November2014trucker

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IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

NOVEMBER 2014

Vol. 17 No. 10

EURO 2.95 stg.£2.50

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SPECIALISTS IN HAULAGE & COMMERCIAL INSURANCES

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

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

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

Contents 2

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

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J&G Cosgrave (Transport) Ltd. Providing an exceptional bulk haulage service for over three decades

www.keaneyinsurance.ie

www.irishtrucker.com 59

Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service A top class service for almost 30 years

64

Discount Tyre & Auto Services Award winning tyre and service centre

66

Advanced Waste & Recycling Efficient, environmentally responsive and cost effective waste management provider

Higgins Waste & Recycling Services Ltd. A full range of waste management solutions

70

28

O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd. A wide and varied transport service

GDP Transport Premier courier service in Mayo

73

33

Dolly Group Encompasses six different divisions

Cork Rent-A-Van Market leader in supplying van & truck rental & contract leasing services

36

Komatsu Forest Ltd. Complete range of machines for the timber harvesting industry

78

O’K Lift Trucks Ltd. A leader in the servicing & maintenance of forklifts

40

AF Lucey Haulage Ltd. Eleven years in business

80

Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre Ireland’s largest accident repair centre

44

TC Quinn Transport Ltd. Offering a wide range of services

86

Alan Thompson Haulage NI Ltd. Specialists in tipper and low loader work

48

Derek Henry Haulage An outstanding transportation company

88

Automotive Garage Equipment Ltd. Ireland’s premier supplier of garage equipment

51

Loughrea Motor Factors Ltd. Galway’s longest established motor factors outlet

90

Derryadd Pallets Ltd. Northern Ireland’s premier pallet & timber packing supplier

54

Kieran Kelly Haulage Ltd. Going from strength to strength

93

Classifields

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

Tele

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Michelin Tyres tough it out to become O’Reilly Transport’s tyre of choice

Dual Irish and UK-based haulier O’Reilly Transport Ireland is returning its commercial vehicle fleet to operating on 100 per cent Michelin tyres after being impressed by the company’s multi-brand, multi-life policy which optimises the total life cost of every Michelin casing.

O’Reilly Transport Ireland adopted the full Michelin policy following a visit to Michelin’s Remix factory in Stoke-on-Trent, which manufactures tens of thousands of retread tyres each year and which underwent a £20 million investment programme in 2012.

David O’Reilly, Fleet Manager of O’Reilly Transport Ireland, says: “I wanted to see for my own eyes what Michelin had to offer us. I came away seriously impressed with the quality of the O’Reilly Transport Ireland has manufacturing process. adopted a full Michelin policy “We have also been running competitive trials during the last two to three years using a variety of tyres on our tractors and trailers; the Michelin product has consistently lasted longer than other brands.”

The customer, which has been operating for more than 40 years, believes that as the economy recovers, operators need to maintain stringent control of their fuel costs.

O’Reilly states: “As we grow the company it is essential that our trucks are as efficient as possible. We are investing in our drivers and our fleet to ensure that we can keep fuel costs as low as possible. The Michelin trials demonstrated a marked improvement in fuel economy and longevity over the mix of budget and premium brands we previously fitted. It’s a win-win situation for us.”

As a major operator in the Port of Dublin and the Heysham Port, the tyres on its trailers were suffering from rapid wear and regular damage, particularly when trailers were being sent unaccompanied via sea. TRS Tyres of Morecambe, the local independent Michelin Certified Centre, worked with their Michelin Account Manager to find a solution. Following a detailed analysis they implemented a full Michelin policy, including regrooving and retreading to maximise the value of every Michelin casing.

O’Reilly concludes: “We have received an excellent service from TRS Tyres. TRS is now fitting approximately 80 per cent of our rubber and we are confident that our tyres are being well serviced and maintained.”

The new policy sees O’Reilly Transport Ireland specify the majority of its tractor units with 315/70 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D tyres, plus it is trialling a number of vehicles on Michelin’s latest generation 315/70 R 22.5 X Line Energy fuel-saving tyres. It has also started to fit the first 65-series X Multi T trailer tyres, which were launched in July 2014 and are expected to provide a further leap in trailer tyre performance.

The family run business maintains a fleet of 170 tractor units and 600 trailers, operating throughout Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. It is currently taking delivery of 30 Volvo FH tractor units, which have each been specified on Michelin tyres as original equipment.

Budget 2015 leaves haulage operators with no option but to relocate The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has expressed its deep disappointment that no change to commercial vehicle road tax was announced in this year’s budget.

Commenting after the budget announcement President of the IRHA Eoin Gavin stated: “The Association and its members are dismayed as to why Government has totally ignored the HGV road tax differential between Ireland and the rest of Europe. There was not even a mention of the importance of the sector in the Minister's comments.”

In order to prevent a further increase in the number of vehicles ‘reflagging’ to other jurisdictions, the IRHA is now calling on the Minister for Transport Mr Paschal Donohoe TD and the Minister for the Environment Mr Alan Kelly TD to immediately intervene in order to protect jobs in the sector.

Mr Gavin went on to state “It is extremely disappointing and this will result in a significant number of vehicles registering to other jurisdictions where operating costs are more favourable. The available data over the coming months will prove the IRHA to be correct in this prediction. If Minister Donohoe and Minister Kelly have any desire to protect jobs in the licensed haulage sector they need to step up and show their worth”.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Irish fleets are expected to follow UK with big increase in vehicle CCTV

Vehicle journey recorder specialist SmartWitness has teamed up with eDrive Group for a major sales push into Simon Murray eDrive’s sales & marketing manager Ireland.

More than 50% of fleets in the Ireland.

UK are now fitted with in-cab CCTV, SmartWitness managing director according to the Road Haulage Simon Marsh said: "We see this has Association. a great opportunity to make vehicle So far, there has not been the same CCTV the norm for fleets in Ireland pick-up in Ireland where only around just as it is fast becoming in the UK. 15% of HGVs are estimated to use "Fleet managers have come to rely the cameras. on vehicle journey recorders to SmartWitness say its fleet customers monitor to improve safety, monitor the can expect a 20% reduction in their quality of their drivers and guard insurance premiums in the long-term against fraudsters. by improving driver safety and "The evidence they produce protecting themselves from crash-forcontinually helps fleets to win cash fraudsters. insurance cases which previously Bosses believe the Irish market will would have been disputed. grow substantially over the next five "It is impossible to argue with high years as more fleet managers see quality video footage caught on the benefits of vehicle CCTV. camera."

Just 2% of collisions caught on Simon Murray, eDrive's sales and SmartWitness camera result in marketing manager, said: "As well as disputed claims - against an industry distributing the cameras, we have norm for all motor insurance claims of can provide fantastic technical 40%. support with engineers all over eDrive is Ireland's largest provider of Ireland. driver and vehicle safety systems, "We have found SmartWitness with 120 engineers and in the UK and provide the best vehicle recorders.

Ireland.

The cameras really work and make a It has the exclusive contract to big difference to our fleet customers. distribute SmartWitness cameras in

"We feel that Ireland is ready to embrace vehicle CCTV in the same way as the UK." Sales of Smart Witnes cameras have soared by 40% in the last two years.

This dramatic video shows how a SmartWitness camera foiled a whiplash fraud claim.

It captures the moment a Ford Galaxy swerves violently across a motorway and collides with a lorry in a whiplash scam.

In the aftermath of the smash, four whiplash claims were filed leaving the haulier with a potential claim of up to €100,000 .

Amazingly, the occupants of the Galaxy blamed the lorry driver for the crash - even though they had driven right into his path across three lanes of the motorway.

They hoped to make a fortune in compensation for their injuries.

But the insurance nightmare was avoided because the lorry had a SmartWitness in-cab CCTV camera fitted to the dashboard.

It was clear from the footage that the recklessness of the driver at the wheel of the people carrier had caused the crash and the dispute was quickly dismissed within days.

The incident was captured on a SmartWitness SVC100GPS cameras - 250,000 units have been sold throughout Europe in the last five years.

Simon Marsh added: "This video perfectly illustrates the value of our cameras. They neutralise the threat from fraudsters."

Doyle welcomes agreement between Ireland and Ontario on exchange of driving licences

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has welcomed the initiation of an agreement which allows for the mutual exchange of driving licences between Ireland and the Canadian province of Ontario.

“Over the last couple of months I have made extensive representations on behalf of the many Irish people living in Ontario and Canada in relation to the mutual exchange of driving licences for both Irish people living in Canada and Canadian people living here.

“The agreement provides that the holder of a full Irish driving licence can automatically exchange this licence for an Ontario licence if they are resident in the province of Ontario. The reverse will apply also where the holder of a valid Ontario licence, resident in this country, can exchange their licence for an Irish driving licence without the need to undergo a driving test.

This will be of enormous benefit to the many Irish citizens currently living and working in Ontario, as well as to people from Ontario now living and working in Ireland.

“This is great news for the many Irish people living and working in Ontario who have contacted me in the past in relation to this issue. Irish people living in Ontario, will be now be able to exchange their Irish driving licences for Ontario licences directly, rather than beginning as learner drivers in Ontario.

“The process of reaching this agreement involved a great deal of work, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all those who have made the agreement possible including the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe, the Road Safety Authority and the Irish Embassy in Canada, as well as the authorities in Ontario. It is anticipated that in due course a similar agreement will be signed with other Canadian States.”

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Whale celebrates apprentice scheme milestone

Whale Tankers is celebrating more than 12 years of its highly successful apprenticeship scheme, which has seen 29 young people pass through the programme and who are now reaping the rewards and benefits of undertaking a scheme with the company.

Mark Warmington, Managing Director for Whale Tankers and himself a former apprentice, explains: “Developing the potential of young people is very important to us all at Whale and we take our responsibility of bringing on the next generation of skilled engineers very seriously.

“For our organisation this brings many benefits, in particular we can develop our own people so that not only do they gain engineering skills and expertise that will see them through their working lives, but Whale Tankers’ they also learn about other areas that are important apprentices Jack Mansell and to the business such as sales, purchasing, service Alexandra Capewell and HR. In addition to their formal training, all apprentices spend time working in different departments at Whale so as they develop, they will appreciate the various elements and requirements of a successful global business.

“We started our apprentice scheme more than 12 years ago and continued with it even during the difficult years of the recession as we believe it is not only important for the young people involved, but also essential to the development and growth of talent that is so vital for our company’s long term future and that of the wider manufacturing industry.”

One of Whale’s most recent apprentices is Alexandra Capewell, who like many young people was carefully considering her options when finishing her ‘A’ levels a few years ago. Today she is two years into her apprentice scheme and is already establishing a career in engineering with Whale.

Alexandra decided against going to university initially and instead chose the apprenticeship route with Whale. Educated at Tudor Grange School in Solihull, she later attended Solihull School Sixth Form College where she gained ‘A’ levels in maths, biology and photography.

Alexandra said: “I had been considering a career in engineering and felt that joining a company like Whale Tankers on an apprentice scheme where I can get practical hands on experience and learn about the business in a real working environment would be extremely beneficial for me.

“Since taking up the scheme I’ve not only been gaining knowledge in a wide range of areas and departments including sales, purchasing and sales, I have even been representing the company at trade shows.”

Alex added: “In addition to the various exams and qualifications I’ve just completed under the apprenticeship scheme, this September I am undertaking a degree in engineering one day a week at Warwickshire College, with Coventry University being the awarding body. I’d thoroughly recommend the apprenticeship route to any other young people out there considering their future career paths.”

The Whale apprentice scheme is run in conjunction with IMECHE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) and apprentices attend Warwickshire College to receive their formal training. The qualifications they study for include EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering, City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering, Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths, English and ICT. Also covered are related topics such as Employment Responsibilities and Rights and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills.

Following completion of these courses and qualifications, some apprentices have the opportunity to go on to study for HNC/HND and engineering degrees.

An important part of the process at Whale is the use of previous apprentices to mentor those coming up through the scheme.

One such mentor is Jamie Timmins, who successfully completed his apprenticeship a few years ago and is now a full time employee with Whale. Jamie works closely with the HR team on the programme, shares his knowledge and gives advice and support, particularly to new apprentices as well as assisting the more established apprentices with any areas or issues they may need help with.

Lisa Terry, HR Manager for Whale who is responsible for the apprenticeship scheme, added: “It is great to have keen and talented young people like Alexandra taking up our apprentice schemes. We’ve been running our programme for a long time now and it is good to see many other companies from different sectors also getting involved in offering apprenticeships.

“These are testing times for young people who are trying to determine their futures and apprentice schemes are undoubtedly a practical and worthwhile route for those young people looking to build their careers.”

Potential candidates for the Whale Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering scheme are required to possess five GCSEs or equivalent grade C and above including English, maths and a core science subject. Stage one of the application process involves an initial assessment with an interview and site visit, with stage two including a one day assessment with basic testing. Those interested in finding out more can visit www.whale.co.uk

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Transzone Limited International Freight Forwarding

Specialists in International Fruit & Veg Transport

Full loads to Ireland ex: • BELGIUM • ITALY • FRANCE • PORTUGAL • GERMANY • SPAIN • HOLLAND • UK

We also offer a daily groupage service ex: Belgium & Holland to Ireland

IndustrIal CleanIng equIpment

Cleaning Equipment Ireland Ltd Unit 1, Cookstown Industrial Est, Dublin 24 Email: sales@cleaningequipmentireland.com

tel : 01 4140067 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Srah, Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon Tel: +353 94 9640942 / 9640943 Fax: +353 94 9640987 Email: info@transzonefreight.com

Cold Water Power Wash

Weidner S2000 Hot & Cold Power Wash

Blue Jet Hot & Cold Power Wash Tank Cleaning

Truck Wash

7

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Automotive Services Launch AHS-LightFlex RSA Compliant Headlight Testers

Automotive services has launched a new range of RSA compliant Beam Setters

Automotive Services, a Dublin based Commercial Vehicle Testing Centre and Commercial Equipment supplier has launched a new range of RSA compliant Beam Setters.

Branded under AHS as AHS-LightFlex the headlight testers are both Road Safety Authority (RSA) compliant and CoVIS / asanetwork ready. For CVRT test centres this ensures compatibility with existing equipment and software to minimise disruption to your test lanes. Commenting on the launch Mr Derek Murray, managing director of Automotive Services said: “these headlight testers are the most cost effective solution on the Irish market to date. They are suitable for all types of heavy goods (HCV) and light commercial (LCV) vehicles, can measure all types of light sources including Filament, halogen xenon & LED, come with RS232 and USB ports and Bluetooth as standard. Each beam setter has an automatic program guide for inspections and manual functions for individual adjustments” Mr Murray went on to say: “The RSA has recently released their spec on beam setters that will be integrated into the CVRT test by March 2015. To mitigate the financial burden we are offering a limited credit line whereby the cost of the equipment can be spread over a number months.” For further information please call 01 612 0800, email info@asc.ie or visit www.asc.ie

Iveco Daily wins International Van of the Year Awards 2015

Five finalists, One winner! The most prestigious prize in the Light Commercial Vehicle industry, the International Van of the Year 2015 was presented to the all-new Iveco Daily at the Gala Awards Ceremony at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover. In the most competitive year ever since the awards programme was established in 1991, the third generation Iveco Daily was the number one choice of the 23 members of the International Van of the Year (IVOTY) jury, representing the top commercial vehicle publication across Europe and Russia.

2014 heralded the launch of twelve new light commercials, all in contention for the 2015 IVOTY trophy, which meant that a shortlist of five had to be decided upon by the jury members after thorough assessment. From that list of five, the final election decided on the overall winner, the Iveco Daily with 95 points by a margin of 17 points over the new Mercedes-Benz Vito, with the Ford Transit third. The jointly designed and produced FIAT Professional Ducato and PSA Peugeot Boxer & Citroën Relay/Jumper and the Renault Trafic/Opel Vivaro filled the final places.

Commenting on the Iveco Daily winning the coveted title, Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman IVOTY said, “Congratulations to Iveco on designing and producing an excellent range within the new Daily family that includes panel vans and chassis cabs with a broad choice of powertrains from diesel, natural gas and electric and from next year two 4x4 versions. It is the second time that Iveco has won this award, the first was back in 2000, and like on this occasion also, well deserved.”

On receiving the IVOTY 2015 trophy at the IAA CV Show Gala Dinner in Hannover, Pierre Lahutte, Brand President Iveco said, “We are delighted that our New Daily has been awarded the prestigious Van of the Year accolade. The New Daily is a major step forward in improving TCO, Comfort, Driveability, Productivity, and Sustainability. We would like to dedicate this award to our customers who every day count on this reliable and dependable working companion.”

Driver First Assist offers free training to transport managers

With the first cycle of Driver CPC training now complete, Driver First Assist (DFA), a road safety organisation, is inviting transport managers to a number of their free taster sessions to encourage fleets to add life-saving skills to their training schedules.

Driver First Assist is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to populate the UK road network with drivers (DFAs) who have been trained to provide life-saving first aid and manage the scene at road traffic collisions (RTC), prior to the arrival of the emergency services. Every DFA course counts as seven hours towards Driver CPC training and is uniquely carried out by serving or recently serving emergency services personnel.

DFA founder David Higginbottom said: “We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from drivers who have already attended the course. Our feedback shows that providing drivers with the correct procedures when faced with an RTC, not only gives the individual a sense of empowerment, but also creates a positive image for the industry as a whole.

“RTCs cost the UK economy in the region of £1.5 billion a year, have huge impact on delivery schedules and cause terrible human tragedy. Creating a community of trained DFAs on our roads will not only potentially allow emergency services to reopen roads more quickly, but of course can assist immeasurably in lowering casualty figures.”

To encourage transport managers to experience the benefits of the DFA training for themselves, primary sponsor of Driver First Assist, national business law firm DWF, will be offering companies two free places on a Driver First Assist training course, with a number of dates and locations available across the UK. The dates are: Glasgow – 30 October

Manchester – 6 November Birmingham – 11 November London – 18 November

To apply for a complimentary place please send your name, contact details and training requirements to admin@driverfirstassist.org.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Komatsu D155AX-8 Dozer launched

Komatsu’s continuing drive to introduce models that are more productive and more technically advanced has led to the launch of their new D155AX-8 Crawler Dozer.

Described by their distributor in Ireland, Michael McHale of McHale Plant Sales, Birdhill, as ‘more environmentally friendly and more economical to operate’, the D155AX-8 is powered by Komatsu’s own EU Stage IV 264 kW (354 HP) SAA6D140E-7 engine and has operating weights between 38,000kg and 43,000kg, depending on machine configuration.

On board, it boasts a chorus line of high-tech electronic and mechanical features that work to deliver high levels of performance, reduced fuel consumption and lower operating costs. Features include Diesel Exhaust Fluid technology and emissions-reducing Selective Catalyst Reduction. Other goodies from Komatsu’s world of engineering wonders include diagnostic elements and precise temperature and air management controls.

Up front, the D155AX-8 is fitted with Komatsu’s patented Sigmadozer blade. Its high capacity of 9.4 m3 dramatically improves dozing performance and increases productivity by up to 15% over a conventional semi-U blade. A frontal design concept for digging and rolling material in the center of the blade means larger amounts of soil can be dozed with less power.

Soil-holding capacity is increased and digging resistance is reduced for a smoother flow of material.

The D155AX-8 uses an electronic control power train system that significantly improves operation and productivity. Engine power transfers directly to the transmission via an automatic gearshift and lock-up torque converter that reduces fuel consumption by up to 10 percent.

A Hydrostatic Steering System (HSS) delivers powerful turns under various work conditions. Counter-rotation is available while in neutral for minimum turning radius.

When operating on uneven ground or other adverse conditions, its K-bogie undercarriage maintains the correct alignment between rollers and links for a smoother ride and longer component life.

The electronic blade and ripper control joystick offers excellent control with the ripper incorporating a new auto-return function that increases efficiency when ripping.

A comfortable work space – with its high capacity air suspension seat with heat a standard item - allows the operator to concentrate on the work in hand for increased productivity. The large cab is integrated with Roll-Over Protection for excellent side visibility.

A palm command control system with thumb push buttons gives maximum control, simplifies gear shifting, whilst providing a relaxed posture and fine control to eliminate operator fatigue. Cab mounts reduce shocks and vibration while a low interior noise level creates a noticeably quiet working environment.

A newly-enhanced 7” high-resolution, large colour LCD monitor displays all machine information while a rear view monitoring system that can be set to synchronize with reverse operation is standard.

Currently celebrating their 20th anniversary as Komatsu distributor in Ireland, McHale Plant Sales managing director Michael McHale expressed pride in what he calls ‘Komatsu’s determination to make the most technically advanced machines available to Irish users.’

Like other Komatsu EU Stage IV machines, the D155AX-8 is protected by their comprehensive Komatsu Care program whose benefits include factoryscheduled maintenance for the first three years or 2,000 hours of operation plus two complimentary diesel particulate filter exchanges and two complimentary selective catalyst reduction system cleanings.

It is equipped with latest KOMTRAX remote monitoring technology whose benefits include web and smart phone data access to elements such as fuel levels, operating hours, location, cautions and maintenance New Komatsu alerts plus numerous other key pieces of operating D155AX-8 Dozer information.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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JC Trans (Uk) has seen reduction in tyre failures since adopting a full Michelin tyre policy

Michelin keeps J.C. Trans (UK) out of the workshop and on the road

Leicester-based haulier J.C. Trans (UK) has recorded an 88 per cent reduction in tyre failures per quarter, after adopting a full Michelin tyre policy for its 15-strong fleet.

Prior to this, the company risked facing a large repair bill whenever a tyre failed as a rapid deflation can cause damage to the truck and trailer, resulting in unexpected downtime and delays, which the company was keen to eradicate. Since adopting Michelin rubber across its fleet, J.C. Trans (UK) has reduced its average tyre failure per quarter from 16 tyres to two.

Jas Singh, Director at J.C. Trans (UK), notes: “We started out with only 10 per cent of the fleet on Michelin; it’s quickly grown to 100 per cent on the back of the results we’ve seen in our own fleet.”

The new tyre policy sees all J.C. Trans (UK) tractor units fitted with X MultiWay 3D XZE multi-position tyres on the steer axle, and X MultiWay 3D XDEs on the drive axles, designed to provide traction, longevity and fuel efficiency with safety, comfort and cost-effectiveness.

ATS Euromaster is the nominated tyre service provider for J.C. Trans (UK) and takes responsibility for regrooving worn tyres when the tread reaches 3-4mm.

Once the regrooved tyre has worn, it can be returned to Michelin for retreading in its Stoke-on-Trent based Remix Plant.

McHale welcomes extension of energy efficient tax benefit

Komatsu distributor Michael McHale, managing director of Birdhill-based McHale Plant Sales was one of the many industry figures pleased with the Government’s recent Budget announcement.

In addition to the supports being given to the construction and house building sector – support that will inevitably translate into higher plant and machinery sales - one item buried in the Budget small print will bring particular benefit to McHale and Komatsu.

It relates to the fact that measures first introduced to incentivise companies who invest in energy efficient equipment – of which the Komatsu Hybrid excavator is the prime example – that were due expire on 31st December next have been extended by a further three year until 31st December 2017.

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Intelligent installations launches multi-camera solution for commercial vehicles to improve road safety and achieve compliance

Intelligent Installations has launched a range of integrated multi-camera solutions for commercial vehicles working within the road transport and logistics sectors. Combining the latest internal and external cameras, mobile digital video recorders (DVRs) and proximity sensors, these systems will help improve road safety, reduce insurance costs and comply with accreditation initiatives such as FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme).

A number of options will be available to vehicle operators to cover urban transport, 360o internal and external protection and reversing safety, as well as bespoke solutions using DVR units for both four and eight cameras that can be tailored to meet precise requirements. In addition, proximity sensors are available as a side detection system to better protect cyclists and pedestrians or a front corner detection system to drive down costly repair bills and vehicle downtime from low speed bumps and scrapes.

Unlike other systems in the marketplace, the multi-camera solutions have been designed with the demands and challenges of the road transport environment in mind and Intelligent Installations is the only supplier to offer three-year warranty as standard. All the external cameras possess an IP67 or IP69 enclosure rating using robust steel casings, with aviation-style cabling and secure screw type connectors that ensure unrivalled levels of performance and protection.

Meanwhile, remote health check, using a wifi network at a depot, alerts of any issues to minimise vehicle downtime and eliminate any potential loss of video footage.

Errin McNamee, Director of Intelligent Installations commented: “This range of multi-camera solutions has been developed to not only help improve road safety and enhance driver behaviour, but also capture video footage in the event of an incident to defend against wrongful driving allegations and reduce costly insurance claims. We provide a managed solution including all installation and ongoing support, making us the ideal partner for all commercial vehicle operators.”

Intelligent installations external camera IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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The East European Trailer Market is flatlining in 2014

CLEAR International has just issued its latest forecast for the East European Trailer Market. The instability in both Ukraine and Syria has had a real impact on the outlook for trailer demand. Nearly 7,000 trailers have been wiped from the forecast for the 2014/15 period. That is in addition to the reductions made to the last forecast in March this year following the annexation of Crimea. The forecast reductions affect Russia, Ukraine, Estonia and Latvia, plus Turkey which borders Syria.

On the other hand, in the same period, some Central European countries will enjoy double digit growth in their trailer markets including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia. However, for the region overall 2014 will be the forth year in a row where trailer demand has hardly moved, either up or down. The assumption is that this will create pent up demand resulting in improved trailer sales in both 2015 and 2016. The risk to the forecast is of course that the political/military situation may worsen rather than improve. The good news is that for Eastern Europe trade in goods, especially exports, reached an all time high at the end of 2013, and will continue to grow throughout 2014. Also the economic forecast is for several years of GDP and investment growth, which will result in higher levels of trade and more demand for road transport. The important exceptions are Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Turkey. Road transport in Eastern Europe is different from that of the west. The demand for road transport is dominated by international journeys, unlike Western Europe where most of the traffic is national in nature. Most international goods movements are undertaken using a semi-trailer. As a consequence, some East European countries will see significant increases in new trailer demand whereas others already have a large enough trailer fleet, and only require new trailers to replace old units. They don’t need extra trailers to expand the fleet.

Gary Beecroft, managing director of CLEAR commented, “Despite the problems in the Ukraine both it and Russia will have above average trailer market growth in 2015/16 if matters settle down during the coming months. By 2016 trailer demand for the region will be back at the pre-recession level of 2008.”

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

601021

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

601022

Compound / SB 5/6-7000 Series

Paul Kane

Vantruck & Bus Parts IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

601023

Mono / SN 6-7000 Series

For Further Information, Please Contact

Telephone

028 8774 7258

(ROI) 048 8774 7258

601024

Mono Special / SK 6-7000 Series 11

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New technology gives truck drivers all-around visibility

Volvo Trucks has developed new technology specifically to protect pedestrians and cyclists. The unique technology enables a vehicle to do a 360 degree scan of everything that happens around it. Much like a human mind works, the vehicle can interpret its environment and suggest actions to avoid any incidents. The technology is in the test phase and may become a reality five to ten years from now.

Volvo Trucks’ research shows that limited visibility is one of the main causes of heavy truck accidents with unprotected road users in Europe.

Such accidents can now potentially be drastically reduced with Volvo Trucks’ newly developed technology, which is the result of a unique research project called Non-Hit Car and Truck, in cooperation with Volvo Cars.

Unprotected road users such as pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable in urban areas where a lot of large vehicles move around.

For the first time ever it is possible to enable a vehicle to see its complete surroundings and feed information to the driver on how to avoid accidents. The technology receives information via sensors, radars and cameras placed around the vehicle. If the driver does not respond to the suggested actions, the steering or braking system can be activated autonomously.

“Today’s Volvo trucks are designed to eliminate any vehicle blind spots. But in situations with heavy traffic it is easy for a driver to miss something important such as an approaching cyclist on the vehicle’s passenger side. Now we can solve this issue and help the driver see and understand everything that is happening around the vehicle”, says Carl Johan Almqvist, Volvo Trucks’ Traffic and Product Safety Director.

Market introduction can take place within five to ten years according to Carl Johan Almqvist.

“We have the main components in place but we need to do a lot more testing in order to make sure that the system is fault-free. If we manage to solve these challenges, a future without truck accidents is within reach.”

Volvo’s new technology will protect pedestrians and cyclists

Facts, the Non-Hit Car and Truck project:

It started in September 2010 in collaboration with Volvo Car Corporation, the ÅF Group, HiQ, Mecel and Chalmers University of Technology.

The main objective has been to develop technologies that reduce accident risks for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, particularly focusing on situations in which today’s active safety systems are not sufficient.

It will end in December 2014 and the results of the research will allow the development of new active safety systems which are expected to be ready for commercial introduction in trucks within 5 to 10 years’ time.

Facts, Volvo Trucks’ current active safety systems:

Collision Warning with Emergency Brake – an advanced emergency braking system equipped with early collision warning to help prevent severe accidents caused by inattention.

Lane Changing Support – detects vehicles in the blind spot on the passenger’s side.

Lane Keeping Support – monitors the truck's position on the road. When it detects the truck drifting or swaying outside its lane, a warning alerts the driver so that he or she can resume control before a serious accident takes place.

Driver Alert Support – warns tired drivers and advises them to take a break.

Commercial vehicle capability added to epyx’s 1link Disposal Network e-commerce platform

Commercial vehicle capability for both vans and trucks has been added to epyx’s 1link Disposal Network e-commerce platform.

The product, long-established in the company car sector and used by many major fleets, is used to provide a high degree of control over the management of vehicle disposal.

David Goodyear, business development manager, explained that there had been an ongoing strategy at epyx to enhance and expand its core e-commerce platforms for commercial vehicle use. He said: “Around a year ago, we carried out major revisions to our 1link Service Network service and maintenance platform to allow its use for almost all kinds of commercial vehicles and plant, and the response from fleets and their customers has been positive.

“Therefore, it makes sense to modify 1link Disposal in a similar fashion, providing a complete cradle-to-grave e-commerce solution for commercial vehicle fleets operating vans and trucks.”

1link Disposal Network is used by major fleets to controlling the selling of defleet stock to traders and dealers through a wide variety of channels including online and auctions.

David added: “We have already been showing the new versions of the platform to potential customers and expect to be able our first new signings from commercial vehicle fleets very quickly.”

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Falken’s latest on/off-road truck tyres help mixed use operators keep costs on track

Operators seeking affordable yet resilient truck tyres, versatile enough to cope with today’s growing market demands for mixed usage on a daily basis, have a new option from Falken. With derivatives for drive as well as trailer and steering axles, each product offers on/off-road users Falken’s renowned blend of value and performance, all year round.

Building on the popularity of its products in the construction sector in the US, where the tyres are already available, Falken is now bringing the M+S marked and regroovable GI388 and GI378 tyres to the UK. Packed with features more typically found on more expensive tyres from the premium brands Falken’s range is also capable of handling the higher weights typically associated with Euro 6 trucks, with ratings of up to 13,000kg.

With a firm emphasis on ensuring tyre longevity and ultimately lower tyre life cost, Falken’s tyres use a robust casing incorporating heat resistant inner rubber layers topped with a low abrasion compound that can be re-grooved. Falken has also specified stone ejectors to prevent foreign objects becoming trapped in the grooves and penetrating the tyre belts, minimising the risk of corrosion that can prematurely end a tyre’s operating life. As a further line of defence, rust inhibitors are standard across the range, underlying Falken’s intention to use technology where it can add value to the operator.

To prevent damage from scuffing kerbs in tighter operating environments and to guard against less careful end users, Falken has specified sturdy sidewall protection bands. “We know from talking to operators that tyre failures are costly and our tyres are packed with sensible design features to ensure minimal downtime and extend the life of the tyre,” says Falken’s UK and Ireland director Matt Smith. “This value proposition from a trusted brand should be relevant to any operator in sectors such as construction or municipal where no-nonsense savings are key to fleet cost management.”

For all year round usage, the deep tread profile provides good traction and the circumferential serrated grooves and deep notches help progress when grip is at a premium.

The new Falken GI388 is available now in the following three dimensions: 315/80R 22.5 156/150K 12R 22.5 152/148K 11R22.5 148/145K

The GI378 for steering axle tyres and trailers is initially available in the following sizes: 385/65R 22.4 158K 425/65R 22.5 165K 445/65R 22.5 168K

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PTV Group wins telematics award with Truck Parking Europe!

The PTV Group's free app for truck parking now lists over 15,000 parking options and has received the telematics award 2014 "Truck Parking Europe" (www.truckparkingeurope.com) won this year's telematics award in the "Best Innovation" category. At the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair on 29 September, members of the expert jury announced their vote for the app, which was developed by the PTV Group.

Having grown to list over 15,000 registered parking spaces along Europe's main traffic routes, it is the largest free platform for lorry parking, with plenty of additional features and information on their availability. The already high (and constantly increasing) number of users makes an impressive backdrop to Truck Parking Europe's win: over 22,500 downloads and around 5000 parking spaces added by drivers themselves are making the tool ever more interesting and proving its practical worth.

Winners despite record participation rates Constantin Lutz, Vice President of Logistics, Sales and Marketing at the PTV Group, spoke at the event and appeared delighted at the triumph: "We are very proud of having won this year's telematics award. We combined innovation and practicality in a single app, creating a novel and easy-to-use solution to the well-known problem of insufficient parking. The best proof of this is the constantly growing user community". The concept won in spite of a record number of entries: the 252 valid submissions represent the sector's huge interest in putting its own solutions up for independent testing. On its website, the event's organiser spoke of "the growing drive for innovation in the Germanspeaking world". The telematics award was presented by the media group Telematik-Markt.de, in partnership with the 'Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA)' (German Association of the Automobile Industry) and with sponsorship from the Ministry of Lower Saxony.

First on the market The PTV app was launched in November 2013 as the first on the market for iOS devices and is currently available as an Android solution to download on the

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Google Play store. Not only can drivers search for parking spaces, they can also rate them, add new ones and make corrections to existing information. The constantly growing parking database contains both officially designated truck parking places and car parks, as well as other suitable parking places off the motorway, e.g. in industrial areas continuously checked and updated by the editorial team and the community.

"The app makes parking spaces visible which before would have remained unknown to drivers who were unfamiliar with the area", explains Stephan Ruppert, Chief Product Manager Transport Route Planning at PTV, who joined Constantin Lutz to accept the telematics award. "You could say that we're creating parking space by making that which is already available visible and usable." The system relieves the burden on parking spaces on main roads. At the same time, parking operators off the main routes are receiving more custom.

"We don't think it's enough to just send availability updates, because the more attractive spaces are generally full up in the evenings", continues Ruppert. "We want to offer drivers at the end of their driving time a genuine solution and parking alternatives."

Drivers are given detailed information on which parking spaces are to be recommended, which are to be avoided, which are well lit or monitored, or which are in areas under surveillance, such as the edges of factory premises. The app displays the parking spaces according to the route.

Extraordinary route intelligence With the "Driving mode" function which uses unique route intelligence, the app will show parking spaces along your route which require a total detour of no more than six kilometres. If you enter the direction of travel, the list of parking spaces will update during the journey, showing the distance and any detour required to reach only those parking spaces which are suitable. These calculations are based on those sections of the road network which are suitable for trucks and your actual route.

If the driver enters the remaining driving time, he or she will see which parking spaces could feasibly be reached in the time available. The radius search can be performed to cover the area around your present location or a point on the map.

The coordinates or address of a selected parking space can be transferred to the navigation system installed on the smartphone.

Handy: the "Availability status"

PTV Group’s free app for truck parking

function Drivers can update on the availability status of parking spaces at any time. If availability information is available for a parking area, it will be shown as green for "spaces remaining", yellow for "official parking is full" or red for "car park is overcrowded". The icon will fade according to how long ago the update was given, and the status is removed after a maximum of three hours.

Incentives are offered to the most active community members, such as gift vouchers, for example.

PTV. The Mind of Movement The PTV Group provides software and consulting for traffic, transport logistics and geomarketing. Be it transport routes or sales structures, private or public transport – we plan and optimise everything which moves people and goods worldwide.

Our range of products and services includes Software & Services, Components, Data & Content and Consulting & Research. Customers in more than 100 countries rely on our solutions. Our software tools enable private and public sector organisations to perform their everyday tasks in a highly efficient manner. And right at the forefront: our market-leading product lines PTV Map&Guide for transport route planning, PTV Smartour for trip planning, the software components PTV xServer as well as PTV Visum for traffic & transport planning and PTV Vissim for traffic simulation.

Scientific expertise is one of our particular strengths. We run projects in a goal-based and practice-oriented manner. Currently, we have over 600 employees worldwide crafting powerful and innovative solutions. Our head office, which is located in the technology region of Karlsruhe, Germany, has been the centre of development and innovation since the formation of our company in 1979.

The German company PTV Planung Transport Verkehr AG is a member of the PTV Group. www.ptvgroup.com.

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VDL Bus & Coach Equips Their Hybrid Buses with Tailored-Made Thermo King Air-Conditioning Units

VDL Bus & Coach, one of the largest bus producers in Europe, chose custom air-conditioning systems from Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, for 120 of its hybrid buses to be used in Flanders, Belgium.

As an international developer and manufacturer of buses and coaches, VDL knows that today, transit authorities want sustainable solutions that are fuel-efficient but also reduce noise and exhaust emissions.

VDL asked Thermo King to provide an efficient, reliable and sustainable heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to allow for optimum passenger comfort.

Thermo King answered this request by developing a custom airconditioning unit specifically for VDL. This state-of the-art electric system stemmed from the Thermo King Athenia™E main rooftop unit in combination with a driver air-conditioning (AC) module and VDL Bus & Coach chose custom airan electric compressor module. conditioning systems from Thermo King “The need for sustainable transport and passenger mobility is accelerating the adoption of more efficient technologies,” said Peter Wouters, director at VDL Bus Roeselare. “Thermo King has long-term, international experience with electric air-conditioning systems in bus and rail applications, therefore, had the expertise to develop this solution for us. Thermo King has been our main AC supplier for many years, and we are glad that they have once again proven the ability to meet the most challenging customer needs.”

“We are proud to once again work with VDL to offer an efficient HVAC system solution which allows utilization of renewable energy source without compromising passenger and driver comfort,” said Gulsah Metinoz, portfolio manager for the Thermo King bus division. “Our solutions adopt the most efficient technologies and have been designed to align with the latest sustainability trends and comply with regulatory directives.”

The VDL Citea SLF-120 Hybrid is a next-generation serial hybrid bus, for which VDL has improved the available techniques and employed new technologies. The air-conditioning modules used in the new VDL buses feature the technology of the Thermo King Athenia E air-conditioning systems.

The family of Thermo King Athenia E units has become the preferred product choice for various hybrid bus platforms worldwide since introduced in 2006. High airflow resulting in enhanced passenger experience as well as relatively shorter unit design allows for bus design flexibility, have become the differentiating features.

The choice of micro-channel condensers within the system minimizes refrigerant charge as well as the risk of leakage. This contributes positively to the sustainability goals all throughout the value chain.

The delivery of the VDL buses with Thermo King Athenia E air-conditioning systems is scheduled to commence in 2015.

The vehicles will be put in service in various cities in Flanders, Belgium.

LCV Dealer of the Year Award for Renault Ireland

During the annual Renault dealer convention in Athlone, Dennehy Motors, Dock Road, Limerick were awarded the prestigious 2014 LCV Dealer of the year award for Ireland.

Kevin Troy, Sales & Network business manager for Renault Ireland presented the award and stated it was in recognition of exceptional customer service from the dealership and outstanding sales results spearheaded by Pat Reeves, the Fleet Manager. Kevin also recognised the investment made by Dennehy Motors in 2012, when the dealership became one of the four Renault Business plus dealers in the country.

Renault Pro plus at Dennehy Motors is a one-stop shop dedicated to business customers. Customers benefit from the expertise and understandings of specialist commercial advisors, who will tailor a comprehensive range of transport solutions from contract hire to vehicle conversions. Customers also have access to two workshops and a DOE testing centre.

Since 1998, Renault has stood out as the undisputed number one van manufacturer in Europe. To consolidate this position, which saw it take a market share of 14.6 per cent last year, Renault has now renewed its entire LCV line-up with the introduction of All-New Trafic and New Master joining New Kangoo. All of these vehicles are LCV Dealer of the currently offered for demonstration at Dennehy Motors, Year Award Dock Road.

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DAF Trucks Apprentices of the Year 2014 announced

The multi-award winning DAF Trucks National Dealer Apprentice Programme has enrolled nearly 1,350 students since its introduction in 1995. At an awards ceremony held this week in Bristol, where the programme is based, the 2014 finalists were honoured and the overall winners announced.

The graduating third year winner was named as Thomas Ford of Ford & Slater DAF in Leicester, the second year award given to Dexter Truscott of Wessex DAF in Devon and the first year winner was named as Andrew Baber from Chassis Cab Bury St Edmunds.

The awards ceremony was attended by over 400 guests from across the commercial vehicle industry, including senior management from DAF Trucks, their dealers, the City of Bristol College, Skillnet and associated organisation such as the IMI, SOE, Norfolk Community 1st year winner Andrew Baber of Chassis Cab, Bury St Edmonds Foundation and the Learning Skills Council.

Immediately prior to the ceremony, the top ten finalists from each academic year took part in a series of timed tasks to test their ability and confirm the overall winners. Assessors from DAF’s training partner Skillnet and the City of Bristol College were responsible for the final evaluations.

Ray Ashworth, managing director of DAF Trucks commented: “DAF is committed to the highest standard of education throughout our dealer network and the apprentice programme allows us to develop technicians who are fully versed in the technology of the future. The DAF National Dealer Apprenticeship Programme has become a benchmark for apprentice training across the UK motor industry and provides students with nationally recognised qualifications of the highest standard.”

DAF apprentices attend City of Bristol College for a total of 28 weeks of training during the course of the three year programme. The programme is managed for DAF Trucks by Skillnet Automotive Academy with the training carried out at the City of Bristol College.

The course combines practical and theoretical study at college with on-the-job training at a DAF dealership. At the end of the programme successful apprentices emerge with an Advanced Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.

This includes an IMI Level 3 Diploma and IMI Level 3 NVQ in Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (Heavy Vehicles), a recognised welding certificate, and a certificate of key skills in communication and information technology.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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All-new Ford Transit helps out with Bia Food initiative

Ford Ireland has provided an All-New Transit Van to help with the valuable work of the Bia Ford Initiative.

In Ireland, almost a million tonnes of perfectly good food is disposed of each year. And yet, people go hungry every day in Ireland and charitable organisations spend over €10 million each year on food.

However, Cork-based charity, the Bia Food Initiative, is tackling this mountain of waste by harnessing this surplus food and re-directing it to those in need. Through a national network of food redistribution centres, the Bia Food Initiative is hoping to become a one-stop-shop for food businesses to donate their surplus food and grocery products in a fast, efficient and safe way while reducing their disposal costs and making a very positive and practical contribution to the communities in which these businesses operate. The Bia Food Initiative will then pass on the surplus food to charitable groups around the country, helping them to reduce their current spend on food so they can focus all their resources on their core

Strong commercial performance hands top slot to Ford

An impressive performance by Ford’s commercial vehicle range – in tandem with typically strong car sales – have pushed the Cork-based manufacturer into the No.1 position for overall vehicle sales in the month of September.

Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the car market was up on September 2013, with the full-year car market remaining on course to reach the 100,000-unit mark, as sales year-to-date total 93,289.

The month was dominated by Ford, which had two of the top five bestselling passenger models (Focus

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activities.

Karen Horgan, Project Manager of the Bia Food Initiative said: “We are hugely indebted to Ford for the provision of the New Transit van – it will really help with our work in redistributing the surplus food that we collect from food retailers and producers across the country”.

Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, said: “We feel that the Bia Food Initiative is such a worthy cause, it is crazy that so much food is wasted when 1 in 10 people in Ireland suffer from food poverty today. We knew that the Transit, as Ireland’s favourite van,

and Fiesta) however it was the performance of Ford’s much-vaunted CV range that has grabbed most of the headlines.

With a total of 404 new units registered during the month of September, the Ford CV range not only out-sold its commercial competitors but also out-stripped almost all other manufacturers’ car sales as well. The company also sold 390 passenger units to finish the month comfortably ahead of nearest rivals, VW and Toyota for overall sales.

“We have always held the view that the Ford CV range is a premium brand in its own right and the go-to

Dave O’Connell, Commercial Vehicle Brand Manager, Ford Ireland, hands the keys of the new Ford Transit to Karen Horgan, Project Manager of the Bia Food Initiative

\would be the ideal vehicle to help with the valuable work of Karen and her teams across the country”.

The Bia Food Initiative has just opened its first pilot distribution centre in Cork. The distribution centre has a warehouse with refrigerated and freezer units and will act as the hub for storing food prior to shipment to the organisation’s redistribution centres around Ireland.

The van supplied to the Bia Food Initative is an All-New Ford Transit Jumbo 125PS 6 speed Van, including full insulation and a Thermo King Chiller Unit with a highly efficient 2.2 litre TDCi diesel engine. commercial vehicle for large and small business users in Ireland,” said Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland.

“At the heart of our CV line-up is the Ford Transit, and Ireland’s bestselling commercial vehicle of all time was again the driving force behind an excellent sales performance in September,” Mr Murphy said.

“Our aim now is to push on towards the end of the year, when we’ll have a new Focus and a new Mondeo to join our ranks, hopefully putting us in pole position to take advantage of a strongly resurgent car market in 2015,” Mr Murphy added.

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Ger’s lasting legacy Over three decades ago, Ger Cosgrave established J&G Cosgrave (Transport) Ltd. in partnership with his brother Jack. e co-founder has been the driving force and inspiration behind the County Limerick based operator ever since. His nephew, Ken, who has worked alongside him for the best part of 30 years, says Ger Cosgrave’s contribution to the time-honoured family business – and, indeed, the transport sector in general - is immeasurable.

CONTACT DETAILS 20

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“He has instilled the need for teamwork into the company and, only for him, J&G Cosgrave wouldn’t be here now. He adapted a very good approach to running the business and he steered us through the hard times.

“Ger is stepping aside now after 30 years of great leadership, but he sustained the business and has left it in a healthy state going forward, never taking his eye off the ball. Ger was the one who brought me into the family business all those years ago. He took me under his wing when I left school and showed me the ropes. I can tell you one thing: he is going to be a very hard act to follow.”

Although Ger will be taking a backseat in the coming months and years, he will no doubt continue to have a strong presence around the Castleconnell depot, helping out wherever possible and ensuring that J&G Cosgrave continues to perform at an optimal level and provide an exceptional service.

As Ken intimated, business is going fairly well for the company at present. As they were largely dependent on the construction sector for work during the boom times, the economic downturn could potentially have delivered a knockout punch. However, to the contrary, Ger Cosgrave managed to reappraise, reinvent and rejuvenate the business to the extent that it is now a thriving concern once more.

“At the moment, we’re running a fleet of eleven trucks and we’re hoping to keep them all going,” says Ken. The fleet comprises nearly-new DAFs exclusively, most of which were imported second-hand from England. Things simply got to a point during the recession where investing in brand new vehicles was an unnecessary extravagance and practicality dictated a different approach. “All our lorries are top-quality vehicles, which were sourced at the right price and kept in good condition. We run an excellent fleet of trucks and trailers.

“PJ O’Riordan is our mechanic and he is a fantastic man who

O

perating out of Gouig, Castleconnell, County Limerick, J&G Cosgrave (Transport) Ltd. has provided an exceptional bulk haulage service since its inception in the early 1980s. Co-founder Ger Cosgrave has been the principal driving force behind the continued success of the business over the years and, as he steps aside, nephew Ken Cosgrave is quick to pay tribute to his role model: “Ger is very much the backbone of the business and I’ve been very lucky to have worked alongside him for the past 30 years,” notes the new MD. “During that time, I’ve witnessed his enormous input into the company. He has a good head on him and good management skills and he showed great vision to steer us through the recession.

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Ken Cosgrave (left) with mechanic PJ O’Riordan

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has been with us full time for a number of years. He has also played a big part in keeping the fleet on the road and we’d be lost without him.”

At present, gainful employment is provided to a team of 15 – “eleven drivers plus PJ, Brenda, Ger and myself,” Ken reveals.

Each member of staff makes a vital contribution towards the viability of the operation and this fact is certainly not lost on Ken, who

adds: “You are nothing without good staff. They are the ones who keep things going. I have never had to ask anybody to do anything.

They take responsibility and get their jobs done. When things got harder, they held it together and got stuck in and we all appreciate that. That’s what teamwork is all about and it’s one of the core values that Ger has instilled into the business.”

Of course, that’s not to say

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J&G COSGRAVE (TRANSPORT) LTD 23

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I can see in the coming years is a difficulty in getting young drivers. It’s already hard to bring young drivers into transport due to the high cost of training etc. and I can see this becoming a major hindrance somewhere down the line unless the issue is addressed and something is done to make it easier to attract young people into our industry.”

that it’s a doddle out there.

Far from it, in fact. These are still challenging times and, with rates across the sector stagnating, new efficiencies most be found all the time to ensure the best level of service possible. “It’s tough out there and it all comes down to teamwork. The whole team is involved in keeping the business afloat and each man is doing an exceptional job.”

Though J&G Cosgrave (Transport) Ltd. made their name in bulk haulage, they now provide a more varied service, drawing bulk and bagged cement for Irish Cement; doing tipper work for Grassland Agro; and also transporting cardboard for Europaks Corrugated Cases in Limerick. In addition to this, they also work for a number of general merchants.

Since we last touched base with Cosgraves four years ago, a large volume of their customers have remained loyal to them, including a lot of hardware merchants in the north Munster / midwest region.

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J&G Cosgrave (Transport) are a familiar sight in Ireland

Looking to the future, Ken Cosgrave is determined to keep the long-running, vastlyexperienced and proven family business up and running by continuing to provide a stellar service.

“We’ll keep on providing the service we’re renowned for and hopefully things will pick up again and we can continue to make a living out of it,” he concludes.

“I think there has been a bit

of a pick-up over the last few months so hopefully the worst of the downturn is behind us now and we are starting to turn the corner.

“But there is no room for complacency because there are still a number of challenges facing the sector. Rates remain a big problem and the cost of diesel is still a major concern. Another problem

Best Wishes To J&G Cosgrave (Transport) Ltd.,

Best Wishes To J&G Cosgrave (Transport) Ltd

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Advanced Waste designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:15 Page 1

Advanced Waste & Recycling Ltd is one of the country’s fastest growing waste management companies

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Take the Advanced approach Advanced Waste & Recycling Ltd is committed to providing an efficient, environmentally responsive and cost effective waste management service

n the early noughties Stephen Martin spotted potential in the waste management market and took the brave decision to set up Advanced Waste Recycling.

12 years on and it has proven to be an inspired decision because the Saggart, Co. Dublin based company continues to grow from strength to strength and is now regarded as one of the country’s fastest growing waste management companies.

Specialising in complete waste management, providing

private, domestic, commercial and industrial services, Advanced Waste Recycling commenced trading in 2002 and was registered as limited company four years later.

The Martin-led operation currently has 15 on its payroll including Stephen’s brother Gary who works in the office.

“I decided to try it, give it a go and have no regrets. I saw an opening to go out on my own and I haven’t look back since,” Stephen explained.

So why choose Advanced Waste Recycling?

Since their formation, they

CONTACT DETAILS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Advanced Waste covers homes and businesses in Dublin, north Kildare and north Wicklow

Advanced Waste & Recycling Glenowlen, Church Road, Saggart, Co. Dublin Commercial Customers: Tel: (01) 4011928 Fax: (01) 4013 990 Email: enquiries@advancedwaste.ie

Domestic Customers: Tel: (01) 4011 928 Fax: (01) 401 3990 Email: household@advancedwaste.ie Website: www.advancedwaste.ie

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Advanced Waste designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:15 Page 2

Fingal Insurance Group Ltd.,

Fingal Insurance Group Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

Continued Best Wishes To All At Advanced Waste & Recycling

Best Wishes To Advanced Waste & Recycling, From

INSURANCE GROUP LTD.

KINGCO COMMERCIALS LTD Best Wishes To Advanced Waste & Recycling, From

• All Makes Services and Repairs (Heavy and Light Commercials) • Mechanical Hydraulics & Electrical • Welding & Fabrication Of Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminium • Electronic Diagnostics & All Systems Covered

Kingswood, Old Naas Rd., Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Tel: Office 01- 4592275 Contact Glenn on 087- 9229266 Email: glennjames@eircom.net

Best Wishes & Continued Success To All Involved Within Advanced Waste & Recycling From

BATT ENTERPRISES

Suppliers of Waste Compaction Equipment Including Bottle Crushing Machines, Balers, Mixed Glass Collection, Etc Borranstown, Garristown, Co. Dublin

Contact John Battersby Tel: (086) 3857664

26

Email: john_battersby@eircom.net

Tipper Services Ltd. Best Wishes To Advanced Waste & Recycling, From

TIPPER TRUCKS - PLANT HIRE SITE CLEARANCE- SAND & GRAVEL

BILLY DONOGHUE Haulage Contractor

“Thornfield House” Mountseskin Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24

T:01- 4513154 M:087- 6777990 F:01- 4624859 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Advanced Waste designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:15 Page 3

have grown into a company that specialises in identifying and meeting your waste management requirements.

Their business has rapidly expanded due to their expert service and excellent relationship with their clients.

Advanced Waste can competently and professionally provide you with a waste management service that means you don’t have to think about your waste, that’s their job, and they do it well.

Covering homes and businesses in County Dublin as well as north County Kildare and north County Wicklow, their waste collection services are centered on providing their customers with reliability and value for money.

The ever-burgeoning company offer a wide range of waste management services to suit all kinds of organisations.

They operate in both the public and the private sector and have experience of working on contracts of all sizes. In short, whoever you are and whatever your needs - Advanced Waste can help.

For example, they provide and service a wide range of wheeled bins from 140 litre right up to 1100 litre to the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

In this variety of bins they collect mixed waste, dry mixed recyclables, glass and food waste.

They also provide a collection service for baled cardboard and plastic, and on request they can supply a wide variety of

MD Stephen Martin and his son

balers.

As regards skips, Advanced can supply a wide range of skips from 2 cubic yards to 35 cubic yards, specialising in the service of open or closed 14 cubic yard skips.

They provide on-the-spot collections for all types of waste where their customers are unable to drop skips, such as in underground car parks and on busy streets.

“Business is going well and sales are up,” Stephen reported. “To be honest

sales have been up every year - 20 to 25% since we started - but costs are up too so margins are tight.

We’re growing, creating more jobs, but we’re not really seeing the benefit of that yet.”

What separates Advanced Waste from their rivals in this ultra-competitive market? No stone is left unturned when it comes to customer service and reliability is a cornerstone of their business.

“Practically all of our business has been generated by word of mouth. Our customers are more than happy with the service we provide and they help spread the word.

“There’s strong competition in the market and price is an issue but we offer our customers the personal touch.

If they call up they get to talk to me, not a machine.

They appreciate the personalised service.

“We’re also reliable which is, of course, very important in this business.”

And Stephen has no intention of resting on his laurels: “We hope to expand even further. We’re currently renting our premises at the moment so purchasing our own yard is very much a priority.

“We also hope to see a little more profit!” he quipped.

Whatever your requirement, Advanced Waste and Recycling is a waste management company you can trust.

Advanced Waste specialises in complete waste management IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

27

O'Donovan designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:40 Page 1

O

An award-winning transport service

’Donovan Transport has certainly come a long way since it was founded by the current managing director Pat O’Donovan’s parents Jack and Mary in the village of Castletownshend, which is situated about five miles from Skibbereen in picturesque West Cork. Jack and Mary then moved to Castlemartyr before purchasing there present facility in Carrigtwohill. The family business is now managed by Pat and his four sons Anthony, Kevin, Patrick and John along with their very competent administration staff Mark and Sue, and with the support of more than 50 other staff members. Pat’s wife Celine also

Established for over 60 years, O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd offers a wide and varied transport service. e award-winning family-run concern works primarily with seafood, scrap metal, malt and animal feed stuff companies throughout Ireland and Europe.

CONTACT DETAILS

28

O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd Main Street, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork.

Telephone: (021) 488 3399

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

O'Donovan designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:40 Page 2

O’Donovan Transport recently delivered sand to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as part of the pitch upgrading scheme

played a major part in the creation and daily management of the business before her untimely death in 2011 and she is still sadly missed to this day.

As well as operating a fleet of 40 modern and well-maintained trucks and a fleet of 95 purpose spec’d trailers to accommodate its services.

O’Donovan Transport has warehousing and cold storage facilities in Carrigtwohill as well as a depot in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. With the country’s new road infrastructure, Carrigtwohill is now within easy reach of all major cities, towns and ports.

While offering a general transport service, O’Donovan Transport is perhaps best-known for its expertise in the transportation of both temperature-controlled and bulk products. It is

Pat O’Donovan with a replica of his father Jack’s Guy Warrior IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

29

O'Donovan designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:40 Page 3

O’Donovan Transport is the only company that has held the IRHA International Road Haulier and Haulier of the Year Awards at the same time

one of the largest providers of transportation services to the Irish seafood industry, offering a fresh and frozen unit load delivery service for Irish producers throughout Europe focusing mainly on the French and Spanish markets. One of their major customers in this area is Castletownbere Fisherman’s Co-op who are a very large exporter and both companies have worked

together for a long time. The Cork-based firm also offers a twice-weekly temperature controlled groupage service to Irish seafood exporters to service the French and Spanish markets.

This typically consists of a 24 hour delivery service to France and a 36 hour delivery service to Spain where it has established a long and dependable relationship with a Spanish

Continued Best Wishes To O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd From

Scrap Metal Recycling J.F Connelly Road, Churchfield Ind.Est, Churchfield, Co. Cork

T: (021) 430 5060 T: (021) 430 5062 F: (021) 430 5063 E: nationalrecycling@eircom.net www.nationalrecycle.ie

distribution network.

The company also specialises in the haulage of bulk combinable crops, dry feed materials / ingredients and compound animal feeding stuffs. In this regard, the Malting Company of Ireland is one of its biggest customers.

The malt is drawn from the Malting Company of Ireland’s production facility in Togher, Cork city to breweries and

O’Donovan Transport run a fleet of 40 trucks

distilleries such as Guinness in Dublin, Heineken in Cork, Bushmills in Co. Antrim, Cooley in Co. Louth and Grant’s in Ireland and Scotland. The company also works with all the leading animal feed and cereal companies in Ireland and the UK. In the interest of maintaining traceability and assured standards, O’Donovan

Best Wishes To O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd Plant Hire & Tool Hire Insurance Forklift & Material Handling Commercial Insurance Agricultural & Construction Machinery Dealers

36 South Mall,Cork.

T: 021- 4275347 F: 021- 4270206 E: info@mbcinsurance.com www.mbcinsurance.com McAuliffe Barry & Collins Ltd t/a MBC Insurance is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Best Wishes To O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd From

Tel: (027) 50001 Fax: (027) 50352 BANTRY

For All Your Oil Needs

Mobile: Peter 087-2465689 Paddy 087-6899473 AUTHORISED

DISTRIBUTOR

Best Wishes To O’Donovan Transport (Cork) Ltd

Unleaded Petrol ~ Auto Diesel ~ Tractor Diesel Marine Diesel ~ Home Heating Oil ~ Kerosene Carbery Plastics - Oil Tanks Full Range Of Exxon Mobil Lubricants 30

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

O'Donovan designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:40 Page 4

Transport is a member of TASCC (Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops).

TASCC was developed because farmers and end users wanted to be sure that crops of grain, oilseeds and pulses were treated responsibly once they left the farm. That includes wheat processed by flour millers and malting barley for the brewers and distillers in the drinks industry. It provides independent verification that the trade is meeting food safety laws.

The scheme is audited and certified by an independent certification body, in accordance with the internationally recognised standard EN45011. This means that the certification body is itself independently assessed every year to ensure that the standard is implemented and administered consistently and fairly.

The scheme dovetails with UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme) and with the UK livestock assurance (Red Tractor) schemes which the major supermarkets make a requirement for the homeproduced livestock products they buy.

O’Donovan Transport also provides a range of services for the transport of scrap metal, working with the leading scrap metal companies both in Ireland and the UK. The company collects mainly ferrous and nonferrous metals from recycling depots throughout Ireland and transports them to the UK for reprocessing. Needless to say, the company holds all the relevant waste permits for this type of work, being fully licensed in the carriage of all wastes both nationally and internationally.

The O’Donovan Transport fleet, with its distinctive red and white livery, comprises

Scania, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, DAF and Volvo tractor units. It’s Scania, Mercedes-Benz and Renault models are supplied by AO’C Commercials in Carrigtwohill, Somers Commercials in

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Wexford and Setanta Vehicles

40 are bulk tipping trailers both

trailers, 42 are refrigerated

requirements. The rest of the

Sales in Dublin respectively.

Of its 95-strong fleet of

combined of Chereau and

Schmitz models, fitted with Thermoking refrigerated units.

aluminum and steel specked to

our

customers’

trailers consist of a mixture of

flat bed, curtain-siders and low-loaders.

31

O'Donovan designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:40 Page 5

The fleet is continually updated

O’Donovan Transport has been a long-time member of the IRHA (Irish Road Haulage Association), which is the recognised national representative body of the licensed road haulage industry in Ireland. Indeed, Kevin O’Donovan has served as chairman of the Cork branch for the past two years.

“It’s a great organisation to be a part of,” he says.

“The IRHA is constantly fighting the corner of its members. We are currently

lobbying the Government to bring in to line our road tax regime with that of the rest of Europe.

Hopefully this campaign will be as successful as the one we mounted for fuel rebate a few years ago.”

The company’s success has been built on its reliable drivers and staff, modern facilities and fleet, not to mention its dedication to quality, service and value-formoney. The company has always recognized that its staff

and especially its drivers are the key to its success supported by a customer service driven administration support. O’Donovan Transport is proud to hold the distinction of being the only company to have won both the International Road Haulier of the Year and Haulier of the Year award in 2002.

In conclusion, Pat O’Donovan says: “In the last 20 years, we have grown our truck fleet considerably. We have more trucks on the road

now than we ever had and have no plans to change our model from the one we have always worked to, which is maintaining the level of service we have always offered to our valued customers.

“We have a very strong relationship with our customers and a lot of that is down to the model of working with them rather than for them.

That has always been the way we’ve done things.”

The firm is over 60years in operation

32

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

dolly group designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:54 Page 1

Dolly Haulage’s immaculate livery

Dolly Group six divisions, one common purpose Set up as a haulage company over 30 years ago, the Dolly Group has grown to encompass six different divisions – Dolly Haulage, Dolly Skip Hire, Dolly Textile Recycling, Dolly Grab Hire, Dolly Home Fuels and Dolly Scrap Metal.

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Dolly Group Digby Bridge, Sallins, Co. Kildare.

Lo Call Telephone: 0818 227036 Mobile: 087 2712920 Email: info@dollygroup.ie Website: www.dollygroup.ie

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dolly group designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:54 Page 2

T

he Group has certainly come a long way since husband-and-wife Christy and Catherine Dolly formed Digby Bridge Sand & Gravel Co Ltd in Sallins, Co. Kildare in 1980. By setting up his own haulage company, Christy was following in the footsteps of his late father, also Christy, who had been involved in the sector for many years.

Having established their haulage business – which now trades as Dolly Haulage – as a leading player in the industry, directors Christy and Catherine formed Dolly Skip Hire in 2006. Dolly Textile Recycling, Dolly Grab Hire, Dolly Homes Fuels and Dolly Scrap Metal have since followed, making the Group one of the most diverse in the Leinster region.

A family-run business – Christy and Catherine’s children Paul, Stephen, Lisa and Kevin are also involved – which is at the heart of the local community, the Dolly Group’s success is reflected in it being nominated in no fewer than four categories for the 2015 Fleet Transport Awards, which will presented in Dublin’s CityWest Hotel on Thursday, October 2.

The categories in which the Group has been shortlisted are: Own Account Transport Operator of the Year, Owner Driver Haulier of the Year, Regional Transport Operator of the Year and Livery.

“We are delighted to receive four nominations in what is our first year to enter the Awards, and we’re looking forward to a great night,” says transport manager David Smith, who oversees a fleet of three wheeler tippers, four articulated trucks, four skip chain trucks, two roll on, roll off and four vans.

The Dolly Group covers a wide range of areas, all of which one common purpose.

The Dolly Haulage fleet of wheeler tippers can be used for site clearance or for the provision of sand and gravel products. Fully insured for all types of site work, Dolly Haulage can remove all waste material from the site and dispose of it, and provide full breakdown and traceability of any materials that are removed as part of the clean-up operation.

Dolly Skip Hire was born out of the ever-changing environmental issues in Ireland and the enthusiasm the family have for their business. A leader in its field, Dolly Skip Hire provides a sameday service with a 24-hour booking system. The company’s friendly and efficient service to customers in the Leinster region are the reason the

34

business has gone from strength to strength in such a short period of time.

Offering a huge variety of skips, ranging from mini to the 35 cubic yard roll on, roll off, Dolly Skip Hire’s competitively priced service and knowledgeable staff are some of the many reasons why customers return to Dolly to take care of their waste needs.

Providing skips to commercial industries as well as to private individuals and knowing that Dolly Skip Hire are fully authorised permit holders with recycling a priority gives clients the peace of mind that their waste will be dealt with in an entirely responsible manner.

Formed three years ago, Dolly Textile Recycling are collectors and exporters of second-hand clothing. Also recyclers of

mobile phones, books and scrap metal, this division is fully permitted and insured, and works closely with charities and local authorities throughout the country to ensure that all your unwanted material is recycled in an environmentally-friendly manner.

In partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland (MS Ireland), Dolly Textile Recycling has established a National Clothing Recycling Initiative which supports people with MS as well as assisting people in developing counties across the world. Over 70 per cent of the profits generated by Dolly Textile Recycling are contributed directly to MS Ireland.

Dolly Textile Recycling was established in order to facilitate any individual, group,

Customer service van IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

dolly group designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:54 Page 3

club, church, community centre, sports club, school or organisation looking to fundraise or donate money to charity. The Dolly family also launched clothing or textile banks to help raise muchneeded funds for MS Ireland.

In addition to their recycling service, the Dollys offer assistance in fundraising events by providing consolations and advice for fundraising through recycling.

Once the fundraising event is confirmed, they can also offer advertising aids if needed, assisting in any way possible to ensure your fundraising event is a success.

Dolly Scrap Metal purchases and recycles all types of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals, offering top prices to customers. Dolly Grab Hire’s grabs can be used for site clearance in areas where a skip cannot be placed. They can also be used for the removal of scrap metal and for the removal of skip bags where there is no room for the usual metal skips.

The sixth division within the Group is Dolly Home Fuels, which delivers a variety of home heating fuels to your door.

As a business, the Dolly Group have a passion for recycling and keeping the environment green. The Group’s primary aim is to divert waste from landfill.

Recently, the Co. Kildarebased concern has started work on a new state-of-the-

Part of the skip hire fleet

art waste recovery and recycling management facility in Osberstown Industrial Park in Naas. This substantial investment is expected to lead to creation of an extra 15

Best Wishes To Dolly Group, From

jobs, bringing the total number employed by the Group to 60.

“It is a very exciting time for the Dolly Group. The development of this facility underlines our commitment to

O’REILLY RECYCLING LTD

recycling and the environment. Once it’s upand-running, the plan is to move all our operations from Digby Bridge to Osberstown Industrial Park,” David Smith concludes.

Best Wishes To Dolly Group

METAL MERCHANT

Audit & Accounts preparation | Bookkeeping VAT, PAYE/PRSI ,RCT Self Assessment income tax Business Advice | Company Secretarial No 1, The Village Centre, Clane, Co Kildare Tel 045- 902400/ 045- 902401 Fax 045- 902781 Email: suzanne@osf.ie

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

BUYERS OF Lithographic Plates • Copper • Stainless Steel Aluminium • Brass • Steel • Cable Collection & Skip Service Available Tel:01-882 9394 Rosemount Business Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin11 Fax:01-882 9115 Mobile: 087-247 4719 E:noel84@eircom.net

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komatsu designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:30 Page 1

T

Komatsu: King of the Forest î “e timber industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Ireland and the demand for the product is showing no signs of waning any time soon.

here are many timber harvesting contractors in this country who provide an efficient and reliable service to their customers. To do this, they need top quality equipment and when it comes to harvesters and forwarders, many opt for the Komatsu brand.

Komatsu Forest develops, manufactures and markets a complete range of machines and attachments for the timber harvesting industry and is a pioneer in the area of mechanised logging. Komatsu has an extensive service and after sales network with global availability of spare parts. Their headquarters are in Umea, Sweden where they operate as a specialised forestry company, wholly owned by Komatsu Ltd of Japan.

This world renowned firm provides its excellent products and service to many countries around the world including Ireland and for this month’s edition of Irish Trucker; we profile the Irish branch of Komatsu and speak to Area Manager John McIlwraith about the services they provide.

Komatsu Forest is synonymous with a number of aspects needed to be

CONTACT DETAILS 36

successful in their industry and these include Quality in every aspect; High product performance; Setting the forest machine standard; Always listen to better understand the customer needs; Working with continuous improvements.

Komatsu, which was formerly known as Valmet has been sold in Ireland since the early-nineties through the UK dealer. However, in 2006, the decision was made to set up a depot here and Mountrath, Co Laois was the chosen location.

Scottish native John

Komatsu Forest Ltd. Upperwoods, Derrycon, Mountrath, Co Laois.

Email: john.mcilwraith@komatsuforest.com Website: http://www.komatsuforest.com Tel: +353 (0)5787 50003 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

komatsu designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:30 Page 2

revealed: “I was travelling over and back from here for a number of years, but as the market share grew, it was decided to have an Irish headquarters. Laois is a central location and Mountrath is in the heart of the forestry industry, so the decision was made to set up there and we’ve been here since 2006.

“We not only provide the full range of Komatsu Forest machinery, but we also provide servicing. There are five people employed here and we have two fully equipped service vehicles that are on the road constantly for call outs that cover the whole of Ireland.”

Not only that but the company provides an extensive range of parts also to ensure that their customers are not waiting too long to get back up and running.

“Downtime is something that everyone strives to avoid in this industry as if a machine is sitting idle, it is not making money. We have a large parts department and we have next day delivery, even from Sweden, depending on what part of the country the customer is located.”

John added that they pride themselves on getting to a customer as quickly as possible and sorting out any problems that they may have.

“Our customers know that they can depend on us and if they felt they couldn’t, they would take their business elsewhere, so it is up to us to keep up the standards that they have become accustomed too over the years.

“Between three of us here, we have over 50 years’ experience in forestry equipment and we will ensure that the problem will be fixed as soon as possible.

Most of the time, a lot of the breakdowns

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

ALL PARTS IN STOCK

DUFFY REFRIGERATION Best Wishes To Komatsu Forest, From

VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING

TRUCK NIGHT HEATING SYSTEMS INSTALLATION, REPAIR & SERVICE Ballybrittas, Co. Laois. Tel: 086- 807 7033

www.duffyrefrigeration.com

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komatsu designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:30 Page 3

Best wishes to John McIIwraith and Komatsu Forest From

Brophy & Co.

Insurance Brokers- Financial Services For All Your Insurance Needs Motor | Cars | Vans Classic Cars | Motor Fleets Business Insurance | Haulage Risks Marine Contractors | Life Assurance Mortgage Protection | Critical Illness

KERWIN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT

Wishing Komatsu Forest Continued Success In The Future From

Mobile: 086 -8257578

Lower Boley, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois Tel: 057 -8734217 • Fax: 057 -8739600 Email: kphhlogisticsltd@gmail.com

Call us before you renew on

057-8682130

10 Grattan Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Brophy & Co Insurances Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

38

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

komatsu designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:30 Page 4

can actually be fixed over the phone as all our staff are highly experienced and know the machines inside out.”

Not only do John and his team service and repair Komatsu Forest products, but they also look after other makes and models as well.

“Our service department would be split 50/50 with Komatsu and other makes of forestry equipment. Our service is second to none and by servicing other makes, it shows those customers the service that we provide and this can attract new business for us.”

Komatsu’s ability to keep producing new ranges of harvesters and forwarders is one of the reasons it is making such strides in this industry.

“There is a new range of harvesters coming out shorty.

The new range of forwarders

and harvesting heads are already proving popular in Ireland, Komatsu are always looking at ways of improving their products. The customer knows what they are getting when they purchase at Komatsu.”

Not ones to rest on their laurels, John stated that they are always looking for new customers and he is confident that with the products they are selling and the service that they provide, they can achieve their goal.

“We sell about 12 new units per year and we are always looking to improve on that.

The forestry industry in a big market in Ireland and we know that with the service on offer here, we can attract more business. It is essential to keep up the standards that we have set and try to improve on them in the future.”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes To Komatsu Forest, From

39

AF Lucey designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:24 Page 1

Keep on truckin’ Being successful in any business is a testament to the hard work and dedication that the people concerned put in over a period time.

CONTACT DETAILS 40

AF Lucey Haulage Ltd Kanturk, Co Cork.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

AF Lucey designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:24 Page 2

T

The new Renault Kerex IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

his is especially true within the haulage industry which undoubtedly is the toughest sector of all to be involved in the current economic climate.

With so many overheads to contend with and rates failing to meet the cost of running a haulage firm; anyone not involved in the industry may ask the question as why someone would want to work in this sector.

However, there are many who are making a living from haulage and for this month’s edition of Irish Trucker, we profile Cork based AF Lucey Haulage Ltd who are situated in Kanturk.

We speak to company managing director Albert Lucey who is celebrating eleven years in business this year and he tells us about the trials and tribulations facing the haulage industry on a daily basis.

Many involved in the haulage industry come from second or third generation haulage families, but Albert is unique in this respect as he had no background in the transport sector as he explains to us.

“I was doing maintenance work for a company for a number of years and it was shift work. So, I was left at a loose end on my days off and decided to go get my haulage licence,” said Albert.

“I then did the CPC course and decided to buy my own lorry and go into it full time.

The construction industry was going very well at the time and it was mainly bulk haulage that I specialised in, although I did all sorts of general haulage as well.”

Despite the end of the Celtic Tiger and the demise of the construction industry, Albert continued to work hard and he managed to build his fleet up to what it is today, consisting of ten trucks, which comprises

of Scania, Volvo and the latest addition, a Renault Terex ready-mix truck.

“I had the fleet built up when the bottom fell out of the construction industry and to be honest, things did look bleak for a while, however, in 2011, I got a contract with Lagan Cement and I have been there ever since. I have eight trucks in with them full time and we have a good working relationship with them.

“The fleet is kept in pristine condition and we do all our own maintenance work. We sub the bigger jobs out to mechanics in the area, which works well for both parties. We added the new Renault Kerex recently, while the majority of the fleet is Scania and Volvo. I’d deal with AOC Commercials, McCarthy Commercials and Setanta Trucks in Dublin and we have dealt with them for a good few years now.”

Albert believes that the construction industry has taken a turn for the better over the course of the past year or so.

“The economy has certainly picked up a bit in the last year.

There is a lot more construction traffic on the roads than there had been over the last few years, which is great to see.”

Of course, the biggest gripe within the haulage industry is the price of fuel and Albert admits that Government rebate scheme has helped a little.

“Everything is a help and better than nothing, but the thing with the rebate is that you can be waiting over ten weeks for it to come through. It is a big issue in the haulage industry, but I can’t see much more being done about it.”

Aside from the overheads attributed to hauliers, Albert is happy with the workload that he has at the minute, but he stressed that he is always on the look-out for more work.

“We are busy enough at the moment and that is great.

Lagan really are keeping us

41

AF Lucey designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:24 Page 3

The firm works with Lagan Concrete

going and hopefully we can continue to supply them with the service that they expect from us.

“I’m always looking at ways of expanding the business, but these days you have to have a more cautious approach when it comes to taking on new business.”

Albert admits that the days of going out and buying new trucks are a lot more difficult now. “Buying new is tough as the banks are more reluctant to give out money than they

use to be. You have to make sure that the work is there as repayments are very high.”

Beside every good man is a good woman and Albert revealed that wife Brigid helps out on a daily basis also. “Brigid looks after all the paperwork, which takes a lot of the pressure off me,” he smiled. “We have grown a good bit since we first set up and we’re happy with the direction that the company is heading.”

Best Wishes To AF Lucey Haulage

Stockists of Bridgestone Firestone Windpower Dunedin

Tel:029-20672 Mobile: 087-9228210 24/7 Emergency Service Available

Upper Blue Pool, Kanturk, Co. Cork

42

AF Lucey also do bulk haulage

David J. O’Meara & Sons Solicitors

Best Wishes To AF Lucey Haulage, From

Established 1889

Bank Place, Mallow, Co. Cork.

T: 022 -21539 | F: 022 -42164 E: info@djomeara.ie | www.djomeara.ie

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

AF Lucey designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:24 Page 4

William Walsh & Sons LOADALL HIRE

Cara Mogeely, Co. Cork

Tel:087-6896736 | 021-4667848 Continued Best Wishes To AF Lucey Haulage Registered Auditors, Accountants & Tax Consultants SERVICES AVAILABLE Audit services Accounts preparation for Audit Exempt Companies Book-keeping Services | Payroll Services Taxation | Company Secretarial | Business Advisory Banteer West, Banteer, Mallow, Co. Cork.

Phone : 00 353 29 56944 | Fax : 00 353 29 56945 Email : odonoghueandco@eircom.net www.odonoghueandcoaccountants.com Continued Best Wishes To AF Lucey Haulage

Greenvalley Transport & Plant Hire L.t.d Wishing Continued Success To AF Lucey Haulage

Castlemagner, Co. Cork

Tel:022-27050 Mobile: 087-2578289

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Best Wishes To AF Lucey Haulage, From

Truck & Trailer Repairs

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Email: jimmyoconnortrucks@gmail.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes To AF Lucey Haulage

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Tel:025-31706 Tel:087-2626103 43

TC Quinn designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:57 Page 1

TC Quinn continue to deliver e haulage industry has endured many difficulties in recent times as the economic recession that hit the country so hard over the past five or six years took its toll on the transport sector more than any other business.

U

TC Quinn Transport was set up in the late 1970s

nfortunately for some, the setbacks were too much and many were forced to switch off their ignitions for good. However, it is no coincidence that the ones who continue to provide the same level of service that they have always done are haulage companies with many years’ experience behind them.

One such firm is Donegal based TC Quinn Transport Ltd, which has been supplying a specialised service to a large customer base since the late 1970s.

For this month’s edition of Irish Trucker,

CONTACT DETAILS 44

we profile the company and speak to director Martin Quinn about the day to day running of the business.

Located in the north west of the country, TC Quinn specialises in bulk transport, with the main office in Raphoe also offering a wide range of services within the haulage industry.

When Tommy Quinn first set up the company all those years ago, hard work and endeavour helped get the business up and running. Throw in the fact that he offered a reliable and prompt service and soon his customer base started to grow,

many of who still deal with TC Quinn Transport Ltd to this day.

A total dedication to service has always been the company’s motto and it is carried on through Tommy’s sons Terence and Martin who run the business along with Terence’s wife Tina.

TC Quinn Transport Ltd specialises in the transportation of agricultural products like animal feed, grain and fertiliser to a customer base that covers all across the north as well as some U.K work.

“We try to provide a reliable and quality service to all our customers and we cater

TC Quinn Transport Ltd Carrickadawson, Raphoe, Co Donegal.

Tel: 074-9145572 Mob: 087-2517047 or 087-9080280 e-mail: teriquinn@eircom.net

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TC Quinn designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:57 Page 2

for all their needs,” stated Martin. “We would do a lot of work for Moyle Transport who are based in Cushendall, Co Antrim, which sees us do bulk deliveries to the U.K, while we would bring loads of coal back to Ireland.

“We also work for many of the local coops and farm feed suppliers, delivering to farmers and other outlets.” Martin stressed that bulk haulage was not the only type of haulage work on offer. “We can do any type of haulage work that a customer may want and we’d never turn any job away.”

To carry out their daily duties, TC Quinn Transport Ltd has a dedicated fleet of five trucks, three of which are Volvo and two Man trucks, all of which are kept well maintained and in pristine condition.

“It is important to keep the fleet in good working order and the trucks are well maintained as well. A new Volvo was added to the fleet in 2012 from N.R

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Trucks and Terence is always investing in the business to ensure that the customers continue to receive the level of service that they are used to getting from us.”

The company has a wide range of

The main office is in Raphoe

trailers to cover all types of work and they range from tippers, tankers, curtainsiders and refrigerated.

Of course, there have always been many overheads to contend with in the haulage industry, but in recent years they

45

TC Quinn designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:58 Page 3

Best Wishes To TC Quinn Transport Ltd, From

RELIABLE BULK TRANSPORTATION

Fyfin Road, Strabane, Co. Tyrone Tel: (028) 81658287 • Mobile: 0776 810 8251

Best Wishes ToTC Quinn Transport Ltd

IRELAND - UK- EUROPE

9 Kilnadore Road, Cushendall, Co. Antrim BT44 0SG T:+44 (0) 2821771473 F:+44 (0) 2821771473 E:john@moyletransport.com

www.moyletransport.com

Specialist in Sale, Service & Repair of High Quality Used MAN Commercial Vehicles

INISLEIGH CO-OPERATIVE FARM FOODS LTD.

Best Wishes To TC Quinn Transport Ltd From

Manufacturers of Quality Animal Foods Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal Tel: 074- 9156271 • Fax: 074- 9156193 Email: inisleigh@eircom.net

Best Wishes & Continued Success To TC Quinn Transport Ltd, From CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS Park House, Ramelton Road, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Tel: 074-9121290

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

46

www.irishtrucker.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TC Quinn designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:58 Page 4

The firm specialise in bulk transport

Best Wishes To TC Quinn Transport Ltd, From

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

seem to have increased, while rates have failed to increase.

“Rates have stayed the same for many years now, while the likes of the price of diesel, tax and insurance have all gone up and it is very difficult to cope with all the hits that hauliers are having to deal with on a daily basis,” stressed Martin.

Over the last couple of years alone, there has been an increase of 12 cent in the price of a litre of diesel and Martin admits that the monthly fuel bill can be crippling.

“The Government rebate introduced is hard to get. It is only a small amount anyway and more needs to be done to support the haulage industry. Our fuel bill has risen by about €8-10,000 a month in the last year or so, which is an enormous amount. The price of fuel is just ridiculous now at this stage and no matter how much we protest, it seems to fall on deaf ears.

“As hauliers, there is not much more we can do as if we raise the rates, someone else will just come in and do the job cheaper, so it is frightening to think where this will all end.”

In January 2008, the North West Transport Skillnet was founded and TC Quinn Transport Ltd are a part of this group which is an industry led training network for the development of a training programme for the haulage and passenger transport companies based in the north-west.

“There is no doubt that we will continue to provide the level of service that our customers expect for as long as we can, but all we ask for in return is a level playing field.”

47

henry haulage designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:12 Page 1

An exceptional, self-made business D

Over the past two decades, Derek Henry has painstakingly built up an outstanding transportation company, specialising in refrigerated distribution and operating out of Stewartstown in County Tyrone. We met up with the sole proprietor of Derek Henry Haulage to take a closer look at this excellent operation.

erek Henry has been involved in the transport / distribution sector for all of his working life. To this end, he has been providing a keen refrigerated transportation service for the past 20 years, counting German supermarket giants Lidl amongst his customers – a partnership that has been in place for over a decade now.

Having originally specialised predominantly in farm supplies and tipper trailer work in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Derek noticed a sharp slowdown in that particular area and moved into refrigerated transport instead. This was an inspired move and the man behind Derek Henry Haulage has never looked

CONTACT DETAILS 48

back!

For the past 16 years, Derek Henry Haulage has been subcontracted to Norman McBurney Transport in Ballymena - one of Ireland’s largest and most respected independently-run logistics operations. It has proven to be a very productive and a valuable partnership with Derek’s son Mark overseeing this aspect of the overall operation.

Meanwhile, as the main chilled, frozen and ambient produce transport provider for Lidl in Northern Ireland, Derek Henry Haulage has up to fourteen lorries out on the road making deliveries across the province from its Nutt’s Corner hub on a

daily basis, seven days a week.

In order to secure such a prestigious contract, it was imperative that every aspect of the business was being managed as professionally and efficiently as possible and this could not be achieved without the input of the conscientious and hard-working drivers at Derek Henry Haulage.

To this end, Derek is blessed to have at his disposal a trusty team of enthusiastic drivers, without whom the show would simply not be kept on the road! One of his long-serving drivers have provided 16 years of service and counting, while many others have been on the payroll for in excess of nine years.

Derek Henry Haulage 28 Annaghone Road, Stewartstown, County Tyrone.

Tel: 077 12881923 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

henry haulage designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:12 Page 2

Mark Henry in a Scania

Best Wishes To Derek Henry Haulage from

In total, Derek oversees a stunning fleet of some 17 units.

The immaculately-maintained fleet is comprised of Scanias mostly, as well as three Volvos, one DAF and one Mercedes.

All the tractor units are paired with the latest superior dualtemperature refrigerated units from Gray & Adams and no expense has been spared in ensuring that the Stewartstownbased company boasts one of the freshest, most advanced and well-maintained refrigerated transport fleets on the island.

The aforementioned contract with Lidl is going very well at present, with all goods delivered from hub to store on time every time in twin-evaporated trailers. So, what exactly does the work entail? Essentially, Derek Henry Haulage’s drivers visit the Lidl Northern Ireland HQ / hub on Dundrod Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin each day and load their state-of-theart temperature-controlled trailers with chilled, frozen and ambient products which are in turn delivered across all 38 Lidl stores located throughout Northern Ireland.

It’s a major undertaking each day – comprising a series of eleven-hour shifts – but the crew at Derek Henry Transport have it down to a tee at this stage and the company proprietor finds that Lidl is an exceptional company to work for. He is of course hoping that his association with the supermarket giant will continue for many more years to come.

In addition to his work with Lidl and the trucks which are subbed out to Norman McBurney Transport, Derek also does some seasonal work drawing straw for local farmers. Through every facet of the operation, the emphasis on providing a

.S. TYR

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Best Wishes To Derek Henry Haulage, From

53A Knockaleeny Road, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Tel:07778625636

E:seanenge@btinternet.com

Best Wishes To Derek Henry Haulage, From

E.K

•

ES

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145 Moneymore Road, Cookstown Co. Tyrone BT80 9UU

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. I .) L T

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Wishing Derek Henry Haulage continued success.....

Tel:

028 867 63396 028 867 63437

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49

henry haulage designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 12:12 Page 3

quality and dependable service is wholly apparent at all times.

The fleet is maintained in immaculate condition locally by highly-qualified and competent Scania- and Volvo-approved technicians at a modern, highlyrespected commercial vehicle garage, with some of the smaller jobs taken care of in-house. All in all, no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the entire fleet of trucks and trailers looks and performs fantastically every time it takes to the road.

Founder Derek Henry’s decision to move into refrigerated distribution some 10 years ago has proven to be an inspired move and he has gone from strength to strength in the meantime, developing his business into one of the premier food transportation companies in Northern Ireland.

This is reflected is his longstanding association with reputable companies of the status of Norman McBurney Transport and Lidl and all the signs are encouraging that the future remains extremely bright for this County Tyrone headquartered operator.

Looking briefly to the future, further growth seems inevitable as Derek Henry Haulage continues to provide its customers with an unrivalled level of service. A number of new trailers have recently been secured to guarantee optimal service levels going forward.

Transport operators are only as strong as their customers and, to this end, Lidl is undoubtedly a great partner to have on board.

They have just opened a new store and are opening a second in November in Northern Ireland and continued growth for Lidl should in turn mean further expansion for Derek Henry Haulage.

One gets the distinct impression that there are a few more chapters yet to be written in this particular success story!

50

Derek Henry Haulage working with Lidl

Continued Best Wishes To Derek Henry Haulage 270 Battleford Road Dungannon BT71 7NP +44 (0)28 3754 8418

Hireco Park East Road Dublin 3

info@coachworksireland.com www.coachworksireland.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Loughrea Motors designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:38 Page 1

Galway’s premier motor factors A

Loughrea Motor Factors Ltd. is the longest-established motor factors outlet in County Galway. We met up with founder / proprietor Paddy Egan to take a look at the ongoing success of his outstanding business, which has been keeping customers happy on the road for more than four decades.

t Loughrea Motor Factors Ltd., the emphasis is very much on providing quality parts. This has been the case since the genesis of the company in the early 1970s. Reflecting on the formation of his self-made business, Paddy Egan notes: “I started out in business under my own name in 1972 and formed the limited company in ’78. In the beginning, I worked from the back of the house on the Athenry Road, with a van out on the road, but I moved the business here to Gort Road in 78 and we’ve been here ever since.”

During the intervening years, Loughrea Motor Factors has become an integral part of the local business community – a landmark in Loughrea (and beyond) for those who want to source high-quality parts / rpoducts / accessories for cars, vans and 4x4s. Today the business is widely regarded as County Galway’s leading supplier of car parts and motor accessories.

A vast range of parts is carried in stock at all times, covering everything from brakes, oils and additives, body parts, steering and suspension to engine services, clutches, conversion kits and tools. A delivery service is provided to trade customers within a 40mile radius of Loughrea.

The proprietor comes from a strong

motoring background, having served his time and qualified as a mechanic at Smyths of Loughrea in the 1960s. When he was promoted to stores manager there, he subsequently acquired the requisite training, knowledge and experience to properly run a store.

In the ‘70s, when Paddy set the business up, motor factors were few and far between and most of the parts stocked would have been service parts such as plugs, points, filters and fan belts etc. Originally, he worked from a space of some 640sq ft at the back of his home but the switch to Gort Raod afforded him a more generous 2,000 sq ft - to which he has recently added a 450sq ft shop front, which is necessary to display the wide range of accessories on offer.

Founder and proprietor Paddy Egan “We have always adapted to the

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

needs of customers regarding parts and products and service,” he states. “To this end, we would witness a big change in the business every ten-twelve years or so. Today the business is all about clutches, callipers, batteries, fuel pumps, EGR valves, air mass units, bearings, CV joints and all types of sensors.”

Throughout the lifespan of his business to date, Paddy has never been afraid to reinvest money. To this end, he upgraded his entire computer system at a significant cost in May of this year. “Problems will arise if you don’t invest,” he points out. “To provide an efficient and dependable service, you must have the latest software in place to identify parts as accurately as possible.”

Commercial vehicles are accounting for an increasing percentage of overall business.

“We always catered for vans and kept products for them, and we have increased that business, while 4x4s have also become

Loughrea Motor Factors Ltd., Gort Road, Loughrea, County Galway.

Tel: 091 841351 Mobile: 085 1644100 Email: lmfgortroad@gmail.com

51

Loughrea Motors designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:39 Page 2

Best Wishes To Loughrea Motor Factors, From

Wide Range of Spare Parts for Trucks, Buses, Coaches, Trailers & Light Commercials 19 Claregalway Corporate Park, Claregalway, Co. Galway Tel: 091-739009/739019 | Email: info@mannionttc.com www.mannionttc.com

Best Wishes To Loughrea Motor Factors, From

Protect your equipment against low sulphur and poorly combusting fuels.

DIPETANE FUEL TREATMENT CONTAINS ZERO ADDITIVES DIPETANE IS 100% IRISH & UNIQUE WORLDWIDE.

Dipetane is available in all good motor factors

D.M.D. Sales Ltd

Kilcoole Ind Est., Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow Tel:+353-1-287 6922 www.dipetane.com

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Loughrea Motor Factors From

REGISTERED AUDITORS, ACCOUNTANTS, TAX ADVISORS Tim Holian B.Comm, CPA, CTax Hession House, The Square, Athenry, Co. Galway

Tel:091-877533 Mobile: 087-6732097 Email: timholian@eircom.net

Quality brands from Loughrea Motor Factors

Continued Best Wishes To Loughrea Motor Factors STRONGLINE AUTOPARTS

B9-B11, South City Business Centre, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Tel:+353-1 4624631 | www.stronglines.com

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

www.irishtrucker.com

52

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Loughrea Motors designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:39 Page 3

a big part of the business. A lot of farmers and plant men would drive 4x4s and that’s now an important part of our overall trade.

“We don’t touch HGVs at all because that’s a specialist business in its own right and we like to focus only on what we know, but there are a lot of LCV and 4x4 owners amongst our regular customer base and that is starting to come back again now. There has been a steady increase in commercial business since October 2013.

“On the LCV side it’s mostly about clutches, wheel bearings, timing kits and water-proof seat covers, steering parts, CV joints and a lot of oils. People come in to us looking for the correct oil because they know we have the full range. In the past, 530 oil was the premium choice but now there are six different 530 oils!”

The recession didn’t have any major effect on Loughrea Motor Factors, mainly because the founder was braced for it: “I saw some of it coming. I knew there was something not quite right and fortunately I started to reduce the amount of money I had out. We reduced that by around 30% and were able to control it that way. I went through a far worse recession in the 1980s when I had a lot of credit out and lost a lot of money, so this time we took the necessary precautions in time.”

The amount of parts in stock at Loughrea Motor Factors is almost mind-boggling. “For brake pads alone, we would have 320 part numbers,” Paddy reveals. “We stock up to 80 different brake discs and have a wide range of brake cylinders and callipers on the shelf for Toyotas, Isuzus, Passats etc.

“It’s all about space management; quality and efficiency. Ironically, sometimes this can be achieved easier in a small space than a larger one.

“We are extremely happy with the amount of customers we have retained over the years. Not only have we retained them, we have increased our business with them. This has been achieved by supplying only quality parts. Cheap parts are simply a no-no because they cause problems and ill feeling with customers. I found this out to my cost in the past when, out of goodwill, I had to replace cheaper parts myself out of my own pocket. So I won’t be going down that road again. At Loughrea Motor Factors, you will

Kevin Keane is Store Manager and has 20 years experience in the motor industry IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The huge stock at Loughrea Motor Factors

only get the best parts money can buy. garage trade,” he says. “I worked as a mechanic in Western Motors and also in Some people might be looking for the Ryans of Punches Cross in Limerick – I cheapest option but when you spend a bit used to watch what was going on there and more money on a quality seat cover or any that gave me a grounding in sales. other item, you can be guaranteed that it will “We have our van out on the road every last and you will definitely save money in the day serving Galway and East Clare and I long run. really appreciate our very strong local “Quality will last and proper parts will support as well as that outside our ensure safety. All quality, recommended catchment area. While most of our sales go parts also come with a proper into the trade, we also operate a good manufacturer’s warranty, which is counter sales service where we provide important.” customers with honest guidelines on what is Over the last few months, Paddy has the best product for them. restructured and reorganised the business.

“As a general rule, my advice would be Kevin Kane – who boasts 22 years’ that, if a manufacturer recommends a experience of motor factor and main dealer particular product, then that is what you service – has been brought in as stores should put in your car or van. But we never manager, while Trevor Casserly – who has tell anybody what to do – we just advise a decade of experience – is looking after them and then let them make up their own counter sales. mind.”

Meanwhile, Killian Farrell handles van sales, Marian Treacy manages the office (and has given over 21 years of service) and Ewelina Domino looks after stock control.

Looking back over his 42 years in business thus far, Paddy Egan says he has no regrets about the career path he chose: “You do what you know Marian Treacy has Ewelina Domino been in the office best and I know the since 1989

Trevor Casserly in Sales

Killian Farrell in van deliveries and sales

in Stock Control

Ronan Fahy is a 3rd level student who assists in counter sales on Saturdays and summer holidays

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shane kelly designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:24 Page 1

Quarry work

Keeping the show on the road Having rode out the recession, County Clare based Kieran Kelly Haulage Ltd. continues to go from strength to strength. One of the many reasons behind this is the exceptional input of the company’s transport manager, Shane Kelly. We caught up with Shane to get an insight into his day-to-day activities at this outstanding bulk haulage operation CONTACT DETAILS 54

Kieran Kelly Haulage Ltd.

Claureen, Lahinch Road, Ennis, County Clare Tel: 065 6893012 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

shane kelly designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:24 Page 2

The company has 14 trucks on the road

E

nnis-based sand and gravel specialist Kieran Kelly Haulage was established in 1990 by proprietor Kieran Kelly and still stands strong today as a self-made, family-run operation. The eponymous founder is joined in the running of the operation by his sons Shane, PJ and Jack.

Shane has been acting as transport manager for the past six years and his contribution has been instrumental in a recent upsurge in business for the company, so

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

much so that he is one of the nominees for the prestigious Fleet / Transport Manager of the Year award.

First off, Shane is pleased to report that there has been a significant increase in the fleet size of late: “We’re operating 14 lorries at the moment – four artics and ten rigids – as well as three track machines. We’re fairly busy and have upped the fleet in the last few years. We had cut back to six at one point but we’ve been able to build it back up and it’s grand when they’re all motoring.”

And Shane is the very man who sees to it that motoring they are! A lot of time and effort goes into ensuring that all units are maintained in immaculate condition at all times. “There’s always something to be done,” he notes. “You really have to stay on top of things and it has become a seven-day week at this stage. We’re very busy at the moment with the increased fleet size and every truck has to be perfect every time it goes on the road.”

Kieran Kelly Haulage Ltd. has developed an unparalleled reputation for reliability, providing a top-quality service at all times – punctual, dependable, reasonable. The impressive list of clients includes Clare County Council and Ryan’s Quarry as well as a host of civil engineering companies near and far.

Specialising in stone, subsoil, sand, gravel and muck-shifting, the family operation – which celebrates a quarter of a century in business next year - carved a niche for itself in the local market and the recent upturn in business is hardly a surprise: “We are doing a lot of flood relief work here in Ennis with Wills Bros in Foxford, County Mayo; delivering sand, gravel and stone and doing muck shifting for river embankments. It was good to get that contract and it has helped us keep the 14 trucks on the road.”

More than half of the fleet is made up of Hinos, Kieran, Shane, PJ and Jack Kelly

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RYAN BROS. (ENNIS) Ltd. Continued success to Kieran Kelly Haulage, from Toonagh Quarry, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065-6837644. fax: 065-6837047 email: sales@ryanbrosennis.ie

Your local supplier of quality Quarry Materials & Concrete Products since 1963

Wishing Continued Success To Kieran Kelly Haulage, From

Commercial Body Builders (Templemore) Ltd Main Street, Templemore, Co. Tipperary

Tel: 00353 (504) 31397 Home: 00353 (504) 31975 Fax: 00353 (504) 31966 Mob: 00353 (87) 9795055 Email: cbb@eircom.net

JIM BOLTON Best wishes to Kieran Kelly Haulage, from

Quality Paving

Home & Commercial for

A VAST RANGE OF PAVING OPTIONS TO SUIT ALL REQUIREMENTS PAVING - NATURAL STONE WALLING STONE - CLAY BRICK - PATIOS - DECORATIVE STONE - WOOD/BARK MULCH

West Coast Truck & Plant Best Wishes To Kieran Kelly Haulage From Noel McMahon

Truck & Trailer Repairs, Sales & Servicing DOE Prepared Diagnostics To All Makes Of Truck & Trailer Lazer Wheel Alignment

Kilmaley, Ennis, Co. Clare Contact Noel On 087-2599301

E:wctp68@gmail.com / E:wctpirl@gmail.com

Peadar O’Keeffe Oil Ltd. Drumcliffe Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065-6824063 Fax: 065-6848020.

Mobile: 087-2609425

LEADING SUPPLIER OF HOME HEATING OIL AGRICULTURAL & ROAD DIESEL Wishing Kieran Kelly Haulage Continued Success 56

SAND & GRAVEL LTD. Fahey, O’Brien’s Bridge, Co. Clare Tel: 061-580058. Mobile: 087-8244665 Email: jimbolton@eircom.net

Suppliers of:

Washed Sand for Building, Plastering, Concrete, Paving 10-20-30mm Gravel Chips for Gardens, Driveways and Drainage

CLARE ROAD TYRES Best Wishes To Kieran Kelly Haulage

065-6820248 Limerick Road, Ennis, Co. Clare

Best Wishes To Kieran Kelly Haulage, From

Banner Vehicle Centre

Vehicle Test Centre

Darragh, Ennis, Co. Clare Tel: 065-683 8820 | Fax: 065-683 8788 Email: office@bannervc.com

NOW COMPLETING 13-WEEK INSPECTIONS ON ALL VEHICLES IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

shane kelly designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:24 Page 4

as well as three Iveco tractor units, two MAN eightwheelers and one DAF. The trucks are kept in top running order, while investment in new models ensures that things are kept fresh, with a 132-reg Iveco being the newest addition. There’s also a 2012 Hino at the Kellys’ disposal as well as ’10 and ’08 Ivecos and ’08, ’06 and ‘05 Hinos, A quality, well-preserved older model is every bit as effective as a brand new one and this fact certainly isn’t lost on company founder Kieran

Kelly. “My father drives a ’01 Hino and it is his pride and joy,” Shane points out. “At the moment, we’re thinking of trading in the ’07 DAF for something a bit newer, but we haven’t made a definite decision on that just yet.

“We bought our last five or six lorries off Martin Hough, who is now sales manager with Conor Jennings and Long Haul Commercials in Tullamore. He has been great to us over the

There are three Iveco tractor units on the fleet

The Kelly familys association with the haulage industry takes in three generations

More than half the fleet is made up of Hino IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

57

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years. Long Haul is an Iveco and Hino dealer and we were in with them a lot when we were working in Tullamore.”

When it comes to servicing, maintenance and repairs on the trucks and trailers, some of the lighter work is done inhouse while a trusted local mechanic handles the major jobs.

“We have our own shed in the yard and we look after the smaller jobs but Noel McMahon in Inch – West Coast Trucks – does a lot of the heavy work for us. He has all the latest diagnostic equipment for clutches and gears etc. and we have a good working relationship with him. He does a brilliant job. We do daily checks ourselves and we try to keep everything in order, like the reversing cameras and beacons and stuff like that.

“We draw a lot of tar for Lagans and they are very strict on Health & Safety and

everything has to be checked rigorously. I’d spend two or three hours in the yard going through things most evenings, making sure that everything is up to speed and that there are no problems before the trucks go back out the following day.

“The drivers are also very vigilant and they play a key role in the fleet upkeep as well. They are all driving with us a long time and they are trained to watch the trucks like they are their own and to do regular checks themselves as well.

We’ve also introduced a daily walkabout check sheet for drivers to fill out, which will let us know if there is anything amiss.”

Of course, a steady flow of funds is also essential in keeping things ticking over and, in this regard, Kieran Kelly Haulage has never been found wanting thanks to a long-

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running relationship with Close Bros Commercial Finance and AIB Finance, Ennis branch.

Shane, PJ and Jack Kelly represent the third generation of the Kelly family to be involved in haulage. The continuous involvement dates back to 1948.

Company founder Kieran Kelly followed his own father into the industry, having worked alongside him for many years up until his retirement.

Some 66 years later, the

transport manager at Kieran Kelly Haulage Ltd. looks to the future with enthusiasm: “There’s no sign of any letup,” Shane concludes. “The paperwork is getting a little bit heavier, but I’d be more into the manual side of it. I prefer to be working with the trucks.

I’ve been around trucks since I was knee-high and I’d have a great interest in them. We’d know what’s what and Noel McMahon is only two miles up the road, so we are never stuck.”

D.T. TYRES LTD.

The company has a long association with the Hino brand

Continued Success To Kieran Kelly Haulage, from

24 HOUR BREAKDOWN SERVICE Finniterstown, Adare, Co. Limerick Mobile: 086-6774233

Continued Best Wishes To Kieran Kelly Haulage

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MARTIN HOUGH (Sales) 087-6601648 TOM DALY (Service Manager) 087-8298587 CONTINUED SUCCESS TO KIERAN KELLY HAULAGE

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

pat keogh designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:15 Page 1

At the Mondello Truck Show 2014, Pat Keogh Towing won the prize for the Best Recovery Truck with their Iveco Stralis 480 6x4

ree decades of recovery excellence

Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service has been providing top class breakdown, towing and recovery services for almost 30 years. Operating from Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin since 2007, the award-winning family-run business prides itself on being able to offer fast, friendly and efficient services to stranded motorists anywhere in Ireland or the UK.

P

at Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service was set up in 1986 by Pat Keogh who has since been joined by his three sons in the business.

Like Pat, David, Darren and Vincent Keogh are all qualified mechanics. They provide a 24-7 service and are able to

CONTACT DETAILS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

recovery anything from a motorcycle to a 46-tonne articulated truck.

Over the past three decades, the business has gained the respect of thousands of satisfied customers. The company’s extensive fleet of vehicles are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art

equipment to facilitate a safe and efficient recovery to meet all your needs.

From private individuals to large corporations, Pat Keogh can organise all towing, transporting and documentation for safe onward delivery, making sure you are back on the road in no time at

Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service Unit 27, B613, Jordanstown Road, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.

Phone: (087)2560597 Email: patkeoghtowing@eircom.net www.patkeoghtowing.ie

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pat keogh designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:15 Page 2

all.

“We offer the quickest response time and most professional recovery service in Ireland,” Pat proudly states.

“We continuously strive to provide, and improve upon, delivering an unrivalled service to the customer. We recognise the importance of onward journey management and advise and assist in this, thus minimising the interruption to your business and your vehicle ‘off road’ time.

“We will also travel to the UK to cater for motorists who are covered by Irish insurance companies.”

Pat Keogh’s range of services includes breakdown assistance (out of fuel, puncture and wheel changes, keys locked in etc.), motorcycle recovery, light vehicle recovery and heavy vehicle recovery. The company fleet is highly maintained, aiding response time and excellence of delivery. Some of the vehicles have passenger cabs which can take the driver and up to six passengers off the road.

A full range of tow trucks are available for any kind of towing service you may require. Realising that different jobs need different kinds of equipment, the Keogh family have carefully grown their fleet of specialist trucks to make sure they have all bases covered.

The company operates 11 trucks in total. These include two mid-lift tractor units, two heavy recovery vehicles (one of which has an 18-tonne truck mounted crane and the other with top boom and twin 30,000lb winches), one double-drive heavy haulage tractor unit (80T GTW coupled to extendable low loader which extends to 50ft), one heavy tilt and slide with 15.5-

The fleet is kept in pristine condition

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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BEST WISHES TO PAT KEOGH 24 HOUR TOWING SERVICE www.hino.ie

pat keogh designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 11:16 Page 4

tonne truck mounted crane and heavy underlift.

You can rest assured that as soon as you place a call to the dispatch centre, Pat and his team will establish whatever tow truck you need and it will arrive fully equipped to get the job done.

The recovery service’s location at Junction 4 Rathcoole on the N7 ensures easy access to any part of the country.

Recognised by the leading insurance companies, Pat Keogh 24 Towing Service is a

member of both AVRO and

the leading voice of the

standards.

is the longest established

Ireland through 14 regions

voice of the motor industry in

SIMI. AVRO (Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators) association

for

recovery

operators. It continues to be

industry

throughout

and

the

operates

UK

and

and is the only representative body with a recognised set of

SIMI (Society of the Irish

Motor Industry) is the official Ireland.

The

organisation

consists of dealers, repairers,

The company operates 11 trucks

Part of the impressive fleet at Pat Keogh Towing

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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The motor cycle recovery vehicle

vehicle distributors, wholesalers, retailers, vehicle testers and many more important operators within the industry in Ireland. Its role is to represent the views of the motor industry by campaigning to the Government, state bodies, the media and the motoring public.

While vehicle recovery is a tough business to be in, Pat says helping motorists to get back on the road makes it all worthwhile.

“Getting out of your bed on a cold winter’s night to attend to a breakdown is never easy, but I still get a kick from being able to help people and get them motoring again,” he explains.

“The past few years have been very difficult with the downturn but there has been a slight upturn in the last six months. Hopefully, things will continue to improve in the

months and years ahead.”

Many truck show enthusiasts will be familiar with Pat Keogh’s modern and immaculately-turned out vehicles. Pat has been entering trucks into shows for the past number of years and he recently took first prize in the Best Recovery Truck categories at both the Mondello Truck Show in Co. Kildare and the Full of the Pipe Truck Show at the Cavan Equestrian Centre.

His Iveco Stralis 480 scooped first prize at the Mondello Truck Show, with his Scania tilt and slide finishing as runner-up.

If you are after breaking down and need a helping hand fast, make sure to give Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service a call. Their fast, efficient and reliable service will facilitate all your towing and breakdown needs.

Best Wishes To Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service Having an accident can be stressful enough What next? Insurance claim, rental car, paperwork?

At Westley Motors we take the time to work with our customers on a personal and friendly level.

We understand having your car repaired can be a huge inconvenience. We’ll do our best to make your experience as pleasant as possible.

Unit B, Bluebell Ind Est., Naas Rd, Dublin 12 Tel: 01-4602 080 | www.westleymotors.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The firm can recover anything from a motorcycle to a 46-tonne articulated truck

McCarthy Recovery Service Best wishes to Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service, from

Limerick

Specialise In All Bus & Coach Recovery

Contact 087 1353066

THOMAS SMALL & SONS Best wishes to Pat Keogh 24 Hour Towing Service, from

COMMERCIAL BODY BUILDERS

Cartron, Claregalway, Co. Galway.

Tel: 091-791154.

E: small.vincent@gmail.com

“WE SPECIALISE IN THE BUILDING AND REFURBISHMENT OF RECOVERY VEHICLES”

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Discount Tyres - much more than a tyre centre T

Established in 2005, Discount Tyre & Auto Services is an award-winning tyre and service centre which has become synonymous with the highest standards in vehicle maintenance. With service centres in Blanchardstown and Naas, Discount is a one-stop shop for all your new tyre needs, car servicing, brake repair, exhaust, batteries, NCT pre-test and repairs, emissions and DOE repairs needs.

he company is headed up by Robert Ferguson who started his career in the FMCG arena, namely Quinnsworth Supermarkets, PEPSI and Allegro Ltd, before moving into the motor trade in 1995 when he joined Michelin and was trained as Ireland’s first high performance car and truck tyre specialist. Five years later, he joined Bridgestone as their nationwide sales manager and served that role until

CONTACT DETAILS

64

2005 when he saw an opportunity to go out on his own and set up Discount Tyres at Rosemount Business Park in Blanchardstown. This was followed by the opening of a second outlet – Naas Tyre & Auto Services – in 2010, with a few more centres in the pipeline.

As Dublin’s leading and most respected tyre centre, Discount Tyres supplies and fits all the premium brands.

Having originally started as main dealer

for Michelin and BF Goodrich tyres, Discount are now main dealer for Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Dunlop, Uniroyal, Bridgestone and Accellera. Mid-range and cheaper brands are also available; though Robert and his team strongly recommend investing in the quality brands you know and trust, as they will save money in the long run.

“We generally shy away from the cheap

Discount Tyre & Auto Services Unit 2 Rosemount Business Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Telephone: 01-8119027 Website: www.discounttyres.ie

Naas Tyre & Auto Services Unit 6, Monread Commercial Park, Monread Road, Naas, Co. Kildare.

Telephone: 045 871871 Website: www.naastyres.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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quality, budget tyres, and we don’t sell waste, used tyres as they are poor value and can be unsafe. If our customer can’t afford new tyres, we will drop our economy tyre prices as much as possible to keep the customer safe. And ask them to buy two tyres now and another two when they afford them,” the affable managing director says.

“But our advice would always be to go for the best quality tyre you can afford, because they will last longer, are safer and will reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20 per cent. More and more customers are asking about quality and what they can get back, with the result that there has been a dramatic shift away from the cheaper brands as one bitten, twice shy…”

“As genuine tyre experts, we know what we are talking about and are able to give the right and honest advice to our customers, to get more out of their tyres. After all, they’re the only contact you have with the road. In 2015, we will have a place v very experienced teal to manage truck tyre sales and tyre management. Safety, time saving and obtaining the lowest cost per kilometres will be our policy for users. However, we will also offer the expensive, cheap price tyres too (- brain teaser).”

Another factor in the increased demand for better quality tyres is the new EU regulation which requires all tyres to have performance labels, with the aim of encouraging people to purchase tyres with superior environmental and safety performance, and also encourage tyre manufacturers to produce tyres whose performance exceeds the minimum requirements specified in EU regulations.

This regulation requires that tyres for cars, light commercials and heavy trucks carry a label showing the tyre’s wet grip, fuel efficiency and noise performance. The tyre labels are similar to the labelling already in use for household goods such as washing machines and dishwashers. Each tyre is given a performance rating from A-G, excluding D to avoid an average performing tyre.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

While Discount Tyres holds the distinction of being Ireland’s first Accredited Michelin Tyre and Alignment Specialist, the company now supplies tyres mainly to the light commercial and company car sectors. As one of only 12 Michelin Certified Centres in Ireland, Discount Tyres provides the very best levels of service, professionalism and expertise approved by Michelin’s Europe-wide accreditation scheme.

Discount Tyres is also proud to be an approved Goodyear Dunlop Partner and Run Flat Tyre Specialist’s Centres, Castrol Service Centre and Ireland’s only Michelin Ultra High Performance Tyre Centre, which caters for luxury and sports cars.

“Our key staff, including Russell and Irmantas, have and continue to go through regular, scheduled training, and are therefore well versed in tyre management. Their mission is to provide a top-class service and to help our customers keep their costs down,” Robert continues.

Over the past decade, the company has expanded its services to include car servicing, wheel alignment, exhaust replacement and repair, brake repair, NCT pre-test and repairs, DOE repairs and accessories such as alloy wheels for highend cars such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Discount Tyres’ specialist alloy wheels website, www.alloy-wheels.ie, is well worth having a look at.

Robert and the guys opened Discount Auto Services to facilitate high quality, full car servicing at great value prices, using only quality, household brand names you trust. Hence, the company’s full name, Discount Tyre & Auto Services.

Discount offers a complete range of professional garage services and the company is a main agent for Bosal car, van, and truck exhausts including tow-bars and a main distributor for Yuasa batteries in Dublin and Kildare for Car, Van, Commercial, Marine and Leisure (Golf Carts). Start/Stop technology in cars, will change the manner in which batteries are fitted as the car requires an interface terminal to finish the job.

Discount carries out DOE pre-test and repairs for a number of companies with large commercial fleets, working with Goodyear, including the Gardai, Lease Plan and Pallas Foods to name a few.

Discount employs 16 fully-trained and certified technicians at its state-of-the-art workshops which features nine and five fitting ramps respectively in Blanchardstown and Naas. Among the equipment used is Corghi’s computerised wheel alignment, tyre fitting machines and alloy wheel balancers.

Discount Tyres welcomes the opportunity to fulfil all of your motoring needs and assures you of its commitment to provide an unrivalled service at all times.

Best Wishes To Discount Tyre & Auto Services, From

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John Higgins in front of his fleet

Higgins leading the battle against waste in Tralee When it comes to the vital task of promoting environmental awareness in Tralee and its environs, nobody is doing more than Higgins Waste & Recycling Services Ltd. e long-established family-run business offers a full range of waste management solutions to both the domestic and commercial sectors in Kerry’s county town.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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H

iggins Waste & Recycling Services was established in July 1982 by husband-and-wife John and Jacqueline Higgins and has since firmly established itself as the leading waste management company in Tralee. Having initially concentrated on skip hire, the company has grown to encompass all aspects of waste and recycling management.

Providing a cost-effective and efficient service for the management and recycling of domestic and commercial waste, Higgins Waste & Recycling is dedicated to the diversion of waste from landfill. The company has a passion for recycling and keeping the environment green, and this is reflected in the fact that 40 per cent of all waste it collects is now recycled.

“Our primary aim is to divert as much waste from landfill as possible,” John explains.

“It has become a huge part of our business and it’s something we take extremely seriously. Everyone has a part to play in the recycling process. We encourage shops, hotels, pubs and so on to keep glass, cardboard, food waste, timber and other recyclable materials in different containers.

“Separation is very important as it helps to reduce the overall cost to our customers. We have dramatically reduced the amount of waste going to landfill in recent years and we will continue to work towards a situation where the vast majority of our waste is recycled.”

A member of the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), Higgins Waste & Recycling holds waste licence and waste collection permits for Munster.

It operates its own amenity and waste transfer station in The Kerries, which is situated about a mile from

Tralee town centre. Higgins’ Amenity Centre, which allows customers to manage their waste and recycling goods, has proven to be a huge success since its opening nine years ago.

At the transfer station, waste is baled before being forwarded to other disposal facilities.

Active in commercial waste since 1982, Higgins Waste & Recycling moved into the domestic sector in 2003. In October 2011, the company secured a contract from Tralee Urban District Council to collect waste and recyclables from 5,000 homes, bringing its overall household customer-base to 6,000.

“Our business has grown substantially since we won the contract for Tralee town’s wheelie bin collection. We now have by far the biggest customer-base of any waste management company in Tralee. We also have a large number of commercial customers throughout Co. Kerry and in other parts of Munster,” continues John, who is an avid supporter of his local GAA club, Kerins O’Rahilly’s.

Currently, Higgins Waste & Recycling provides a twobin domestic service comprising a bin for general waste and a bin for recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans. Both bin sizes are 240 litres. At the time of writing, the company was preparing to roll out its new food caddy bin, which will be for food waste. This bin will be smaller than the existing two, having a capacity of 25 litres.

Commercial bins vary in size from 360 litres to 1,100 litres. Higgins also has a wide range of skips to suit all your personal and business needs.

There are a number of payment options available to

Higgins’ provide a cost-effective and efficient service for the management and recycling of domestic and commercial waste

CONTACT DETAILS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Higgins Waste & Recycling Services Ltd The Kerries, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Telephone: 066 7123059 Fax: 066 7181657 Email: higginsrecyling@iolfree.ie or higginsbins@eircom.net Website: www.higginswaste.com

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Continued Best Wishes To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services, From

Balers & Strapping | Hydroslave Marine.

Hydraulic Hose | Shop Products KK Hydraulics Ltd. CWS Complex, Rock Street, Tralee, Co Kerry P: 066-7122768 (Shop) P: 087-2214004 (Willie) P: 087 2606374 (Jakes) Fax: 066-7123755 Email: info(at)kkhydraulics.ie

www.kkhydraulics.ie

Intruder Alarms CCTV. Systems Fire Alarm Systems Automatic Gates Door Access systems Keyholding/Alarm Response

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services Kerry’s No. 1 Recruitment Agency FRS Recruitment Moanmore, Tralee Road Castleisland, Co. Kerry Tel: +353 (0)66-7143995 Email: kerry@frsrecruitment.com www.frsrecruitment.com Best Wishes To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services, From

Best Wishes To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services Monavalley Industrial Estate, Tralee, Co. Kerry Telephone: 066-71 26432 | Fax: 066-71 26517 E-mail: oliver@quirkesecurity.com

www.quirkesecurity.com

Casey & Co

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services, From

Best Wishes To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services, From

Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors

3 Day Place, Tralee, Co. Kerry Tel:066-7124439 Fax:066-7127004 Email: info@caseyacc.com

Best Wishes to Higgins Waste & Recycling Services

CONTAINER SOLUTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF WASTE

68

Dereen, Durrow, Co. Laois Tel:057-8736262 Fax:057-8736314 Email: info@mesireland.ie Web:www.mesireland.ie

www.irishtrucker.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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domestic and commercial customers. For domestic customers, these include an online topping up system, Payzone, an annual payment or bin tag. Increasingly, customers are opting for the ‘Pay as You Go’ online method.

Having started out with just a tractor, a skip carrier and 12/14 skips, Higgins Waste & Recycling Services now boasts a fleet of 11 modern trucks.

These include domestic wheelie bin, commercial wheelie bin, cardboard and paper, glass and food, skip and hook load trucks. In preparation for their new domestic food waste bin service, the Higgins have ordered a new Scania with Heil body which will have three compartments for general waste, recyclables

and food.

With a staff of 17, the company’s success is based on the strong values of a family-run business that provides a high quality service to its customers.

Recently John and Jacqueline have been joined in the business by their son Brian, who has just completed a four-year Project Management degree course in Cork IT (CIT).

John has some interesting views on the waste and recycling industry. Given the lack of landfill facilities in Ireland and the dramatic increase in the export of unrecyclable waste, incinerators such as that earmarked for Poolbeg in Dublin can’t come quick enough for him.

“The Government needs to

address the whole issue of what to do with unrecyclable waste. With the number of landfill sites having fallen from 23/24 to three/four in recent years, I believe incineration is the way forward. We need at least two large-scale incinerators in this country.

“Waste is having to be sent aboard and, as a result, we are being dictated to by the exporters. It’s difficult for

Best Wishes To Higgins Waste & Recycling Services

Archerstown Industrial Estate, Thurles, Co Tipperary Tel: +353 (0) 504 57841 Fax: +353 (0) 504 57842 www.acornrecycling.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

There are 11 trucks in the Higgins’ Waste fleet

companies like ours to plan ahead when there is so much uncertainty about,” he concludes.

Higgins’ waste and recycling centre is open to the public six days a week, 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4.30pm on Saturdays. Customers can bring all of their waste and recyclable goods to the yard at The Kerries where all types of waste will be accepted.

COMPOSTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

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There is a fleet of 17 vans covering the country

GDP is rising!

P

In just four short years, GDP Transport has made an extraordinary impression, establishing itself as the premier courier service in Mayo, with a fleet of 17 vans covering the entire county, as well as offering a same-day delivery service nationwide. We met up with founder / proprietor Paul Keane to get an insight into day-to-day operations at this progressive family business.

aul Keane and his wife Josephine established GDP Transport in as a family business in 2010, with young sons Gary, Daniel, Paul and Dylan already showing a healthy interest in the company. Indeed, healthy is very much the key word here as the Ballinrobebased operation has quickly been nurtured into a formidable presence in the transport sector in County Mayo, providing a keen and comprehensive courier service, with rural areas that were previously neglected by other companies falling very much within the generous GDP catchment area.

Reflecting on the genesis of the company, Paul, who boasts two decades of experience in the courier business, explains: “I had previously been an employee of DHL and was made

CONTACT DETAILS 70

redundant. This was the business I has been in for 15 or 16 years, so I decided to set up my own company.”

Instead of sitting around feeling sorry for himself or waiting for State hand-outs, Paul quickly developed GDP Transport into a viable going concern. “I started with one van and had moved up to three within six months,” he reflects. “I ran four up until the business was about 18 months old and have continued to grow steadily, working my way up to a fleet of 17.”

The current fleet is comprised predominantly of Renault Masters. The first van purchased was a Citroen Nemo and this is still going strong as an integral part of the fleet, with some 700,000km on the clock. Which just goes to show that vehicles will keep on motoring almost

indefinitely provided they are properly looked after.

Since the inception of the business, GDP has provided a keen nightly run to Dublin from Mayo and that remains very much a key part of current activities. “We bring parcels and pallets to Dublin from Galway and Mayo for 9am in the morning,” he confirms. “While our main business is here in Mayo, we provide a complete nationwide service. From the most remote regions of Mayo, our reach goes across Europe. We are in a network situation whereby we can deliver – or pick up – parcels anywhere in Ireland, the UK or Europe.”

At the heart of any good courier service is a strong fleet and GDP Transport certainly won’t be found wanting in this department. The fleet is kept as new and

GDP Transport, Killimor, The Neale, Ballinrobe, County Mayo.

Tel: 094 9545891 Mobile: 087 9857330 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

GDP designed_Layout 1 06/11/2014 16:08 Page 2

fresh as possible, with the majority of vans still under warranty and serviced and maintained by the main dealer. The oldest van in the fleet is a 2010 reg and there is also one ’11, with everything else newer, including seven 2014 models.

“One of the areas we specialise in is delivering to all the rural areas in County Mayo where other courier services don’t go. This includes Achill Island, Belmullet and all the most remote regions along the west coast.

We cover them all. This has developed into something of a niche market. I have vans covering the entire county and we have new customers coming to us all the time, people who weren’t catered for before and who appreciate having a courier service at their disposal.

“We like to think that our service has enhanced the lives of people living in those areas and they can use our service to have parcels dropped off or to deliver items nationwide.

“I’d work for a lot of small businesses and we can provide a next-day delivery service nationwide.

We also do a same-day service for anybody who needs something delivered urgently. We are on call 24/7. At the end of the day, we are here to serve our customers and to provide them with whatever service they need. There is always at least one of our vans out on the road, day or night.”

The latest GPS tracking systems are installed in all vehicles so Paul always knows where each one is as well as

dependable service and that’s all people expect really. We never let anybody down and people in rural parts of Mayo are delighted that they are included. We also provide a daily service from Galway to Mayo and back again.

“While we are happy with the progress we’ve made over the last four years, we are always looking for new business and new opportunities. If you become complacent and start to think that everything is okay, then you probably won’t go too much further…”

Looking to the future, Paul is confident that further expansion is on the cards for GDP Transport: “Ideally, I’d like to get into a situation where the main companies are all able to use my service into and out of the rural parts of Mayo. That would mean fewer vans travelling through those scenic areas and would cut down on the carbon footprint.

Paul Keane has built the business from scratch “We deliver everything from an envelope up to a full pallet and it where it is heading… is certainly a case of no load being too It can be a hectic schedule and gainful big or too small. We delivery literally employment is provided to a team of 16, anything and everything, including a lot in addition to two part-time workers. “A lot of tender work, where we deliver tenders of work goes into the business,” the co- and have them signed, often late at night founder admits. “We deliver a large or very early in the morning – that’s number of parcels every day and we are another specialist service we provide. always busy, so it takes a fair bit of “We would be in and out of all the main organisation to keep on top of things. But business in Mayo on a daily basis, from that’s not a bad complaint to have. the smallest garage to the biggest “We provide a punctual and premises, and our drivers know their way

Tim Kelly Transport Ltd Wishing Continued Success To GDP Transport, From

The Neale, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

T: 087-2678862 E: timkellytransport@hotmail.com

Best Wishes To GDP Transport From

Eddie Killeen

CRASH REPAIRS CENTRE 087-6003928

"Covering all your haulage needs to and from the West"

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Old Bacon Factory, Ballindine Rd., Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Spray Painting Panel Beating Chassis Work Car Restoration

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Paul Keane established GDP Transport in 2010

The professional team of GDP Transport

around and would be on firstname terms with most of our customers.

“We’re very busy, thank God, and I have no regrets about setting the company up. It was a matter of doing something for ourselves or becoming unemployed and I was never going to go down that road. Hopefully, I’ll have a thriving business to hand over to the sons one day down the line.”

Paul and Josephine Keane are providing an essential service to some of the most rural communities in Ireland and are keeping 16 people in work full-time as well as generating a significant amount of money for the local economy. One would imagine that the powers that be should be falling over themselves to reward such industry but, of course this is not the case. “We’re getting fleeced,” Paul concludes.

“There are a serious amount of taxes, charges and overheads, which are rising all the time and I can’t even apply for the fuel rebate as I’m providing a courier service as opposed to being a licenced haulier.”

All of which makes this particular success story all the more remarkable!

Best Wishes To GDP Transport From

Louisburgh Accounting Services ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS CONSULTANTS STATUTORY ACCOUNTS FARM ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION VAT RETURNS PAYROLL TAXATION

Tel:098-66622

Mary A.O’Toole FCCA

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To GDP TRANSPORT

John J.O’Toole FCMA

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Cork Rent-A-Van lead the way with their services in Munster

Don’t settle for second best T

Since 1986, Cork Rent-A-Van have been the market leader when it comes to supplying Van Rental, Truck Rental and Contract Leasing Services throughout Cork and the Munster Region.

heir many years of experience in Van Rental and Truck Rental has given them valuable experience and knowledge in the commercial vehicle industry.

They boast one of the largest commercial hire fleets in the region and their expertise will always keep you on the road!

Their impressive hire fleet is matched only by the quality and flexibility of their service

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

and their experienced staff can cater for all your needs, ranging from a light van for a few hours to a specialist HGV Truck for long term hire.

Their vehicle services deliver reduced transport costs with increased benefits, transport systems with built-in peace of mind and increased control over your transport costs.

And Cork Rent-A-Van are the premier

provider of fleet management services in Cork and the Munster region.

With their policy there are no nasty surprises! Your transport costs are predictable and under control – making budgeting easier and evening out cash flow.

Started from humble beginnings by John Seaman 28 years ago, the Cork-based operation has evolved into a progressive

Cork Rent-A-Van Tramway House Albert Road Cork Ireland Tel:+353 (0)21 431 0400 Fax: +353 (0)21 431 0399 Email: info@corkrentavan.com Website: www.corkrantavan.com

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business, one that is recognised as one of the best at what they do in Munster and further afield.

They were tough times at the start money wise and 20% interest rates didn't help!” John – who has an extensive background in the motor industry spanning six decades - recalled.

When we started off there was just me and a mechanic but now we employ nine.

“I thought we'd never have more than 40 vans but today we have over 290 Managing Director vehicles on the go from the John Seaman smallest van up to the biggest tractor unit.” vehicle manufacturer and can therefore ISO 9000 Certified three years ago, all provide impartial advice on the right vehicle Cork Rent-A-Van vehicles are purchased to match their clients' needs. brand new from recognised, quality So why choose Cork Rent-A-Van? manufacturers.

Benefits include any make or model can be Bodywork and ancillaries are only supplied in any colour to their clients' exact purchased from suppliers who prove specification, no more service or conformity to the highest possible industry maintenance worries, no responsibility for standards. vehicle depreciation and no disposal They remain an independent company, headaches at the end of the vehicle’s life. with a strong local hands-on commitment As a customer focussed company for to their clients' business.

Significantly, they are not tied to any close on 30 years, they are proud of their

Continued success to Cork Rent -A- Van, from

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www.brltd.ie Dublin Office:

M50 Business Park, Ballymount Avenue, Dublin 12.

Email: info@brltd.ie 74

reputation for providing excellent customer service at all times.

They above all try to ensure that every customer they deal with is 100% satisfied and if there is any problem, large or small, they have always tried to resolve it to the best of their ability to the customer’s satisfaction.

Offering the highest standard of service is at the core of the business and high profile clients such as The Musgrave Group certainly have had no cause for complaints.

“We specialise in contract hire and have been supplying trucks to Musgraves (SuperValu and Centra) since 1988.We started off with vans, then trucks and now supply their Cork depot with tractor units.

“Musgraves are on the road every day of the year except Christmas day and they have never lost a load.”

It should therefore come as no surprise to learn that business has been brisk of late for Cork Rent-A-Van. The company hasn't been immune from

BANDON MOTORS

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TRANSPORT SERVICES Wishing continued success to Cork Rent- A- Van, From

Ballinahina, Dublin Pike, Cork T: 021 4300200 F: 021 4307021

MAIN RENAULT COMMERCIAL DEALER

Why not visit our New State of the Art Commercial Garage as your one stop shop & avail of the following

New & Secondhand Truck & Van Sales Service & Repairs On All Commercial Vehicles CVRT Commercial Test Centre Part of VTN Network ADR Centre - Tachograph & Speed Limiter Centre ABS Centre, ATC (NSAI)

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes and continued success to John and the team at Cork Rent A Van.

Cork Rent a Van designed_Layout 1 06/11/2014 15:35 Page 4

DAN SEAMAN MOTORS Best Wishes To Cork Rent- A -Van, From

Best Wishes To Cork Rent -A- Van

CAR - VAN 4x4 - TRUCK TYRES

4 South Douglas Road, Cork Tel:021-4962249 | Fax:021-4317276 Email: info@bankstyres.ie | www.bankstyres.ie Wishing Cork Rent- A- Van Continued Succes In The Future

Call us on 021-4817700 South Douglas Road, Cork

www.lehanemotors.ie

DAF Truck Services Cork Ltd. Continued Best Wishes To Cork Rent- A -Van, From

www.truckservices.ie

Kilnap, Old Mallow Road, Cork.

Tel: +353 (0)21 430 1202 Fax: +353 (0)21 430 1444

Mallow Road Motors Best Wishes & Continued Success To Cork Rent -A- Van Mallow Road Motors Kilnap, Mallow Road, Co. Cork Phone 021- 439 2066 Fax: 021- 439 2028

E: info@mallowroadmotors.com | www.mallowroadmotors.com

76

Forge Hill, Kinsale Road, Cork Tel:021-4320266 Fax:021-4320250

www.danseamanmotors.ie

J.D.’s RECOVERY CORK Best Wishes To Cork Rent -A -Van, From

J. D. 'S Recovery is one of Irelands’ Leading Vehicle Recovery Company providing Services at National and International Level.

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

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Cork Rent- A -Van

Marina Auto Crash Repairs

For All Your Crash Repair Needs!

Unit G8, Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Road, Cork

Tel: 021-4310660 Fax: 021-4322877 Email: marinacrashrepairs@eircom.net

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Cork Rent -A- Van From

Red Cow Roundabout, Naas Road, Dublin 22.

Tel: 01-4036900 | Fax: 01-4594219 Email: info@lod.ie | www.lod.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Cork Rent a Van designed_Layout 1 06/11/2014 15:36 Page 5

Service Manager Brian Kavanagh

Cork Rent-A-Van offer Van Rental, Truck Renting and Leasing Services

the negative repercussions of the economic downturn but John has noticed some green shoots of recovery in the market.

“We're very busy at the moment, business has picked up a lot since May of this year. There appears to be a bit of confidence back in the country, the good guys are left and the bad guys have folded.

“We also achieved ISO 9000 certification three years ago and we find that to be a great benefit to us. A lot of English companies look for that certification.

“We're luck to have loyal customers who are very happy with the service we provide. It's a competitive market but we specialise in contract hire, short term as well, and the customers we deal with expect a top class service and reliability is the bottom line.

“There are challenges, keeping thing running as best we can is a challenge but consolidation is the name of the game for us at the moment. We're as big as we want to be at the moment.”

Continued Best Wishes To Cork Rent- A- Van, From

BATTERY | FILTERS | OILS | TIMING BELTS FUEL PUMP | BRAKES | CU JOINTS | SHOCKS MIRRORS | SPRINGS | ALTERNATORS STARTERS | STEERING | CLUTCH | CALIPERS

THE BIGGEST RANGE OF PARTS ON THE SHELF Top Brands At Warehouse Prices

John Seaman started the business in 1986 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Tel: 021 - 4311666 Southside Ind Est (Off Forge Hill), Pouladuff Rd, Cork Tel: 021 - 4634012 Rosehill Ind Est., Ballincurra, Midleton, Cork Tel: 022 - 53836 Unit 3 Ballydaheen Ind Est Ballydaheen, Mallow, . Cork Tel: 023 - 8842830 Bypass Business Centre, The Bypass, Bandon 77

OK Forklifts designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:46 Page 1

O

Better than O’K

For nearly 20 years, O’K Lift Trucks Ltd has been a leader in the servicing and maintenance of forklifts in the South-East. e family-run business specialises in electric lift truck and pallet trucks servicing, maintenance, sales and hire as managing director Liam O’Keeffe explains.

’K Lift Trucks was established in July 1996 by Liam and his wife Agnes, who is the company’s financial controller. Within three months, they were joined by Conor Grace, who is now senior engineer. The company’s success has been based on the solid foundations and values of a family-run business that provide a high quality service to its customers.

In recent years, Liam and Agnes have been joined in the business by their son Billy and daughter Eilish. The family connections don’t end there as Eilish’s husband Scott Wheeler is one of 11 staff who are based at the company’s stateof-the-art premises in Grannagh, which is located on the outskirts of Waterford city and is easy to access from all parts of the country.

As an auto electrician, Liam specialises in electrical wiring of motor vehicles. He has three decades’ experience in the forklifts industry, having worked for Suirway Forklifts in Carrick-on-Suir and being a director in Castle Mechanical Handling (Waterford) before setting up his own company.

While O’K Lift Trucks can service and repair diesel and gas forklifts, its specialist field is electric lift trucks and pallet trucks. From a single lift truck to an entire fleet, it provides a one-stop solution.

“Our core business is electrics,” says Liam.

“It accounts for about 80 per cent of what we do. We are a one-stop shop for anyone who operates an electric forklift.

We are also equipped to repair and maintain all types of materials handling equipment, whether they are diesel or LPG (gas). Any battery, battery charger or machine problems, we will fix them.

“We have a team of five technicians on the road who call out to the customer and respond to their needs quickly and

CONTACT DETAILS 78

efficiently. We provide an emergency service and can service all makes and provide parts and accessories for all major forklifts in the Irish market.”

The company’s catchment area is the South-East, covering counties Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford and Tipperary, but it also sells, services and supplies parts nationwide. Its team of dedicated and professional staff ensure that customers receive the highest quality forklift service. O’K Lift Trucks’ client base includes blue-chip companies such as

From a single lift truck to an entire fleet, O’K Lift Trucks provides a one-stop solution

Glanbia, Musgraves, Dawn Group, Danone Nutrica, Celtic Linen, QK Cold Stores, Pulse Logistics, Store-all and Premier Stationary.

With a complete range of materials handling equipment from pallet trucks to container stackers, O’K Lift Trucks can help you save costs and down-time by offering professional advice. Its trained and courteous staff will assist you in laying out your warehouse or identifying the best units to suit your needs.

O’K Lift Trucks sells every kind of new

O’K Lift Trucks has been successfully trading for nearly 20 years

O’K Lift Trucks Ltd Grannagh, Waterford.

Telephone: +353 51 852200 Fax: +353 51 852202 Email: info@forklifts.ie Website: www.forklifts.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

OK Forklifts designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:46 Page 2

and used forklift, ranging from electric, diesel and LPG forklifts to pedestrian pallet trucks, platform stackers, reach trucks, order pickers and multi-purpose counter balances. It has a long relationship with the market-leading Linde range of forklifts. Industrial trucks by Linde – whether diesel lift trucks, electric forklift trucks or warehouse handling equipment – stand out because of their innovative technology aimed at greater costeffectiveness in logistics.

“Linde has been a very strong seller for us,” explains Liam.

“Linde is the brand we recommend to our customers. Like any German-made machine, they are strong, reliable, durable and fit for purpose. Linde mightn’t be the cheapest forklift on the market, but they are definitely the best. We also sell and hire other leading brands such as Toyota and Yale from time to time. Contract hire has become a big part of our business in recent years.”

The Waterford-based firm is also a distributor for HAWKER battery and Warrior pedestrian forklifts. HAWKER is recognised as the largest brand of industrial lead-acid batteries in the world. The Tennesseeheadquartered company has manufacturing, assembly and sales capabilities worldwide, with product solutions that are the driving force behind applications as diverse as telecommunications, UPS systems and aircraft.

It goes without saying that O’K Lift Trucks carries a comprehensive range of forklift parts for Linde and all major manufacturers. The company’s parts department will ensure

The family-run business specialises in electric lift trucks and pallet trucks

a speedy assessment of the customer’s needs and prompt delivery of the required part (parts) at the most competitive rate.

If in the unlikely event of the part you are looking for is not in stock, the parts department will have it for you within 24 hours.

So for a complete materials handling solution, be sure to give Liam or any of the team at O’K Lift Trucks a call. They have the forklifts, the expertise and skills to cater for any requirement.

Scanlon Best Wishes To O’K Lift Trucks, From

MOTOR FACTORS LTD.

Unit 3, Block A, Westgate Business Park, Tramore Road, Waterford

Tel: 051 -873685 | Fax: 051 -850428 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Best Wishes to all at Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, from

John Adams Car Sales Best Wishes To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, From

Ballymacken, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel:057-8621613 | Fax:057-8660887 Email: sales@johnadamshonda.ie www.johnadamshonda.ie

DENIS O’CONNOR LTD Best Wishes & Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre

Roskelton, Mountrath, Co. Laois Tel:057-8732382 | Fax:057-8732959

E:denisoconnor-service@suzukidealers.ie

Wishing Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

Best Wishes To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

FORD NEW CAR & VAN CENTRE | VTN TEST CENTRE PARTS| SERVICE |BODY SHOP

Monasterevin Road, Kildare P:045-521 400 F:045-522296 E:info@tpwaters.ie | www.tpwaters.ie

MICHAEL MOORE CAR SALES

Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois- Junction 16 M7

Tel: 057- 8622048 Fax: 057 -8621549

www.downeys.ie

Best Wishes To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

Michael Moore Car Sales Portarlington Garryhinch Cross, Portarlington, Co. Laois Tel:057-8624102 or visit www.mmcs.ie 80

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre in Portlaoise

Ireland’s premier accident repair centre D

Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre continues to move forward at an impressive rate, copper-fastening its status as Ireland’s largest accident repair centre. We dropped into the company base in Portlaoise and got an update on day-to-day activities at this outstanding family operation from director Ann Corcoran.

uring the 37 years since its inception, Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre has evolved and developed into the No.1 commercial vehicle / passenger car recovery operator and repair centre on the island. The range of services provided is so comprehensive that the term ‘one-stop shop’ has never been more applicable. In a nutshell, there is nothing in the field of recovery / repairs that Corcoran’s don’t do…

The wide-ranging repair / recovery service caters for all makes and models of light and heavy commercial vehicles

CONTACT DETAILS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, Clonminam Industrial Estate, Portlaoise, County Laois.

Tel: 057 8621151 Mobile: 087 2501044 Email: Corcoran@iol.ie www.corcoranrecovery.ie

Corcoran’s offer heavy recovery services

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Hyland Transport Best Wishes & Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, From All At

Specialists In 32 County Logistic Management General Haulage | Express Cargo | Grain Services | Waste Haulage

Birchwood, Rosenallis, Co. Laois T: 00353 (0)5786 28541 F: 00353 (0)5786 28796 Mobile: 00353 (0)86 2572439 Email: info@hylandtransport.com

www.hylandtransport.com

ATHY TRAILERS & ENGINEERING LTD.

Specialising In Chassis Stretching Straightening & Crash Repair Of Aluminium Bodies

RECONDITIONING BRAKES & RUNNING GEAR FITTING & RECONDITIONING EDBRO & HYVA RAMS • FITTING AIR SUSPENSION

Barrowford, Athy, Co. Kildare • Tel: (059) 8631819

Best Wishes To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre

MIDLAND MICRO SYSTEMS LTD Best Wishes & Continued Success To

CORCORAN’S VEHICLE REPAIR CENTRE

From

Sage & Herbst Accounting & Payroll Software Networking,Training & Support

The Business Centre, 1 Coote Terrace, Portlaoise, Co. Laois Telephone: (057) 8622886 • Fax: (057) 8620765

Wishing Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, From

Maxwell Motors Athy SERVICE - SALES- REPAIR CENTRE Spare Parts Specialists

Leinster Street, Athy, Kildare Tel:059-8631465 | www.maxwellmotorsathy.ie

Bredins Ceilings Ltd.

Best Wishes To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, From

SUSPENDED CEILING CONTRACTORS

Specialists In All Types Of Suspended Ceilings Derrough, Mountrath, Portlaoise, Co.Laois Tel:057-8732793 | Fax:057-8732793 Mobile: 087-2412475 Email: bredinceilings@eircom.net Best Wishes To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

Clonminam Ind Est., Portlaoise, Co. Laois Tel:057-8661830 | Fax:057-8661831 Mobile: 087-2343700 Email: mcdonaldpatt@eircom.net 82

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Corcorans designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:31 Page 4

and cars, incorporating mechanical repairs, panel beating, spray painting, commercial chassis repair, pre-NCT/DOE testing, computerised wheel alignment, 24-hour nationwide recovery and much more besides.

For the past six years, Ireland’s premier accident repair centre has been operating out of a wellappointed and easilyaccessible, state-of-the-art, purpose-built 30,000 sq ft HQ at Clonminam Industrial Estate, just off the M7. This spectacular facility has been instrumental in consolidating Corcoran’s status as the nation’s No.1 recovery / repair partner of choice – a standing which is underlined by long-running recognition and endorsements from all of Ireland’s major vehicle insurers.

“As well as the recovery of light and heavy vehicle recovery for counties Laois and Offaly, we also supply heavy recovery services to counties Kilkenny, Westmeath and Kildare,” reveals Ann Corcoran, who runs the business

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

alongside her husband Gerard and son Gerard Jnr. “Since we last touched base with Irish Trucker magazine, we’ve also installed a new manned heavy vehicle washing system, which allows us to wash fleets for the likes of AES, ESB and other clients. We’ve also installed a car wash for cars and light commercials.”

A modern air-conditioning unit enables Corcoran’s to repair air-conditioning

systems in all types of vehicles, with every base covered from collection of vehicles through to insurance estimate, courtesy vehicles, full repairs (including bodywork / panel beating, mechanical repairs and paintwork) and final delivery of the repaired vehicle.

A team of highly-quality and experienced technicians heads up the state-of-the-art facility on the outskirts of Portlaoise, where they have access to

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre, From

Email: mandmkerry@hotmail.com

Wishing Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

Ballybrittas Motors

Best wishes to all at Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

Ballybrittas, Co. Laois Tel: 05786 264 79

www.ballybrittasmotors.ie IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

84

www.irishtrucker.com

COOLRAIN CONCRETE

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre From

Windsor, Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Tel: (057) 8735206 Mobile: (087) 2543236 Mobile: (087) 2568365

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Corcorans designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:31 Page 6

and in-depth knowledge of the most up-to-date technology and sophisticated equipment.

Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre boasts three of the most technologically advanced spray booths in Ireland, all of which are fully compliant with the latest vehicle painting regulations.

The most modern painting materials on the market for both cars and commercials are supplied by Glasurit, who also provide ongoing training and support to staff.

To this end, commercial paintwork services are provided to Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, the Department of Defence and a number of private hauliers.

All in all, through a combination of almost four decades of expertise coupled with the excellent facilities at their disposal, Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre provide a service that is simply second to none – anywhere in Europe! – with absolute customer satisfaction guaranteed on each and every job.

On the recovery side of things, Corcoran’s are unique in that they operate three heavy tow trucks (a Scania and a Volvo with long reach as well as a Mercedes with crane) and Ann confirms that they hope to add an additional heavy recovery vehicle either late this year or early in 2015. “We are also building two small tow trucks at the moment – one 13tonne and one seven-and-ahalf tonne,” she adds. These will complement the existing pair of 13-tonne recovery vehicles.

In addition to the vast range of services already mentioned, Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre also serves as an authorised End of Life facility, currently providing gainful employment to a team of 23 across all departments of the multifaceted operation, comprising office staff, mechanics, repairers and

The impressive 30,000sq ft facility

drivers. The personnel have been instrumental in the success of the company down through the years, with many of them providing decades of service to the pioneering family-run business.

Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre has set new standards in its revolutionary approach to vehicle repairs, bringing the art of vehicle repairs into the 21st century.

Their clean and open facility has been painstakingly designed, planned and fitted out to ensure optimum performance and convenience of use. The thought and attention to detail that went into getting this exactly right epitomises the meticulous nature that pervades every nook and cranny of this trailblazing operation.

All types of body and cab repairs are offered to commercial vehicles, including specialist truck wheel alignment, axle

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

straightening and chassis straightening services. The (fully drive-through) facility at Clonminam Industrial Estate also incorporates a 12.5 tonne crane, a cabstraightening bench and encompasses a total of eight bays, five of which are dedicated to trucks.

Corcoran’s are open from 8am until 6pm Mondays – Fridays and on Saturdays from 10am until 1pm. In order to maintain the best possible

A display of recovering an overturned trailer unit

results and standards, they use only the very best equipment in their workshop, including TruckCam wheel alignment technology and specialist equipment from Cellett, Josam, Garmat etc.

This is in keeping with the ethos of quality that has been synonymous with Corcoran’s Vehicle Repair Centre since its genesis in 1977 and will continue to separate it from the chasing pack for years, nay decades, to come.

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Alan Thompson designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:38 Page 1

Alan ompson Haulage keeps tipping away!

F

Established in 1996, Alan ompson Haulage NI Ltd is a family-run haulage business specialising in tipper and low loader work. e company operates from Ballygowan, Co. Down, which is a mere 10 miles from Belfast.

ounded by husband-and-wife Alan and Yvonne Thompson, who are jointdirectors, Alan Thompson Haulage NI Ltd has earned a reputation for quality, reliability, value-for-money and total dedication to customer service over the past two decades. The company runs a modern fleet of six trucks and 10 trailers. It employs five drivers, including David Gibson, who has been working for Alan and Yvonne since

CONTACT DETAILS 86

1999.

The trucks are all DAF XF 105s. Always immaculately turned out and bearing distinctive red and white livery, they are easy to spot on the roads of Northern Ireland and beyond. Alan buys his trucks from TBF Thompson – the main dealer for DAF Trucks in the North – in Mallusk where his son Andrew has recently begun his mechanic apprenticeship.

“He may come back to us eventually,” suggests Alan, who also utilises TBF Thompson’s services for maintenance and repairs.

“We’ve had a good working relationship with TBF down through the years, in particular with their salesman Brian Lynch who has always looked after us. We have to keep our trucks fairly new because of the nature of the work we do. They’re in and out of quarries and are

Alan Thompson Haulage NI Ltd 68 Manse Road, Ballygowan, Co. Down BT236HF Telephone: 028 9752 1297 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Alan Thompson designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:38 Page 2

always pulling heavy loads.”

Many truck enthusiasts will be familiar with the Thompson fleet from Truckfest Ireland at Balmoral Park, two of which were entered into this year’s show on August 16 and 17 last.

Alan operates six articulated tipper trailers and four low loaders, most of which are Fruehauf. The trailers reflect the line of business this highly-regarded transport operator is in – tipper and low loader work.

“Most of our work was low loader until the recession hit. We reassessed things then and decided to change to tipper work.

We still do some low loader work, but our core business now is tipper work,” he explains.

Alan Thompson Haulage’s main customer is Conexpo (NI) Ltd. A typical day would see the Thompson fleet drawing stone aggregates from Conexpo’s quarry to Belfast Ferry Port for export.

A family-owned company formed in 1991 in Carryduff, Co. Down from a core business in quarrying, Conexpo identified export markets for the supply of locally produced high PSV aggregates. These markets have expanded through the UK, into mainland Europe and the Far East. Today, Conexpo exports in excess of .5 million tonnes per annum of quality aggregates in bulk shipments from its Belfast Harbour Terminal.

Conexpo’s product portfolio and customer-base has continued to expand in recent years by focusing on supplying CE marked high PSV aggregates, white salt for winter de-icing and specialist industrial salts.

Yara Ireland also uses Alan Thompson Haulage for its transport solutions. A global crop nutrition provider specialising in high NPK and nitrogen fertilisers,

the company’s Irish head office is located in Belfast. Yara also has a bagging facility in Belfast and in nearby Moira, Co. Armagh, from which its branded fertilisers are bagged and distributed. The Thompsons also distribute farm fertilisers for Greenfield Fertilisers in Moira.

Thompson’s location close to Belfast means it is within easy reach of the major routes and ports in Ireland, both north and south of the border.

Alan Thompson Haulage can offer a range of transport functions that is unrivalled, together with a business ethos that develops and supports its existing and potential customer requirements. With nearly 20 years’ experience in the transport industry, the company has made quite a name for itself and, with Alan and Yvonne at the helm, looks set to prosper for many more years to come.

In conclusion, Alan pays tribute to his drivers for the roles they have played in the business’ growth and success.

“Our drivers are professional, efficient and courteous. They can always be relied upon to get the job done and have a great rapport with our customers,” the affable transport operator says.

Part of the impressive fleet

A DAF Euro 6 demo

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

DAF DISTRIBUTORS- Northern Ireland Two super space DAF XF 105 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes To Alan & His Team

87

AGE designed_Layout 1 07/11/2014 14:36 page 1

AGE makes a difference H

For more than 10 years now, Automotive Garage Equipment Ltd in Mallow, Co Cork have considered themselves as Ireland’s premier supplier of garage equipment. Irish Trucker caught up with company owner Willie Barry to find out more about a business which has been thriving as of late.

olding your own in your chosen field is always paramount in business, but at Automotive Garage Equipment Ltd in Mallow they’ve been doing more than that as of late.

Since its inception in 2003, AGE Ltd has grown to secure its place as one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of Automotive Garage Equipment and, after talking to company owner and founder Willie Barry, you get the feeling that things are going to stay that way for some time to come. His company has made a very respectable climb up the ladder in the short space of just over a decade and there’s no measuring where things can go from here with the business.

Just ask the man himself why his customers come to him first and he’ll give you a plain and simple answer.

“Our customers come to us because we do a good service and we’re always at the end of the phone for them no matter what they need,” says Willie.

That kind of value towards customers, combined with attention to detail in their work, goes some way in explaining why AGE is where it is today after 11 years, more than half of which, it should be noted, have been spent in recessionary times in this country.

Willie and his four staff at the company have worked thoroughly to ensure that things keep moving at AGE, while many other companies in their industry throughout Ireland haven’t been

CONTACT DETAILS 88

the unique position to be able to offer their customers quality products with full back up, both for training and service.

At AGE they don’t just sell boxes, they sell the complete package - the box, the equipment, the training and the service. The way Willie sees it, a piece of equipment is only as good A Truck diagnostics training as the person using it, so he insists course held in AGE Mallow that anyone using AGE’s equipment is fully trained and understands how as fortunate in recent times.

“Business is tough but steady at the the equipment works.

All of the equipment at AGE is delivered moment,” Willie explains. on site and comes with at least a half “We’ve had some customers that have day’s training with additional site visits if stayed with us for many years now which I’d like to acknowledge. AOC required. The company’s employees are Commercials, Bus Eireann, Kevin constantly training and improving skills to O’Leary Group, Irish air corp, help their customers and keep up to date Volkswagen Group Ireland have been with the latest developments and with us for a good while now and we’d requirements.

AGE provide a full back up service for like to thank them for their business.” all of their customers, by phone, fax, On the flip side, AGE also works with email or site visits. All of the equipment leading brands such as Bosch, Carmanscan, Jaltest, Robinair, is of a high standard and they have very Mastercool, etc and is the envy of its good communications with all their competitors in many ways. They are in suppliers, for parts and back up.

All of the equipment at AGE is available for inspection at the company showrooms in Mallow, Co Cork, or by a prearranged appointment to call to a premises for a demo.

AGE is also well known for working closely with car distributors here in Ireland, and providing and receiving information from them with regard to specifications of equipment required by dealers.

Vehicles on the go Automotive Garage Equipment Ltd U4A Quartertown Industrial Estate, Mallow, Co Cork Tel: (022) 53684 Mob: 087 917 2409 Fax: (022) 21 454 www.ageltd.ie

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It’s Willie’s knowledge of the industry that has made him and his company capable of providing customers with such as vast and reliable service for more than 10 years now.

A former employee of Munster Tools Co., which, incidentally, is also based in Mallow, Willie’s background is in electronics and upon return from work in Australia during the late 1980s and early 1990s he worked towards staring up his own company.

“My past work would have been in electronics,” he explains.

“I used to work in TV repair and then I went on to work for Munster Tools. I came back from Australia in 1991 and got into the same line of work before setting up this company.”

“When we started off here it took a while for things to get going, that’s the same with a lot of companies, and now we supply garage equipment, agricultural equipment, air condition equipment, amongst other things.”

Something else which AGE is renowned for is providing its customers with is training expertise.

The most recent courses were on Truck and Trailer abs/ebs Systems. Held across the country in Wexford, dublin and Cork, AGE organised for Jaltest diagnostics company to send over one of their engineers to give the course enabling AGE’s customers to obtain in depth training on Commercial diagnostic repairs.

After completing the course, customers were better prepared on how to recognise the different generation of systems, read

Willie Barry getting Robinair AC machines ready for delivery

Willie attending training at Jaltest headquarters in Spain

Willie with Robinair machines

O’Connor pyne & Co Limited

Best Wishes & Continued Success To AGE From

Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Business & Tax Advisors

Joyce House, Barrack Square, Ballincollig, Co. Cork.

Tel:021- 481 0080 Fax: 021- 481 0035 Email: info@oconnorpyne.com www.oconnorpyne.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

and change parameters and follow wiring diagrams ect.

Other course which AGE runs at its premises, as well as in the above dublin location, is ‘F GAS’ training.

It is now illegal to be involved in the service, repair or dismantling of automotive air Con systems without having acquired the ‘F GAS’ qualification and AGE can help you obtain the refrigerant handling qualification through their course which is in association with the IMI and IS European recognised.

With regards to delivery, all orders of stock items for standard delivery from AGE are normally dispatched within one to two working days from clearance of payment.

For more information visit HYpERLInK "http://www.ageltd.ie"www.ageltd.ie and if you don’t see what you want, you’re urged to call the company at (022) 53684 with your requirements and they will do their utmost to provide you with a solution.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To AGE, From

For competitive farm and commercial insurance quotations

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Contact Farm First Insurance today your local insurance broker.

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Twenty-five years of Derryadd Pallets D

Celebrating 25 years in business, Derryadd Pallets Ltd is Northern Ireland’s premier pallet and timber packing supplier. In recent years, the family-run business has placed a strong emphasis on recycling as director Mark Lynch explains.

erryadd Pallets was set up in 1989 by managing director Gerard Lynch, who has since been joined in the business by his sons Mark and Paul.

It became a limited company in 1997 and currently employs 14 full-time staff. The company operates from a 4.5 acre site just outside Lurgan, Co. Armagh, which it relocated to a number of years ago from the nearby townland of Derryadd.

Over the past quarter of a century, Derryadd Pallets has forged a reputation

CONTACT DETAILS 90

as one of Ireland’s leading pallet and timber pallet manufacturers. The company supplies pallets to a wide client base from various industries, including retail, engineering, building and construction, food production, medical, printing and packaging, agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, waste recycling, chemical, drinks and beverages and plastic packaging.

Offering an unrivalled service and product at a competitive price, the family-

run concern collects, sorts, repairs, grades and delivers over 20,000 pallets weekly throughout Ireland and the UK, distributing them quickly and efficiently. Derryadd’s passionate and dynamic management team ensure that all customers are kept up to speed with all Governmental and EU changes in a constantly-evolving industry.

Derryadd’s commitment to the environment is underlined by the fact that recycling has become its core business. By recovering and reusing as much of as

Derryadd Pallets Ltd 78 Crowill Road, Craigavon, Northern Ireland BT66 7AT Telephone: 02838 343446 Mobile: 07849 856 817 Email: info@derryaddpalletsltd.co.uk Website: www.derrypalletsltd.co.uk IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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possible from unwanted pallets and packaging, the company can manufacture ‘new from old’ pallets. This allows it to economically and efficiently rework pallets from their original specification from reclaimed timbers.

All surplus timbers are then chipped for biomass or animal bedding. Nothing gets sent to landfill, resulting in reduced carbon footprint. By providing this service, the annual amount of new virgin timbers produced for new build pallets is also reduced. So it’s good news all round for the environment!

“The main ethos of our business is to reduce, reuse and recycle,” Mark Lynch says.

“From a stage 20 years ago where we were recycling a very small amount of scrap pallet, it now accounts for 70 per cent of our business. Recycled, or reconditioned used pallets, are 50 per cent cheaper than new pallets. We identified a few years ago that recycling was the way forward, especially in light of rising timber costs.

“As a business, we have a passion for recycling and protecting the environment.

We want to see as much waste diverted from landfill as possible. Every company has old pallets lying around the place and the message we are trying to get out to them is not to put them in a skip as we’ll collect and recycle them. We can recycle virtually all of an old pallet.

“Recycling is one of the easiest ways to have a positive impact on your environment and community. We realise that recycled pallets don’t suit every company, but we are confident that we can cater for anyone with our wide variety of timber solutions.”

Explaining how the recycling process works once the old pallets are brought back to Derryadd’s purpose-built facility, Mark continues: “They are hand sorted and quality inspected by our dedicated

operatives before being fed through our pallet stripper. They are repaired, if necessary, and what you are left with is a reusable pallet. Pallets that pass this process are made available for despatch.

“Recycled pallets can often be better quality because they are dried out. A lot of companies are seeing that and are opting

FH Commercials Ltd

for them.”

As well as having customers from all across Ireland, Derryadd Pallets exports to Britain. The company’s location just two miles from Northern Ireland’s M1 Motorway allows it quick and easy movement of goods to Belfast Port and throughout Ireland.

Best Wishes To Derryadd Pallets, From

Commercial Vehicle Repairs & Servicing

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

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Wish Derryadd Pallets Continued Success

USED EQUIPMENT HIRE EQUIPMENT NEW EQUIPMENT PARTS & SERVICE Rathdown Road, Lissue Ind Est., Lisburn BT28 2RE Tel: 028-9262 1922 E:info@nmforktrucks.com

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With over 30,000 pallets in stock at any given time, Derryadd will always have a solution to match customer demands. The company stocks a wide variety of standard sized (1200x1000mm) and Euro spec pallet types (1200x800mm), including chemical CP, coal and fertiliser pallets. If these pallets don’t suit your requirements,

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Derryadd can produce bespoke wooden pallets and packaging.

The timbers used in the manufacture of Derryadd’s new pallets are sourced from sustainable sources in Ireland and overseas.

As manufacturers of certified ISPM compliant pallets and packaging / cases, customers have traceability from source to end user.

Recycled pallet blocks are also available to buy for homeheating purposes. They are suited to open fires, stoves and wood burners, and represent exceptional value for money compared to the traditional tree blocks.

In the past six months, the company has installed a new state-of-the-art pallet production machine which can produce 800 pallets per shift.

Derryadd is also investing in a new kiln that will allow it to treat 2,000 pallets per day.

“We expect the kiln to pay for itself relatively quickly as we’ll be able to dry and heat timber ourselves.

Pharmaceutical companies, for example, will only use pallets with under 18 per cent moisture content, so the kiln will be a big help to us in that regard,” explains Mark.

“In the next few years, the EU is expected to bring in a law where all pallets have to be pre-treated. That’s where the kiln will come in useful again.”

As a member of the National Association of Pallet Distributors (NAPD) and Palletlink, Derryadd Pallets adheres to a strict code of conduct. Only companies that undertake to meet the high standards of NAPD are permitted to become members. NAPD provides members with technical advice on all matters relating to pallets, thus ensuring that you receive only the best possible service and quality products.

Open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and from 8am to 1pm Fridays and Saturdays, Derryadd Pallets Ltd prides itself on its ongoing commitment to providing businesses with the most costeffective solution to their individual pallet needs, while striving to achieve the optimum recycling performance for its customers, the environment and itself.

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Victor Treacy full_Layout 1 25/09/2014 14:28 Page 1