – standards not necessarily met by tyres simply labelled M+S (Mud and Snow).

Full-depth sipes ensure excellent handling from the first to the last kilometre, whilst new tyre architecture delivers an average 5dB reduction in noise across the range.

This makes the new X Multi fitments around 50 per cent quieter than the previous generation – enhancing their suitability for out of hours delivery vehicles and passenger transport.

Chris Smith, Head of Truck Marketing at Michelin Tyre plc, explains: “The introduction of the new X Multi range gained real traction at the end of 2014 with an influx of new sizes – and there’s more on the way in March.

“With our brand new 17.5” and 19.5” tyre range very nearly complete, it makes perfect sense to put them under the spotlight at the biggest industry event of 2015.”

Also expected to attract significant attention will be the all-new 385/65 R 22.5 Michelin X Line Energy F. Available from February 2015, it opens access to Michelin’s latest generation long distance fuel-saving tyres to those heavy truck fleets running super single steer tyres.

In total Michelin plans to display at least 12 commercial vehicle tyres on its stand, spanning its complete range of long-distance, regional, urban and on/off-road commercial vehicle tyres – each purpose-designed to offer the lowest total cost of ownership.

For further information on the Michelin commercial vehicle tyre range visit http://trucks.michelin.co.uk/

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Michelin will have its longest even display at the CV Show

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Prime Minister Rutte unveils millionth truck manufactured in Eindhoven

Since the early Thirties the "van Doorne's AanhangwagenFabriek" (semi-trailer factory) had focused on the production of trailers, but in 1949 the company introduced its first truck chassis and this was why the company name was changed to "van Doorne's Automobile Factory (DAF).

A new factory was built on the Geldropseweg in Eindhoven for the production of trucks. In 1955 the 10,000th truck rolled of the assembly From left to right: Mr Harrie Schippers (president DAF Trucks), Mr Bálint Révész (owner en CEO Révész Group) and Mr Mark Rutte (Dutch prime-minister). line and in 1964 the 50,000th. The 250,000thfollowed in 1984, the 500,000thin 1999 and in 2007 the 750,000th.

The first DAF truck was sold on September 1, 1949 and that year a total of 150 trucks left the factory in Eindhoven. A year later there were more than a thousand. A stark contrast to the 36,000 trucks that DAF produced in 2014.

RECOGNITION FOR EMPLOYEES DAF is one of the most successful truck manufacturers in Europe and is market leader in the Netherlands, Great Britain and Hungary.

The basis for further growth is a comprehensive product range, which during the last two years has been completely renewed with to enable compliance with the Euro 6 emission legislation. Simultaneously, important innovations were introduced in the Eindhoven factory, where trucks are built to order and where currently 122 heavy and medium trucks roll off the assembly line each day.

"We are very honored that Prime Minister Rutte has officially unveiled the millionth DAF truck manufactured in Eindhoven ," says Harrie Schippers, President and CEO of DAF Trucks N.V. “That is also due recognition for the 5,000 employees in Eindhoven, who daily give their all to supply our customers with trucks and services of the highest quality.”

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MILLIONTH FOR RéVéSZ FROM HUNGARY One of those customers is Révész Group from Hungary, with a fleet of 480 vehicles specializing in international bulk and tank transport. "We are very honored to receive the millionth Eindhoven-manufactured truck to add to our fleet," said owner and CEO, Bálint Révész. "Our trucks drive an average of 130,000 kilometers per year and reliability and low operating costs are our main buying criteria, not to mention the highest driver comfort. DAF knows how best to combine all of these requirements, which is why our fleet consists almost 100% of DAFs. " Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in his speech that DAF's success proves that the manufacturing industry in the Netherlands certainly has a future. Rutte: "The millionth DAF truck manufactured in Eindhoven is the millionth piece of evidence that the prescription of the brothers Van Doorne still works. Continue to innovate, continue to grow and above all continue to invest in knowledge and people who are proud of the product they make and the company where they work. Innovation and craftsmanship go hand in hand here."

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truck news designed_Layout 1 16/03/2015 09:52 Page 14

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Irish Ferries supports Aware’s ‘Harbour 2 Harbour’ Walk

Irish Ferries is lending its support to this year’s 10th annual ‘Harbour2Harbour’ St. Patrick’s Day walk from Howth to Dun Laoghaire in aid of the charity Aware.

Pictured at an event alongside Irish Ferries' vessel ‘Ulysses’ to announce details of this year’s walk, were Aware Ambassadors rugby star Fergus McFadden and Senator David Norris with Aware’s Amo Sayed (second left) and Irish Ferries marketing manager Daragh O'Reilly.

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DPF maintenance key to keeping Ireland trucking

Logistics companies taking delivery of new Euro-6 units are being urged to pay special attention to their diesel particulate filters (DPFs), as the cost of having a truck off the road at the height of a nationwide skills shortage could be detrimental.

The advice comes from national automotive parts reconditioning specialist DPF Clean Team, which is advising drivers to have a filter cleaned rather than replaced when clogged, in order to return drivers to the road quickly, and at a lower cost than DPF Clean Team cleaning a DPF filter a full replacement. using its new fleetDPF Clean Team Director Cameron Bryce explained: “At a time when logistics friendly equipment companies are updating their fleets with the latest Euro-6 trucks in order to benefit from reduced emissions, sustainability, and lower fuel costs, they need to make sure that they are making the most of this investment.

“The cost benefits and efficiencies that these trucks deliver can be wasted if operators need to take vehicles off the road for days to purchase and fit a replacement DPF, in the event of them becoming blocked. With an industry-wide driver shortage, every day a driver is not in a cab means lost capacity, unhappy customers, and lost business.”

Should HGV drivers be alerted to the DPF warning light, the advice from DPF Clean Team is to have a filter cleaned rather than replaced. A DPF clean can be completed and a vehicle returned to the road in a matter of days, which is considerably faster than the time associated with sourcing a new DPF, ordering and receiving the part, and then having it fitted. And the cost of a clean is also significantly lower than a full replacement; potentially saving haulage companies tens of thousands of pounds per year for multiple vehicles in their fleet. DPF Clean Team states that the average price of a new DPF unit for MAN, Volvo and Iveko trucks is up to £5,000. DPF Clean Team itself has recently increased the number of DPF units it can clean, up to 1,000 a month, following a five-figure investment in state-of-the-art cleaning equipment which is capable of cleaning DPFs and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units. The investment has been made following an increase in demand from the logistics industry for this service. And for a short time, the company has slashed the price of DPF cleaning from £450 to £250 for any logistics operators looking to have their DPFs cleaned for the first time.

Cameron Bryce continued: “With logistics companies being overstretched in order to keep up with demand, more and more operators and fleet managers are paying closer attention to the maintenance and performance of their vehicles. They rightly recognise that the consequences of having a vehicle off the road can be costly at a time when resources are tight and demand high. Regular DPF cleaning can not only ensure that truck operators are seeing a return in new Euro-6 truck investment, but it can also reduce the risk of unscheduled downtime, keeping trucks on the road, and deliveries arriving on time.”

DPF Clean Team already works with many of the UK’s car supermarkets, Leicestershire and Metropolitan Police Force, Avis and Europcar. The company’s new equipment not only cleans DPFs, but the dry-cleaning process is also used for a host of different automotive components which can be expensive to replace if they become worn.

West European Trailer Market hits forecast levels in 2014 UK was the star performer

CLEAR International has issued a new report forecasting the demand for heavy goods trailers in Western Europe to 2019.

As forecast in 2013 the trailer market in Western Europe saw substantial growth in 2014, with an increase of 14.8% over the previous year.

The star performers were the UK and Germany, both of which saw their markets increase by 5,000 units. Other strong performers were Spain, France and the Netherland where trailer demand was up by more than 2,000 units. In fact only Italy, Norway and Denmark failed to register a double digit percentage increase, the latter two only because they had both seen good increases in previous years. The UK was especially interesting because as the trailer market increased by 27% to an all time record level, the market for heavy trucks fell by 29%. This can be explained by the gross indulgence in Euro 5 emissions trucks at the end of 2013 leading a loss of truck appetite in 2014. In 2015 we can expect the situation to reverse with the trailer market falling as the demand for trucks revives.

Despite this substantial increase in trailer demand the trailer parc (fleet size) increased by fewer than 7,000 units in 2014, and two-thirds of that increase came from the UK. At current levels of new registrations the market is only just meeting the replacement level and that is not enough to grow the fleet.

The situation is not however uniform across the region. Looking at the fall in the trailer parc since the 2008 peak, the combined parcs of France, Italy and Spain have fallen by 89,000, whereas the combined parcs of the other twelve nations have increased by 48,000.

In 2015 the big 7 economies of Western Europe are all forecast to have accelerating GDP growth and higher business investment with the sole exception of Italy, which will follow the pack in 2016.

The CLEAR thesis is that the gloom and doom of recent months has been overdone and that confidence in the economy will return in 2015, leading to substantial growth in the trailer market in 2016.

Gary Beecroft, Managing Director of CLEAR added, “Trailer production, having fallen by 8.7% from the 2011 level, increased by 12.9% in 2014. However, 10,000 trailers have been wiped from the forecast, much of it as a consequence of the conflict in Ukraine.”

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Haulier celebrates its 100th DAF with special livery

A family-owned and run transport and distribution company, S&R Smith & Son, is celebrating its 100thDAF truck – a new DAF XF460 Euro 6 – with a bespoke ‘100th’ logo on its traditional red livery.

The company has run DAFs since its first DAF 95 Freighter trucks in the 1980’s, while in the early 1970’s, it had also used Leyland Super Comet and Leyland Mercury trucks The 100thvehicle is the first Euro 6 model to join the S&R Smith & Son fleet, which now has a total of 54 trucks, all DAF. This is also S&R Smith & Son now the first it has specified with the DAF AS Tronic automated has its 100th DAF transmission. It has the latest PACCAR MX-13 engine delivering 460 hp with 2,300 Nm of torque from 1,000 to 1,425 rpm, and is part of an order for eight new DAF XF tractor units for the West Thurrock-based company, all supplied with two year service and maintenance contracts by its local dealer, Harris DAF Grays.

The 100thtruck will be a regular sight on the M25, which is just two miles from its high security depot and head office in Essex, and is expected to travel around 120,000 miles a year across the South East of England on behalf of its contract distribution clients.

Like the rest of the fleet, the new DAF XFs will have 24/7 GPS tracking and custom software to measure and report on key performance indicators like arrival and waiting times, fuel economy and any harsh braking.

Lee Smith, Managing Director of S&R Smith & Sons, and the third generation of his family to be running the business since it was started by his grandparents in 1949, said: “We are still a family run and owned business and pride ourselves on providing the best and most efficient service to our customers. That means we need an efficient and reliable fleet with excellent dealer back-up, and after taking delivery of our 100thDAF truck, you can probably guess that we’re extremely happy with the fuel economy and running costs of our DAFs, and the excellent service provided by our dealer.”

“For our convenience and peace of mind, we have a two year DAF service and maintenance contract for our new trucks, after which time we will either extend it or use the workshop when needed,” added Lee. Phil Moon, Marketing Manager, DAF Trucks UK commented: “We’d like to congratulate S&R Smith & Sons on its 100thtruck and thank them for their continued commitment to DAF trucks. It is great to see that the great service our vehicles and our dealer network has delivered has been rewarded by such loyalty to DAF trucks.”

“We are confident that S&R Smith & Sons will be equally pleased by the new XF Euro 6 models and enjoy the benefits of the enhancements to driver comfort, fuel economy and running costs,” added Phil.

Like the DAF LF and CF models, the new XF Euro 6 range offers the latest state-of-the-art, quieter PACCAR turbocharged 12.9-litre MX-13 and 10.8-litre MX-11 diesel engines designed to deliver better fuel economy and lower Euro 6-compliant emissions, plus lower maintenance costs with extended service intervals up to 60,000 km. It also has a new chassis and enhanced interior to improve the daily work-life of the driver.

SAF self-steer makes the difference at Viamaster

As one of the leading logistics providers in the UK, PARTNERLINK member Viamaster continues to invest for the future with the initial purchase of two long semi-trailers, each fitted with the new SAF self-steer rear axle system.

The 15.65 metre double-decker step-frame trailers at 4.875 metres in height, come with 19.5” single wheels and SAF drum brakes, all through IMS Limited the UK and Ireland exclusive distributor for SAF Axle Systems. “These longer trailers mean we can now deliver more goods for the same weight across the pallet network, and with SAF self-steer axles we will save on maintenance, reduce our running costs and achieve a greater turning circle when collecting or unloading goods,” explained Ian Davenport, fleet manager at Viamaster Transport Limited. Ian continued, “We have been using SAF running gear from IMS for over 13 years and find the SAF products very reliable with no issues. Some of our trailers are approaching 10 years old which shows the long shelf life.”

All SAF wide angle, self-steering axles come standard with 30 degree steer and are believed to be the widest steering angle currently available as a specific wide angle self-steering axle, and not a modified unit in any way. 27 degrees is the absolute minimum to achieve certification. Using a steering system with 27 degrees has a negative influence on tyre wear, chassis and suspension components, especially when the trailer is turned tighter than the inner radius of the turning circle, compared to the wider angle 30 degrees.

IMS are also providing Viamaster with technical training for fitters on the new system and how to gain maximum benefit and safety.

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Fleetmatics reports fourth quarter and full year 2014 financial results

Fleetmatics, a leading global provider of mobile workforce solutions for service-based businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS), announced its Q4 and full year 2014 earnings results, recapping a successful year that included 31% revenue growth over 2013. Fleetmatics’ success is in its ability to enable businesses to meet the challenges associated with managing local fleets, and improve the productivity of their mobile workforces, by extracting actionable business intelligence from real-time and historical vehicle and driver behavioral data.

Some Q4 highlights include: · Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $64.0 million, an increase of 28% compared to $50.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 · Fleetmatics ended the fourth quarter of 2014 with approximately 552,000 active vehicles, up 24% year over year · Adjusted EBITDA1 of $24.2 million, or 37.7% of total revenue · Cash flow from operations of $24.2 million The results highlight the continued demand for the company’s product offerings as Fleetmatics continues to grow faster than the overall market.

Ingersoll Rand acquires Frigoblock

Ingersoll-Rand plc (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, announced today it has completed the acquisition of FRIGOBLOCK. The transaction was closed on March 4, 2015 for €100 million.

FRIGOBLOCK manufactures and designs transport refrigeration units for trucks and trailers in Europe, primarily sold in Northern Europe. FRIGOBLOCK operates in Essen, Germany and is home to about 150 employees. FRIGOBLOCK’s annual revenue is approximately €41 million.

Ingersoll Rand welcomes the FRIGOBLOCK brand into the Ingersoll Rand family of brands. FRIGOBLOCK is now part of the Transport Solutions business, which goes to market as Thermo King. The acquisition strengthens Ingersoll Rand’s ability to deliver transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications.

“Our goal for this acquisition is to provide customers with a complete portfolio of solutions that are reliable, safe, efficient and environmentally responsible to meet their transport temperature control needs – including access to new hybrid and non-diesel options,” said Ray Pittard, president, Transport Solutions, Ingersoll Rand. “FRIGOBLOCK is a unique and pioneering company that will allow us to expand our offerings immediately in Europe. In the future we will provide customers around the world with this technology through our extensive global dealer network.”

Merlo adds ‘Plus’ factor to telehandler range

Merlo has added the ‘Plus’ factor to their new telehandler range – shorthand for a number of special features now being fitted as standard within the price package. In one version, these include a joystick (compared to levers), 40kph speed (compared to 35kph) and an engine increased to 101hp (compared to 75hp).

Distributed here by McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill, the Merlo range comprises thirty-eight machines in all - with maximum load capacities from 2.5 to 12-tonnes and lift heights from 5.9 to 29.5-metres (depending on model choice) - giving them a presence in every market segment. Popular is the Panoramic range which includes six models bearing the ‘plus’ designation.

Designed for construction and industrial use, the Merlo line-up spans the spectrum from the compact 25.6L (with its 5.9m lift and 2-tonnes load capacity) to the large, robust 40.26 MCSS construction-ready Roto unit. Merlo's heavy-duty Roto range comprises 14 units with lift heights from 13.9m to 26m and operating capacities from 3.8 to 6-tonnes.

Powered by new 75hp Tier 3 and 101hp Tier 4 engines - the latter fitted with diesel oxidation catalyst and electronic gas recirculation with no diesel particulate filter requirement - models come with hydraulic independent stabilizers, automatic attachment recognition and rapid attachment coupling features.

Additional elements include a tilting angle corrector, boom side shift movement, remote operator control capability, cab tilt feature and Merlo adds 2-speed hydrostatic transmission. Standard also is Merlo’s ‘Plus’ factor patented dynamic load control that sets permissible load parameters. A FOPS/ROPS compliant cab is the largest on the market.

Infinitely adaptable, units can be fitted with a variety of attachments that expand their value to owners, as films on Merlo’s You Tube platform demonstrate. Uses include high-rise work platform elevation, ground excavation and bucket loading, forklift and highrise crane operation.

Painted in their luminous high-visibility, apple green livery, machines have an easy-to-see, stand-out attractiveness that many say makes them doubly safe on building sites and in busy open space and warehouses use.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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New DAF CF and XF tractors with rear steering axle

DAF is launching CF and XF 6x2 tractor units with a rear steering axle. These are specially designed for applications requiring maximum manoeuvrability The three-axle FTN CF and XF tractor units have a 7.5 tonne steered trailing rear axle with single tyres mounted behind the 11.5 tonne drive axle This makes the new FTN configuration ideal for tasks where there is relatively little room to manoeuvre and when the lifting rearmost axle can’t be DAF is launching CF & XF 6x2 tractor units with a rear steering axle lifted due to a high pin load. This is typical when a crane is mounted behind the cab. The CF and XF tractor units with rear steering axle will therefore frequently be used for transporting construction materials and machinery.

Not only does the use of a steered rearmost axle improve manoeuvrability, it also reduces tyre scrub during those tight manoeuvres, thus improving mobility on slippery surfaces; making the FTN particularly well suited to farm and building site deliveries.

DAF offers the new three-axle tractors as CF and XF with choice between the efficient 10.8 litre PACCAR MX-11 and 12.9 litre PACCAR MX-13 engines, with ratings of 291 kW/396 hp to 375 kW/510 hp. In the context of DAF Transport Efficiency, important enhancements have been made to these engines and, in combination with innovative technologies such as Predictive Cruise Control with Predictive Shifting and Eco Mode, fuel savings of at least 5% are achievable.

The CF tractor unit with a rear steering axle is available with the Day Cab, Sleeper Cab and Space Cab; the XF is available with the Space Cab and Super Space Cab. All models are available now.

Model Farm Show supports Jennifer’s Journey

Mid Ulster Sports Arena opened its doors for the first time ever in March to visitors of Mid Ulster’s largest Farm and Construction Show, in association with Cookstown District Council, in aid of Jennifer’s Journey and Stewartstown Primary School. Thousands of people from all over Northern Ireland and beyond converged on the show, on Saturday 14th March.

According to Phillip Armstrong, Show Organiser said: “At the core of the Show is family fun and community spirit. It’s a great day out for all the family, and proceeds are going to a good cause.

“The show featured the sensational Grassmen. Giving an insight into the agricultural business, their DVDs are extremely popular and their YouTube channel has been watched by thousands. Visitors to the show met the Grassmen and saw them in action.“ The location of the Show at Mid Ulster Sports Arena allowed outside displays of machinery and vehicles including some Iconic Scania Lorries, the Grassmen Tractors and other Tractors from over the years, some rally cars as well as the main display of dioramas and model machinery exhibitors in the indoor arena.

The proceeds of the event went towards the Jennifer’s Journey charity and Stewartstown Primary School.

Jennifer Smyth’s journey began on September 24th 2013 - at 5:30pm to be precise. On that day, as a 16-year-old gymnast at her local club, Jennifer suffered a fall which broke her neck and left her quadriplegic.

Determined never to give up, in 2014, Jennifer spent time at Stoke Mandeville’s internationally acclaimed spinal injuries unit in Buckinghamshire. Her time there, she says, has changed her life immeasurably. “They are all about getting you independent which was what I wanted to hear,” says Jennifer.

Initially funded to go for a period of a week, staff at the specialist unit said they believed Jennifer could make progress staying for longer.

The weeks that followed at the English spinal injuries unit gave Jennifer the physical and mental boosts she needed, with a tailored exercise regime and using innovative functional electrical stimulation to encourage movement in her legs and hands by using electrical impulses to work her muscles.

The organisers of the show hope that money raised will give Jennifer new opportunities to make more progress in her journey.

Stewartstown Primary School also benefited from the show, with the money raised for the School being used to provide educational resources for this small rural Primary School.

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nixon haulage designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:57 Page 1

A portacabin en route to its destination

No job is too big or too small for Nixon Haulage

î “e abnormal load specialists in Cork H

Nixon Haulage Ltd is a highly-regarded company specialising in abnormal load services, heavy haulage transportation and crane hire. î “e Cork-based firm is headed up by David Nixon, who is joined in the family business by his brother Stephen.

ailing from a farming background, David has been around machinery all of his life.

He cut his teeth in the plant hire sector before setting up Nixon Haulage Ltd in 1997 after initially starting out as a sole trader.

The service provided by Nixon Haulage includes everything from permit procurement to escorting and heavy load management. The company prides itself in having the knowledge and expertise to ensure that the most secure and effective movement of abnormal, wide and long loads is provided.

Based in Kilbrittain, which is situated midway between Kinsale and Clonakilty in West Cork, Nixon Haulage provides a nationwide service, but the vast majority of its work is concentrated in

CONTACT DETAILS

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Nixon Haulage is the number one abnormal load specialist in the Munster region

Nixon Haulage Ltd Ballymore, Bandon, Co. Cork.

Telephone: (023) 884 9368 Mobile: 086 2399716 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

nixon haulage designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:57 Page 2

A crane is used to lift this concrete pipe

n route tion

the Munster region. No job is too big or too small for the company which has carved a niche for itself in the movement of portacabins/prefabs, boats, mobile homes, steel chemical toilets, refrigerated units, shower blocks and changing rooms.

“We undertake jobs that require great planning, preparation and attention to detail,” explains David.

“We’ve been at this type of work for over 20 years and are one of the leading abnormal load specialists in the country.

I run the business with the help of my brother Stephen, who is the lead driver. We take on additional drivers during our peak season, which is between the months of March and August.”

Nixon Haulage brings portacabins and prefabs into and out of concert venues around Ireland each year. Indeed, the changing rooms which legendary New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen used during his concerts in Limerick (Thomond Park) and Cork (Pairc Ui Chaoimh) in July 2012 were brought on site by David and his team.

The company also services “Live at the Marquee”, which is a music festival that takes place each June and July at the Docklands in Cork.

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The company has carved a niche for itself in the movement of large units

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BILLY KIRBY & SONS

Gerard Kirby & Sons

Ballinhassig, Co. Cork Tel: 00353-21 4979702 Bedford UK

LICENSEDEmail: HAULIER IN IRELAND & UK gerardkirby@eircom.net

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Station Rd., Bandon, Co. Cork

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Cripple Hill, Bandon, Co. Cork Tel:023-41957 Mobile: 086-4132833

PATRICK J. O’DRISCOLL & CO. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 20 Oliver Plunkett Street, Bandon, Co. Cork Phone: 023-8843055 BEST WISHES & CONTINUED SUCCESS TO ALL AT NIXON HAULAGE 24

WestDrimoleague, Cork Oil Co. Ltd Co. Cork

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City Oil

Marina Commercial Park, Cork Head Office Tel: 028 31396 Cork: Tel: 021 4222011 Clonakilty: Tel: 023 8833326 Bantry: Tel: 027 52840 Bandon Tel: 023 8843611 On-Line Booking @info@cityoil.ie FAST, EFFICIENT DAILY SERVICE • KEEN PRICES & PERSONAL ATTENTION Computerised Metered Deliveries, Budget & Top-Up Plan, Boiler Service & Tank Replacement Independently Owned Family Run Business westcorkoil@eircom.net www.westcorkoil.ie

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Specialising In Repairs & Servicing Of Commercial Vehicles 021-4775221

E:domahonycommercials@hotmail.com Wishing Nixon Haulage, Continued Success In The Future From

Ballinphellic Engineering Co. Ltd.

Manufacturers and suppliers of a wide range of lifting and handling equipment, including lifting gear, Overhead Travelling Cranes, Gantries, and other fabricated lifting assemblies.

Ballinphellic,Upton, Co. Cork Tel +353 (021) 4885311 • Fax 4885023 www.ballinphellic.ie

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nixon haulage designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:58 Page 4

The festival consists of a number of separate events each headlined by a different artist and each with their own ticket prices. It has attracted many well-known names in the music industry, including Elton John, Kayne West, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Lady Gaga, Lou Reed and 50 Cent.

During the school holidays, much of David’s time is spent transporting prefabs, which are used as temporary school classrooms. He also moves boats, mobile homes, small wind turbines and building equipment. Among the companies who avail of his services are Space Cab, All Space and Calnan Containers.

David operates a Volvo tractor unit and a four-axle Scania with a TM crane attached. He also has five trailers which consist of three 45ft flats, one 30ft all steer and a 45ft-65ft extendable. His fleet is serviced and maintained by O’Mahony Commercials in Crossbarry, Co. Cork.

The affable managing director likes to keep his work close to home because of the sheer size of his equipment.

“A crane lorry with a flat trailer is 28 tonne before you put anything on it. Our typical load weighs 40 tonne, and some can weigh up to 50 tonne,” he says.

David is happy with the current system for issuing permits for the movement of abnormal loads. Under the system, any operator who wants to transport a vehicle or load that falls outside of the limits allowed by the Road Traffic (Construction Equipment & Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 must obtain a permit for its movement. There are two permit schemes administrated by An Garda Siochana and by Local Authorities.

An Garda Siochana run a scheme for the movement of vehicles and loads that do not exceed 27.7 metres in length and 4.3 metres in width on designated roads and motorways. Wide load operators must fill out an application form to apply for this scheme.

Local Authorities operate a permit system for all roads, vehicles and loads not covered under the Garda permit scheme. To apply for this scheme, the operator must send application to the Local Authority through whose jurisdiction their vehicle or load will travel.

David does have an issue, however, with the height restrictions which are in place on certain routes. While IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

most bridge heights are sufficiently high enough for abnormal loads, he laments the fact that the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork isn’t able to cater for many such loads.

“The Jack Lynch Tunnel has made a big difference for regular transport, but in many cases we can’t use it because the height restriction is 15’2”. That is too low for a lot of abnormal loads and means we have to go all the way around the city to get out the other side.”

David continues: “I will say, though, that the new roads and motorways have made our job a lot easier.

We have a lot more comfort that we used to.”

Having come through the recession relatively unscathed, David is looking to the future with renewed optimism.

“The economy seems to be recovering slowly but surely, and the fall in diesel prices has been a huge fillip for everyone in the industry. You notice it every time you fill up at the pumps.

“We have a good customer-base who we will continue to provide with the safest, most reliable, most efficient and costeffective service. In order to expand, we will need to invest in more modern equipment, but that’s easier said than done when you consider that most of the banks still aren’t lending and that it can cost between €300,000 and €400,000 to kit out a new lorry.”

25

parker designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:18 Page 1

A decade of car transportation excellence Parker Car Transport, which celebrates ten years in business this May, provides an exceptional car transportation service across the island of Ireland and the UK. We dropped into their base at Ballycastle, County Antrim and discussed the services on oer with husband-and-wife team Gerry and Claire Parker.

P

arker Car Transport can collect cars anywhere in Ireland or the UK. All the main auction sites are covered, including BCA, Copart and eBay, as well as garages, main dealers and private sales. All types of cars and light commercial vehicles can be carried, from new to second-hand, classics, nonrunners and salvage. A quick and affordable turnaround is guaranteed on every job.

Cars are regularly

CONTACT DETAILS 26

delivered from Ireland to Scotland and other parts of the UK and founder Gerry Parker also offers a low loader service to transport tractors, diggers and other heavy machinery. A keen vehicle recovery service is also provided. The business has come a long way in just shy of a decade and this has been mostly down to sheer hard work and an insistence on providing clients with a prompt and efficient solution every time.

Parker Car Transport Mill Farm, Moss-Side, Ballycastle, County Antrim BT54 6ES, United Kingdom.

Tel: 048 2076 8855 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

parker designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:18 Page 2

Since Day One, Gerry has seen to it that vehicles are delivered safely and on time.

He is a man of his word and that’s why his reputation for reliability has spread far and wide.

Gerry started Parker Car Transport in May, 2005. Prior to that, he worked as a lorry driver. He kept his head down and saved enough money to purchase a second-hand car transporter. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Gerry has a total of 11 trucks on the road. Trailer-wise, he operates eight car transporters, two low loaders, one recovery truck and even a refrigerated unit.

Gerry inherited his love of all things to do with trucks and transportation from his father, John. John worked as a mechanic for years before becoming a key figure in the Parker Car Transport yard, offering invaluable advice on the purchasing and maintenance of lorries.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

This advice has been instrumental in the successful development and growth of the family business.

“In the early days, he was going back and forth to England and Scotland,

bringing cars back to Ireland,” says Claire. “He now works both ways, carrying loads over and back. He covers all of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, working for garages, dealerships,

27

parker designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:18 Page 3

JAMES KERNOHAN & SONS Commercial Vehicle Dismantlers

Best Wishes To Parker Car Transport, From

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Best Wishes to Parker Car Transport

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Best Wishes To Parker Car Transport We provide a range of options, including haulage, MOT preparation, fuels and secure storage.

Our wide range of products and services includes building materials supply, road haulage distribution services, vehicle maintenance and repair, and heating supplies.

MVH Services Group, 3 Mill Street, Ballycastle, BT54 6HZ Telephone: 028 2076 2939 Email: mvhaulage@btconnect.com www.mvhservices-ballycastle.co.uk

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Tel: (028) 9446 4599 • Fax: (028) 9446 4597 Email: gdodds@interfrigo.com Email: rreed@interfrigo.com Wishing Continued Success To Parker Car Transport

28

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

parker designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:18 Page 4

auction houses and private buyers and sellers. Anything from one car to an entire fleet of cars can be accommodated.

The lorries in the Parker Car Transport fleet are predominantly Scania and Volvo – high-quality tractor units that are maintained in prime condition at all times.

Gerry has never bought a brand-new truck. Instead, he has a keen eye for a used vehicle that can provide an equally-dependable solution: “We buy good-quality, second-hand vehicles and we make sure they are operating at their optimum level. We have our own mechanic here in the yard in Ballycastle and all repairs, maintenance and servicing jobs are handled in– house.”

A preventative maintenance policy is pursued, with regular checks and improvements making sure that no major problems are allowed to arise.

When did Parker Car Transport diversify into machinery transportation?

“Gerry bought his first low loader in 2010 and has become more involved in heavy transportation – tractor units, diggers, excavators etc.

– which also go over and back between Ireland and the UK.” From that day in May, 2005, when he set out on his own, Gerry Parker has grown the business to the point where

full-time employment is now provided to a team of eleven. His wife is in no doubt as to what has been the secret of his success: “Gerry and his hard work – simple as that,” she states. “He has worked extremely hard to make a success of the business and continues to do so. He looks after his customers and provides a great service. He is constantly striving to better himself and has invested an awful lot into the business – both in terms of man hours and money. He doesn’t sit behind a desk; he still goes to England himself most days and is a hands-on owner. He is available 24/7. His mobile is never switched off and he has never let a customer down in ten years.”

When you run a business in such an honest and meticulous manner, success will inevitably follow. To this end, Parker Car Transport has enjoyed a decade of steady growth and the business continues to expand today.

The move into vehicle recovery has proven to be another successful departure.

A small Iveco recovery truck

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

handles breakdowns of cars and vans, mostly in the local area. Again, a 24-hour service is provided.

Looking to the future, Claire says Gerry will continue to move forward with the business: “There will always

be changes and new ideas and he will always strive to better himself,” she notes. “He has built up a very strong customer base over the years and benefits from a lot of repeat business. We’ve come out the other side of the recession and we’re still here.

We’ve done a fair bit of work in the Republic of Ireland in the past – including runs to Donegal, Dublin and Kilkenny etc. – and hopefully that’ll pick up a bit, too.”

“Obviously, there will always be challenges to overcome, such as the high cost of fuel and insurance. The key is to cover these and remain as efficient as possible. Once you are running an efficient business, you can pass the benefits on to your customers with reasonable rates and a good service.”

For ten years now, Parker Car Transport customers have been reaping the rewards!

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Tommy Black designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:43 Page 1

And the winner is ...

Tommy Black beat off stiff competition from Paul Conroy (Road Trucks Ltd Omagh), Lee Rodgers (NI Trucks Ltd) and Conor O'Reilly (Granco Ltd) to walk away with the title of 'technician of the year' at the annual Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards 2014 which were held at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.

C

Tommy Black with the Technician of the Year award at the Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards 2014

ongratulations to Tommy Black of BOC Belfast, Northern Ireland's technician of the year.

The awards judges Robert Hill and James Brady, Senior Lecturers in Motor Vehicle Studies and CPC at Northern Regional College, scored Tommy the highest marks after visiting the finalists on site where an assessment of their work and role within the repair industry was carried out.

Tommy's work ethic and attention to detail were two ingredients in his winning

CONTACT DETAILS 30

formula while the judges honed in on his determination to lift the 'professional standards of our industry'.

“Once again all the nominees in this category have proved, beyond doubt, their competence and ability to meet head on, the challenges of new and fast moving technology, and ever stricter regulation,” said the judges.

They added: “Tommy Black has demonstrated an excellent understanding of the fault diagnosis on all aspects of today's vehicles, and a willingness to enhance his own professional development and

encourage colleagues to do likewise.

“He has also had a substantial input into designing an award-winning system to ensure all vehicles under his charge meet the highest standards of compliance across Ireland, further lifting the professional standards of our industry.”

Speaking to Irish Trucker magazine, Tommy outlined what the prestigious

BOC Gas & Gear Prince Regent Road Castlereagh, Belfast Northern Ireland BT5 6RW Tel: 028 9040 5136 (ROI 048 9040 5136) Fax: 028 9040 5136 (ROI 048 9040 5136)

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tommy Black designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:43 Page 2

recognition meant to him: “It was a big honour for me on a personal level and obviously I was delighted to receive it.

“It was recognition for how we do things here at BOC Belfast, it was recognition of our knowledge of vehicles and our willingness to strictly adhere to all regulations.”

The judges left no stone unturned in their efforts to select the outright winner.

“The selection process entailed an interview over the phone which lasted for an hour and a half and a surprise site visit.

The two judges arrived unannounced at BOC Belfast to take an in-depth look at our site, workshop and our procedures.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“They were also impressed with the fact that all our team members are actively encouraged and given opportunities to engage in selfimprovement and promotion.”

Tommy has spent the last 15 years in BOC's employment as Garage Supervisor with a team of four working under him.

In Ireland BOC has been producing atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen and argon for over 70 years. Its portfolio today includes thousands of different gases and mixtures, as well as related equipment and services.

Internationally BOC is a member of The Linde Group, a world leading gases and

engineering company with almost 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide.

BOC has a series of major production and distribution centres across Ireland and It provides products and services both north and south.

At BOC they aim to ensure there is no harm to people or the environment due to their operations, or through the use of their products or services.

They are committed to meeting their customers' needs through excellence in all of their products and services with the cornerstone of this being their Quality Management System While their safety and environmental

31

Tommy Black designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:44 Page 3

TBF Thompson Trucks

Edgar Road, Comber Road, Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8NB Telephone: 028 90 813600 Also At Tamnamore Road, Dungannon Telephone: 028 71 722111

RK Trucks are pleased to be associated with Tommy Black - BOC and wish them continuing success for the future

Mallusk: 028- 9034 2001 Garvagh: 028- 2955 8353 Portadown: 028- 3839 3300

DAF DISTRIBUTORS- Northern Ireland Best Wishes To Tommy Black - BOC

Congratulations & Continued Success To Tommy Black

Email: dave.kyle-ewing@uk.bureauveritas.com Congratulations To Tommy On His Award, From

Suppliers of high quality Garage Equipment

Vehicle Lifting • Brake Testers • MOT Packages Emission Testing • On - site Calibration of Workshop Tools Workshop Design and Installation.

Tel Belfast 028-90 772 666 (ROI- 048) www.gemco.co.uk 32

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tommy Black designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:44 Page 4

performance consistently achieves best-in-class levels, they are constantly working to improve still further.

Continuous improvement is a key priority in all their efforts through competent, engaged and empowered people.

BOC is proud of its people, with good reason. They attract and retain exceptionally talented people to work in their gases and engineering businesses.

Their growth as a company is

determined by their ambition to become the leading gases and engineering group, admired for its people.

“BOC is a great company, the best I've worked for,” Tommy remarked. “They employ approximately 80 in the Belfast depot and always encourage best practice in the area of health and safety.

The company's motto is 100% safety 100% of the time.

“They're a fantastic

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

company to work for, providing employees with opportunities for self promotion. I 100% believe in self improvement.”

Tommy continued: “Every day is a school day, you learn something new. You are always planning work for the workshop, looking after all the vehicles in the depot, and dealing with managers from the various departments.

“I'd be very much hands-on in terms of getting stuck into

servicing, DOE testing, tyre repairs and breakdowns. The nature of this job is that it varies from day to day but every Friday I sit down and draw up the plans for the following week and all the plans are put up on a board in my office. Everything is transparent and I find that that works out very well.”

The Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards judges agreed it's the right way to do business.

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pm engineering designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:03 Page 1

The mobile concrete plant

PM Engineering Ltd Develop mobile concrete plant P

ere have been a number of exciting developments at PM Engineering Ltd, in recent months. e most notable of which is arguably the genesis of the company’s pioneering mobile concrete plant. We caught up with design manager Kingsley Willis to discuss the latest innovations at this long-standing, market-leading County Tyrone operation.

M Engineering Ltd. specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of premium-quality, high-performance, custom-built plant and equipment, individually produced to suit customers’ specific requirements and finished to the highest standards. They have the capacity to provide a full range of solutions throughout the quarry,

CONTACT DETAILS 34

concrete and peat processing industries, from manual to fully automated plants, static or mobile.

The full range of solutions provided includes crushing and screening systems, silo systems, concrete batching plants, peat processing plants, lime processing plants and conveyor systems (as well as new and used plant sales),

while associated services comprise onsite plant service and maintenance, parts, breakdown repairs and crane hire / plant relocation.

PM Engineering Ltd. was established in Dungannon, County Tyrone by fatherand-son team Mickey and Patsy Mulgrew in 1991 to provide specific solutions within the quarry and construction

PM Engineering Ltd., 137 Ballygawley Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone, BT70 1RW. Tel: 028 8776 7957 Mob: 07712 877 111 Fax: 028 8776 1197 Email: info@pmengineeringltd.com www.pmengineeringltd.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

pm engineering designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:04 Page 2

industry; it quickly evolved into a modern and progressive engineering company.

The directors have been involved in the engineering and construction industry for over three decades and remain committed to the continued development of the company's products and natural growth, via repeat orders and new business opportunities.

Offering an extremely high level of engineering excellence, PM Engineering’s success has been developed on the ethos of not only meeting client expectations, but exceeding them. The needs of the construction industry today are very specific and, to this end, PM Engineering specialises in the design and manufacture of custom-built equipment, individually produced to suit customers’ specific requirements. All products are supported by a comprehensive back-up service, assuring the customer of value for money and peace of mind.

The range of batching plants offered caters for the ready mix concrete, precast concrete and mortar industries, covering a broad spectrum of requirements, with storage capacities and throughputs extending from lowlevel, shovel-fed, portable batchers, which can be easily relocated from site to site, up to high-capacity, multi-purpose static plants.

With concrete plant manufacturing facilities in operation since ‘91, PM Engineering Ltd. delivers customised concrete plants that meet any capacity and building requirement.

All components used are fully adaptable IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

and multifunctional. From the design and specification stages to the engineering, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of a concrete batch plant, PM Engineering directly controls every step of the project through a modular, integrated approach, staying in close contact with clients throughout the process.

Each concrete batch plant is customdesigned to meet the client's specific conditions, taking full account of the available space and existing equipment to deliver truly versatile systems that maximise productivity.

In addition to the batching plant operation, the Dungannon company also designs and manufactures complete plants for quarries and gravel pits with crushing, screening, washing, storage bins and conveyor systems as well as peat processing plants.

The summer of 2014 was potentially a

landmark one in the history of PM Engineering as they launched their new mobile concrete plant – a fully-contained unit featuring two trailer units which assemble into a portable concrete manufacturing plant. Featuring four aggregate bins on one trailer, the mobile concrete plant is capable of producing 60 cubic metres of concrete per hour and is ideal for mobile applications on wind farms, road works etc.

The prototype is in situ at Alpha Quarry Products in Newcastle, County Down and it has proven to be extremely beneficial thus far. The feedback coming from the client has been of a positive nature and PM Engineering design manager Kingsley Willis is optimistic that there will be considerable future interest in the mobile units: “So far, so good,” he says. “It has been very successful for Alpha Concrete Products and we are hoping to sell more

35

pm engineering designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:04 Page 3

HOT DIP GALVANISERS Silverwood Ind Est., Lurgan, Co. Armagh

Telephone:

(00 44) 028 38 322222 Delighted To Be Associated With PM Engineering Ltd

Continued success to PM Engineering Ltd, from

Tel: +44 (0)28 38852503 Mobile: 07703 259923

12 Clonmakate Road, Birches Portadown, BT62 1LR E-mail: info@lsforklifts.com

www.lsforklifts.com

VISIT OUR ONLINE PARTS STORE TODAY FOR WEEKLY SPECIALS & NEW ARRIVALS! Best Wishes To PM Engineering Ltd, From

SERVICE & PARTS Best Wishes & Continued Success To PM ENGINEERING LTD Unit 14, Fonthill Business Park,Clondalkin, Dublin 22

T: (353) 01 6238188 F: (353) 01 6238189 M: 086 856 7759 E: info@teka-irl.com www.teka-irl.com Best Wishes To PM Engineering Ltd, From All At

One of the UK and Irelands largest stockist of industrial electrical & mechanical products: These include Electric Motors, Industrial gear units, Ventilation Equipment, Schneider switch gear & Vacon inverters Cookstown T: +44 (0)28 867 62295 E: cookstown@jjloughran.com Dublin T: +353 (0)1893 4927 E:dublin@jjloughran.com

www.jjloughran.com

THE THE PAINT PAINT CENTRE CENTRE Wishing Continued Success To PM Engineering Ltd From

217 Moira Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim BT28 3DX

Telephone: 02892 622146 Telephone: 02892 622274 Fax: 02892 621030

E: thepaintcentre@btconnect.com

IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Don’t be left in the dark

www.irishtrucker.com log on to

36

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

pm engineering designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 12:04 Page 4

of them this year. The beauty of this plant is that it can be disassembled in 24 hours and then moved to a new location, where it can be reassembled in another 24 hours. It’s a very convenient solution for customers who want the option of making concrete on site at a number of different locations.

“Concrete plants are very much our bread and butter and we have been manufacturing them since ’91. But, traditionally, most of them are static installations, which are installed in quarries and industrial estates etc.

Each of these would be bespoke, depending on the client’s exact needs.

However, the mobile plant is one that we can replicate. It’s a one-off design that can be used conveniently and effectively all over the world.

This unit can literally be popped onto a truck and brought to any site, in any country, anywhere in the world.”

It’s by no means a new concept but Kingsley is confident that PM Engineering has delivered a product of unrivalled quality.

“Myself and Patsy were at the Bauma Construction Show in Munich, Germany, a couple of years ago and we took some ideas from there and came up with our own product, which we are very happy with. There is good interest in the mobile concrete plant already – and we haven’t even started to market it yet.”

Another major project undertaken by PM Engineering recently was the installation of four huge cement silos in Rochester, England for the Quinn Group.

Each silo has a capacity of 1,250 tonnes, which will facilitate the Group’s penetration of the UK market, 200 lorry loads of cement are carried from Derrylin to Warrenpoint and discharged onto a vessel for transport to Rochester.

Each of the silos is 24

metres high, with a diameter of 9.5 metres. “We took them to Warrenpoint and partassembled them on the quayside,” says Kingsley.

“They were then stacked along the hull of the ship and it was an amazing sight as the ship set sail across Carlingford Lough and out into the Irish sea. It was a major project and it worked very well for the Quinn Group and we’re very proud to have been involved.”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

At present, PM Engineering is installing a new crushing and screening facility at Belfast Docks for Conexpo (NI) Ltd., which is due for completion at the end of May. All in all, things are going very well for the Dungannon company, which has come through the recession strongly and is heading towards its 25th anniversary with a definite spring in its step: “We’re very busy and things

have been very good for us,” Kingsley concludes. “We are well known throughout Ireland and the UK for the quality of our work and we provide an excellent back-up service as well. We also have our own cranes and fitters and do a lot of relocations of plant. We have a great relationship with everyone in the quarry industry and that always helps. The bottom line is that when we make a good product, customers will usually come back for more.”

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JJ Reid Motors designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:29 Page 1

Sales Manager Joe Patton

S

Driven to succeed e last few years have been a topsy turvy time for every business in Ireland and the motor trade was no different.

ales in vehicles had dropped significantly as customers were holding on to their cars and vans for longer than they had in the past, while the banks went from one extreme to another from firing out as much cash as you needed to refusing to give a loan for anything.

It was difficult times for all involved, but thankfully the tide has turned somewhat and the motor industry is starting to head in the right direction.

Of course, it makes a huge difference to have a product that almost sells itself and to that end, JJ Reid Motors in Letterkenny, Co Donegal are way ahead of their competitors.

For this company which was established in 1963 by JJ Reid is the main Volkswagen dealer for Donegal and has been for many, many years now.

JJ is still actively involved in the business and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication that he has applied to the business that the majority of the customers have been bringing their custom to JJ and his team for a number of decades now.

For this month’s edition of Irish Trucker, we speak to Sales Manager Joe Patton about the success of the business and he tells us why he thinks that Volkswagen are so popular among their customers.

When it comes to commercial fleets, the Caddy, Crafter and Transporter are

CONTACT DETAILS 38

certainly holding their own in a very competitive market.

The Volkswagen name is synonymous with quality and reliability, but the German car and van manufacturer have

also had another ace up their sleeve as Joe explained to us.

“The Volkswagen Bank had 0% finance their before Christmas on any pre-order new vehicles and from the months of

JJ Reid Motors Canal Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel: 074 912 2333 Fax: 074 912 2380 e-mail: info@jjreidmotors.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

John McC Commercial Sa

JJ Reid Motors designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:29 Page 2 Emily Hay, Service Advisor

John McCowley, Commercial Sales specialist

October, November and December, we had 40 vans ordered before Christmas,” said Joe. “There were also company deals available where businesses were buying more than one vehicle and these were all very attractive to the customer.

“The Volkswagen brand virtually sells itself and throw in the fact that there was 0% finance available and it was a nobrainer for a lot of customers.”

JJ Reid Motors has witnessed many

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Service Manager Eunan McBride

changes in the industry over the years and the evolution of technology has seen the make-up of vans change dramatically.

The Letterkenny based business not only concentrates on sales and service, but they have a comprehensive parts department also that covers a wide range of both Volkswagen and Audi Parts. Damien Rogers is the parts manager and he has been with the company for many years.

Parts Manager Damien Rodgers

Kieran O’Loan, Parts Assistant

“A number of the staff have been here many years and there is a family feel to the place as customers will see familiar faces every time the walk through the front door.

“People want to deal with someone that they can trust and we ensure that anyone who comes into us gets our undivided attention. And that doesn’t stop once the drive out of the yard in their new vehicles as we have a dedicated after sales team also.”

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To J.J. Reid Motors From

McGinley Motors Ltd Letterkenny +353 (0)74 912566 E:letterkenny@mgml.ie Donegal Town +353 (0)74 9740406 E:donegaltown@mgml.ie

Irelands best selling Dealer Management System Sophisticated Management with built in simplicity

1A Bymac Centre North West Business Park Blanchardstown Dublin 15.

Tel: (01) 8852222 email: info@systemsdesign.ie

Building 6500 F, Avenue 6000, Cork Airport, Business Park, Cork.

Tel: (021) 4380500

PEARSE ROAD TYRES Best Wishes To J.J. Reid Motors

Continued Best Wishes To J.J. Reid Motors, From

40

Larkins Lane,Off Pearse Rd, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Tel: 074-9124660

Joe revealed that apart from new sales, the second hand trade is very much alive and kicking as there is a big demand for used vans.

“We would stock a big number of second hand vans as there is a massive demand for them. A few years back no one was changing their vehicle, so there was a bit of a gap there, but we will do our best to get the customer the exact model they are looking for. Most of the time we will have it here anyway.”

A new Volkswagen Caddy has been launched on the market this year, which is available to customers for the surprisingly small fee of €185 per month, while in the Crafter model, a four-year warranty is on offer.

“Volkswagen are renowned for doing deals like that and the customers appreciate it. If a customer comes in for work to be done on their van, we can give them a courtesy van for as long as they need it, but our aim is to have them back on the road as quickly as possible as we know that downtime is not an option for them.”

As stated, JJ still makes his way into the office on a daily

basis, but these days his grandson Gareth Reid is the next generation of the family to be involved in the business.

In 2001, J.J. Reid Motors relocated to their state of the art Showroom and Service Area at Canal Road, Letterkenny, representing a major investment in the provision of a high quality service as they continue to remain at the forefront of the motor industry. This two million investment reflects on their confidence in the future of the Volkswagen/Audi group. In 2014, they where appointed Approved Mercedes-Benz Aftersales dealer.

Joe revealed that since the end of the downturn they have bounced back stronger as the company continues to go from strength to strength.

“In the last few years, our sales have doubled from year to year, we are still not back to where we were when the Celtic Tiger was in full swing, but we are getting there and once we ensure that our customers are happy then we will be happy as well, but we want to make sure we continue to improve on our service to the customers.”

Continued Best Wishes To J.J. Reid Motors From your Specialist Paint Suppliers

Auto Paint Supplies

Canal Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal P: 074-9168555 e: autopaintsupplies@eircom.net

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

SG Transport designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:51 Page 1

No job is too big or small

S

Bigger is better for S&G Transport

It's hard to beat a reliable service. Tyrone-based S&G Transport only make promises that they can keep when it comes to meeting their customer demands. A name you can trust, Irish Trucker sat down with director Gary McAnulty who reflected on their first 13 years in business.

&G Transport is a transport and haulage company based in Coalisland, Co Tyrone who, without fail, complete their jobs efficiently and on time.

Operating a modern and wellmaintained fleet of four lorries with four drivers, S&G Transport of Coalisland pride themselves on providing a professional and reliable service to their customers on a daily basis.

S&G Transport's drivers are fully trained and qualified to offer an excellent service in the field of abnormal loads, bulk transport and general haulage and customers can be sure they will handle their goods safely whilst also providing the most cost effective solution for every movement.

In particular, they have expertise in the transport of long and wide loads and they boast over 12 years experience in haulage which means they are qualified

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

to ensure the smooth running of all their customers' transport needs.

Established in 2003 by Gary McAnulty and his late brother Seamus, they have built up long term working relationships with their customers who appreciate the fact that they can adapt to their needs, no matter what they are and no matter where you they located.

S&G work throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe and run a multi-purpose four

S&G Transport have expertise in the transport of long and wide loads

vehicle fleet with varied trailers, meaning that they are able to transport a huge range of products and offer a personal, efficient and cost effective solution.

“We specialise in tipper work and wide and long loads,” explained Gary McAnulty who inherited his passion for the haulage industry from his father PJ. “We do a lot work in the area of transporting mobile home and portacabins.”

S&G Transport Derrylaughan Road BT71 4QR Coalisland Dungannon Co Tyrone

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SG Transport designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:51 Page 2

Best Wishes To S&G Transport, From

Delivering Throughout Ireland & The UK Daily

11 Tievenmara Road,Keady,Armagh,BT60 3JA. Tel: +44 (0)28 3753 9966 Best Wishes To S&G Transport From

Continued Best Wishes To S&G Transport

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

www.irishtrucker.com

42

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SG Transport designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:51 Page 3

S&G operate a modern and well maintained fleet

Attention to detail when it comes to customer service underpins the continued growth of the Coalisland business.

Their dedicated team endeavour to ensure all jobs are carried out in efficient time and work with their customers to provide a service that is tailored to their needs.

As a result, they have established a loyal base of customers who avail of their services on a regular basis and in a competitive marketplace, where customers have plenty of choice, that is an achievement in itself.

No job has ever been considered too big or too small and, since the inception of the company, every job has been given the priority it deserved. “I'd like to think that the service we provide is first class,� Gary replied when asked: what separates S&G Transport from their competitors. “We're reliable and we always strive to complete every job on schedule and on time, importantly, at competitive prices. We're IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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SG Transport designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 11:52 Page 5

fortunate to have a lot of repeat customers which, I suppose, proves that we are doing things right.”

Keeping the head above water has been the name of the game for many involved in the transport industry over the last number of years but there have been some green shoots of recovery in evidence recently.

And S&G Transport is in a healthy place at this point in time with Gary optimistic about thir future outlook.

“We were fairly busy last year and I'd be hopeful that this year will see more of the same. We're tipping along nicely and we're able to pay the bills!”

Overheads remains a cause for concern for all transport operators and Gary is no exception but, not one to rest on his laurels, he is constantly examining ways of growing the business. Long term, he would like to add to his fleet qnd workforce but, for now, he is happy to concentrate on building the business.

“If work keeps up we'd definitely look at expanding our fleet, taking on more drivers and so on at some point in the future. It's always the plan to get bigger and better.”

Being successful in business is testament to the hard work and dedication that the people concerned put in over a period of time.

Punctual, dependable and reliable, Gary is always available to offer advice. Give him a call to find out how S&G Transport can help your business.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Customer service is paramount to S&G Transport

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Delivering a carwash made easy

e hiab specialist H

With a magnificent fleet of hiab crane-equipped vehicles, Ray McGrath & Sons Transport can deliver and position a wide range of items, from containers and cabins to sculpture and carwashes. We met up with the eponymous Ray to get an insight into day-to-day activities at this unique family operation.

eadquartered in Dublin 12 but providing nationwide coverage, Ray McGrath & Sons Transport offers a transportation, loading and unloading service to clients across a vast range of industries. One of the island’s premier truck-mounted crane hire / haulage specialists, the business is

CONTACT DETAILS 46

conveniently located close to the main ports and motorway network, which makes them available for work anywhere in Ireland (and the UK).

Since the genesis of the company in the late 1990s, Ray McGrath & Sons Transport has prided itself on providing an unrivalled transport and positioning

solution to companies and private individuals. From day one, the founder has looked after his customers. That’s why he benefits from such a large volume of repeat custom from clients with whom he has established an excellent working relationship over the years, nay decades! Meanwhile, positive

Ray McGrath & Sons Transport, 14 Rafters Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.

Tel: 087 254 9915 Fax: 01 4652795 Email: rmgtransport@gmail.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

ray mcgrath designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:36 Page 2

word of mouth and glowing recommendations see to it that new business continues to be sourced. In a nutshell, Ray McGrath & Sons Transport is recognised nationwide as the premier hiab crane-equipped transporter.

Reflecting on how the company came about, Ray notes: “I had been at the lorries since I was a young lad and my brother Stephen started at the trucking first – he’s still in business. In fact, we’re both in the same line of work.”

Ray’s first truck was a D Series Ford with a second-hand HMF crane, which he used to transport abandoned cars and scrap. “I did a lot of work for John Higgins Transport in the early days and he was one of the men who got me on the road. He gave me a lot of work and that was invaluable in the IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

early days of the business. He did artic work himself and I used to handle his rigid work for him.”

Gradually, hiab haulage became Ray’s specialist line of work. “We bought a new Cormach 1900 crane and a secondhand Iveco from Jennings in Tullamore and also purchased a ’00-reg four-axle Scania with a 38-tonne Cormach crane - we had those two trucks working together for a number of years,” he continues.

“I then sold the Iveco and in ’06 ordered a brand-new four-axle Scania from Delaney Commercials in Naas, with a 5100 E6 Cormach. That’s still our main truck today.

“In the meantime, I also bought a small

Ray McGrath & Sons Transport can deliver and position a wide range of items

Mercedes recovery truck with a hiab crane in ’08. I got an eight-tonne HMF crane off Paddy Halligan, which we fitted to the Mercedes to do smaller hiab deliveries and some light recovery work.”

Ray’s hiab crane-equipped vehicles are fully remote-controlled and have a lifting capacity of 13.400kg @ 3.89m / 2.570kg @ 14.37m. The long-reach hiab (14.37m) is ideal for work on sites that are confined and have restricted access.

Some of the items that can be transported and positioned in place include (but are by no means limited to) containers, portacabins, toilet blocks, carwashes, steelworks, sculptures, generators, tanks, scaffolding, forklifts, log cabins, garden sheds, machinery, large garden ornaments, air conditioning units, signs and palletised cargo.

Thankfully, Ray experienced a busy start to the year and is considering putting a third vehicle on the road. “I’m planning to put the ’00 Scania back on the road because we were flat out working the two vehicles throughout January,” notes the company director, who has no intentions of kicking This is clearly a highly-skilled area of expertise! back his heels: “I still do

47

ray mcgrath designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:36 Page 3

most of the work myself and I

my clients and one thing they

nature of this business – you do the job properly and you don’t mess people about. rings in it’s me they want to will be there at 5am the “I don’t give credit anymore talk to. I maintain very good following morning if I say I’m and everything is done by personal relationships with all going to be there. That’s the bank transfer. Things have been tightening up and you need a steady cashflow to do the job right. People understand that.

Obviously, they might negotiate the price with you but they will pay you when you need to get paid. I would class a lot of Much of the work carried out by Ray McGrath my customers as & Sons is out of the spectacular variety find that when somebody

can be guaranteed is that I

A professional, specialist hiab service is provided

good friends and I get an awful lot of repeat business.”

As a family business, a personal touch is guaranteed.

Ray – who is an uncle of Leinster and Ireland rugby ace Jack McGrath - has his sons Raymond and Stephen at his side and his daughter Sonia also helps out in the office a few days a week.

So professional and specialist is the service provided that Ray receives a steady supply of work from individuals, businesses and local authorities all over the country. “We do a lot of

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Ray McGrath & Sons Transport From

Robinhood Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Tel:01-419 0999 | Mobile: 087-2332789 | 086-0528568 Email: jmtransport@eircom.net 48

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

ray mcgrath designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:36 Page 4

Ray’s track record in hiab work is exceptional

The Dublin 12 headquartered company boasts over 20 years of expertise

portacabin and container work in Dublin and Kildare and that’s our main source of business. We also get a lot of one-off jobs including delicate work and sculptures because I have experience in that area. For example, we moved the Anna Livia from O’Connell Street to Wolftone Quay.

“We call in Mick Phibbs Transport if we need to use escort vehicles or have wide loads and we also work hand in hand with a lot of other hauliers. There is a team of five or six lads here and we all help each other out – Paddy Devoy Plant Hire,

Best Wishes To Ray McGrath & Sons Transport From

Stephen Reynolds Transport, Jack O’Neill Haulage, James Brennan Transport and my brother, Stephen McGrath Transport. Gary Brogan is another man who has helped me out a lot in the past. As well as the hiab transport, we also buy and sell some containers and cabins ourselves from time to time.”

Looking to the future, Ray hopes to be in a position to expand the business: “I’d like to get the second truck up and running on a regular basis and to be able to get the two lads – Stephen and Raymond – back into full-time employment so that everybody is getting a wage out of it. I wouldn’t have any interest in expanding beyond that. I’d be more interested in focussing on providing a top-quality service.”

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Best Wishes To Ray McGrath & Sons Transport From

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millbrook designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:09 Page 1

Some of the 14 strong fleet taking a breather

No. 1 in Ireland for food service distribution From its Oldcastle, County Meath base, Millbrook Foods is Ireland’s premier distributor of frozen, chilled and ambient food as well as edible oil products into the catering, wholesale and food manufacturing sectors.

We met up with transport manager Niall Lynch, who oversees the long-running family operation’s stunning 14-strong fleet.

CONTACT DETAILS 50

Millbrook Foods, Millbrook, Oldcastle, County Meath.

Phone: 049 8541133 Fax: 049 8541245 Email: info@millbrookfoods.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

millbrook designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:10 Page 2

From Oldcastle, Co. Meath to outlets nationwide

W

Transport Manager Niall Lynch oversees a magnificent fleet

orders to deliver and then we’d carry a lot hen you’re at the very coalface of nationwide food service of backloads as well. Once you make sure distribution, then it goes that everything is in order and that you are without saying that you have to run a highfully compliant, then things will run performing, well-maintained and smoothly. professionally-managed fleet of trucks. To “The drivers are great and they make my this end, Millbrook Foods excels. Indeed, job a lot easier. The effort they put in this stellar family operation has been keeping the trucks in top condition has leading the way in everything it has done paid off and is reflected in our fleet picking for almost nine decades! up many prizes at the truck shows.

Niall Lynch, who recently had the distinction of being shortlisted as Ireland’s Best Truck Driver, joined the family business as a driver in the early 2000s and has been transport manager for the past three years, looking after a fleet of 14 trucks, which provide nationwide refrigerated distribution. “I make sure all the vehicles are well-maintained and kept in perfect running order at all times,” he notes. “Our routes are pretty firmly established at this stage and we’d have a Millbrook’s trucks and drivers are mixture of wholesale and retail integral to their ongoing success IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“We do all our own distribution nationwide from our own 2,000-pallet cold store, which has a chill room and ambient loading bay. We also have a midlands depot in Tullamore and everything runs like clockwork. My job is to ensure that this remains the case. I know all the routes inside-out and I’d still be out driving myself most days.”

Since its establishment as Caffrey’s Eggs in 1926, the Millbrook brand has been an increasingly influential player in the Irish food industry. Based at Oldcastle in County Meath, Millbrook began life as a local shop selling basic essentials to the local community and then extended to become a ‘travelling shop’, visiting surrounding rural areas using the family horse and buggy.

The barter method of payment was very

51

millbrook designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:10 Page 3

prominent during these tough economic times and this was how the hen’s egg first found its way to Millbrook; Thomas Caffrey and his son Jim used to receive these eggs as payment for groceries.

As demand for eggs in the new Irish Free State grew, so too did demand for their distribution. Soon, Jim was buying and delivering eggs throughout the country. He eventually bought a van and started collecting eggs from Roscommon and Longford and delivering them to Dublin, following grading and packing in Millbrook.

In the early 1960s, Caffrey’s became Millbrook Eggs and intensive egg production was introduced. When the Irish egg industry went into decline in the 1980s, Millbrook opted to change direction once more.

Tom Caffrey (Jim’s son) established Millbrook Foods in 1986, exploiting the excellent distribution network that had already been established to

restructure the operation. The first cold stores were opened and trucks began to deliver produce nationwide.

Today, Millbrook Foods is a renowned distributor of frozen, chilled and ambient food (including everything from mayonnaise, dressings and sauces to eggs and dairy, poultry, beef, seafood, breads, pastries, potato and vegetable products, and cakes, deserts and ice creams etc.) as well as edible oil products to the catering, wholesale and food manufacturing sectors. With quality, service and customer partnership as cornerstones, Millbrook Foods is dedicated to continuous innovation and progress. Sister company Millbrook Edible Oils was formed in 1998 and a state-ofthe-art 1,000-pallet cold storage facility was opened in 2000 on the same site as the original family shop.

In the meantime, there has been further growth in

personnel, fleet and facilities, exemplifying Millbrook’s dedication to progress and improvement.

Meanwhile, Caffrey’s Food Market offers products to customers at wholesale prices six days per week as Millbrook once again demonstrates its ongoing commitment to serving and supporting the local community.

Millbrook Foods is an

The roots of Millbrook Foods go back to 1926

ambitious family business with a clear goal of becoming the most trusted brand in Ireland for food service distribution.

Providing a complete service, Millbrook delivers the best possible products in an efficient and professional manner. An ever-expanding base of customers is offered premium quality products at competitive market prices, with all sourcing and

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millbrook designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:10 Page 5

distribution duties performed in-house to the highest possible standards.

“The edible oils / cooking oils and frozen, chilled and ambient foods are sourced and distributed nationwide to wholesalers and into the catering industry, including restaurants, hotels, delis, hospitals, nursing homes etc. The oils (soya bean, rapeseed, sunflower, olive oil and high oleic sunflower oil) come in a variety of sizes, with anything from one litre to 33,000 litres available. Twenty-litre packs of oil are the most popular but the full range of sizes in available nationwide,” says Niall.

As for the make-up of the company’s trusty fleet, he continues: “It’s mainly Scania, plus one Mercedes. The rigids would range from 11-reg, ‘09, ‘07, ‘04 and ‘03 18-tonners as well as an ‘06 sevenand-a-half tonne truck and ‘09 and ‘05 26 tonners. We also have a 131-reg Crafter.

Meath, Cavan, Louth, Monaghan, Dublin, Longford, Leitrim and Westmeath are our main counties for local deliveries but we do provide complete nationwide coverage.”

To help ensure that the fleet is preserved in pristine condition at all times, the services of Virginia Commercials, McElvaney Motors and Curran Commercials in Oldcastle are deployed.

Meanwhile, CS Refrigeration Ltd. look after all the refrigeration on the trucks. with Thermo king being the make of choice.

Going forward, Millbrook Foods is in a very strong position some 89 years after the company’s genesis: “It’s Best

54

growing every year both in terms of the product range and our customer base,” says Niall. “It’s a tough market to be in but we’re a family-based and customer-focussed business, providing a professional service and a personal touch. We’re adding new products and accessories all the time at our customers’ request and we’re always engaging our customers to see how we might improve our service.

“For the current year, the goal is to add more products to the range and to source more customers. Hopefully we can help our customers to grow their businesses and then grow hand in hand with them. We may also invest in the fleet again this year because it’s important to keep it as fresh as possible in order to continue providing the best possible service.”

The Millbrook Foods fleet excels in every way

Continued success to Millbrook Foods

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Wishes & Continued Success To Millbrook Foods IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

noel duffy designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:59 Page 1

Oil be there ...

Over the last 16 years, Noel Duffy & Sons Transport Ltd. has forged a stellar reputation for itself as one of Ireland’s premier providers of tanker transportation solutions. We met up with the eponymous founding director at his Stranorlar, County Donegal base to discuss the history of this highly-respected family business as well as the services provided by his striking blue-and-white fleet.

N

Noel Duffy & Sons on the road

oel Duffy certainly knows what he’s doing, having been involved in tanker haulage for over a quarter of a century. Reflecting on the formative years of Noel Duffy & Sons Transport Ltd., he explains: “I set the business up in 1999, along with my wife Jacqueline. I had been driving for another company since 1990 and decided to go owner-driver with them in ’99.”

Noel bought himself a trusty steed – a beautiful 1996-reg Scania 113 360 Streamline – and has never looked back.

The business has grown steadily over the last 16 years and the impressive fleet of oil tankers can be seen on roads

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

nationwide, delivering fuel to a host of satisfied customers … on time, every time.

“The company I was working for introduced double shifts in 2002 and I bought a brand-new Scania P420 from Cawley Commercials in Sligo,” continues Noel, who today operates seven truckand-tanker combinations. The fleet comprises five Scanias, one MAN and one DAF. The Donegal man oversees a lovely fresh and clean fleet, which is regularly renewed and updated. The most recent acquisitions were a pair of stunning Scania R560s purchased brand new in February, 2014.

“I also bought two new Lakeland

Tankers last year and I now run four of those in total,” he states. “We’ve invested a lot of money in the fleet to keep it going to the highest possible levels and we also invest in ensuring that the drivers are fully-trained and up-to-date with all the latest regulations and legislation.”

Tanker work is essentially all he has done from Day One and Noel has stuck rigorously to what he knows, developing into one of the premier tanker truck operators on the island.

“I was doing traction work in the beginning and then decided to buy my own trailers. In 2004, I started drawing oil from Dublin to Galway and Donegal for my brother, Seamus, who owns Twin

Noel Duffy & Sons Transport Ltd Drumboe Lower Stranorlar, County Donegal.

Tel: 074 9132730

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Best Wishes To Noel Duffy & Sons Transport From Moy Road, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Tel: 091- 637317 Mobile: 087- 2604264 Email:sales@macmahonoil.com

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SUPPLYING YOUR HOME HEATING NEEDS FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS SERVING GALWAY CITY AND COUNTY AS WELL AS NORTH CLARE SUPER 6 DAY DELIVERY SAME DAY DELIVERY FOR ‘OUT OF OIL’ CUSTOMERS, COMPETITIVE PRICES, GUARANTEED - PROMPT DELIVERY SERVICE Wishing Continued Success To Noel Duffy & Sons Transport, From

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Drinaghan, Sligo Tel: 071 -91 69555 / 91- 60783 Fax: 071- 91 69500 www.cawleys.ie

Best Wishes To Noel Duffy & Sons Transport

Our Services include:

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56

Crossview House, High Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel: 074-9123150 | E: info@boydhr.ie | www.boydhr.ie

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

noel duffy designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:59 Page 3

Town Oils, as well as a couple of other companies.”

A landmark in the history of Noel Duffy & Sons Transport Ltd. arrived the following year when Noel started to work for Jones Oil. “I’m still with them, drawing oil nationwide. We have a good working relationship and they are a great company to work with.”

Other clients Noel draws for include Emo Oil, GreatGas, McDevitt Oil Company, Whoriskey’s Oil and Skelly Oil. The County Donegal headquartered haulier collects from the terminals in Dublin and transports a full range of domestic (home heating) oil and diesel / petrol into oil depots, factories, forecourts and commercial premises nationwide.

From humble beginnings, Noel has evolved to the stage where he now provides employment to a team of five full-time drivers.

He also has his own workshop, fronted by a fully-qualified mechanic who carries out all servicing and maintenance duties in-house (apart from the two new Scanias). “When he’s not busy in the workshop, he is also a qualified driver, with 18-years experience and is the holder of an ADR licence,” the company founder notes.

When required, Noel still rolls up the sleeves and gets behind the wheel himself.

Staff-wise, he continues: “My wife’s also here plus Caroline in the office. And my son, Marc, who is 17, is also involved. He has just passed his driving test and will be joining us full-time soon.

It’s very much a family business. Aaron (14) and Aine (9) would also be about the place a good bit and they are showing a great interest in the business, too.”

By providing a safe, punctual and thoroughly professional service, Noel Duffy & Sons Transport has steadily grown in popularity down through the years. “We have a loyal, long-term customer base and we are also picking up new customers all

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

the time,” he confirms. “Things are going okay but it would be even better if we could manage to get road tax and the road tolls down to a more reasonable level. I hand out around €26,500 per year in road tax and it’s a huge amount of money. It leaves you under pressure. The tolls are another major overhead. We do a lot of work around Dublin, with about 90% of our work going along the M50, so it’s another significant tax on our business.”

And one which is completely disproportionate, considering that haulage companies are already taxed to the hilt.

Things have changed a lot since Noel first got involved in haulage. He told me that the first diesel he delivered in 1990 was 34p per litre – where would a man get some of that good stuff today???? The coming on stream of modern technology has transformed the industry entirely, with haulier and customer now only the push of a button away from one another. “I have the mobile on 24/7 – you have to be available to your customers at all times,” he says.

Looking to 2015, Noel is hoping to experience a pick-up in business. “We’re hoping for a slightly better year,” he says. “We had a spare truck last year so we’re hoping to find a bit of work for that one this year. I may consider diversifying a little bit into another area but I’m not going to rush into any decisions because we do the oil job well and we’re comfortable with it. We enjoy this work and we give a really good service, so ideally that’s what we’d like to stick to exclusively. We’ll see what happens.”

One thing that’s for sure is that the resplendent blue-and-white Noel Duffy & Sons fleet will continue to be an eye-catching sight on the roads of Ireland.

“We have a lot of pride in the fleet,” Noel concludes. “At the end of the day, that’s your advertising. The trucks and trailers are out on the road every day with your name on them and you want to make a good impression. The drivers are great and they keep the cabs immaculate, inside and outside. We also have three trailers with our customers’ livery on them and we look after them as well.”

All of which promotes a positive image of a very, very positive business.

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Lighting up Munster

W

î “e ESB brings electricity to the majority of homes and businesses across Ireland and it is something that we take for granted, but did you ever wonder how this is done?

ell, there are many divisions within the ESB that all combine to ensure that we have electricity. Without it, the country would practically come to a halt.

There are different sections to the ESB and they are Electric Ireland, ESB Networks Ltd, ESB Telecoms, ESB limited company and ESB International.

While historically a monopoly, the ESB now operates as a commercial semi-state concern in a liberalised and competitive market. It is a statutory corporation whose members are appointed by the Government.

With so many homes, businesses and other buildings to cater for, it is no wonder that the ESB sub-contract a lot of their work out to Irish companies.

CONTACT DETAILS 58

David Nodwell (left) with the management team at his company, Robert Turner (Contracts Manager), Roy O’Riordan (Safety Manager), Charles Grumbridge (Senior Manager)

David Nodwell Ltd, Glencree, Glanmire, Co Cork.

Mob: 087 241 9251 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Nodwell designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:48 Page 2

One company that has been with the ESB for many years is David Nodwell Ltd. This Glanmire, Co Cork based business is owned by David himself and for this month’s edition of Irish Trucker, we profile his company and he speaks to us about the services that are provided to the ESB. David epitomises what hard work and endeavour can achieve as he explains that he started out on his own in business at a very young age.

“I grew up in a housing estate where on one side of me my neighbour was Cyril Shorten, who had an artic truck in general

haulage. On the other side my neighbour was John Crowley, who had plant, machinery and tipper trucks, and worked for the ESB. “My own father owned a toy shop but I was interested in outdoor activities and was very fortunate that John and Cyril would allow me to come working with them on days off and summer holidays.

“I got great life experience back then which helps me to this day and I will always be very grateful to Cyril and John.

“I left school at 18 and I bought my first digger from John Crowley for £25,000 and started doing some work for the ESB and the rate was £10.50 per hour. That was in 1995 and I am still with them today,” said David.

“In 1998, I bought my first brand new digger and I have built up the business from there. I would now have a wide range of plant ranging from one and a half tonne diggers to 22 tonne track machines.

“I would be a dual contractor with the ESB in that we do overhead and underground work. The overhead work involves delivering and standing poles, as well as supplying a 24/7 backup service for emergency installation repair work. The underground work consists of laying ESB ducting and small civil works, and with this we also provide a 24/7 fault response service, with a two-hour response time.”

The ESB had the policy of hiring a large number of sub-contractors in different areas, but following a company restructure; they moved to a smaller number of larger contractors throughout Ireland.

David had to tender for the work and having many years’ experience with the ESB saw him win one of the contracts. “It now means that we are working in multi-divisions and that means covering almost the entire Munster region.”

To carry out the extra work, David has 20 employees on the books, while ten sub-contractors would be working for him on a regular basis.

“Once we got the contract, we decided that the company couldn’t stand still and this year we have invested heavily in plant and machinery to maintain and improve our level of service.

“As the company has grown, more and more people are looking for work. I have good workers on the books and I take great care

The team at David Nodwell Ltd. Back, l/r: Mark Daly, Robert Turner, James Murray, Michael Walsh, Roy O’Riordan, Brendan Leahy, Ray Hayes, Mark Ahern. Front, l/r: Mike Regan, Ger Kiely, Peter Murray, Kevin O’Rourke, Ray O’Neill, Jimmy Nodwell, Charles Grumbridge, Ken O’Brien, David Nodwell IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Nodwell designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:48 Page 3

Wishing Continued Success To DAVID NODWELL LTD

Carrigtohill Industrial Estate, Carrigtohill Head Office: 021 488 11 90 Fax: 021 488 11 93 Mobile: 086 25 88 390

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Best Wishes To David Nodwell Ltd From

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Begley's Forge, Ovens, Co. Cork, Tel: +353-(0)21-7432906 Mob: +353-(0)86-3870086 Email: info@oconnellstone.com www.oconnellstone.com Best Wishes To David Nodwell Ltd, From

McCarthy Insurance Group 2&3/4 South Mall, Cork Tel:021-4279999 | Email: cork@mig.ie Branches throughout Ireland Cork City | Fermoy |Mitchelstown | Bantry Dunmanway |Skibbereen | Rathmore Castlemaine | Tralee |Dungarvan |Dublin

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Congratulations to David on his 20 years in business & continued success in the future

Currahaly, Farran, Co.Cork

Tel:021-4878497

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ROBINSON’S TYRES Best Wishes & Continued Success To David Nodwell Ltd From

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Tel:021-4636995 Mobile:086-2457019

Best Wishes & Continued Success To David Nodwell Ltd From

Nancy O’Driscoll B.C.L. Solicitor 11 South Bank, Crosses Green, Cork

Charles McCarthy Insurances Ltd. t/a as McCarthy Insurance Group/ Bestquote McCarthy/ McCarthy Financial Services / O’Riordan Insurances/ Commercial Insurance Brokers is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

tel:021-432 3366 f:021-432 3396 email: legal@nancyodriscollsolicitor.ie

Wishing David Nodwell Every Success In The Future From

Continued Best Wishes To David Nodwell Ltd From

BLACKWELL

PLANT HIRE & CONTRACTING

Newtown, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick

Mobile: 087-6640215 Mobile: 087-2588898

E:tomblackwell1@hotmail.com

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U-Store It, 24 Euro Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork

T/F:021-4824464 M:086-6058441 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Nodwell designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:48 Page 4

when I’m employing someone. I cannot afford to let the standards drop regards employees.

“The staff are very well looked after and in return they work well. I believe that if you look after an employee, pay them right and on time, then they are glad to put that extra effort in to get a job done properly.”

As the company has grown, so to have the need for a bigger premises and David bought the Glanbia store in Glanmire where his headquarters were moved too.

David feels that appearance is very important and that is why his fleet of machinery is always in pristine condition.

“The fleet is kept well maintained and is cleaned on a regular basis. All our machinery are bright yellow in colour and display the company logo. The machinery is top of the range and I would upgrade on a regular basis.”

The main volume of David and his team’s work is for the ESB and much of the machinery is designed to carry out duties for the national electricity provider. Something that is paramount on all ESB jobs is health and safety and this is a particular area that David pays great attention too.

“There are quarterly reports done on

health and safety and we are given the feedback from those. The ESB would do their own spot checks and this means that they could arrive out on a job without any notice.

“This is a good thing and to keep our workers mindful of the health and safety, we have our own safety officer out doing spot checks as well.

We would also

do regular briefings on safety with the workers. We cannot stress the importance of doing everything by the book. Electricity is one of the most dangerous commodities to be working with and you are dealing with people’s lives if someone makes a mistake.

“We have a very good record when it comes to health and safety. This is something that we want to maintain and the workers know that.”

Sean Fleming Best Wishes To David Nodwell Ltd From

PLANT & EQUIPMENT HIRE Rossanean, Currow,Co. Kerry

Tel:066-9764914 Mobile: 087-2662398

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Blow Tech designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:44 Page 1

‘Quality comes first’ from Blow-Tech Truck Services When Priden Engineering Ltd were on the look-out for a new service and sales agent for Northern Ireland they didn't have to look very hard. Blow-Tech Truck Services were more than happy to take on the role and, as Blow-Tech's General Manager Michael Hutchinson explains, it has proven to be be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

CONTACT DETAILS 62

Blow-Tech Truck Services 80 Ruskey Road Cookstown Tel: +44 28 8673 7252

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Blow Tech designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:44 Page 2

T

he Hutchinson family name is synonymous with the animal feeds industry in northern Ireland but two years ago they diversified into the truck and trailer repairs and servicing.

Michael Hutchinson was responsible for carrying out all the repair work and servicing on the family business, Hutchinson Feeds' fleet and machinery so when the call came from Priden Engineering Ltd, inviting him to become their sole service and sales agent for Northern Ireland, he didn't have to think twice.

Set up two years ago this March, Blow-Tech Truck Services is a truck and trailer service and repair garage located in

Cookstown, County Tyrone which specialises in bulk blower trailer repairs and servicing.

“Hutchinson Feeds was established in 1956 by my grandfather Sandy and his father Thomas, my great-grandfather,” Michael explained.

“My father Ian now runs the company and I would have worked on our own bulk feeds trailers and lorries. We were offered the chance to become the sole agent for Priden Engineering Ltd in northern Ireland two years ago, we decided to take it on and it has gone very well for us to date.

“Blow-Tech is a subsidiary of Hutchinson Feeds and we specialise, first and foremost, in animal bulk feed trailers and trucks. Secondly, we service and carry out routine maintenance on all trucks and trailers throughout the north of Ireland.”

The phone call from Priden Engineering set in motion the setting up of Blow-Tech Truck Services.

The Cambridgeshire-based Priden was established in 1988 to service the specific requirements of the road transport industry primarily the animal feed sector and stainless steel fabrication.

Since then they have built their reputation based on quality and service and through continued growth and diversity, they now offer a wide range of products for the road transport industry.

Their reputation has been built by giving our customers the best quality products designed for ease of operation, minimal servicing and maintenance and a long, productive life.

It's a philosophy that Michael and the two mechanics employed

by Blow-Tech buy into.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our work. Quality comes first in the animal feed game and price comes second. We alway strive to carry out all jobs to the best of our ability. We never do things on the cheap because if you do, you'll find that things comes back to bite you.

“As agents for Priden, we supply everything from light bulbs right up to used and new vehicles.”

Another string to the Hutchinson-run company's bow is that they are also distributors for Gates Hydraulics.

Gates is the world’s leading manufacturer of power transmission belts and a premier global manufacturer of fluid power products.

Their highly engineered products are critical components used in diverse industrial and automotive applications where the cost of failure is very high relative to the cost of their products.

They provide a differentiated value proposition to their customers by offering a complete portfolio of premium product and service solutions for both replacement and first-fit applications across their targeted end markets, which encompass process and specialty, construction, agriculture, energy, transportation, and automotive.

They sell their products globally under the Gates brand, which is recognised by distributors, original equipment manufacturers, Blow-Tech Truck Services was set up two years ago

Blow-Tech employees David and Simon discuss the big night of work ahead - four trailers to repair by morning!

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Blow Tech designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:44 Page 3

Blow-Tech Truck Services are proud to be Priden Engineering Ltd’s service and sales agent for Northern Ireland

and installers as the premium brand for quality and technological innovation.

“We stock 750 different hydraulic fittings, the whole range,” Michael outlined.

“Gates are the biggest and best when it comes to the quality of hydraulics and that side of our business is very busy.

“The range may not be cheap but they have helped us establish a lot of repeat

custom because of the quality.

In the last two years, we've never had anything that we have sold sent back to us.”

Michael and his employees are committed to ensuring that every customer they deal with is 100% satisfied and if there is any problem, large or small, they have always tried to resolve it to the best of their ability and to the customer’s satisfaction.

It should therefore not come

Mark Service

Best Wishes To Blow-Tech Truck Services From

Blow-Tech Truck Services is a truck and trailer service and repair garage

as a surprise to learn that business has been brisk for Blow-Tech Truck Services in recent times. So much so that expansion of the business could be on the cards in the not too distant future according to Cookstown native Michael.

“Business is very good at the moment. We're kept busy and there is always work in front of us. We're fortunate to have a lot of repeat customers who

seem to be happy with the service we provide. If work keeps picking up we will have to look at expansion down the line.

“As far as I'd be concerned, quality is always the way forward and it helps keep everything right.”

Don't take our word for it, give Michael and Blow-Tech Truck Services a call at the number below to find out for yourself.

Best Wishes To Blow-Tech Truck Services From

TRANSPORT

HAULAGE CONTRACTOR OF BULK ANIMAL FEEDS

52 Ballygillen Road, Coagh BT80 0AS.

Tel. 028- 79 418995 Mobile. 07855307943

Blow- Tech Truck Services offers a friendly reliable service both at there top spec work shop and with there 24 hour break down service. Totally recommend there services to anyone.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Blow-Tech Truck Services From

64

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

campbell mcleave designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 13:54 Page 1

Opportunities for all Y

e haulage industry is well known for being a male dominated sector, but as times change, so too does the industry as there are more and more women becoming involved in transport.

ears ago, it would be unheard of women driving trucks, working as mechanics, owning haulage firms or anything other than working on the administration side of the business.

However, you will find all of the above in the industry these days, while the percentage of women Transport Managers has also increased and for this month’s edition of Irish Trucker, we profile one company who had no problem in promoting a woman to be their Transport Manager and that is Northern Ireland based Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd. The lady in question is Cheryl Magee and she speaks to us about what it is like being involved in such a male dominated environment.

The Belfast based freight forwarder supplies domestic and worldwide transportation by road, sea and air. They offer a range of services including road, sea and air forwarding, warehousing, storage and distribution, and logistics & supply chain management.

“I have been with the company for the past eleven years,” said Cheryl. “I came in as an office clerk, but thankfully this is a very progressive company and there are massive opportunities to further yourself in the

CONTACT DETAILS

business.

“I was promoted to Transport Manager a few months and I’m grateful for the opportunity to prove myself at this level.

I’m loving it so far as it is a very interesting job, albeit a challenging one

and no two days are the same.”

As one of Northern Ireland’s leading suppliers of domestic and international transportation by road, sea, and air, the company has earned a reputation for reliability, efficiency and dedication to their customers.

“The company was established in 1983, we have offices in Belfast city and Belfast International Airport and employ over 40 trained and experienced staff. We would be the only haulage firm that is in the centre of Belfast City, which means that we are close to both the airport, port and the major roads around Ireland.”

Cheryl’s role entails looking after the fleet and the drivers on a daily basis and ensuring that operations run smoothly. “We have an experienced team of drivers here, some of who have been with the company many years and they are all very good at their jobs, which makes my job that be easier,” she joked.

“The fleet consists of Scania and Volvo trucks. They would all be maintained regularly and we do upgrade the fleet every three years. Our location is ideal for all the destinations that we are using whether that be throughout Ireland,

Head Office Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd 35/39 Middlepath Street Belfast Co. Antrim BT5 4BG United Kingdom Tel: 0044 (0) 28 9045 8558 Email: sales@cmcfreight.co.uk

Airfreight Office Unit No 5, New Freight Forwarders Building Belfast International Airport Belfast BT29 4GB Northern Ireland Tel: 0044 (0) 28 9442 3388 Email: sales@cmcair.co.uk Contact Details Free Call: 0800 023 5933

66

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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mainland U.K or Europe.”

Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd have been accredited with numerous certificates which allows them to operate to their capacity.

“We are accredited with ISO 9001:2008, AEO (Approved Economic Operator) and as a DfT (Department for Transport) Aviation Security Regulated Agent, we offer secure supply chain solutions. We are an agent for IATA and are members of BIFA, RTA & FIATA and we fully comply with their respective trading conditions.”

The company provides air freight and are exclusive agent representation to a global network, and offer time definite door-to-door services. They also have alternative options direct with airlines to best meet the customers’ needs.

If a customer wants a product moved by sea, who better to go to then Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd as the company is very experienced in this area also as they can offer market competitive container pricing throughout principal liner agencies or through general freight forwarding purchasing to/from Northern Ireland or third country cross-trade.

By road, this ever-growing business offers European Groupage where part or full load trailer services with daily or weekly departures with reliable cost effective sub contracted carriers.

“We have Groupage export services departing every Friday, while Groupage import services arriving daily. We also offer our customers 24 hour special/48 hour and 72 hour services. We utilise our own fleet or agency networks, we can serve Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland UK. Part/full load trailers or dedicated truck services are also available, while we can also offer handling, warehouse and storage facilities, including Bonded Cargo.

Cheryl revealed that the company was very fortunate to have a loyal customer base many of who have been giving them business for many years now.

“A lot of our customers would be with us years and they have been very loyal to us during some of the tougher times. When the price of diesel went through the roof, they were very

Best Wishes & Continued Success to

Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd From

acceptable of the small fuel surcharge that we implemented for a while.

“There is very much a family feel to this business and I think our customers appreciate that. Our aim over for this year is to try and build on our customer base and attract more business.

“With the experience that we have, we can off a package that best suits the customer at a competitive price while still maintaining the quality and efficiency that we have become accustomed to providing.”

DEIGHAN TRANSPORT

Specialise In Distribution & Storage

STS

22 Rectory Park, Garvagh, Coleraine Co. Derry BT51 5AJ T: 07734 231333 Wishing Continued Success To Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd

Swift Transport Services

92 Main Street, Crumlin, Co. Antrim BT29 4UU

www.polarinternational.co.uk Email: info@polarinternational.co.uk

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tel: 028-9442 3609 M: 0044-777 846 8547 E:sts1988ltd@gmail.com

Continued success to Campbell McCleave & Co Ltd

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Doohamlet designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 15:04 Page 1

Doohamlet Motors joins forces with Isuzu In a landmark partnership, Doohamlet Motors Ltd. in County Monaghan has been appointed as a main dealer for Isuzu commercial vehicles. We met up with founder / proprietor Kieran McArdle to discuss this exciting new venture and also to take a look back at the history of this long-running operation, which specialises in the sales and servicing of cars and light commercials.

L

Kieran McArdle established Doohamlet Motors 37 years ago

CONTACT DETAILS 68

ocated on the outskirts of Castleblayney, Doohamlet Motors Ltd. in Monaghan specialises in quality new and used car and commercial vehicles sales.

They also have a full service workshop and provide car servicing, NCT preparation, mechanical repairs and body repairs as well as a recovery and tow truck service.

The stock of vehicles is updated on a daily basis and dealer principal Kieran McArdle is always on hand to look after all enquiries. Kieran operated ran the business in a hands-on fashion for the best part of four decades (he still rolls up his sleeves every day and does “a bit of everything”) and his absolute focus on customer care is one of the many reasons why this rural garage continues to go from strength to strength.

The latest departure of note occurred last October / November when Kieran agreed to take on the coveted Isuzu commercial vehicle franchise.

Isuzu has been a pioneer in the manufacture of vehicles and engines for industrial and commercial use since its first truck was introduced in 1918.

Today, Isuzu is a world leader in the production of reliable medium-duty trucks and is world-renowned for its

expertise in engineering, from diesel engines to pick-ups to SUVs. Isuzu in Ireland specialises in the supply of light and medium commercial vehicles. Whether you're in the market for a light commercial vehicle, crew cab 4x4 or light truck, Isuzu has something to meet every requirement.

The all-new Isuzu D-MAX pick-up truck (double cab or single cab), for example – which comes with twin turbo, Bluetooth and a towing capacity of 3,500kg encompasses aggressive new styling, enhanced levels of safety and the most responsive engine ever, allied to Isuzu’s legendary durability and fuel efficiency. Whether it’s hauling big loads, powering through the work week, cruising through the weekend or going where the others won’t, this is one pick-up that can be depended upon.

Meanwhile, the N Series is available in a variety of sizes from 3.5 tonne (‘Grafter’) to 11 tonne (‘Forward’).

Cost effective, powerful and easily maintained, the N Series has been tried and tested around the world and is the clear choice for demanding commercial applications, combining superb diesel engineering, comfort and

Doohamlet Motors Ltd., Doohamlet, Castleblaney, County Monaghan.

Phone: 042 9741411 Mobile: 087 6773743 Fax: 042 9741777 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Doohamlet designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 15:04 Page 2

convenience.

At home in both rural and urban environments, all models offer marketleading payload carrying capacity, exceptional fuel economy, easy crosscab access, reliability and durability.

Naturally, Kieran is delighted to have been appointed as a main dealer for the renowned Japanese marque: “We’re hoping to shift a few of them anyway,” he says. “We always had a few light commercials and jeeps here, so we are experienced in that area and this dealership will enhance that service and hopefully help progress the business.

We’ve had a steady demand for the DMAX so far and we’re hoping to sell a good few of those and to provide our usual back-up service to customers.

We’ve been here for a good few years now and people know what we’re all about. With Isuzu we can combine a

great product with our strong back-up service and we hope this will be a winning combination.”

Although the last five or six years have been incredibly difficult for everybody in the motor trade, the proprietor of Doohamlet Motors is optimistic that better times are on the horizon. “You have to look on the bright side,” he continues. “There has been an awful lot of doom and gloom and that sort of talk doesn’t help anybody. We need a more positive approach and I prefer when people are talking up the economy, even if things are moving slowly. There seems to be a bit of a pick up; we’re definitely busier now that we were a few years ago.”

The genesis of the partnership with Isuzu should result in a further boost to the business, which Kieran started as a sole trader some 37 years ago before

incorporating Doohamlet Motors as a limited company a decade ago. “I started off doing bodywork and then progressed into servicing and mechanical work. We started doing our own sales and things just gathered momentum from there. The cars that were sold needed a back-up service and we also accepted trade-ins, which left us with more cars to sell. It’s mostly sales and servicing now, with a bit of bodywork as well.”

Isuzu aside, Doohamlet Motors is 100% independent. “As we aren’t tied in with any of the main car manufacturers, we can basically get a customer whatever he wants, new or secondhand. Toyota, Ford, whatever they want we can get.”

Commercial vehicles have always been an important part of the business and this is why Isuzu approached Kieran to see if he was interested in taking on

Doohamlet Motors will stock the full range of Isuzu light and medium commercial vehicles IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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CIARAN GORMAN AUTO ELECTRICS

We are pleased to be a tyre supplier to Doohamlet Motors and wish them continued success for the future

Best Wishes To Doohamlet Motors From

Fair Green, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

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NEED ADVICE? CALL 042-9740064 Monaghan Office

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Irish Trucker & Light Commercials Magazine

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Doohamlet designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 15:04 Page 4

Doohamlet Motors in Monaghan has teamed up with Isuzu

the dealership. “Traditionally, we’ve always been busy with commercials,” the founder confirms. “I’ve sold a lot of jeeps in my time and also do servicing and repairs on both jeeps and light commercial vans. We’re able to do all kinds of work on any car or light commercial vehicle.”

The dawning of the internet era has seen Doohamlet Motors’ catchment area expand. “We would only have sold into Monaghan and the surrounding counties traditionally but with the internet now you never know where you might sell a vehicle. There’s a nationwide

market there now and we have had customers recently from as far away as Waterford and Galway. The internet is a great thing and it has opened up those new

A full range of services is provided

by Doohamlet Motors Ltd IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

markets to us, although you won’t sell vehicles now unless you are competitive price-wise, which we are.

“We have three men working here at the moment and maybe I’ll be able to increase that if the new dealership takes off. If the Isuzu thing takes off, I’m hoping there will be better things down the line. They are planning to launch a new jeep later this year and I’m looking forward to seeing how that goes. The D-MAX is a great machine and I’m confident it will sell well “Our fully-qualified mechanic has been with us for twelve years and we do all electrical and mechanical work, with all the latest

The stock of vehicles is updated on a daily basis

diagnostic equipment available. If there is a problem with a vehicle, we will get to the bottom of it.”

Looking to the future, Kieran says he will continue to adapt the same approach to business that has served him well for almost 40 years: “We give people a good service and we look after them as best we can, both in terms of service and price. Once you do that, they will come back to you. We are dealing with a very small pool of customers in this neck of the woods, so you have to look after them all. That’s what we’ve done since the beginning and that’s what we will continue to do. It has served us well so far so we’re not going to change.”

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Reliability is the name of BTS Recovery’s game T

Despite being only in existence for the last three years, BTS Recovery Belfast has developed a reputation which is the envy of many to their competitors thanks to a combination of professionalism and, most importantly, offering a quality service.

hey pride themselves on the efficiency of service which, they say is 'the name of the game', and they work with a loyal network of garages.

Their recovery and breakdown service covers Belfast and surrounding areas 24 hours a day for immediate response and they also cover all Ireland by arrangement.

Their wide-ranging services also includes roadside assistance, lockouts, wheel change, jump starts, storage, immediate response – all available at Belfast's best rates – and their fleet consists of plain (non sign written) recovery trucks, uniformed drivers with no logos or company details and unbranded paper work.

If you’re a trade customer, BTS Recovery believe their unique service supports the image of your company as opposed to the promotion of their brand when actually carrying out your

CONTACT DETAILS 72

BTS Recovery Tel: 028 90 43 43 47 Mob: 07922415474 Email: btsrecovery24hr@gmail.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

BTS Recovery designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:38 Page 2

breakdown/recovery work.

They will now inform your customer that they have been sent

by you and the customer doesn't need to be aware that they are in fact a contractor to your company.

Paperwork given to both the customer on collection or at the

roadside repair and the receiving garage/customer will only have the name of your company and they will then invoice you monthly.

After lengthy research, they found that similar services are

available for dealer networks in other regions and are working with huge benefits to both.

RECOVERY IN BELFAST & SURROUNDING AREAS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

In this current financial time, all companies are tightening their belts and the promotion of your brand is more important than ever, and customer support as always is a top priority.

As part of this new service, their pricing structure can't be matched. “We believe we have the best service available today in Belfast and surrounding areas from a simple jump start, roadside repair or full uplift and we're extremely busy at the

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moment,” a company spokesperson revealed to Irish Trucker.

“It's the time of year, the cold weather, dark nights and hazardous road conditions are a recipe for recovery.

“The biggest challenge in this industry is 'Mickey Mouse' operators. There are plenty of people out there who think all they have to do is buy a transit van, put a recovery sign on the side and, all of a sudden, they're a recovery operator who charges one quarter of the price of reputable businesses.

“We're faced with that every single day. We're PAS43 accredited and that should be the minimum industry standard that every recovery operator has to adhere to.”

BTS Recovery offer clean well appointed vehicles.

They'll pick you and your vehicle up and get you home in comfort. Their “Crew Cab” truck can accommodate up to 5 people safely.

They can also pick up and transport your vehicle anywhere across Ireland.

Their low loader trucks allow them to transport sports cars and modified cars without damage.

As regards garage services, the Belfast-based company works in partnership with

74

reputable garages to ensure you car is repaired to the highest standard possible.

We’ll can also pick up your car from the scene of an accident and deliver it to your preferred garage.

They can collect your car from any location in Belfast and surrounding areas and, if its come to the end of its useful life, they will deliver the car to a scrap yard that will recycle your vehicle responsibly.

They can liaise with your insurance company to ensure that your vehicle is either taken to a body shop for repair or collected by a salvage agent. As they work extensively with insurance companies, they usually get it sorted out very quickly.

And, not content to rest on their laurels, they have ambitious plans for expansion in the pipeline.

“We're hoping to expand into heavy recovery by end of 2015,” the spokesperson added. “That will involve a massive investment in terms of buying heavy recovery vehicles and securing bigger premises but we would expect to grow our business by 20% over the next three years.”

Give BTS Recovery a call, you won't be disappointed!

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

O'Mahonys designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:20 Page 1

Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire provides a wide range of services to the farming community and haulage industry

I

Combining forces Many would agree that haulage and agri contracting industries are two of the most volatile sectors to be involved in especially during the current economic climate.

rish hauliers and Agri-contractors alike have, and rightly so, many grievances that they need aired at the highest level of authority.

It is not easy to make a living in either industry, but try working in both at the same time is a challenge.

Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire provides a wide range of services, catering not just for the farming community, but the haulage industry as well.

Operating a fleet of four trucks beside their agri—contracting and plant hire business is a full time job and for this month’s edition of Irish Trucker, we speak to Diarmuid O’Mahony who looks after the haulage end of the business.

Tony O’Mahony has over 50 years’ experience in agricultural contracting and the company is one of the biggest of its kind in Munster.

Based in Bandon, Co Cork, Tony and his three sons Sean, Michael and Diarmuid have made a huge success of the business as they provide every service imaginable to the farming sector.

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

To carry out their duties to the highest standard, they have an impressive fleet of plant and machinery that is upgraded on a regular basis.

The business is built around four elements: silage and forage; plant work; truck haulage and general slurry and cultivation duties. By its nature, it is hard low margin work, but the business is sustained by attention to customer needs and a speedy service.

Each member of the family has their own sector to look after and as mentioned Diarmuid focuses on the haulage side of the business. He revealed to us that initially trucks were bought for their own use.

“The trucks were first bought to assist the agri-contracting, drawing slurry and silage, while keeping the tractors and dump trailers off the roads. The first two trucks complemented and dove-tailed into the overall business very well. Muckshifts, movement of excavators and haulage of forage maize and silage and ground lime became the first haulage outlets. We were able to draw far larger

quantities and this helped speed up the service considerably,” said Diarmuid.

With fragmented farm holding a feature of West Cork and Cork city environs, having Lorries on call helps maintain output of agri-contracting business and increase revenue from existing customer base.

“I then got my haulage licence and we thought it would be good to diversify a bit and I began looking after that side of the business. Through word of mouth, we started to pick up work from around and now we offer a general haulage service including bulk and low loader work as well as flat trailers for general haulage” The fleet includes four modern Volvo trucks and a wide range of trailers to carry out each service. They have a selection of aggregate and bulk tipper trailers that transport stone and lime and commodity grain and grain by-products respectively, while fertiliser, salt are other commodities hauled by the team.

Diarmuid also has two customised liquid manure tankers with a capacity of 7,000 gallons each,

Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire Limited, Cripple Hill, Bandon, Co Cork.

Home (023) 8841957 Diarmuid (086) 4132833 Michael (086)2592840

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“We would cover a wide range of haulage and with our name already out there in the agri-contracting, we were able to attract some work. We are steadily getting busier all the time.”

Diarmuid admitted that they have a good relationship with companies that he works for and he is grateful for the work that they have given him. He aims to provide a prompt efficient service with trucks kept in pristine condition.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their support in the last few years.

“We deal with McCarthy Commercials when it comes to purchasing trucks and they are very good to do business with and they have always looked after us. We bought our first truck in 2006 and we have been upgrading more or less ever since.”

Diarmuid added that expanding the haulage side of the business was something that they are looking at doing in the near future. “I’d definitely like to add to the fleet and if we get the work, then we have no problem in doing that.”

The haulage industry is one of the most fickle sectors out there and one wrong decision could prove very costly, a situation that Diarmuid is well aware of.

“The margins are very small as there are massive overheads in this industry. You have to maximise output and that means if you are delivering a load anywhere, you must ensure that you have something coming back with you.

“You have to be cost efficient in this industry and there are

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

O'Mahonys designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:20 Page 3

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Best Wishes To Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire

O'Mahonys designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:20 Page 4

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire From

The Granary, New Road, Bandon,Co. Cork.

T: +353 23- 8841899 T:+353 23-8841254 F: +353 23-8841819 Email: charles@charlespcrowley.com www.cpccorkaccountants.com Best Wishes To Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire From

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Irish Trucker & Light Commercials Magazine

78

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

O'Mahonys designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:20 Page 5

areas that we need to look at carefully in order to get the best out of our fleet.”

Despite this, Diarmuid is happy with the direction that the haulage business is heading, but he knows that it will take a lot of hard work to get where they want to be.

“It is not an easy industry to be involved in, but fortunately we have good customers and as long as they are happy with the service that we provide then we should have no problems.

“Our aim is to expand the business, but we also know that is something that won’t happen overnight and it will take a lot of work to ensure that we continue to provide the level of service

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

that we are renowned for.”

The daily running of all sectors of Tony O’Mahony Agri & Plant Hire can be now seen on DVD after Kildare native John Anderson followed the team around for a full year recording their daily activities through gopro cameras.

This DVD was launched at the recent Farm Machinery show in Punchestown and for anyone interested in seeing how a successful business is run, then it is a must-see for all. Tony O’Mahony Agri Plant & Haulage also have a very popular facebook site with over 5,000 followers keeping up to date with the variety of their work load.

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first direct designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:28 Page 1

From bikes to HGVs ... the complete transport service C

e First Direct Transport Group provides a full range of transportation from pushbike and motorbike courier services in Dublin and beyond to nationwide haulage and international airfreight. We met up with co-founder Alan Buttimer to take a look at the history and current well-being of this exceptional, all-encompassing operation.

Haulage would account for around 40%

omprising First Direct Logistics

and Pony Express / Hurricane

of turnover, with a huge fleet comprising

it comes to providing local, national and

stone is left unturned in ensuring that

Couriers,

the

First

some

Direct

region of €15m, First Direct has evolved

strategically since its inception in 1988 and now stands proud as one of Ireland’s

most versatile and dependable goods transport providers.

This is reflected in the large number of

prestigious contracts they hold, including long-running partnerships with the HSE and German supermarket giants Lidl.

Reflecting on the genesis of the business some 26 years ago, director Alan Buttimer notes:

“Myself and Ray Moore set the

company up in 1988, having worked in

the courier business for ten years prior to that, working predominantly in the

supermarket sector. We provide a wide range of transportation from pushbikes and

motorbikes

offering

CONTACT DETAILS 80

same-day

DAFs.

efficient, advanced and well-maintained

wide range of customers.

trucks – and with a group turnover in the

mostly

First Direct has at its disposal the most

international transportation solutions to a including bicycles, motorbikes, vans and

trucks,

Investment in the fleet is ongoing and no

Transport Group covers all bases when

Operating a vast fleet of vehicles –

50

delivery in Dublin to nationwide haulage

and airfreight. We’ve been doing haulage since the beginning, providing a same-

day nationwide service for parcels and pallets.

“In the haulage end of it, we work in

conjunction with a number of partners.

We cover some parts of the country

ourselves and then use a variety of partners to achieve total nationwide coverage.”

vehicles possible.

To this end, the heralded BlueTree

engine management system has been

installed in all the trucks, while the fleet continues to be refreshed on a regular

basis. “We’ve added a number of new

Renaults this year and there is also an order of new DAFs on the way,” says Alan.

“As margins are tight, we are always

looking to maximise fuel efficiency, which

is absolutely key in this line of work.

Improving our fuel efficiency enables us

in turn to offer our customers the best possible rates and service.

“We run our own workshop here in

Blanchardstown, where we look after all of our own fleet maintenance, which we

have found to be extremely costeffective.”

The majority of First Direct’s trucks are

paired

First Direct Logistics, Unit 2, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11.

Phone: 01 8227977 Fax: 01 8227988

with

multi-temperature

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

first direct designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:28 Page 2

for six years now and we have grown

that contract to the very best of our ability

and we are hoping to maintain our

business to achieve as many economies

hand-in-hand with them during this time,”

Alan notes. “It’s a great contract to have relationship with Lidl going forward.”

Looking to the future, Alan says he will

continue to be on the look-out for further refrigerated units. “Multi-temp fridges are a requirement of our Lidl contract and I’d

say around 70% of our trailers are refrigerated. We also handle a lot of

container traffic out of Dublin Port and a number of line-hauls in the parcel and pallet side of the business.”

First Direct provides pallet, parcel and

document deliveries to anywhere in the 32 counties, including overnight and same-day

deliveries.

A

strong

relationship with Fastrack facilitates station-to-station

or

door-to-door

deliveries around Ireland. A weekend

delivery service is also available, as well as express worldwide deliveries.

For Lidl, First Direct transports fresh,

openings: “There are opportunities out

there at the moment and we intend to

pursue these,” he says. “You can’t afford to sit back. There are fewer small hauliers out there now and that has created opportunities for us to take on

in

County Westmeath and Newbridge, County Kildare. “We have been with Lidl

We would have in excess of 2,500

customers from small solicitors up to major supermarket groups, representing

a broad cross section of the market, and

there is no reason why we can’t increase that.”

business as efficient as possible. If you

don’t, you will be left behind. We are in a

strong position to attract

business.

“I

can

further

envisage

been

centres

“We have a massive customer base.

money in making the

Charleville, County Cork, Mullingar,

distribution

of scale as possible.

invested a lot of

frozen and ambient produce to chains regional

looking for growth in other areas of the

more work. We have

further growth for the

nationwide from the group’s three

but, at the same time, we are going to be

b u s i n e s s .

Traditionally, Lidl has our

biggest

customer,

but

I

would expect that

they will account for a

decreasing

percentage of our overall

business

going forward. We are delighted to be with them and will

continue to serve

Best Wishes To First Direct Logistics From

Maple Avenue, Stillorgan Industrial Park, Sandyford, Co. Dublin email: info@spiritford.ie

Call: 01-216 3600

www.spiritford.ie WISH THE FIRST DIRECT LOGISTICS CONTINUED SUCCESS

Kingpin Tyre Specialists

Building 6500, Avenue 6000, Cork Airport Business Park, Cork.

T 00353 21 4299002 | F 00 353 21 4299012 www.insightrm.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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mccluskey designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:34 Page 1

RAYMOND F ARRELL &

Continued success to Gerard McCluskey & Sons from

SONS

32 Sugarisland Road, Bleary, Portadown BT63 5PD

Tel: 077-10068427

Michael Purdy & Co. ACCOUNTANT & AUDITOR

Congratulations Gerard on 35 successful years in the business and wishsing you all the best for the future years.

20 Lavery Avenue, Lurgan, Co. Armagh BT67 9EE. T:028-3832 8889 E: m.purdy1951@live.co.uk

J.MURRAY Best Wishes To Gerald McCluskey & Sons From

TIPPER HIRE & SITE CLEARANCE

88 Cornakinnegar Road Lurgan, Co. Armagh BT67 9JP Tel:028-3832 4186 Mob:077-8975 6591 Email: jmurrayhaulage@mail.com

FH Commercials Ltd

Best Wishes To Gerald McCluskey & Sons, From

Commercial Vehicle Repairs & Servicing

Charlestown Road, Lurgan. T: 028-38340035 M:07710800636 E: info@fhcommercials.co.uk online service network

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Old Lurgan Road, Portadown 82

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

mccluskey designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:34 Page 2

Tar excellence Celebrating 35 years in business, Gerald McCluskey & Sons is one of Northern Ireland’s foremost tarmac and paving specialists. e family-run business offers a first class service at a competitive price to customers across the province.

I

f you are looking for a reliable and prompt team for all of your surfacing needs, then look no further than Gerald McCluskey & Sons. From laying a new road or resurfacing your driveway to cutting back a hedge or erecting a new garden fence, the Portadown-based concern has always prided itself on the quality and finish of all of its work, and aims to give each client the benefit of more than four decades of experience to ensure there is complete customer satisfaction.

The highly-regarded business offers a wide range of tarmacking, paving and landscaping services, being equally adept at carrying out domestic and commercial work. No job is too big or too small for Gerald McCluskey & Sons whose diversity has made them the

CONTACT DETAILS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

number one choice for thousands of customers north of the border.

Established by Gerald McCluskey in 1980, Gerald is nowadays joined in the business by his wife Mary-Anna and sons Neville and Gerald jnr. In total, eight people are employed. The McCluskey name has long been synonymous with tarmacking and paving, with Gerald’s father Joseph having carried out some of the paving work on the M1 motorway, which links Belfast to Dungannon, when it was constructed in the early 1960s.

“We’ve been at this game for many years,” Neville explains.

“My father had worked for other tarmacadam contractors before setting up his own business. He has worked hard to build up the outstanding reputation which we now enjoy. Any time

we (Neville and Gerald jnr) got a day off school, we were gone off to do a job with him. It was inevitable that we would both follow him into the business.”

While tarmacking remains the core business of Gerald McCluskey & Sons, there is a growing demand for its other services, such as paving, garden landscaping and garden fencing. The full range of services are: road construction and maintenance; carparks; driveways; kerbing; paths; paving; garden landscaping; tree work; garden fencing; garden walls. Excellent workmanship by experienced professionals is always assured.

“We are available 24 hours a day to fulfil all your tarmac, paving and landscaping needs,” Neville continues.

“While most of our work is for private

Gerald McCluskey & Sons 11 The Palms, Portadown, Co. Armagh BT63 5RU Mobile: 07710 085 648 Telephone: 028 3834 0461 Email: info@geraldmccluskeyandsons.co.uk Website: www.geraldmccluskeyandsons.co.uk

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mccluskey designed_Layout 1 13/03/2015 14:34 Page 3

house owners, we can also tarmac a public road or undertake road maintenance. We also do quite a bit of work for schools and the commercial sector.

“I think most people would agree that a house isn’t complete without a nice driveway. It’s the first thing that you see when you drive in off the road. Most builders nowadays are selling new houses with the driveway either tarmacked or paved. It speaks volumes for the loyalty many builders have shown to us that they continue to put work of this nature our way.”

Gerald McCluskey & Sons has forged excellent working relationships with numerous builders, sand and gravel suppliers, haulage and plant hire companies down through the years.

Among the builders who the McCluskeys carry out work for are Charlie Lavery & Sons, Raymond Farrell and B&J Coleman. They also count Tullyraine Quarries in Banbridge, Collen Brothers in Tandragee, McQuillans in Dromore, CP Hire in Coleraine and Allen Plant Hire in Lurgan among their main suppliers.

The McCluskeys have two six-wheel Foden and Mercedes tipper trucks of their own, and hire in other trucks from Tullyraine Quarries or Collen Brothers when the need arises. They also operate a 10-tonne roller, a road paver, a track machine and mini-diggers. They hire rollers, dumpers and other related plant from CP Hire and Allen Plant Hire on a regular basis.

Gerald McCluskey & Sons stand over every job they do. Neville reckons an

asphalt driveway will last up to 30 years if it is properly maintained.

“It’s like everything. If you look after your asphalt driveway, it will last for many years. We can carry out repairs to any driveway that needs repairing. We can put down driveways to suit every pocket. While we would always recommend asphalt, there are other alternatives such as a basic base course or SMA (stone mastic asphalt) which has fibres in it and is used a lot in r o a d construction.

A Bomag roller gives a perfect finish

“Paving is another option which is becoming increasingly popular.”

Neville concludes by saying that business is steady at the moment.

“We’re getting by. Obviously, when there’s a lot of house building going on, it’s good news for us. We are helping Tullyraine Quarries and Collon Brothers with some road projects. The landscaping and fencing work is also keeping us busy.”

A top quality job by Gerald McCluskey & Sons

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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