Irish Trucker magaizne March 2011 by Lynn Group Media

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

MARCH 2011 Vol. 14 No. 3 EURO 2.95 stg.£2.50

www.irishtrucker.com CONTENTS Irish Trucker is published by DG Press part of The Lynn Group Kells Business Park, Kells, Co. Meath

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INDUSTRY NEWS MULDOON TRANSPORT SYSTEMS Pioneers in their field of expertise

Telephone: (046) 9241923

DUFFY TRANSPORT

Fax: (046) 9241926

CLIFFORD’S GARAGE

ECS LOGISTICS

B MCCAFFREY & SONS LTD.

TIMS TRANSPORT

ISDN: 046-9248197 e mail: contact@lynnpublications.com

ISSN 0791-993X

Advertising Executive: Barry McNamee Subscriptions: Martina Clarke Contributors: Gerry Robinson Stephen Reilly Randal Scally Shane Corrigan Shane Breslin

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.

Muldoon Transport Systems P18

One of the leading garage and recovery services in the Munster region A leader in the field of logistics Continuing to go from strength to strength Offering a range of transport and logistics solutions

C.A.B. MOTOR COMPANY LTD.

PEADAR BARKER HAULAGE

EAGLE OVERSEAS

TP WATERS

LAKELAND RECOVERY SERVICE

Clifford’s Garage P28

Winner of Ford’s Chairman’s Award for three consecutive years Specialists in the transportation of timber

Delivering an unbeatable service to all their customers Providing a range of affordable vehicle

ECS Logistics P32

Complete vehicle breakdown and accident recovery firm

Managing Director Macartan Duffy speaks to Irish Trucker

VICTOR BRENNAN TRANSPORT LTD

Focused on providing an exceptional service

BARRY PENDER MOTORS

A.F. DAVISON LTD.

KARL LAFFERTY TRANSPORT LTD

Veritable one stop shop

T.P. Waters P55

Celebrating 45 years in business

Striving for the best possible customer service MCCARTHY RECOVERY

SERVICE Providing an exceptional 24 hour recovery/repairs service

WHITECHURCH TRANSPORT LTD One of Ireland’s most focused haulage companies

CLASSIFIEDS

McCarthy Recovery P82

BIT’S ‘N’ BOB’S

TRUCK NEWS n with io t ia c o s s a in

TRUCK ACCESSORIES Monaghan (087) 2480730 • TRUCK ACCESSORIES IN 1 STOP - INTERIOR & EXTERIOR • IRISH AGENT FOR KELSA TRUCK BAR’S • NATIONWIDE NEXT DAY DELIVERY

Landowner told to pay for underpass A landowner compensated for land that will be vested as part of the A5 road scheme has been told that he must pay for an underpass along the route out of his own money. Work on the £900 million road project is due to commence next year, but members of the farming community are up in arms over the fact that a colleague of theirs David Matthews must pay for the underpass on his land out of the compensation that he has received. "Basically we're going to have to pay for it out of the compensation from the rest of the land that they're taking," he said. "I'm just absolutely shocked that that could be thought of. I don't see any way round it - if the Roads Service can't build an underpass it'll not be built." Four members of the Stormont agriculture committee recently visited farms along the route of the new road. They met Mr Matthews and other farmers who said their livelihoods are being threatened by the road scheme - one man is losing 71.6 acres.

New MH6 Screw Compressor Presentation Mouvex & Hydrocar leading compressor and power take off manufacturers respectively are proud to present for the first time in history, the first Bulk Screw Compressor integrated to the power take off which is fitted directly on the truck transmission. The MH6 is the culmination of a success story started in 1993 with the introduction of the first Mouvex Screw Compressor, type Typhon, followed up by Typhon II, Mistral, B600, B1500. The MH6 synthesises Mouvex’s skills and experience and offers a unique and innovative solution for unloading powders, cement, fly ash, lime, flour, etc. This new concept revolutionises the process style and offers many advantages Drastic reduction of weight and dimensions Easy to install No mounting brackets required Improved safety – no prop/drive shaft required P.T.O. integrated Slower Engine speeds Reduced maintenance. For additional information on MH6 and other Mouvex products including the full range of liquid and dry bulk compressors, Hydrive Coolers, etc., Contact Irish Distributors

Belfast

Mark Spencer 0791 2631524 028 90839085 2

Cork

Roy Cooke 087 2575116 021 4301742

Dublin

James Kenna 087 2597102 01 4640255 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TRUCK NEWS on with i t a i c o s s in a

01 862 0000

Van tyre abuse on the rise An increasing number of van and other light commercial vehicle operators in the UK are at risk of causing a tyre related accident as they are failing to look after the condition of their tyres properly. The latest VOSA effectiveness report shows that ‘condition of tyres’ remains the most frequent prohibition defect at spot checks on light goods vehicles across the country, but worryingly, the incidence rate has increased from 20 percent in 2007/08 and in 2008/09 to just under 26 percent in 2009/10. “Van tyres lead a particularly hard life so it is critical that operators regularly check the condition of their tyres for signs of damage or premature and uneven wear,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Building site debris or regular scuffing on kerbs during delivery drops can cause significant damage to tyres. If left unchecked, they may fail at a critical moment, risking serious injury for the driver and other road users.” Responsibility for the condition of the tyres on the vehicle lies both with the van driver and the business itself. Drivers should ensure the tyres are in a roadworthy condition before setting off each day. Indeed, drivers found to be driving on illegal tyres risk incurring a personal fine of £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. Business owners also have a responsibility and duty of care obligation to provide their employees with a safe working environment, which includes the provision of safe and roadworthy vehicles. Under the Health and Safety Offences Act (2009), UK courts have greater authority to prosecute businesses for committing offences such as fitting illegal tyres or faulty brakes. The maximum penalty has increased from £5,000 to £20,000. In addition to the punitive risks, businesses also face a number of additional costs by failing to look after their tyres properly. Under-inflated tyres will not only wear out quicker, but the vehicle’s fuel economy deteriorates. Vehicle downtime at the roadside or in the workshop changing or repairing tyres means the vehicle is not earning money, and if deliveries are delayed, this can trigger penalty payments to customers. “This rising trend of tyre related prohibition defects is extremely worrying,” continues Jackson. “I would urge all businesses, large or small, that operate vans and other light commercial vehicles to ensure they have robust procedures in place to regularly check the condition of their fleet’s tyres.” To help businesses and van users understand their responsibilities towards tyre care and the key tyre safety issues they need to consider, TyreSafe has launched a new dedicated van tyre safety section on its website. The site includes a selection of useful tips and guides as well as a free downloadable safety leaflet. To view the pages or download the leaflet, visit www.tyresafe.org. Tyre sidewall damage

A2 shelved by DRD despite £16m expenditure A road dualling project is to be put on hold by Northern Ireland’s Department for Regional Development (DRD) for at least four years, even though the authority has already spent £16 million on the project. The road which runs along the northern shore of Belfast Lough was due to be upgrade the existing road and had spent £4 million on surveys and consultation, while £12 million on buying houses and land along the route. A number of road projects have been shelved in order to make cuts to spending and the A2 is just one of the routes to have suffered from the quell. Road building was the biggest casualty with the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson and York Street flyover projects also delayed. In relation to the move the department said the draft budget proposals "represent a balanced way of dealing with difficult financial pressures".

Hauliers protest over fuel prices Rising fuel prices has led to protests

Hauliers were amongst those who organised a protest over the rising fuel prices and carbon taxes in Co Donegal on Saturday 19th February. It is reported that up to 70 trucks, taxis and other vehicles took part in the protest in Letterkenny as the issue of rising fuel prices cripples many industries. The organisers of the protest believe that a stance must be made against the rising prices that are now escalating on a weekly basis.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Nightline hits heights with award night hat-trick John Tuohy and Martha O’Connor who won Young Manager of the Year

Management and staff at Ireland’s largest independent parcel carrier, Nightline, are celebrating after scooping a hat-trick of prizes at two of the country’s most prestigious awards ceremonies. The company’s Smartship software platform claimed the Innovation Award at an annual event organised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics (Ireland) while a bespoke ‘pick and pack’ system it devised for one of world’s biggest tobacco firm’s picked up the Logistics Best Practice title in the Irish Logistics and Transport Awards (ILTA). Martha O’Connor, manager of Nightline’s Cork depot, was also named Young Manager of the Year at the ILTAs. The treble triumph came at two events held on the same evening in Dublin and, according to Nightline’s chief executive, John Tuohy, capped another remarkable year for the carrier. “To be recognised for the quality of our technology and our people –two things which are at the very heart of our business – is immensely satisfying. More than the importance which both play in our continued development, to have the time and effort we have invested in both acknowledged by our peers in the industry is fantastic. “There can be no higher complement to everyone who works with and for us than to be acclaimed by colleagues working in the same industry.” Smartship has evolved since first being created by Nightline’s in-house IT specialists in 2000 and now covers every aspect of the firm’s operations, from collection, storage, dispatch and delivery. The new ‘pick and pack’ facility was researched, written and rolled-out within just four months to win a major contract with JTI. It was designed to augment Smartship, which was also instrumental in underpinning Nightline’s expansion to the UK last May in order to expand its share of parcel traffic shipped to Ireland. That move has already produced significant new business with some of the country’s biggest retailers and Findel Education, the UK’s largest distributor of education products. Mr Tuohy said that Martha O’Connor’s nomination highlighted the depth of talent with Nightline’s ranks. Still only 25, she has overseen improvements in efficiency and performance since taking charge of its Cork depot 18 months ago. The award for Miss O’Connor, herself the daughter of a lorry driver, underlines the rapid progress she has made since deciding on a career in logistics while accompanying her father on delivery runs across Ireland as a young girl. However, Mr Tuohy said that neither she nor anyone else associated with Nightline was keen to rest on their winners’ laurels. “We have enjoyed a sustained period of development, topped off by this hat-trick of awards. We believe that they will inspire us as we strive to take the company forward into new activities and new territories.”

IRHA ask for fuel surcharge The Irish Road Haulage Association has revealed that it has contacted a number of organisations by letter to reveal its stance on seeking imposition on fuel surcharge. The IRHA has written to the Irish Exporters Association, the Irish International Freight Association, IBEC, and ISME urging them to ask their respective members to discuss with their transport provider about implementing a fuel surcharge. “Our members are finding it increasingly difficult to offset the high cost of fuel and cannot afford to wait for consignors to come round to accepting the seriousness of this issue. They need action right now,” said association president Vincent Caulfield. “This is a formal request and we believe that it presents the basis for negotiations aimed at maintaining price competitiveness and protecting Ireland’s export business. The haulage industry cannot be expected to bear these ever increasing fuel costs alone. “The 2c per litre Budget increase in the price of diesel has increased the annual cost of keeping just one truck on the road by as much as €3,000," Mr Caulfield added. When you factor in the carbon tax the price of diesel rose by 18c per litre, or by the equivalent of 17%, alone during 2010.”

One of the largest oil-laundering plants found A recent raid by customs and Gardai in Co Louth has unearthed one of the largest fuel laundering plants in the country as it had the capacity to launder an estimated 7.5 million litres of fuel a year. One man was arrested at the site located at yard at Rassan, near Hackballscross, Dundalk, Co Louth, while 25,000 litres of laundered diesel was seized during the raid. Over 19,000 litres of toxic sludge, which is a hazardous chemical by-product of the laundering process was also seized. A garda spokesman said the man arrested has been bailed and will appear before Dundalk District Court to be formally charged with being involved in the laundering of fuel under Section 94 of the Finance Act.

A2 officially opened Roads Minister Conor Murphy has officially opened the £45 million A2 Maydown to City of Derry Airport dual carriageway. The scheme involved upgrading 6.6km of the A2. The minister said the project was "an important step forward for the northwest. It will help ease congestion, resulting in improved safety and journey times," he said. The A2 is part of the main road connecting Limavady to Londonderry. It also provides links to the Maydown and Campsie industrial zones and to the City of Derry Airport. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Schmitz Cargobull increases prices for all vehicle segments Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer, Schmitz Cargobull, is adjusting its prices with immediate effect due to the increase in raw material costs . This affects the box vehicles, platform vehicles, tippers and container chassis. The costs of energy-intensive primary products required for trailer construction, such as steel, aluminium and plastic, are currently reaching record highs as a result of large increases in oil and raw material prices. In addition, increasing worldwide demand for primary and semi-finished products, like tyres and rims, also exerts a massive influence on the market situation. Thanks to efficiencyimproving measures implemented for production and material usage before and during the recession, and also due to middle and longterm procurement contracts, Schmitz Cargobull has been able to absorb previous increases, to the benefit Customers. Following the recession this contribution enabled fleet operators to make the necessary investments required in the face of increasing transport demand. However, the current situation requires price adjustments and these vary depending on the vehicle type. As medium-term procurement contracts are subject to volatile market conditions and the development of supply and demand (for wood, oil, steel, aluminium, zinc, etc.) on the commodities exchanges Schmitz Cargobull cannot rule out further price increases over the course of 2011. Schmitz Cargobull are increasing prices

Back Seat Drivers Emerge as Most Annoying Irish motorists have identified back seat drivers as the most annoying type of passenger. That is the finding from a survey of motorists on the topic of annoying passengers which was carried out by Continental Tyres. 48 percent of respondents highlighted “back seat drivers” as the most Backseat drivers are annoying passenger followed by Fiddlers (42 percent) – those bored the most annoying type of passenger individuals that twiddle with buttons, air con and switch between radio stations; and Sleepers (35 percent) - those who nod off within minutes of setting off, snore, and only wake up when they arrive at their destination. A surprisingly high 85 percent of respondents said that they have previously asked a passenger to leave their car out of frustration. However, in spite of the complaints in relation to annoying passengers, more than half of respondents (55 percent) said they would be happy to travel alone only “some of the time”. Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres Ireland said: “Driving is the time we need to be most alert and an annoying passenger can be an unhelpful distraction”. “In such a situation, we would suggest the driver should calmly let the passenger know that what they are doing is distracting, and above all, the driver should keep his focus on the road.” Just over a quarter of respondents admitted they avoid getting in a car with a particular person. Drunken mates, partners and Dads were named the worst to share a journey with. TOP 10 MOST ANNOYING TYPES OF PASSENGERS: 1. Backseat driver - unable to keep hands, feet and thoughts to themselves, this sort of passenger can’t help but brake hard before every junction and comment on every turn. 2. The Fiddler - bored to tears by long journeys, this passenger spends hours twiddling knobs, changing stations, and playing with all available buttons on the car dashboard. 3. The Sleeper - this type of passenger is bad company because they fall asleep within minutes of setting off, snore and only wake upon reaching the final destination. 4. Road Rager – instantly gets riled by other motorists on the road, sometimes utters expletives, wave rude hand gestures. 5. The SatNag – their focus is on making sure you’re heading in the right direction, offers short-cuts and barks directions at you. 6. The Know It All – keeps correcting the radio/sat nav/you – they know better than anyone about any subject. 7. The Crooner – belts out every ballad they recognise on the radio with complete disregard to other passengers and their inability to sing in tune. 8. Airhead - this passenger insists on spending the majority of the car journey with the windows down and their head stuck out of the window to 'get a bit of fresh air'. 9. The Leaker – needs the toilet every 20 minutes and requires a service station break. 10. The Drone – unable to keep quiet, this passenger incessantly chats away – usually about uninteresting topics.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TPN and Independent Express Cargo reach the top standard TPN (The Pallet Network), Ireland’s leading freight and transport service provider, and Independent Express Cargo, have together been awarded the Excellence Through People Standard. The transport group has achieved the prestigious award for implementing improved performance and achieving business goals through their employees. It is the only quality standard dedicated to the role of people and their impact on business. The focus of 'Reaching the top standard': TPN and Independent Express Cargo highlight people as their best asset with Excellence Through their Excellence through People award. (l-r) Seamus McGowan, Managing Director, TPN, Owen Cooke, People is to get Chairman, Independent Express Cargo, Joe McGuinness, Director, Excellence Through People & Kevin Fitzsimons, Assessor, Excellence Through People. organisations to look at their people as a key resource of competitive advantage. The programme was designed in response to requirements from business to maximise their investment in human resources. Commenting on the award, Owen Cooke, Chairman, Independent Express Cargo, said, “It is great to see Independent Express Cargo and the central operations for TPN receiving independent recognition for Best Practice Human Resources standards. The award is a reflection of the team spirit, quality and dedication of the staff and we look forward to working together to ensure that we build upon, and reach the gold standard in 2012”. TPN and Independent Express Cargo Ltd, part of the Independent Express Group, operates from a purpose built 100,000 square foot premises in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The group has over 25 years experience in the freight distribution and logistics sector. The company provided, via the TPN network, the company provides domestic overnight delivery to the 32 counties and 48 hour delivery to the UK, as well as international express deliveries. TPN is the only network in Ireland or the UK that has achieved ISO9001:2008 accreditation for all depots across the country. In addition, TPN Ireland is now an approved supplier for Retail Excellence Ireland. Only those companies which pass a rigorous vetting process are invited to list as a preferred supplier to Retail Excellence Ireland, which has a membership of 580 leading retail companies operating over 8,000 stores in the Irish market. Seamus McGowan, Managing Director, TPN, said, “Commitment to our employees and their ongoing development is a distinctive advantage in a very competitive market place. TPN and Independent Express Cargo, through the Independent Express Group, clearly demonstrate this through a variety of people development programmes. Achieving this award has a vital role to play in the performance excellence of the group as well as helping us to attract and retain talented individuals. It’s a clear statement to clients and employees alike, that best practice is at the core of our business.”

AA plead for fuel leniency The Automobile Association has urged the incoming government to decrease excise duty in petrol and diesel prices. The haulage industry has bore the brunt of the rise in prices that are nearing record levels and following a further increase in excise duty, many businesses are nearing the brink. Conor Faughnan, director of policy, said tax increases in December’s budget pushed fuel to an all-time record high. “Two thirds of the retail price of fuel is tax, because of recent tax rises.” Mr Faughnan said. “From a revenue point of view this has backfired as people are driving less in response. “The benefit of cross-border fuel purchases, where motorists from Northern Ireland buy their fuel in the south, is also reduced as the gap between Irish and UK tax on fuel narrows. “The incoming government can address this immediately by removing the excise duty increases from the last budget.” “What was a bad situation continues to get worse,” Mr Faughnan added. “Fuel prices dropped to a modern low two years ago but since then they have risen steadily and continuously.”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

MSC overtake Maersk MSC are now in the Number One spot

The battle for the title of the world’s largest shipping line has seen MSC overtake Maersk Lines to the number one spot in terms of vessel capacity. MSC have a total capacity of 1.84 million teu for containerships compared to Maersk Lines’ 1.82 million teu. Matthew Beddow, Managing Editor of CI, said the battle for the top spot was “a race between two very different beasts”. He said: “Family-owned MSC thrives best in niche north-south trades and benefits from mercurial management, whereas Maersk Line focuses more on eastwest trade lanes and is managed corporately, as well as being more process-driven. “According to Drewry Shipping Consultants’ Schedule Reliability Insight, Maersk is always one of the best performers, whereas MSC is much further down the ladder. How all this translates into profitability is not clear, as Geneva-based MSC’s financial results are not published. “The [parent] AP Møller-Maersk group’s financial position is, however, much more transparent, and it is consistently a top performer.”

New truck satnav launched A new Satnav designed for the haulage industry alone has received good reviews since its release onto the market. The TomTom PRO7100 Truck, is available from leading trade body the Freight Transport Association (FTA), and is the end product of a partnership between the satnav companies and the industry. The new product answers recent government calls for a solution to the chaos and damage that can be caused by misdirected lorry drivers. FTA’s Head of Road Freight Policy, James Firth, said: “Obviously, FTA wants to ensure that the products it stocks are top notch so, without any governmental influence, we worked closely with the satnav industry over the past few years to develop and refine a better ‘truck-nav’; the TomTom PRO7100 Truck is it. “This particular unit has been rigorously tested by FTA and, following a recent plea from the transport minister for government to engage with satnav companies to solve the problem of inappropriate satnav routing, we hope this helps to reassure Government that a perfectly robust solution already exists.” TomTom have designed a new Satnav just for the haulage industry

Roads Service release car damage figures Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has revealed that the number of car damage claims against Road Services has doubled over the last five years. Last year there were over 2,000 claims with the highest number being in Newry and Mourne where 278 cars were damaged due to bad road surfaces. In a statement, a Roads Service spokesperson said there was "no doubt that the coldest December for over 120 years" had an impact on Northern Ireland's road network. It said repeated freezing and thawing cycles had caused "many carriageways to split and potholes to form" and Roads Service was giving priority to the repair of the affected roads. "Roads Service teams and contractors across the region are working to ensure roads are kept safe and are progressing programmes of work targeting the most severely affected roads," the statement added. "In preparation for the winter period and the predicted impact to roads across the region, since October 2010 an additional £8.5m has been allocated for roads maintenance and an additional £9m was also allocated to the Department for Regional Development for roads' structural maintenance and road improvements in the February monitoring round."

Duckhams brand to be sold The world famous Duckhams oil brand that has adorned many engines over the last century is to be sold by its parent company BP. Duckhams has been in operation for over 100 years and was bought outright by BP 40 years ago. It has been used by motorists, hauliers and even Formula 1 cars down through the years. As well as the Duckhams brand being for sale, BP have also announced that Veedol, which is well known in the UK will also be sold. The sales are part of an ongoing process by the oil company to pay for the clean up of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Des Johnson, global brand director for BP and Castrol, said: “Both these brands are world famous and millions of motorists across the world have at one time or another used these brands for their cars, bikes or trucks.”

Illegal scrapping sees Port fined The Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners has been fined £3,000 for the unlawful scrapping of car metal at Lisahally Port. The port commissioners were found guilty of breaking environmental laws, while the company that ran the operation, Foyle Recycling Company were fined £10,000. A director of the company, Sinead O’Hara was fined £1,000. An investigation into the matter by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2007. The judge revealed that had there been any evidence of pollution then the fines would have been a lot greater and he took into consideration the complex planning issue.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Slane bypass suffers setback The proposed Slane bypass in Co Meath may be put on hold yet again as an international expert on heritage sites stated the construction of the ring road could have implications on the historical area. At a recent planning hearing, Dr Douglas Comer told An Bord Pleanala the bypass could impact on the world heritage status of Brú na Bóinne, the site that is home to the megalithic tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. “One might reasonably expect that the bypass will be seen as a further, incremental intrusion Petrol and diesel sales fell on the landscape,” said Dr Comer. The 3.5km dual over the Christmas period carriageway would bypass Slane to the east of the village at a cost of €46 million and divert traffic from the village and Slane Bridge where 22 people have died in traffic accidents in recent years.

Road rage alive and well The amount of road rage on Irish roads has increased over the past few years after a survey by the AA revealed there are more irate motorists on the roads than ever. As the country plunges further into economic crisis, the general mood in the country is at an all time low. In the survey, over 100,000 motorists admitted to an act of road rage within the last few years. “This is really worrying to hear.” said John Farrell, Director of AA Motor Insurance. “While the reckless behaviour of other drivers may make the hackles on the back of your neck rise, it’s up to you to control your reaction. If you meet an angry driver on the road the worst thing that you can do is provoke him further by reacting.” The findings of the AA Motor Insurance poll would suggest that male drivers are more likely than females to let their tempers get the better of them while driving. 22.5% of male motorists compared with 12% of females within the AA’s sample admitted to rolling down their car window to shout at another motorist. 21.5% of males compared with 17.4% of females confessed to brazenly tailgating another driver to get their own way. And 6.3% of males compared with 3.5% of female drivers admitted they went to the extreme of getting out of their car to confront another driver.

UK hauliers backed over fuel duty hike A survey carried out in the U.K has revealed that over two thirds of those asked about a fuel duty hike in April believe that the rise in costs will have a negative impact on the transport industry. Irish hauliers are facing a similar situation as the price of diesel is rising on an almost daily basis at this stage, while the UK industry is bracing itself for yet another hike in April. The British International Freight Association’s Director General, Peter Quantrill, said: “We know these are difficult times for the British economy, but this draconian duty rise – which will have to be passed along the supply chain to the consumer – coming after VAT rose to 20%, inflation rises and job worries increase, can only hurt our fragile recovery. “The government must abandon this rise and put in place a fuel price stabiliser to bring some balance to the issue and enable our members to better manage fuel costs and remain competitive internationally.”

Exports continue to recover Irish exports are continuing to improve, according to figures recently released by the Central Statistics Office. IBEC, the group the represents small businesses admitted that exports were helping the country back on track as GDP is expected to expand by 2%. IBEC head of trade and transport policy Pat Ivory said: "Ireland's export-led recovery remains on track. Irish merchandise exports continue to grow and the value of exports in December were €7.2 billion, up 21% compared with December 2009. “Importantly, preliminary figures for January to December 2010 show a very good overall performance with a 6.9%, or €5.8 billion, increase of merchandise exports to €90 billion compared with 2009. IBEC forecasts export growth of about 6% in 2011. “The medical and pharmaceutical sectors continue to make a major contribution to Ireland’s export-led recovery, as do food exports, which are now supported by strong commodity prices and a more favourable exchange rate with the UK.”

EPA monitor landfill The Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing the clean up of the Kerdiffstown Landfill following the blaze at the facility that lasted over a month. The landfill near Naas in Co Kildare was burning for over a month, but recently local fire brigades finally brought the blaze under control and now a massive clean up of the site has begun with the EPA taking charge. “The EPA has taken enforcement action against those involved in the operation of the Kerdiffstown site, including three High Court cases”, it said, adding the agency would use its powers under the Waste Management Acts to seek recovery of all remediation costs. It is seeking orders against directors of the companies that formerly operated the site, Neiphin Trading and Dean Waste, to recover these costs. A criminal investigation file relating to the previous operations is with the Director of Public Prosecutions. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Dublin transport policy to be discussed The National Transport Authority (NTA) is to open a public consultation on its draft strategy in Dublin for the next 30 years or more. The strategy includes implementation of both Metro North and Metro West as well as Dart Underground, a new Luas line from Lucan to the city centre with a possible extension to Poolbeg and another line serving the southwest (via Kimmage). It also envisages extending the Luas Green Line to Bray, followed by southwards extension of Metro North enabling its services to run on to the Green Line. This would involve more tunnelling in the city, south of St Stephen’s Green. “When our economy grows, we need to be ready for the additional journeys and traffic that this will bring,” said NTA chief executive Gerry Murphy. “Long-term transport planning plays a fundamental part in preparing for this future.” There had already been consultation with members of the public and with business and community and public representatives. The draft will be finalised for presentation to the Minister for Transport in May/June following the last round of public consultation.

NTA to open a public consultation on its draft transport strategy in Dublin

Now even better value commercials from Ford: Fiesta Van and Kuga Commercial Thanks to recent VRT changes, Ford’s stylish Fiesta Van and Kuga Commercial top the list Kuga of the best Commercial value available in the Irish commercial vehicle sector. With prices starting from just €13,650* for Fiesta Van and €25,150* for Kuga Commercial, van operators can now opt for two of the best looking commercial vehicles on the road at great value prices. “Our Fiesta Van has been a favourite in Ireland for decades and the recent arrival of the Kuga Commercial has brought a new stylish appeal to customers who needed a larger load area but who didn’t want to compromise on style”, says Pat Brazil, Ford Ireland Commercial Vehicle Sales and Marketing Manager. “The great value on these two models is available up until May this year, when the VRT rate increases to €200, so customers are advised to act quickly if they want to capitalise on these great low prices”. Based on the award winning Fiesta car, the Fiesta Van has a compact exterior footprint, practical load compartment area and now even lower cost of ownership. The Fiesta Van is the ideal choice for urban express delivery, service fleets and artisans thanks to its combination of van practicality and car-like styling and usability. Engines available include the 1.25-litre Duratec 16V petrol unit (82 PS/60 kW), a frugal 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel (70PS/50 kW), and a top-of the-range 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi (90 PS/66kW) turbo diesel. The Kuga Commercial is powered by the engaging 2.0 TDCi Duratorq 140PS powertrain and boasts a spacious load capacity which belies its sharp, slick exterior. The Kuga Commercial has an intelligent all wheel drive transmission which really came into its own during the recent wintry spell of weather with many customers praising its ability in the snow and icy conditions. In 2010, the Fiesta Van won the title of Continental Irish Car Derived Van of the Year, while the Kuga Commercial was named Continental Irish Commercial / SUV of the Year.

Fiesta van

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Volvo launch new model Volvo FH16 being launched in a version for heavy haulage

The Volvo FH16 is now being launched in a version for heavy haulage involving gross combination weights of up to 295 tonnes. The combination of massive power, agility and robust technology take Volvo to the very top of the heavyweight class. Volvo's new heavyweight is a Volvo FH16 with a 16-litre engine producing 600 horsepower and 2800 Nm of torque. The engine is matched by a sevenspeed automatic transmission with a torque converter, a combination that allows the truck to start off smoothly and improves its maneuverability at low speeds. The transmission also offers benefits on the highway. The tall seventh gear makes it possible to maintain a high average speed at relatively low engine revs. The 16-litre engine is equipped with Volvo's VEB+ engine brake, which offers braking effect of up to 425 kW. The transmission features an integrated retarder which on its own offers braking power of up to 450 kW. "This is a solution for the very heaviest and most demanding transport assignments, one of the few solutions on the market capable of handling such high gross combination weights," says Hayder Wokil, product manager for the long-haul segment at Volvo Trucks' Europe Division. The Volvo FH16 for heavy haulage operations is available as a tractor with leaf springs or air suspension, and comes in a wide range of wheel and axle combinations. "Transports hauling gross weights of more than 200 tonnes are a growing segment in which we can now offer our customers a particularly strong alternative," says Wokil. "Both transport cost and fuel consumption per transported tonne are lower in heavy haulage compared with rigs with lower gross combination weights, which benefits the company's economy as well as the environment in general."

Road spending to be slashed The stark reality of driving on roads that are deteriorated to the extent that it is virtually impossible to drive on them looks set to continue as Councils around the country struggle with their debts. Already it has been announced that some new road projects would be put on hold, but the general consensus was that there would be funding for the maintenance of roads, but that too looks unlikely. Motorists and hauliers alike are feeling the brunt of the cutbacks as their vehicles are being damaged on a regular basis given the condition of the roads that many must travel on. The situation is so bad that massive cutbacks in spending areas including roads, public lighting, libraries, footpaths, parks and other vital local services are inevitable. Three motorways that opened last year have run at least €70m over-budget and it is not sure when these will be actually completed.

There will now be less money for maintenance of roads around the country

Rotterdam Rules near ratification The controversial Rotterdam Rules are to be ratified, prompting the European Commission to develop its own liability regime. At the recent Green Port Logistics Conference, the European Commission’s Head of Unit Logistics and Co-modality, Pawel Stelmaszcyk stated that when the rules are ratified, then they will strongly consider implementing its own liability regime. “The EC could propose a regional convention, specifically for multimodal transport in the European Union and other third countries that wish to adhere to this convention,” Stelmaszcyk said. “However, we are not going ahead with any work on preparing a legislative proposal along these lines. It is a policy option that does exist but we are not acting on it at the moment. “The main reason for that is that based on the law of the treaties, whichever convention comes into force later will supersede the previous one. So we are waiting for the outcome of the ratification process of the Rotterdam Rules.

Port to be redeveloped Southampton port, of which many Irish hauliers operate out of, has been given the go-ahead for a massive redevelopment at the facility. A new quay wall is to be constructed after the Marine Management Organisation gave the Associated British Ports permission to construct the structure. Port Director Doug Morrison said: “With the size of container vessels continuing to increase, the container terminal can no longer accommodate four of the largest container ships simultaneously – this development will rectify that situation.” Irish hauliers often use the port as a stop off point when travelling to France or further afield and the new development will allow more traffic pass through. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

IRU ponder European transport policy According to the IRU, only by putting collective passenger Bus and coach transport must be put transport by bus and coach at the heart of the EU transport at the heart of EU transport policy policy can policy makers at EU and national level achieve inclusive, efficient and sustainable mobility for all European citizens. Brussels – As the final leg of the political bargaining goes on regarding the much expected European Commission White Paper on the future of the EU transport policy in the period 2010-2020 and beyond, the IRU recalls the unique capacity of bus and coach transport to serve as the backbone of the future European transport policy. IRU Vice President and President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council, Graham Smith, stressed “Buses and coaches are the perfect tool to achieve the safe, green, efficient, affordable and user-friendly mobility that European politicians are seeking and European citizens deserve. Complementing other transport modes by helping them achieve their full mobility potential, buses and coaches are instrumental in optimising the entire collective mobility and travel chains. Recognising and reflecting this reality in the White Paper is the ‘Smart Move’ to enhance the political, economic and social relevance of this document.” Armed with the endorsement by the European Parliament’s report on a Sustainable Future for Transport in June 2010, the IRU strongly recommends to the European Commission to set a concrete and measurable mobility policy objective, namely doubling the use of collective passenger transport, including by bus and coach, for both short and long distance transport. Setting such an ambitious target is the only way to effectively foster change at political, business and public levels. Conservative figures show that doubling the use of bus and coach alone would bring EU citizens: * A reduction in road fatalities by more than 3000 per year; * decreased road congestion in cities at zero cost for taxpayers, as a result of the expected 10-15% drop in car traffic; * reduced CO2 emissions by at least 50 million tonnes per year; * the creation of 4 million new, green and sustainable jobs.

Hauliers to benefit from wood industry boost Wood production has the capacity to double over the next 20 years

Any hauliers involved in the timber industry will be delighted to hear that wood production has the capacity to double over the next 20 years. Many hauliers specialise in the transportation of timber and the news will come as a serious boots to them at a time when the industry is suffering greatly. Outgoing Minister of State Seán Connick has recently said that this will create substantially increased levels of economic activity, much of it rurally-based and help to create sustainable and secure employment. Mr Connick has said that by far the largest level of increase in roundwood production will come from the private sector in the Republic.

Maersk hit $5 billion profit mark One of the world’s leading shipping lines, AP Moller-Maersk has announced record profits of $5 billion in 2010. This is a major turnaround for the shipping company Maersk has posted as they had recorded a $1.2 billion loss in record profits 2009. Group CEO Nils Anderson said: “Our people have done a truly great job. We have become more competitive and our improved service across the Group has led to continued increases in customer satisfaction. “We have increased our financial strength and are ready to make significant investments in our businesses. “Cash flow from operating activities is expected to develop in line with the result, while cash flow used for capital expenditure is expected to be significantly higher than in 2010.”

M17 hits further setback Plans to construct the Gort to Tuam motorway (M17) may be put on hold for some time after the contractor chosen for the project have informed the National Roads Authority that they can’t come up with the funding for the development. The NRA is now believed to have gone to the other contractors to see are they still interested in taking on the development in the hope that ensures it to go ahead. The cost of the project is estimated to be in the region of €500 million and the successful consortium had to come up with €350 million to carry out the work.

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The scrap Tipping Trailer is lightweight but combines strength and durability to stand the test of time

Superior design; quality, durability Dungannon-based trailer designer / manufacturer Muldoon Transport Systems Ltd. leads the way for quality, innovative solutions, experience, flexibility, value for money and aftersales service. Pioneers in their field of expertise, Muldoons are at the very cutting edge of their business. Managing Director Gerald Muldoon

ore so than any other trailer manufacturer on this island, Muldoon Transport Systems has put Ireland on the map with its cutting edge bulk transport solutions, which it has been providing for over 30 years. With an enviable reputation for designing, manufacturing, supplying and installing

high-quality innovative products, Muldoon prides itself on offering a wide range of solutions which are manufactured to the highest degree of engineering excellence. Their passion for research and design is illustrated by the number of worldwide patents registered by the company - one of their most successful being the Muldoon

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The unique SDU Tipping/Skeletal Blowing Trailer provides maximum safety to the operator whilst multitasking

Positive Rear Steer System which has been accredited with many awards for its contribution to the road transport industry. With unrivalled dedication to customer service, MTS tailors every product to suit a clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual requirements and will work with the customer from design to final completion to ensure the end product always meets exact requirements. Specialising in trailers, rigids, Spitzer tankers, Muldoon Sidewinder Steering Systems, demountable vacuum systems, longer semitrailers etc. etc., to complement the products a stellar aftersales service is geared towards complete customer satisfaction. From a single unit through to an entire fleet, MTS is dedicated to providing

an unrivalled service, whether a trailer needs to be built from scratch, completely refurbished, to have mechanical or body components replaced or accidental damage repairs. Even if you just want some advice, the knowledgeable service department team specialising in repairs, engine/blower service, PSV preparation, major accident and damage repair, bodywork repairs, chassis frame and axle assemblies, fitting and repairs to compressor and hydraulic assemblies, pressure vessel testing and certs, brake service, fitting tankers to Muldoon chassis, specialist reports, warranty work, spare parts, maintenance contracts - will be very happy to assist. The secrets of Muldoon Transport

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Marie Therese, Jacqui and Sonia Geraldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sons Thomas, Patrick and Justin

Systemsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success are manifold: the company has set and maintained a very high standard of excellence for three decades; it delivers high-quality, innovative solutions, backed up by a spare parts and aftersales service that is second to none. A state-of-the-art workshop and highly-skilled personnel combine to unitise modern engineering technology and the most upto-date manufacturing techniques. And â&#x20AC;&#x201C; crucially the service is provided at an affordable price. The company is held in very high regard near and far for its groundbreaking, innovative systems. Its cutting edge Positive Steer System (which won the British Design Council Millennium Products award and the special award for technical innovation from NIAGETT), bulk blowing systems, tractor operated agri-blowing trailer and the patented Demountable Vacuum System. Muldoon Transport Systems Ltd., has also been granted a Vehicle Special Order from the DOE Northern Ireland to carry out road tests and trials on its newlydesigned Longer SemiTrailer. This is a massive achievement for the company and is the first trial of its kind to be permitted in the UK or Ireland. The trials will run for an initial oneyear period on all roads in Northern Ireland and will also extend to designated roads in the Republic of Ireland. The Longer SemiTrailers are 15.65 metres long, with a sidewinder positive steer system steering the rear axle. Implementing the unique sidewinder steering technology means the geometry of the trailer is similar in

The Chem trailer is designed and manufactured to the very highest standards

A tipping trailer developed for recycling purposes The Sidewinder Steer system can be fitted to a variety of applications

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comparison to a standard-length trailer. It enables the trailer to meet the legal turning circle criteria and ensures proper load-to-axle weight distribution within a standard overhang. In effect, the trailer is longer without

compromising on proper vehicle design principles, practicality and safety, which so far only the worldpatented sidewinder steer technology and trailer design makes possible. Muldoon Transport Systems is a

family business, which was established by Managing Director and chief designer Gerald Muldoon. Today, Gerald is joined by his sons Justin, Patrick and Thomas and daughters Marie-Therese (accounts) and Jacqui

The trailer was developed for the waste industry. Fitment of the sidewinder steer system offers huge benefits in terms of manoeuvrability

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(marketing). A tipper designed by Muldoon Transport Justin is delighted to Systems for Hutchinsons Feeds report that business is going well despite the global downturn in the economy: “We’re lucky enough. We’ve braved the recession thus far and we have plenty of orders going into the future. We continue to provide an excellent product and service and this is standing to us. There are three main reasons why we remain at the front of the market: the quality of our product; our strong customer service; and the specialised nature of our work. “We talk to our “We have always placed a major customers to see exactly what trailer emphasis on R&D, which is absolutely will best suit their needs. After vital. We’re striving all the time to stay designing it, we can still incorporate at the front of the market and to keep anything he wants. The end result is ahead of the game. For 30 years, we that we will develop and build a have done this successfully. We have solution that fits the customer’s five patents registered already and the precise needs. uniqueness of our designs is a real strength. We employ around 50 Best Wishes To Muldoon Transport Systems Ltd From people and we’ve had no lay-offs during the recession. In fact, we’ve actually taken people on. “We’ve also NEED INSURANCE ? developed a Call us today for a competitive quote on revolutionary new Commercial Insurance, Business Insurance SDU (self-discharge Fleet Insurance, Private Car Insurance unit) skeletal trailer & Home Insurance for carrying 20ft or 30ft containers 45 The Square, Moy BT71 7SG using the same Tel: (028) 8778 4169 • Fax: (028) 8778 4408

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trailer. This unique and versatile tipping / bulk blower trailer is the lightest product available for this type of work. “We have customers from all over Ireland, the UK and parts of Europe and we’ll continue to provide them with the most innovative, flexible and affordable solutions.” As for the future plans of this progressive company, Justin concludes: “We want to remain ahead of the competition by focusing on R&D, an approach which has served us well up until now. We are ahead of the game, leading the way, and we intend to stay there. We’ll continue to develop new products and solutions. “We’re one of the few trailer manufacturers who can do the complete job in one factory. We will do the entire build under one roof, from start to finish, without using any subcontractors. “We’re doing a lightweight tipper which is the lightest available on the market; a full range of drawbar trailers for the recycling industry … and there are many more new products around the corner.” Muldoon Transport Systems Ltd. 181 Clonmore Road, Dungannon BT71 6HX County Tyrone. Telephone: 048 38852002 Fax: 048 38852203 Email: sales@muldoon.com www.muldoon.com

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www.sdctrailers.com 23

The company is based in Monaghan

Efficiency is the key Everyone within the haulage industry knows the importance of providing an efficient and reliable service to their customers and all strive to meet the high demands expected of them. Companies with experience seem to have a better grasp of what is expected of them.

eading into their 17th year in business is Monaghan based Duffy Transport and their experience has helped them to provide a top quality service to their many customers and managing director Macartan Duffy tells Irish Trucker about the hard work involved in making sure they continue to deliver such a level of consistency. Established in 1994, Duffy Transport

specializes in general haulage, working mostly with foodstuffs and from their premises in Monaghan, they operate a fleet of Volvo trucks both artic and rigid, all of which are on the road daily making deliveries. Working for such established food companies as Boyne Valley Foods, Russell Will, Glenhaven Foods and Ward Industries; it is no surprise that Duffy Transport is so highly regarded

in their field of expertise. Such is the success of the transport firm that they are moving to a new state of the art 8,000sq ft premise at Rakeeragh Monaghan, which will allow them offer long and short term storage to their customers. Duffy Transport is determined to move with the times in order to keep their customer base happy and they pride themselves on ensuring that they IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The Duffy Transport logo can be seen all across the north east

are willing to make the changes to suit the customers' needs. Macartan or Mac as he is commonly known has many years' experience in the industry and he admits that he has seen many changes in haulage and he has learned one important bit of advice that he would pass on to anyone starting off in the trade. “Keep finance low as possible. Once you can manage the bills, there should be no problems, it's when a company let bills pile up and the money is not there to pay them that they can get into trouble. It's an easy mistake to make. When the country was going well,

The Duffy Transport fleet in all its glory

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there was no problems getting finance and the banks were only too willing to give money out, but now it is the exact opposite and they are calling in all their loans without any sympathy for customers,” said Mac. “That is something that we have always strived to do. We never got too big and always kept the finance low.” To this end, Mac prefers Volvo trucks which he finds are some of the most reliant and efficient on the market. In dealing with McDonnell Commercials, he has found that the level of service provided by the Monaghan based Volvo dealer is second to none. “I would buy all my trucks from McDonnell's and I have been doing so for many years at this stage. They are very good to deal with and they would look after some of the maintenance for us, although we try to do the majority of it ourselves. Of these bills, Mac points to the increase in fuel prices as the biggest problem within the industry and he feels that there is very little being done in the industry to combat these ongoing problems that have left companies in a perilous position. “The price of diesel is just crazy at the moment and there is no sign of it coming down

Mac finds Volvo the most reliable truck on the road

at all, in fact it's rising steadily and looks set to continue to do so for some time to come. The laughable part is that there is nothing been done to help hauliers out and it means that everyone has to be that much extra cautious when making a decision regarding their business in the current climate.” Mac has invested in the latest satellite tracking and fuel monitoring system available, the system fitted by NIBC and is designed to monitor driver performance, drive down fuel costs and keep downtime and wear and tear minimized. “This is a vital tool for my business

as it can monitor driver performances like excess speed, harsh braking, time spent in the correct rev bands and idling time and subsequently the knock-on effect of this is better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs” Mac has witnessed many changes in the industry over the years and he feels that it is a lot harder to survive now compared to when he started out first. “A lot of businesses have come and gone over the years and it certainly has become a tougher industry to survive in. We have been fortunate in that we have a reliable customer base,

who pay on time and have stuck with us over the years. “As long as we continue to provide them with an efficient service I can see no reason why anything should change. We are always looking at ways to improve the service. We have a reliable staff here too, many of whom have been with us for a long number of years. “My son Mark drives one of the trucks and looks after some of the maintenance also. All in all we are happy with the direction that the business is heading and hopefully we can continue being successful in the future.”

The transportation of foodstuffs is a speciality of the company

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The Clifford’s Garage fleet

40 years at the rescue For almost 40 years now, Clifford’s Garage in Tralee has been holding its own as one of the leading garage and recovery services in the Munster region. Jason Clifford spoke to Irish Trucker about what the company has to offer and how it first set-up all those years ago.

here are fewer businesses to be in that are more demanding than the recovery game and down through the years Clifford’s Garage in Tralee have continued to make it work. Since their establishment in the early

1970s, Jerry Clifford snr’s company have offered a thorough 24-hour breakdown recovery service to its customers seven days a week and have kept up the service going through five different decades now. Along with a 24-hour breakdown

recovery service, Clifford’s Garage have obtained numerous different services since their inception to help attract more and more customers to their workshop which consist of a computerised pre test centre and a diagnostics centre in The Kerries, plus IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A DAF recovers a broken down Iveco recovery truck at Clifford’s Garage

of its earliest customers in Kerry and outside the county’s borders due to the efficient service it provides and its willingness to offer breakdown recovery on a nationwide scale. “My father first started out in mechanics after he had finished school and then eventually went out on his own and set up a recovery service,” explained Jason. “From then until now, the company has just expanded and grown from strength to strength, I suppose. We are still offering a breakdown recovery service across the country and we also have a garage here for repairs, with a holding yard here for cars and vans which we started to put to use a couple of years ago.” Clifford’s fleet is one which boasts top of the range DAF trucks which have made the 920km round trip up to Belfast to recover vehicles in recent years. The trip is just one of many which Clifford’s have journeyed in order to satisfy their customers. Jason elaborated: “We’ve four trucks, which are all tilt and slide trucks one of which is a accident unit. Three of those are DAFs which are a very reliable product and it’s a brand which we have always stuck with and the other is a MAN. We would recover vehicles nationwide and I’d say the furthest that we’ve ever went to do a run was Belfast a few years ago. He added: “Even this past Christmas we were busy enough in different parts. We would have been out on Christmas Day a few times at the end of last year, a lot of Clifford’s Garage is based in our call outs would have The Kerries, Tralee, Co. Kerry being to flat batteries and

brother Jerry jnr is the other employee working here,” he added. When Jerry Clifford snr set up his business in what seems like a lifetime ago, he started from the bottom and worked his way up towards eventually becoming one of the leading breakdown recovery services in the Munster region. His background beforehand had been in mechanics and it proved a crucial trade to possess when he eventually went down the road he did, with his garage offering a repair service in which many locals availed of. To this day, Clifford’s Garage still experiences repeat business from some a good relationship between Clifford’s and Tralee’s leading crash repairs centres. Clifford’s Garage also boast a modern equipped workshop, where personal attention is guaranteed, which is one of the many reasons why the company experiences repeat business from its customers. Jason Clifford and his brother Jerry jnr are the next generation of the family set up to run things in this company which was set up over 40 years ago. “We’re based here in The Kerries, in Tralee county Kerry and we’ve been established since the early 1970s,” explained Jason. “We would employ just the three people here in total and I’m the Managing Director myself. My IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Clifford’s Garage are 24-hour Recovery Specialists

keys being locked into cars because the weather was so bad and you’d be surprised with the amount of vehicles on the road during Christmas.” Christmas literally came early last year for many different breakdown recovery service companies throughout Ireland due to the cold snap that gripped the country at the start of December. Clifford’s experienced quite a busy period at the end of 2010 and the start of 2011 due to the frosty conditions, which was very welcome given these tough economic times. With many businesses struggling to stay afloat - and in some cases going

under - Clifford’s Garage have been fortunate to have ridden out the recession thus far and will hope to continue to do so over the next couple of months and years until things take a turn for the better. “Business at the moment here is quite good actually,” Jason stated. “Obviously there aren’t as many cars on the road as there were around four or five years ago, but things are still going smoothly enough here thankfully and hopefully things will continue like that for us.” Through their reliable service, Clifford’s have earned the An Garda contract plus other contracts with

some top local companies which they have made sure to maintain even in the times that are in it. Some of those contracts would be with well-known outfits such as Axa Insurance, AA Ireland, Ireland Assist and RAC Commercials, while work with many of the local garages in and around the Tralee area would be a service which Clifford’s carry out on a regular basis. So whether it’s a breakdown recovery, or a repair service that you need, be sure to look no further than Clifford’s Garage in The Kerries, Tralee, which have been offering a sufficient for almost 40 years.

Clifford’s Garage has been in operation since the early 1970s

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& LIGHT COMMERCIALS 31

Jason Mulligan lining up pallets for delivery

Handling the goods The logistics industry has changed dramatically over the years as the introduction of modern technology has allowed companies to tracks their goods every move. It is now essential for businesses involved in this sector to ensure that they have the latest innovations available.

o this end, none is more equipped to be a leader in the field of logistics than ECS Logistics and for this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we profile the Dublinbased company and speak to managing director Dave Cunningham about the success of the company since its genesis only four years ago. Indeed ECS Logistics will not celebrate its fourth anniversary until

November, but the success of the business has been phenomenal in such a short space of time as they now possess a customer base that covers all of Europe. Specialising in express distribution, nationwide over night delivery, order picking and warehousing, ECS operate from two premises in Clonshaugh and Dublin Airport where they basically take in good from their

European customers and distribute them all over Ireland. The facilities are designed as an EU Inbound logistics hub, handling inbound freight/cargo from the UK and all across Europe through overseas partners on a daily basis. With long and short term warehousing space they use their own specifically designed technology to ensure full control over goods received, stored IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Dave Cunningham has many year’s experience in the industry

and distributed, while they also provide weekly stock reports to clients to guarantee complete efficiency. Other services include picking orders for distribution to Ireland and abroad, nationwide courier, promotional logistics and trailer off loading. It may sound like a simple service and to some end it is, as they provide an efficient and reliable service, but the intricacies involved in operating such a business on a daily basis takes a lot of effort and of course, team work. Dave along with fellow managing directors Paddy Ryan and Jack Carroll have many years experience in the industry and they have merged all their experience to shape ECS into what it is today. “I would describe us as a handling agent for companies or a carriers' carrier and we operate throughout the Island of Ireland. We are not a freight forwarding company and have no interest in being one,” stressed Dave. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“We offer same day delivery in Dublin and surrounding areas, while we also provide a nationwide overnight service. We are working towards becoming a 24-hr service and hopefully that will be the case before the end of the year.” ECS Logistics' rise in such a short space of time has seen them move to a larger premises just three months after they business was started as the company started working with freight forwarding companies from all across Europe. In April 2009, a move to a 40,000sq ft warehouse in Clonshaugh which

was officially opened by then Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and at the time the Minister expressed his admiration for ECS as they continued to grow, despite difficult times arising in the country. “The facility in Clonshaugh is on a 2.2 acre site and with sufficient loading bays to cater for 10+ trailers in the morning rush period from 5.00am to 9.30am. The positioning of our two facilities in Santry and Clonshaugh with 50,000 square foot for storage and office space, are both within less than 5 minutes access on or off the M50. The close proximity to the Airport ECS employees Trevor and Mikel order picking to customer’s orders

Eagle Overseas collect a load at ECS Logistics & Warehousing

and port tunnel also allows easy and fast access to 80% of all freight that comes into Ireland from overseas and is perfect for such freight forwarders. It also this gives us the opportunity to service our customers both nationally and internationally.” ECS Logistics has the capabilities to handle any load and they strip trailers to the highest standard, while booking in consignments with the customers' clients here in Ireland. Through their extensive warehousing, they can also house goods until they are due to be delivered. “We guarantee that all good will be delivered on time and the date requested. We pride ourselves on providing an efficient service and this is one of the main reasons for our success. Our growth in the last four years has gone up 100% or more annually. “Much of this is down to the dedicated employees that are on the books, all of who are highly trained and have the relevant documentation to carry out their duties to this highest standard. “The majority of the drivers would be owner-drivers, who all undergo an induction course when they start. Our fleet covers a wide range of vehicles from motorbikes right up to artics.” Dave revealed that they have invested heavily in the latest technology to ensure that the customer receives the quality of service that they demand. “We provide an excellent service and we have made a huge investment in the company to make it a success. It is

Looking after the admin are from l/r: Jenny Cummins, Rosie Wright, Julie Johnson and Sandra Breslin

the number one priority. Customer important to do things right and we feel on that front, we are succeeding.” satisfaction is the key to success in So what does 2011 hold for ECS any business and that is something Logistics? “I think one of the main that we will continue to work on.” aims is to provide a 24hr service, we are almost there as it is, but I'd like to see Wishing ECS Logistics the very best of Luck that happen. A move to new premises is also something that we are looking at as we would like the two facilities under one roof. Nationwide Pallet & Package Distribution “Of course, ensuring To and From Cork that we continue to provide the level of Unit 2, North Esk Business Park, Glanmire, Co. Cork service that we have Tel: (021) 4353990/4353991 • Fax: (021) 4355214 been providing for the Email: sales@corkexpresspallets.com past four years and improving on that is

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Tel: 00353 1 8867700 Fax: 00353 1 8425450 www.efl.ie 35

A truck being loaded with blocks at the Ederney plant

One of the company’s shovels gets to work

An aerial view of the two plants

Work in progress at McCaffrey & Sons

McCaffrey & Sons was established 43 years ago

Quarry on regardless The recession has taken the wind out of many companies’ sails, but not so B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd. Having expanded last year, the Fermanaghbased concrete provider is now operating out of three quarries and – with a fleet of 30 units currently on the road - continues to go from strength to strength. Irish Trucker dropped into the Derrylin headquarters and had a chat with director Sean McCaffrey about the past, present and future of this impressive concern. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Pauric and Sean McCaffrey on site in Ederney

ake no mistake about it: these are challenging times. Companies involved in the construction and / or transport industries are being tested like never before. Only the strongest will survive. The way things have gone in the economy, inefficient companies have little or no chance. You have to be on top of your game. Forty-three years since its inception, B McCaffrey & Sons is weathering the storm with aplomb. The company has adapted a pro-active approach to the downturn, diversifying and finding new markets to move forward in a sustainable fashion. If anything, they are getting stronger. B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd. is a thirdgeneration family business. It was established by grandfather Bernard McCaffrey back in 1968. Bernard set up from very modest beginnings, effectively overseeing a small sand and gravel pit from his home place. From those humble, embryonic days, he has nurtured and developed a IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

thriving concern, now operating out of three separate quarries and providing vital, gainful employment to a crew of approximately 50. The hub of the operation is Knockninny Quarry in Derrylin, County Fermanagh, which was opened (about six miles from the home place) during the mid-‘70s. Since then two subsidiary quarries have been added: Carn Quarry in Ederney, County Fermanagh and Dunaree Quarry in Drumquin, County Tyrone. These quarries were taken over in April 2010, significantly strengthening B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd.’s hand. B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd. specialises in supplying a wide range of concrete products including crushed stone, readymix concrete, blocks, agricultural lime, tarmac and precast products. Since the opening of the two new quarries, their area of influence has widened, as Sean confirms: “We’re covering a wider catchment area now, covering all of Fermanagh as well as parts of Tyrone, Cavan and Leitrim,

with the agricultural lime going as far south as Meath. The lime is very popular and there’s a huge demand for it.” As well as directly employing around 50 people, B McCaffrey also provides indirect employment to a small crew of owner-drivers out of the two new quarries. The McCaffrey family operates a delivery fleet of 30 units, between tippers, rigids, mixers and offloaders as well as up to 15 pieces of quarry plant including diggers, dumpers, loading shovels, forklifts etc. In terms of tractor units, the fleet comprises almost exclusively DAF, Volvo and Renault. With a modern workshop on site in Derrylin, B McCaffrey & Sons handles all its own maintenance and servicing requirements, maintaining the fleet in tip-top condition at all times. Referring to recent positive developments in the business, Sean McCaffrey notes: “We can’t complain. Thankfully, we have done well since

The readymix plant at McCaffrey & Sons’ Derrylin quarry

the takeover of the new quarries last year. So far, so good... Construction isn’t as strong as it was but we’ve a lot of business now in agriculture and we’ll continue to provide quality products to the farming community. The way the market has gone, there wouldn’t be nearly as much demand from the construction sector, but agriculture is steady, so hopefully that will remain the case. “We also do pre-cast wall panels and cattle slats. All in all, the farming end of it would be the biggest now, with a lot of farm buildings and agricultural lime. Also, even though construction has slowed down and is nothing like what it was, there would still be the odd private house and we’re getting a steady supply of work there…” Carrying the gauntlet that has been passed down by company founder Bernard, B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd. is

fresh as possible and we tend to today run by brothers Sean and Paraic change them once they get to five or McCaffrey alongside their father Patsy. six years old, depending on the What’s the secret to keeping the fleet mileage, of course. We change two or performing to its optimum potential? three vehicles per year. We used to “Regular maintenance and servicing bring in brand new replacements but are very important,” says Sean. “If you look after a truck, it Continued Success to B.McCaffrey & Sons Ltd, From will look after you. All of our drivers Head Office Suppliers of have Unit 3, Annagh Industrial Park, Co. Cavan been with • Bulk Explosives inc. Accessories Ballyconnell, Tel: (00353)49 9527190 (10 lines) us longMobile Seamus: (00353)87 6794608 • Face Profiling Email: info@exsol.ie term and they look • Vibration Monitoring Depots, after the Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan machines Tel: (00353) 49 9527190 • Blasting Engineer well. We Nenagh, Co. Tipperary Tel: (00353) 67 42968 also try to • Technical Support keep the The New Name in Explosive Solutions for the Quarrying Industry fleet as

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Wishing Continued Success To B.McCaffrey & Sons Ltd 39

Two units from the fleet get to work in Ederney

this is no longer necessary as there are a lot of fresh second-hand trucks available these days at reasonable prices.” Clearly, B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd. has performed extremely well over the past 43 years, through good and bad times for the economy as a whole. What does the future hold then for this resilient company? “We’re hoping to keep things moving,” says Sean. “Last year we put in a new lime plant, which is serving us well. We’ll keep the heads down, work hard, provide a good service and see what the year brings. There are some roadworks and windfarms in the pipeline The company’s readymix plant at Ederney

locally so, if they take off, we might get a bit of business out of them. “We’ve earned a solid reputation in this area down through the years for providing a good product and excellent service at an affordable price – that’s what we’ll continue doing and hopefully people will continue to appreciate it.” B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd. Derrylin: 048 67748434 Carn: 048 68631468 Email: info@mccaffreyquarries.com www.mccaffreyquarries.com

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Tims top service Every month in Irish Trucker, we profile an energetic and enthusiastic haulage company that is making huge strides in the industry. For this edition of the magazine, we take a look at the Ballyfermot based Tims Transport Ltd and speak to general manager Ray Tims about the how the current economic climate has affected their business. Tims Transport has been established four years

t is certainly not an easy time for haulage companies around the country, but Ray is of the opinion that you just have to put your head down, work hard and get on with it and this motto has stood them well so far. Tims Transport became a limited company four years ago, but the

business has been in operation for many years beforehand and has built up a massive customer base during that period. Specialising in general haulage, the company operate in the greater Dublin area and all over the country also. The outstanding levels of customer

The company is based in Ballyfermot

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

and staff loyalty evident in the company say more about the efficiency, dependability and equity of the operation than a magazine full of adjectives ever could. Four years on from its inception, Tims Transport Ltd is in a stronger position than ever. This hasn't happened by chance but has been achieved through a combination of sheer hard work, professionalism, expertise, application, integrity and honesty. The company has a lot of things going for it - offering a personal touch, excellent service, fully-trained staff and benefiting from an incredible degree of customer loyalty - but one of its greatest assets is the prime location at Ballyfermot, Co Dublin. From this ideal central HQ, the company offers its discerning clientele a superb range of transport and logistics solutions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like everyone, we have found it to be a tough year, but you just have to get on with it and continue to produce

a high quality of service, If that can't be achieved that you won't be long in this business,” stressed Ray. “We would have a massive customer base and this includes the likes of Coca Coal, Dunnes Stores, and Johnson Bros to name a few. We would sub contract work off companies as well and we have done that with Kiely Distributors for the past 15 years. “Fortunately, we have a very strong customer base and they have all experienced growth in their respective businesses. Of course, we're only too aware of the difficult times facing everybody, but things are going well at the moment and we expect that to continue for as long as we continue to provide an excellent service. We're in a specialist sector, so we might escape the brunt of it. If we can do the same this year as we did in 2010, then we'll be happy. By providing clients with a bespoke, made-to-measure service at competitive prices, Tims Transport supplies a transport package that stands head and shoulders above the competition in today's beleaguered yet essential-as-ever distribution sector. Distribution is their business and they

The fleet consists of vans and trucks

do it well, with a minimum of fuss and the absolute maximum in terms of efficiency and reliability. “We can provide a specialist service to our customers, using whatever vehicle or vehicles they require to get that job done as smoothly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. We can provide the exact solution they require - at pick-up and delivery points of their specification.” At present, Ray oversees a fleet of 17 vehicles most of which are

Best Wishes To Tims Transport Ltd From

predominantly Renault and bought from local dealer Harry Nash, with who Tims Transport has an excellent working relationship. “All the trucks come from Renault Trucks and we get on well with Harry Nash there, who is always willing to help out where he can. We keep the fleet relatively new and place a great emphasis on maintenance. Ring Road Ltd look after all the maintenance for us and whether it be night or day, Shay and his team will always be on Best Wishes To Tims Transport Ltd From

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tims Transport specialise in general haulage

hand to sort out the problem and that makes a big difference to us.” Founder Liam Tims is still very much involved in running the family business. Ray deals with the transport end of the operation, while his sister Pamela Delmont runs the office and looks after drivers and customers alike. The directors are never any more than a phone call away and are always ready to answer customer queries or deal with any small

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

transaction and every customer is here long-term,” Ray continues. “We know them well but we treat them very much as professional clients and give them a fantastic service. Tims Transport Ltd provides an invaluable service to its clients - and also to its staff. As a substantial local employer, the company looks after its employees at all times. “All the drivers are with us for many years and we would have a very low turnover of staff, which speaks for itself. Many of the drivers would be dealing with the same customers all the time and they build up a rapport with them and earn their trust, which is important.” Tims Transport Ltd has earned a reputation for delivering an excellent service to its customers and it's a situation that has stood them in good stead; like everyone they have seen the good times and bad, but have come through the times to emerge a stronger force All types of goods are and look set to do so for transported many years to come.

problems that may arise. As for the future, there are understandably no plans for radical diversification. As they say in the trade: why fix it if it isn't broken? “We're hoping to stay in this sector and run the business as efficiently and cost-effectively as we possibly can. We have many years of experience and expertise and we intend to put that to good use. “We have a personal input into every

At the top of their game Over 85 years in the motor sales game, The CAB Motor Company in Blackrock, Co Cork knows what it takes to sell customers vehicles. Winners of the Ford Chairman’s Award for three consecutive years, Irish Trucker caught up with the company’s Commercial Sales Manager John Bell to find out what all the fuss was about.

he Cab Motor have been Cork’s main Ford dealer for the best part of a century now and can be found just a few miles outside the city centre, with a large selection of new and used cars as well as commercials vehicles for sale. John Bell is the company’s current Commercial Sales Manager and gave us a quick run down on what’s what

down Leeside. “We’re based here on the Monahan Road in Blackrock, county Cork,” he explained. “The company itself is established since 1925 and we’ve about 45 working here. My position is Commercial Sales Manager and I’m here just over six years now. The Dealer Principal is a man called Conor

Cavanagh.” Conor Cavanagh is a man that is proud to continue a long family tradition of quality and service. Because of this tradition, CAB has earned a special place in the motor industry throughout Ireland. The company was originally founded as a hackney outfit back in 1922 on Merchant Quay and was established IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

with the title, CAB Taxi Company Ltd. In 1924, the owners took the decision to move away from the taxi business and open up a motor retail establishment. Their new premises was located on Oliver Plunkett Street and the name was changed to CAB Motor Company Ltd. Come 1925 the company was appointed a Ford Main Dealer, moving to a larger premises on Copley Street. A new car showroom was also opened on the Grand Parade and in 1939 William O'Connor retired as Dealer Principal and was succeeded by Eugene Clarke. After 34 years of Clarke’s running of the company, the Cavanagh family of IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

over 100 new and quality used cars in Fermoy became interested on the business. Another dealership was stock at all times, their customers also acquired in Dungarvan, Co. have plenty of choice on offer at Waterford and in 1973 the unbeatably low prices. With finance company was purchased by the and part exchange available. Cavanagh family, with Tom The company’s Ford range has Cavanagh becoming the Dealer something to suit every lifestyle and Principal and they moved the budget - from the super mini-Ford Ka company to a new premises in to the 7-seater Ford Galaxy MPV, Ballintemple. customers are guaranteed to find In 1988, Tom Cavanagh stepped something to suit their budget. down as Dealer Principal and was It’s little wonder why CAB were voted succeeded by his son Conor, who winners of the Ford Chairman's Award is the current Dealer Principal. for three consecutive years during the Michael Mullins became Sales 2000s. The honour was in recognition Director and a 25 per cent of the outstanding service CAB shareholder at the same time and provided its customers and is one that in 1999, John Wilkins was is presented to businesses across the appointed General Manager and continent, with Dealer Principal Conor Director. Cavanagh receiving the prestigious John Bell came on board with the trophy in Istanbul on one occasion. company in 2005 and since taking “It (the award) is a reflection on the over as Commercial Sales service that we provide to our Manager he has acquired a customers here and a reflection on the specific role which sees him effort put in by everyone here each responsible for the company’s light and every day,” John stated. commercial sales. “At the present time, we are going CAB Commercial is located through a tough period like every one across the road from the main else, between light commercials and showroom. It is managed by John car sales, but we need to be aware of and specialises in light commercial that too and realise that things will turn vehicles to keep their customers’ around at some point and it’s business on the right road. Ford recognition like that that helps you have recently launched the new keep going in the tough times.” Transit which will maintain their These are tough times indeed for the dominance in this market segment. motor sales industry, with John CAB also carries a large stock of admitting that his company “has seen pre-owned commercial vehicles a massive reduction in the last two prepared to the highest standard. years.” Recently, CAB opened an all new “The first time we noticed it was in state-of-the-art showroom with over the first quarter of 2008,” he said. In 20 cars on display inside. CAB are 2007 we retailed about 657 vehicles. Cork’s number one Ford Dealer Now that has gone down to about 155 since their appointment in 1925 during 2010. and are today the only premium Ford Commercial Sales dealer in Cork city. Manager, John Bell Their Sales Department is managed by Pat Harte and as well as the full range of new Ford cars, the company has 100 pre-owned Ford and non-Ford cars, all prepared to the highest standards and offered with comprehensive warranties. To the CAB Motor Company, value and choice are the key when it comes to their sales department. With

The CAB Motor Company has been in business over 85 years

“It’s very difficult to sustain the light commercial business at present. At the moment we have around 15 to 20 commercial vehicles in stock. I would suggest that a lot of other companies are threading water at the moment. Many are not profiting and almost everyone has had to bring down their prices as well. “You’re being squeezed in every direction. This is the quietest January that I can recall, but I suppose the way you have to look at it is is that things can only go up from here. He added: “We are a Ford Franchise and the Ford Transit is still the number one

selling light commercial vehicle for us, so things haven’t completely changed for us. Hopefully things will turn around and when they do we will be there for the horizon.” Each time you visit CAB for a service or repair you'll experience the benefits of their 'Interactive Reception', which is designed to provide the best possible care for customers and their Ford vehicles. The CAB Motor Company can tailor finance packages to suit every budget, with their opening hours of business from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 5pm on Saturdays.

Presentation of the Service Chairman award, l/r: Niamh Howard, Service Receptionist; John Scannell, Service Manager; Eddie Murphy, Chairman of Ford Ireland and Gareth Boyd, Assistant Service Manager

GLASS REPAIR & REPLACEMENT AND AIR CON SERVICES AUTOGLASS IRELAND LIMITED PJ O'Hea Building, 26 Patricks Quay, Cork. Tel: 021 - 451 8438. Lo call: 1890 92 36 93. E-mail: info@autoglassirl.ie Continued best wishes to all at CAB Motor Company

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Timber! There are many specialized areas within the haulage industry and some hauliers dedicated their profession to one specific type of transportation, which has served them well over the years. Volvo are Peadarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred choice of truck

Timber logs are loaded safely onto a truck

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

s we all know, the haulage industry is unquestionably the most fickle trade to be in at the moment, given the rise in diesel prices and the drop in rates. The haulier has been hit on all sides and it is trying times for the hard working men and women involved in the trade. For many it is a case of putting their head down and working harder than ever to provide the level of service that their customers have become accustomed too over the years. On such business that has adopted that policy is Peadar Barker Haulage, which has been a supplying a specialized trade to its customer base for over 13 years now. In this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we profile the Mayo based company and speak to managing director Peadar Barker

The timber industry is set for a big boost

about the company's success. Peadar Barker Haulage specializes in the transportation of timber and all their equipment is geared towards hauling wood all around the country. Their main employer is ECC and they draw timber from their plants to all over Ireland and indeed to the ports for export. Based in Tourmakeady, the company provides a top quality service covering the 32 counties. Peadar admits that business is good at the moment and he feels that he

operates in an area that produces steady work all year round, which is something of a novelty in the haulage industry at the present time. “We are lucky enough at the moment. We work solely with ECC and would cover the whole of Ireland. Mainly, we would be drawing out of Coillte sites, who we have worked for in the past. We also go to sawmills like the one in Cornamona,” said Peadar. “All our trailers would be equipped to

carry a wide variety of timber logs, which are manufactured at the sawmills and then generally shipped abroad.” Peadar admits that give the nature of the business that he is involved in and the conditions that he is operating in, his fleet is kept well maintained and there is less of an emphasis on buying brand new trucks. “The roads we would be travelling on would not be in the best state at all and indeed a lot of the time, we would

Another loads sets off for delivery

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes to Peadar Barker Haulage from

Best Wishes To Peadar Barker Haulage From

Best Wishes to Peadar Barker Haulage from

Commercial Plant & Agricultural Fitters Light Engineering

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Mobile: 087 6692822 49

Best Wishes To Peadar Barker Haulage From

Continued Success To Peadar Barker

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J.&N. BARRETT. LTD Timber Transport Doonamona, Killala, Co. Mayo Tel: (096) 34178 Mobile: (087) 2581926 Continued Success To Peadar Barker Haulage From

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be left in the dark log on to

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www.mcmorrowhaulage.ie 50

IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

All timber is drawn from Coillte sites

be off road collecting timber. I have recently bought a brand new truck and intend adding a few more to the fleet this year, but we tend to keep the trucks for a good few years and keep them well maintained.” With ten trucks on the road, maintenance is of the utmost importance in this industry and Peadar feels that Volvo are the most reliable and strongest truck on the road at present, which is why he opts for that make all the time. “We would do all our business with

Murphy Commercials and have a very good working relationship with them. We would do some of the maintenance work ourselves, but they would do the majority of it. I've been dealing with them for a good few years now and must say they are very easy to deal with.” Like all hauliers, Peadar has a number of issues within the industry and top of the list is the rising cost of diesel, which has effectively crippled the industry over the past few years. “The price of diesel is a killer. It really

is a serious issue, but the annoying part is that there is not a word about it. Prices keep going up and there is no one to come out and say that this is wrong. It's not fair at all. This is a hard enough business to operate in as there is so many overheads to contend with, so having to deal with anymore makes it virtually impossible to survive and unfortunately for some businesses they have been forced to close down.” Despite all the negativity within the industry, Peadar feels that you must have a positive outlook and focus on the future, although everything must be dealt with by a cautious approach. “Look, there is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves, we are not doing too badly at the moment and we have to be grateful for that. It is important to move with the times and in that respect we will be adding to the fleet this year. We know how fortunate we are to be involved with such a solid and reliable firm like ECC. As long as they are pleased with the service that we provide then there should be no problems.” Peadar has reliable work force of ten people all of who have many years experience in the industry. His nephew William is also very much involved in the day to day running of the business and together they look set to help move Peadar Barker Haulage to the next level in its history. Barker Haulage was established 13 years ago

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The fleet is kept in pristine condition

Soaring high Every month in Irish Trucker, we profile one of the top haulage firms in Northern Ireland and this month is no different as we profile Banbridge based Eagle Overseas.

pecialists in Logistics and Warehousing across Ireland and the U.K, Eagle Overseas has been trading since 1979. Thirtytwo years later and the company is still going strong. John Strain, Transport Director, manages the daily operations of this successful company in the competitive haulage industry. Speaking with us, John explains the driving force behind his company’s success. “We pride ourselves on delivering an unbeatable service offering to all our customers. Our company policy is to

provide a high standard of customer service, which our loyal customer base has grown accustomed too. Eagle Overseas was set up by my father, Brendan Strain Senior in 1979. Since then, it has grown from strength to strength. In recent years, we have implemented various strategic plans and developed our business model. We have maintained a strong client base by offering an individual customized service to each of our clients, with a strong focus on exceeding their needs. This has lead to successful operations throughout

the 32 counties and across the UK.” In a very demanding industry, Eagle Overseas is dedicated to exceeding client expectations by providing a quality service and continuously reviewing methods to improving its operations. John explained, “We are not satisfied until we go beyond what the customer wants. Everyone of our staff are conscious in delivering that extra touch that ensures complete customer satisfaction. Our pivotal starting point is our OTD Policy, On Time Delivery”. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Scania is the preferred choice of truck

My team and I use our comprehensive knowledge of the industry to ensure that all deliveries are On Time Deliveries”.

contact with customers and this provides peace of mind to them, knowing that an experienced driver is looking after their goods,” commented John.

To this end, a reliable and highly trained staff is needed and John revealed that this is something that Eagle Overseas has in abundance. The company employees 90 people, all of whom are highly skilled in their field.

Eagle Overseas offers a full turnkey logistics and warehousing service. Recent development has been completed on a 35,000sq. state of the art warehousing facility, close to all major arterial routes for road, air and sea beside the A1 at Banbridge. This strategically placed location between two capital cities ensures a prompt and reliable service to all customers both North and South of Ireland. Eagle Overseas also has

“We’re delighted to acknowledge that we’ve a very low staff turnover and in fact many of our staff have been in employment with us for many years. Our drivers are in regular

warehousing facilities at Hillsborough Co. Down, where they provide a complete pick and pack stock control and delivery service for both long and short term storage. All warehouse facilities are modern, offering maximum security with CCTV ensuring customers peace of mind. With a fleet of 35 lorries on the road, Eagle Overseas operates a daily schedule for distribution which services all major UK & Irish cities and towns. “Our service offering extends to all sectors from manufacturing, distribution, to chemical, wholesale and retail. All vehicles are in constant GSM

Eagle Overseas have been trading since 1979

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

phone communication with head office and are immediately available to confirm the status of any delivery. The average age of our fleet is 2.5 years and we are able to maintain and service all our vehicles in house”, said John. So what does the future hold for Eagle Overseas? John commented by stating that, “To date, Eagle Overseas has successfully operated for many years on 4 principle points –Product, Service, Price and Technology. We will continue to focus our strategies on these 4 principles, developing and implementing effective procedures.

Our customers and employees are our key priorities and all decisions are made with their best interests in mind. There are many overheads to content with and the company decisions we make are always well thought through. The haulage industry has suffered in recent years and we are facing challenging times. However, at Eagle Overseas we believe that maintaining our high standard of service will always place our company in a good position. With that in mind, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks and appreciation to all our customers and looking forward to continuing our partnerships throughout 2011 and in the future”. Eagle Overseas has a total of eight

depots across Ireland and the UK, with its headquarters in Banbridge, ideally located between Dublin and Belfast, meaning that a customer is never too far away. The eight depots are: London, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Bradford, Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

For further information contact: Email: info@eagleoverseas.com Website: www.eagleoverseas.com Northern Ireland & UK Tel: (028) 406 51311 Fax: (028) 406 51602 Republic of Ireland Tel: (048) 406 51311 Fax (048) 406 51602 International Tel: +44 (0) 28 406 51311 Fax: +44 (0) 28 406 51602

Best Wishes To Eagle Overseas From

TBF Thompson Best Wishes To Eagle Overseas 139 Banbridge Rd Dromore, Co. Down BT25 1NF Tel: (028) 9269 9107 Email: sales@aonetyres.co.uk

www.aonetyres.co.uk 54

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

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

An evening shot of the T.P. Waters showroom

A bridge over troubled waters With money now seemingly scarcer than hen’s teeth, these are troubled times for Irish businesses. The whole process of sourcing, securing and maintaining a commercial vehicle is more problematic than ever before. However – with a range of attractive franchises under one roof - awardwinning TP Waters in Kildare has an affordable solution to suit every requirement.

usinesses cannot survive without commercial vehicles. It’s a simple fact of life. From the largest corporations to the selfemployed plumber, we all need wheels beneath us to get our products / services out into the market / workplace. One of the biggest stumbling blocks presented by the IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

current recession is the inability of many to get their hands on a vehicle they can afford. The financial institutions are no longer forthcoming with loans; we find ourselves in the midst of a credit squeeze; so operators need to be as prudent as possible when it comes to sourcing new jeeps or vans. With no

room for waste, every Euro counts. Fortunately for commercial vehicle users in and around the Kildare area, TP Waters is providing a spectacular range of affordable vehicles. They have something to suit every need and can supply the exact vehicle to fit your pocket. With over three decades of

Continued Best Wishes To TOM & FAMILY From

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Best Wishes to T.P. Waters , from

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Best Wishes To T.P. Waters From

BETSON TYRES LTD TYRE WHOLESALE SPECIALISTS Ballinagar, Tullamore, Co. Offaly Tel: 057 9350103 • Fax: 057 9350102 Email: betsontyres@hotmail.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Going strong since 1976

T.P. Waters has a range of attractive franchises under one roof

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

experience, TP Waters provides a magnificent aftersales service from its convenientlyaccessible premises on Kildareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Monasterevin Road. A personal touch is guaranteed from the first point of contact at reception right through the entire process and a stateof-the-art workshop is manned by fullyqualified technicians using the latest diagnostic and repair equipment. Little wonder TP Waters is so popular! Sales manager David McLoughlin has been part of the TP Waters team for the past 14 years. He admits that the

commercial vehicle side of the business is extremely important - be it sales, leasing or repairs – and is confident that the range of vehicles in the showroom is second to none: “Jeep and Dodge will be re-launched in Ireland in March / April and that is going to be exciting. In the meantime, we are delighted with how the Subaru Forrester is performing. It’s proving extremely popular with veterinary surgeons and basically anybody who needs a vehicle that drives like a car but has the capabilities of a four-wheel drive. “The Forrester offers unbelievable fuel efficiency and comes with a three-year, 160km warranty. That essentially guarantees three years of trouble-free motoring. It is also extremely well-priced – when you claim the VAT back off 30,000 euro, you’re getting a fantastic deal. The Forrester retains a magnificent residual value and is a very cheap vehicle to service as there is no timing belt. You’re basically

Best Wishes To T.P. Waters From Head Office

Unit B Ashgrove Ind. Est, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin (01) 2805063/66

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talking about tyres and oil and then everything else after that is covered by the warranty. “It’s going great guns at the moment and is one of our biggest sellers. The Forrester is perfect for anybody doing high mileage and, of course, Subaru is renowned for reliability, so it’s an incredibly sound investment.” Established in 1976, TP Waters is also an agent for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Daihatsu and Seat. The Kildare dealership was voted Seat Dealer of the Year in 2006. While Subaru is holding centre stage at present, David continues:

Continued Success To T.P. Waters From

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS Ivydene House, Dublin St, Kildare Town Tel: (045) 521111 • Fax: (045) 535651 Email: info@kenherbert.ie

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Continued Success To T.P. Waters From ALL PARTS AVAILABLE FOR CARS AND LIGHT COMMERCIALS Ballydavis, The Heath, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Telephone: 057-8646663 ( 4 Lines) Fax: 057-8646821 Email: info@whelandismantlers.com Waste permit: WMPATF 008C BEST WISHES TO T.P. WATERS

Condell & Ryan MOTOR FACTORS LTD OLDHAM SERVICE AGENTS

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler are relaunching in March/April and we’re delighted that we are going to be involved with them again. As part of their restructuring, they dropped all of their Irish distributors but TP Waters will be back on board when they relaunch and we’re looking forward to selling their new range. There will be a shortening of the model mix and the entire range will be streamlined, with fewer models, a better-spec range and increased fuel efficiency.” So it promises to be an exciting 2011? “Yes, and the Seat brand is going really well at the minute too. Volume-wise, Seat is our biggest seller and we went 60% over our targets for January. Overall, we are up around 40% on last year, which is encouraging. Of course, we’re not out of the woods yet and we won’t take anything for granted. We had very difficult years in 2007, 2008 and 2009, so we’re rebuilding from a lower base

now but there were a lot of green shoots last year and we’ll build on that. “There are definite signs of an improvement in the industry but the availability – or should I say ‘unavailability’? – of finance remains a real problem. However, we are very fortunate to have Volkswagen Bank behind us (through Seat) and they are still offering very competitive finance.” Established by Tom Waters over 30 years ago, TP Waters is a family-run business with a proven track record. Tom is still very much involved and his sons Peter and TJ are also active in the company, which employs a team of 19 in total. Everybody works hard and the business is run tightly and efficiently. “Also, because some other dealers have unfortunately gone to the wall, we have picked up a lot of new business,” says David. “We have an excellent name in the trade and we’re on the same site here

for 35 years. People know who we are and they know what we’re about. Likewise, we know our customers. We have an excellent product range going from 14,200 euro up to 60,000 euro and our facilities are second to none. “We started a massive refurbishment in 2005/06 and completed it in 2007, doubling the size of our site and developing a new state-of-the-art showroom. We also have a state-ofthe-art workshop, servicing all makes and models but specialising in our own franchises and Land Rover. We’re in a superb location, just three miles from the M7, between junctions 13 and 14.” Regarding the future, the sales manager concludes: “Hopefully we’ll continue in the same vein we’re going in at the moment. The next couple of years are going to be tough and nobody in the motor industry in Ireland will make any fortunes, but if we can achieve steady growth we’ll be delighted with that.”

Drop in any time and browse the wide selection of vehicles at T.P. Waters, Kildare

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Recovery specialists

The fleet at Lakeland Recovery

he 24-hr recovery service has never been an easy line of work, but there are fewer businesses that are booming in these recessionary times, especially in the icy months of December and January over the past couple of years. When David Browne snr set up his company, Lakeland Recovery Service, back in 1981 he started off with just one truck at his disposal. That same

year, David married his wife Dympna and since then things have evolved as the Enniskillen – based outfit can boast themselves as the most complete vehicle breakdown and accident recovery firm established in the west. We’re based here just outside Enniskillen town on the Cavan road, explained David Snr, Lakeland Recovery Service MD.

“Were established 30 years and we’ve six people working here full time. It’s very much a family run business. My son David junior is here, along with my wife Dympna, who looks after the Accounts and two daughters Aishling and Lorraine, who answer the phones here for the 24hr service.” On a 24hr basis, Lakeland Recovery Service specialises in vehicle breakdown and recovery and is also a IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Celebrating 30 years in business this year, Lakeland Recovery Service is still leading the way as one of Fermanagh’s Leading vehicle and accident and breakdown recovery outfits. Irish Trucker spoke to Managing Director David Browne Snr to find out more.

specialist in car body repairs and services. Using state –of –the –art recovery equipment and working practices, they are the first choice for motoring organisations, insurance companies, fleet operators and private motorists. The company’s recovery technicians are experienced in dealing with all manors of recovery situations, 24hours IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

a day and 365 days a year. From their Recovery Depot in Enniskillen, Lakeland Recovery provide a recovery service for heavy goods vehicles, cars, vans, motorcycles, caravans, prestige recovery of valuable sports and performance cars and specialist recovery service for forensic recovery to preserve accident investigations. “We specialise in both heavy and

light recovery and our aim is to assign a safe and reliable recovery anywhere on our roads.” David snr stated simply. “As well as our recovery operations we have a fully equipped workshop where we provide damage repairs, insurance work, panel beating and respray”. We also offer refurbishing on recovery vehicles here”. The history behind Lakeland

Lakeland Recovery have been in the breakdown recovery game since 1981

Recovery Service is an intriguing one, which saw David snr ‘go out on his own’, as they say in this line of business, having worked in a garage for a couple of years. Since then he hasn’t looked back and has worked to make the company grow from strength to strength over the last three decades. In that time he has watched as his family have gradually become a focal part of the business. “I was a panel beater by trade and then I went and bought my own truck,”

he explained. “1981 was the year that I got married and I took the decision to push the boat out and start my own business that year. “My first truck was a Ford Transit A Series and the year after that I bought another. The business has got better and better as the years went on and now we have a fleet of ten trucks and two service vans. In 2009 we purchased A Scania P94 with 2 heavy winches, top boom, medium duty wrecker/recovery vehicle which is ideal

for getting into by - roads and narrow lane ways whereby our other larger vehicles would not be able to access”. “To meet the demands of our business we are introducing a new vehicle to our fleet on the 1st March 2011. This vehicle is a 144 Scania 460 with TRS 4.2m Maxi Reach, ideal for the use of coach and bus recovery”. Lakeland Recovery Service has always prided itself in their high standard of customer service and see it as the key reason for their repeat

The new addition to Lakeland Recovery which will be joining the fleet in March

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes To Lakeland Recovery Service From

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

www.irishtrucker.com 63

One of Lakeland’s recovery technicians recovering a vehicle from the river

Lakeland Recovery is based just outside Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

David and Lorraine Browne outside the company’s headquarters

business, which has seen them retain their customers’ business down through the years. Repeat business is crucial in the recovery service game and Lakeland Recovery Service has made sure to keep their paying customers the priority over the last 30 years. As the company website explained: “Whether your just a stranded motorist in distress or a large fleet operator we provide a solution for every vehicle recovery situation. We pride ourselves on our reliability and high standards in vehicle recovery. Our aim is to give every customer the best available service.” These past few months, in particular December and January, have seen recovery companies across the country at their busiest, with icy road conditions everywhere resulting in vehicles having to be picked up all across the country. As much as anywhere, the Fermanagh – Cavan border area was badly affected. However, it not to say that a firm like Lakeland Recovery Service is completely dependent on the frosty conditions this time of year-far from it. In fact, their MD has confirmed that business is running quite smoothly at the moment, even in such a tough economic climate. “It’s ticking over rightly,” said David snr. “The weather over the last few months would have had us doing two or three jobs in the one place. We’re busy enough here all the time and we even had four or five jobs to do on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day as well as last year.” There are no restrictions to how far Lakeland Recovery will journey for its customers. Members of the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operations (AVRO), they are accredited with PAS 43 and can recover vehicles nationwide. “We would be all of the north and parts of Leicester as well. Belfast, Kilkenny, Dublin, Dublin and even as far as Limerick would be some of the places we’ve travelled recently,” explained David Snr. “We could pick up vehicles in those places and we might arrange for repairs 80 Miles way.” Lakeland Recovery Service would like to thank all it’s customers for their continued support and wish them luck on their ventures 2011. IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes To Lakeland Recovery Service

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Service you can depend on Kilkenny-based Victor Brennan Transport Ltd. is a straightforward, no-frills distribution company that eschews the limelight and instead focuses on providing an exceptional service. Irish Trucker popped into the Kilmoganny depot to meet the founder and get an insight into this long-running family business.

From top: Victor Brennan Transport provides a nononsense service; Part of the Victor Brennan Transport fleet; Victor carries about 25 trailers in his versatile fleet; Another delivery ready for the road; The Brennan family: Christopher, Joan, Victor, Rubert, Kevin and Tommy

ometimes there’s no need for hype or hyperbole; no need to overstate the facts. On rare occasions, it’s best just to stick to the simple facts. When it comes to Victor Brennan Transport Ltd., the facts speak for themselves. What we have here is a no-nonsense transport solutions provider that boasts decades of experience and offers a superb service. Victor Brennan Transport Ltd. is a family-run business, overseen by the eponymous Victor, his wife Joan and the couple’s four sons – Christopher, Robert, Kevin and Tommy. Having previously driven trucks around Ireland for a number of different companies, Victor decided to establish his own business in 1983. The genesis of Victor Brennan Transport Ltd. occurred in Kilmoganny and a second yard has since been opened in Knocktopher. With 28 years of experience and a proven track record in its field of expertise, Victor Brennan Transport Ltd. is regarded as one of the most reliable distribution companies in the Kilkenny region. The company has developed a stellar reputation down through the years and is equally at home on the roads of Ireland and Europe, holding long-term contracts with a number of satisfied customers. The founder / MD is passionate

about what he does. He has chosen this line of work because he enjoys it and that enthusiasm is evident in everything Victor Brennan Transport Ltd. does. “I had a liking for it and that was why I decided to set up on my own,” he recalls. “I started off doing distribution, mainly Raytex foil and toilet rolls and stuff like that. The business has obviously changed a lot since those early days, and we have moved on, but we’re still doing a lot of distribution.” In the current climate, part loads are the order of the day, as Victor confirms: “It’s all groupage. That’s what we specialise in.” Victor Brennan’s fleet of nine trucks covers mainly Dublin, Cork, Waterford

“We’re sitting back a bit and trying to ride out the storm. We’re keeping a close eye on our overheads and trying to provide the best-value service possible.” and Limerick – and everywhere in between! “We go from the south east up as far as Dublin and Drogheda. But the way things are in haulage at the moment, you’d go anywhere for the bit of work. We’d be prepared to consider any job because you don’t like to have the lorries parked up in the yard. We send trucks to Barcelona and Milan once a week. That continental work IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

was originally for Intel but we’ve been doing it on our own since they closed down in 2002.” One of the worst things about the current downturn in the economy is the uncertainty it brings. The Irish haulage sector has been decimated by the outrageous failure of government in Ireland and things just seem to go from bad to worse for the under-fire truck operator. Each day brings new challenges and it’s impossible to know what’s around the corner. An honest, hard-working family man like Victor Brennan has no choice but to roll his sleeves up, continue to provide his clients with his trademark top-quality service, and hope that the hard times pass us by sooner rather than later. As things are, it’s no fun not knowing with any degree of certainty whether he’ll have nine lorries out on the road or maybe five on any given day. It’s in the lap of the Gods. “That’s the way the business has gone,” he says. Victor keeps a varied fleet of about 25 trailers, including Euroliners, curtainsiders, flats, skeleton trailers for containers and one bulk tipper. This versatility means he can handle most jobs in the blink of an eye, always at keen rates and with a total focus on safety, convenience and prompt, ontime deliveries. Victor Brennan’s perfectly-maintained trucks are always on time and this is why he is held in such high esteem by a strong core of loyal customers, most of whom have been with him for over a decade. At present, the Kilkenny company provides gainful employment to a team of six – all of whom have been on the payroll for between eight and 21 years. The staff represent the company with pride and Victor is quick to point out that they have played a big part in the success of the business. He’s determined to keep

increase either – so it’s an almost impossible situation unless there’s some sort of relief on the cost of fuel.” Of course, it’s difficult to imagine any government doing anything to remedy the situation but we can only live in hope… As for the future of Victor Brennan Transport Ltd,, the founder concludes: “We’re sitting back a bit and trying to ride out the storm. We’re keeping a close eye on our overheads and trying to provide the best-value service possible. We haven’t bought a new truck since 2007. Ideally, you’d like to purchase one every year to keep things fresh but it simply isn’t an option at the moment. It’s a big investment and interest rates are up at 6% while the price of trucks hasn’t come down. You’d have to be guaranteed work for a truck before you could buy one. “For now, we’ll focus on the customers we have and continue to provide them with a quality service.”

things ticking over and to make sure that these lads have a paycheque at the end of each week. “These are hard times but you have to do your best. Unfortunately, I have a couple of lads on three-day weeks at the moment, but we’re going to do our best to hold onto them. We hoped things would pick up but it hasn’t

“We could certainly do with a bit of help on the fuel prices. It’s badly needed at this stage. The price of fuel is crazy now and it’s crucifying the industry.” happened yet. No matter what happens, I don’t want to lay anybody off, so we’ll take it one week at a time and keep our fingers crossed.” A lot of blame for the hardship facing the transport sector is being directed towards the government – and rightly so. They seem hellbent on making life as difficult as possible for the trucking Best Wishes To community. “We could certainly do with a bit of help on the fuel prices,” Victory notes. “It’s badly needed at this stage. The price of fuel is crazy now and it’s crucifying the industry. Customers can’t pay any more – you wouldn’t even dream of trying to squeeze any more money out of them – but the haulier can’t absorb the

Victor Brennan Transport Ltd From

Continued Best Wishes To Victor Brennan Transport Ltd From

Black Stallion Transport Ltd. Demesne, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny. Telephone: 056 7726262 • Fax: 056 7726712 Email: transport@blackstallion.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A wide range of quality services For over quarter of a century, Barry Pender Motors in Kilkenny has been providing motorists with top-quality new and used cars and commercial vehicles. As an authorised main Ford dealer operating out of a central location, Barry Pender Motors also runs a state-of-the-art workshop (with servicing available for as little as 99 euro) as well as an excellent parts department and an extremely popular car and van hire service.

Barry Pender Motors’ impressive premises on Kilkenny’s Dublin Road

A stunning 14-vehicle showroom displays the newest members of the Ford family

or anyone considering purchasing or hiring either a car or a van, Barry Pender Motors on Kilkenny’s Dublin Road is a veritable one-stop shop. Going strong for over 25 years, the main Ford dealership specialises in high-quality new and pre-owned vehicles as well as providing a keen car / van hire

service. An excellent team of technicians is on hand in the workshop to service and repair vehicles, while spare parts can be acquired with a minimum of fuss. Everything is fully approved to the very highest Ford standards, so it’s little wonder Barry Pender Motors is popular not just in Kilkenny but throughout Leinster and Munster.

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After all, the wellappointed garage is just 20 minutes from Waterford and Carlow, 45 minutes from Cork and an hour from Dublin. This affords them access to a vast market. Based on Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Barry Pender Motors stocks only the finest new and used cars and commercial vehicles. Barry Pender Motors is an authorised Ford dealership and boasts a full service workshop. Services offered include car servicing (from 99 euro), car repair, diagnostic work, valeting and much more. Car and van hire services are also offered at the most competitive prices in Kilkenny. Stock is updated on a daily basis, so it’s always worth dropping in or browsing the website. The desire to continually improve customer care is one of the company’s prime motivations for being in business, always providing a friendly, personal and complete service … whether it be the purchase of a new or used vehicle, repairs, servicing, vehicle rental or spare parts. Managing director Barry Pender and his son Simon (business development manager) are personally on hand each day to ensure complete customer satisfaction. The excellent service and parts department is open Monday to Friday, 8.45am - 5.30pm. With a basic service starting from just 99 euro, prices are amongst the most competitive in Kilkenny. Fully-qualified technicians have a wide range of experience servicing Ford and all other model vehicles. Wherever possible, all car / van servicing is completed on the same day. A safety test is offered at no extra charge when a customer books a service with Barry Pender Motors. In conjunction with a wellstocked parts department, the full list of services provided comprises: full car valeting; oil change; battery replacement; tyre purchases and installation; factory recommended maintenance; advanced engine diagnostics; IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Deal’ and rarely has a dealership had a more apt catchphrase. The incredibly cheap 99 euro service is a case in point. Barry explains: “This covers all makes and includes an oil change, oil filters, a 20point safety check, and a free mini valet, all for 99 euro including VAT.” With seven mechanics manning the fully-equipped workshop, Barry Pender Barry Pender Motors offers a warm welcome and a great deal to anyone Motors currently employs seeking a commercial vehicle 23 – an admirable feat in the current climate. electrical/electronic systems; Regarding the commercial vehicles emissions test failures and diagnostics side of his business, which is of and repairs; steering and suspension tremendous importance, Barry notes: systems; engine performance and “It’s very competitive at the minute but repair; brake systems, including ABS; the Transit range is excellent. We safety systems, including airbags; have three master technicians in our heating and air conditioning; automatic workshop and one of those is a fulland manual transmissions/trans axles; time commercial vehicle technician, and exhaust systems. which is quite unique. We have 14 Like any long-serving motor second-hand commercials here at the dealership, Barry Pender Motors has moment and we should have more in evolved gradually over the years, the stock soon. We’re also delighted to site undergoing two major expansions take trade-ins on all new commercials since the genesis of the company over and we can provide special deals to 25 years ago. A main Ford dealer for both the private owner-driver and the over 20 years now, Barry Pender fleet operator.” Motors is now located on a spacious With an eye on the future, Barry two-acre site with over 100 used concludes: “We’re going into 2011 in a vehicles in stock at any given time, not positive frame of mind. We believe to mention the excellent range of there is a pent-up demand in the brand new Ford cars and commercials marketplace and hopefully people will (spearheaded, of course, by the find themselves in a position where market-leading Transit in all its they can spend some money. We glorious incarnations). A stunning 14have an excellent product, with great car showroom shows off the very deals available, and we have direct latest members of the Ford family. access to the local market and also to “On the hire side of things, we have a lot of other major markets due to our a dedicated hire department which proximity to the N7. hires out the full range of Ford cars “Hopefully, demand for cars will and commercials. We’ve been doing increase due to the scrappage that since 1987 and it’s very popular at scheme. I believe diesel cars could the moment,” reveals the founder. become more popular and we will be The company motto is ‘Barry Pender looking at that very closely, as more Motors – Our Name Means a Great and more people consider more economic motoring.” Barry Pender Motors has its own website and is also on Facebook. The company boasts long-serving staff, five of whom have been with them for over 20 years.

There’s a super selection of new and used commercial vehicles at Barry Pender Motors

Barry Pender Motors Dublin Road, County Kilkenny. Ph: 056 7765777 Email: sales@barrypender.ie www.barrypender.ie

A family affair Managing Director Campbell Davison Campbell with his father Allan and his son Peter

Celebrating 45 years in business this year, A.F Davison Ltd still continues to be dedicated to the highest quality of general haulage service. Irish Trucker found out more about the family-run company from Director, Campbell Davison.

Carl Odgers (Transport Manager) with Campbell Davison and Chris Shields (Transport Planner)

here are not too many lines of business tougher than the haulage game, but somehow A.F. Davison Ltd continues to make it work, even in these testing economic times, as they rapidly come up on their 50th year in existence. Over the years, the company has gained an extensive knowledge and experience in the haulage and storage sector, operating to a vast client base throughout the UK and Ireland and being the bridge needed for European tank companies. “Our main depot is in Gilford, County Armagh,” explains Director, Campbell Davison. “My dad started the business in 1966 and we have 30+ drivers full and part time staff and 12 other employees between office, garage and yard staff. We have a mixed fleet mostly DAFs, MANs and Volvos. My position within the company is director and I have worked here for 25 years.” When Allan Davison setup his company in what seems like a life-time ago now, he was an owner driver who saw an opportunity to increase to a fleet. From day one, he ensured that the company’s motto was to pride

themselves in carrying out the right job for its customers and that’s something which his son has carried into the new generation of A.F Davison Ltd and its employees. “When my mom and dad started this company they started it with just a couple of tippers and a passion for business and trucking,” says Campbell. “My dad jokes that his first pay-cheque was for 93 quid – he actually remembers it. He acquired general haulage contracts and then built a warehouse to offer his customers an all round logistic package. Presently we still work for two of his first clients. Bovril who became Glanbia has been one of our valued customers for 40 years as has Coca Cola who we have worked with for 37 years. “We have always prided ourselves in doing the job right. The way we see it is if you’re committed to customers, they’ll be committed to you. Complete commitment means listening to what your customers want and need, then show them how you can demonstrate it being achieved on a daily basis. Business is all about people and relationships." Those are some wise words from this Director, whose father still has an

active role in what is a family-run company: “He has a pivotal role in the company and he has steered us through in the past. If you don't have a destination you will never get there - but dad has all the directions that any company needs. He is a very forward thinking man with extensive experience. This knowledge is unique and respected by us all." A.F Davison Ltd has been a provider of choice for many companies. It is the second oldest haulage company in Northern Ireland - its inception was 1966. Over the past decade, the company has expanded its horizons with most of its interests going across to other parts of the continent, where they now operate on a weekly basis. Campbell elaborates: “We

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A.F. Davison Ltd is the second oldest haulage company in Northern Ireland

do general haulage but have also specialised in tank work for our 15 customers on the continent in Germany, Belgium and Holland. “We offer a tailored package to all our customers for example some require trailer parking so we have three trailer parks strategically positioned throughout the North and South of Ireland. Our two-acre northern yard is off the west bank link in Belfast. It is in a great location at Belfast docks. It is monitored 24/7 by CCTV from Gilford.” Campbell hasn’t been afraid to invest in technology for the company and quality systems have been a major part of the success of the business. In March 2002, A.F

Davison achieved ISO 9001:2000. ISO for is a continuous focus on the company reaching its full potential of operational success. Every aspect of the business is considered with safety and quality implemented throughout. We also have continued to run BS 8555, taking responsibility for their part in environmental awareness. Another achievement for the company is their ever increasing waste permits. "We now hold waste permits for all of Ireland and the UK. This is a side of the business we would like to see expand. There is a lot of waste transportation and AFDL would like a greater involvement. Presently we transport mostly waste paper. We hope to add to

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A.F. Davison are rapidly approaching 50 years in existence

Some of the fleet at A.F. Davison Ltd

our clientele in the waste sector over the next few years," states Campbell with determination. All our operations take place under Conditions of Carriage laid down by The Road Haulage Association when operating in the UK and Northern Ireland and when in EEC countries CMR conditions apply. Quality in every area is important to us. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warehouse has more than 35,000 square foot

The truck fleet at A.F. Davison Ltd A.F. Davison trucks are second to none

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Delighted to be associated with A.F. Davison Ltd and wish them continued success

of undercover storage space and is built to a high specification. The warehouse is organised through an up to date client based computer system. AF Davison Ltd also possesses a skilled team of workshop fitters to help maintain their equipment, ensuring safe and timely delivery of goods. This service has been open to the public for a few years now and provides; full MOT line, brake testing to the latest VOSA specification, vehicle and chassis washing, full fleet maintenance package which is flexible to suit you the customer, fixed price service and full printout feedback. “We have a state of the art IT Maintenance system – FleetMinder,” states the company’s website. “Fully trained technicians and fully equipped workshop complete with the latest diagnostic technology and we ensure the work on your vehicle is both professional and efficient. Our staff are versatile in the range of vehicles they repair and we have adequate drop off parking areas and opening hours to suit most operational needs.” A.F Davison Ltd premises are second to none, and they are confident that the standard of service offered more than meets the requirements of their customers. Having employees fully trained in requirements and legal duties applying to the carriage of hazardous chemicals, to ADR qualification results in employees promoting safety through skill and care. The company also boasts superior ADR drivers who have had experience of working with tanks for over 30 years, with a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor informs to inform them of updates in regulations. “It’s a tough climate out there at the moment for this kind of business but I suppose you just have to get on with it. There’s no point in moaning. It’s important to look forward and move forward. You need to look at opportunities and threats and be

Wishing Continued Success To A.F Davision Ltd From

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prepared to change with changing A.F. Davison specialise circumstances,” states Campbell. in general haulage “We can learn from the past and analysis the economic turndown but at the end of the day it is up to us to plan our future. To deliver a value added solution to exceed our customer expectations and so differentiate ourselves from our competitors. It has always been our dad’s strategy his quote "diversification is the art of survival" and as family members in a family firm we are all united. “Mum, dad, my sister Cathy and myself all job rotate and meet the company requirements and needs on a daily basis. Our main objective is the longevity and success of a business that we our proud to work in alongside our team. We are very fortunate that we have a good driver-base and workforce who are also proud to wear the motto A F D L - dedicated to service. Our transport Manager has over 30 years experience in the industry, Karl Odgers, and he is assisted by Christopher Shields. As frontliner in customer requests they both know how important it is give the customer the best service possible. “Some of these operations involve one of the biggest independent shippers in the Irish Sea. We have had a close affiliation with Gwynedd Shipping for almost 15 years, collecting trailers from the docks, delivering and shipping back. There has been a new appointment to their company and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Andrew Kinsella and wish him every success.” He adds: “As we bring this interview to an end I would like to say I am only one of the ambassadors, as we all work as a team and are all ambassadors in A F Davison Ltd or as we now often call it AFDL. As an ambassador I can say this business is small but mighty and driven with dedication. A dynamic determination to supply a quality service that is Davison a service provider that has stood the test of time. Thank you to all our valued customers and a warm welcome awaits all new customers. We are here to join you as a vital link in any supply chain. Contact details are listed." Cathy Harris looks after all Health and Safety issues

A.F. Davison Ltd ‘Drumarin’ 17 Loughbrickland Road Gilford Gaigavon Co. Armagh BT63 6BJ www.afdavison.com Tel: 028 3883 1384

35,000 sq ft pallett racking

A.F. Davison specialise in tank work for their customers across Europe

The A.F. Davison fleet at the company’s depot in Gilford, Co. Armagh

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The car parts specialist There are many areas of expertise within the haulage area and specialist operators concentrate on delivering specific products for their customers. One such company that fits those criteria is Karl Lafferty Transport Ltd.

ased in Ballybofey, Co Donegal, this haulage firm has been operating since 2005 and is a limited company since 12 months later. Specialising in the distribution of car parts for all the major manufacturers, Karl Lafferty Transport Ltd is one of the leading businesses in Ireland to offer such a service.

For this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we speak to Karl Lafferty about the success of the business and he describes what kind of service he provides to their large customer base. The haulage industry is an embattled species at the moment given the spiralling costs that hauliers have been forced to deal with on a daily

basis. The plight of the haulier is one that generally goes unheard of in the mainstream, and it is difficult for them to voice their concerns at times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have always believed that customer service and satisfaction is the only way to truly achieve success, and to this end we have always strived for the best possible customer IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

All trucks are well maintained

Car parts are the main source of product transported

service,” said Karl. “We have a very good working relationship with all our customers and as long as that continues then I can see no reason why anything would change. We provide a specialist service and we have built up a decent reputation and our customers seem to be pleased with the service that we provide.” Karl admitted that despite the current economic recession that has gripped the nation tighter than a vice and in particular the haulage industry, business is good for them and he points to the fact that he works for the same customers all the time as the reason for this. “We are busy enough. The car trade has picked up and there is always a need for parts, so on that front there will always be a need for our service, although it is up to us to ensure that the customers are happy with the level of service that we provide.” The Donegal based outfit send their IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

trucks to the main car manufacturers in the U.K and they transport them back to Ireland where they are brought to a hub in Blanchardstown for distribution. Their large extensive fleet consists of a wide range of trucks from artics right down to three and a half ton rigids. The artics consist of DAF, Scania and Volvo and these all do the cross channel work, while the smaller vehicles distribute the parts to the main dealers all around Ireland. “The fleet would be kept relatively new. The artics range from '08 to '01, while the rigids would be '06 onwards. We do all our own maintenance work and we have a system in place where we take two trucks off the road every week for a service and general repairs. This means that every truck is looked at every six to eight weeks and we find that this keeps the downtime to a minimum and it has worked very well for us.” Karl pointed to the fact that travelling to the U.K on a daily basis means that they are regularly stopped and checked by the Vehicle and

Operating Services Agency (VOSA), which provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services with the aim of improving the roadworthiness standards of vehicles ensuring the compliance of operators and drivers, and supporting the independent Traffic Commissioners. “VOSA are notorious for being very strict when checking vehicles, but thankfully in all the time any of our vehicles have been stopped, there has never been a problem with any of them.” Karl feels that the success of the business as partly down to the 24 hard work employees that are each highly trained in their area of expertise and he admits that they make his job so much easier. “The staff here are very good and all

Karl Lafferty Transport Ltd has been operating six years

are competent drivers as well as the mechanics and office staff. Most are with me since I first set up the business and they are very good at what they do.” To be successful in the modern business area, Karl is adamant that once you keep on top of your bills and don't go mad spending money that you don't have, then most businesses will be safe. “It's important to keep on top of the bills and repayments, if you start slipping behind that's when the problems start. They are a lot of rogue operators out there, who are working without any insurance, but that is something we are not willing to do. In the long run, it is essential to keep things above board.” Karl Lafferty Transport Ltd has seen the bad times as

Fuel prices have become a major concern for all hauliers

well as the good as the business was heavily involved in the construction industry at a time when its demise was starting to occur. “We invested heavily on the fleet back in 2007 and just a year later, the construction began to crumble. Fortunately, I just about seen it coming and managed to off load a number of trucks that would have been sitting idle, if I didn't. To be fair it has taken us a while to get back on our feet, but thankfully we are there now.” With a wide range of contacts and committed drivers, the company has managed to serve the needs of people very well since its establishment. With all in the company working hard to ensure that it can continue to be a success, the firm looks likely to remain successful in the future. “We are confident that if we continue in the same trend that we have been then there is no reason why the future can't be a success also. The work is out there and as long as we keep the customers happy, we're happy.”

Best Wishes To Karl Lafferty Transport Ltd

The fleet consists of Scania, DAF and Volvo

The fleet is made up of rigids and artics

Best Wishes To Karl Lafferty Transport Ltd

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