Irish Trucker Magazine, January/February 2023

TRUCKING NEWS

J Adams & Sons Transport to extend tyre life with Michelin policy

Ballymoney-based J Adams & Sons Transport is switching its fleet of 16 tractor units and 35 trailers to a full MICHELIN X Multi new and Remix policy, in a move designed to maximise tyre life and sustainability. Commenting, Managing Director John Adams says: “We were previously paying less per tyre but fitting more tyres, as we just weren’t getting the longevity. With Michelin we’re paying more per corner, but we can already see from tread depth readings that the tyres are on target to deliver much better mileage performance.

“This will see our tyre bills reduce over time, whilst the extended replacement intervals will mean less downtime and fewer wheel interventions as a result. We also have the reassurance of Michelin’s tyre damage guarantee to protect

our investment in a premium fitment.”

Local dealer Modern Tyres in Ballyclare is supplying the Michelin tyres and will regroove them when they reach around 4mm of remaining tread depth. This process increases mileage potential by around 25 per cent per tyre, saving approximately 70kg of raw materials for every four tyres regrooved. It will also manage the fitment of Michelin Remix tyres

Light Up the Night returns for 2022

which can nearly double the lifespan of a new Michelin casing, saving natural resources and supporting UK manufacturing.

The company runs 12 Volvos, two Scanias, and one Renault and DAF tractor unit, operating with a predominantly curtainside trailer fleet – plus an animal feed trailer with Moffett truck-mounted forklift. On average, each truck covers around 125,000 km per annum..”

After two years of a Covid 19 forced break, Light up the Night is delighted to be back on the road, lighting up the highways and byways of North Kilkenny and beyond on New Year's Eve.

Since its inception in 2016 Light up the Night North Kilkenny truck and tractor run has grown year on year with a total of 335 tractors and 180 trucks participating in its last event. The event was set up as a raise the issue of suicide awareness and provide support for those suffering. As a byproduct of the awareness raiser, donations started coming in from participants, spectators, businesses and members of the general public. From those donations the Group are proud to say that to date they have donated in excess of €60,000 to worthy groups and organisations dealing with people’s mental health issues in their areas.

For 2022 they are delighted to announce that their tractor parking will take place similar to previous years at Holland’s yard, The Square Ballyragget and the truck parking in a new venue at Cillin Hill, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. The organisers offer their sincere thanks to all involved in offering their venues for this event.

All trucks and tractors are welcome to attend, from ones in their working clothes to ones in Their Sunday best. Refreshments will be served on the day.

To top it off the organisers are holding a cabaret at Fitzpatrick’s bar the square Ballyragget on New Year’s Eve.

Dundalk - Tel: 042 932 8317

- Tel: 01 864 9900 Roscommon - Tel: 087 7751983 Cork -

021 4975544

Belfast Harbour and Stena Line open new passenger terminal following a £3m extension and upgrade

Northern Ireland’s largest ferry operator, Stena Line, has opened the doors of its new passenger terminal at Victoria Terminal 2 (VT2) in Belfast Harbour.

The new-look passenger terminal has been expanded and refurbished to provide new facilities to cater for the increased passenger levels on the busy Birkenhead route, with a further £3m investment by Belfast Harbour.

The significant upgrade to facilities has transformed and extended the original terminal building with new check-in booths for passenger vehicles and includes a full refurbishment of the interior of the terminal. The development includes a new departure lounge with an increased capacity for approximately 200 people, as well as a new Barista café area and passenger waiting area. Externally, there are three new vehicle check in booths and an extended queueing area for passengers in vehicles and coaches.

Paul Grant, Stena Line’s Irish Sea Trade Director said: “It is great to see the next stage of the investment in our Belfast operations come to fruition. In partnership with Belfast Harbour, we have taken our old and dated building, with limited space, and totally modernised the design with a great new range of improved facilities. Customers using our new modern vessels needed a new modern terminal to serve them and now they have that, to ensure they get the best travel experience from departure to arrival. Over the past 26 years we have grown our Belfast hub into the biggest within the Stena group across all of our European routes, and we will continue to invest and improve our services in Belfast and Northern Ireland.”

Michael Robinson, Port Director at Belfast Harbour, said: “We are really pleased to see the newly refurbished VT2 open to passengers after a significant investment from both Stena Line and Belfast Harbour. We believe that providing modern facilities for our customers and investing in the Port’s core infrastructure is essential to supporting our partners’ ambitions, and to achieving our goal of becoming one of the world’s leading regional ports. As passenger traffic levels on Stena Line’s services continues to grow, we are committed to supporting our partners at Stena Line, as they meet increasing customer demand.”

The VT2 upgrade project took more than a year to complete and was undertaken while maintaining current ferry services. It follows significant investment in recent years by Stena Line in its Belfast operations, with the recent the launches of two brand new ferries on the route, Stena Edda and Stena Embla, which increased passenger and freight capacity by over a third and has now led to record traffic volumes being carried on the Belfast-Birkenhead route.

New Galway 'Plate' marks Walsh Waste 50th Anniversary

2022 is the year that sees Walsh Waste celebrates 50 years in business and to commemorate the occasion the Galwaybased waste management firm has added a new Mercedes-Benz Econic to its lineup of commercial vehicles, carrying a specially commissioned registration plate ‘222-G-50’. Ideally suited to the needs of waste collection operations, where workers are regularly climbing in and out of the vehicle, the Econic features a low entry cab with a pneumatic folding passenger door which can be opened with the touch of a button. Inside, the cab comes fitted with seating for a driver and three passengers and is finished with panorama glazing to maximise visibility.

Joining a fleet of 40 units, the new Econic 2630L ENA is finished in the Company’s eye-catching scarlet and black livery and comes with a 6x2 rear steer axle, full air suspension on all axles, Allison automatic transmission and a body supplied by Logic Fleet, Dublin.

A Mercedes-Benz customer for 12 years, Walsh Waste managing director, Tom Walsh says the appeal of the vehicle is ‘the reliability of the previous Econic on the fleet, coupled with the suitability of its low entry cab for urban work.’

A family-owned business since 1972, Walsh Waste is one of Ireland’s most experienced waste management companies, providing collection and recycling services across the domestic, commercial, industrial and building sectors.

Meyler Tyres, a Wexford based second generation family run business founded in1993 by Paddy Meyler and currently run by his son Patsy Meyler have confirmed the sale of their truck and bus tyre division to the Midland Tyres Group.

Patsy Meyler commented,

We are very proud what we have built and it’s for that reason we have made the decision. We owe it to our loyal customers to bring in a company who specialise in fleet tyre management and national 24/7 breakdown service to take it to the next level and I feel Midland tyre services are the only company that can do this”.

Midlands Head of Operations, Contracts and Regional Development, Chris Parle, himself a Wexford man, negotiated the transaction on behalf of Midland Tyre Services and commented,

I would like to congratulate Paddy and Patsy Meyler on their professionalism within the tyre industry over the years and commend them

on the great business they have built. I have always admired them both and had the pleasure of working together with them over the years.

I want to thank them both for giving us the opportunity to build on what they have grown in the South East and look forward to servicing their truck and bus customers in the years to come”

Midland Tyre Services are based in Borris in Ossory, Co. Laois, with a number of regional depots and specialise in fleet tyre management looking after fleets on behalf of Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone as well as its own bespoke management contracts. Midland Tyre Services has its own in-house training centre and is Ireland’s leading truck and bus tyre company.

Patsy Meyler has confirmed that Meylers will continue to operate from Wexford Quay front and service its loyal customer base concentrating on passenger car tyres, batteries, light truck and agri tyres which has been built up over 20 plus years and the company plans to build on this even further.

Mitroline picks Actros & Sprinter for Home and Trans-Continental trade

Industrial shipment, delivery and warehousing services provider, Mitroline has become the latest pan-European freight handler to enhance their fleet with Mercedes-Benz truck and van additions.

New to the Cashel-based operator’s fleet are two Actros LS2453 trucks and six Sprinter 315/43 vans, all decked-out in livery highlighting Mitroline’s distinctive turquoise blue logo colour scheme set against a snow white background

Commenting, Mitroline owner, Alexandru Mitrofan said: “The Actros is an attractive vehicle for us, equipped with the latest technology, added driver comfort for long trips and its fuel efficiency.”

Supplied to them by Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles main dealer, Surehaul, the range of features fitted on both Actros units include Actros StyleLine exterior and interior design and fitments, Durabright alloys and Climate Control with auxiliary overnight air conditioning. The safety and driver assistance features include Proximity Control, Active Brake Assist 5, driver’s airbag, Attention Assist and Lane Keep Assist.

“With the Sprinter we found they make a huge difference to our fleet, thanks to their ease of handling, safety, and numerous assistance and driver information features. From their on-the-road prominence and feedback we gathered from drivers, the Sprinter proved to be our best choice when it comes to both long trips and multi-drop working,” Mr. Mitrofan added. Features fitted to their Sprinter fleet include MBUX multimedia system with 7-inch touch screen, Multifunction Steering Wheel, ECO Start/Stop function, Cruise Control, Reversing Camera, ’Comfort’ Driver’s Seat with Lumbar Support and Armrest, Driver’s Airbag and 6-speed Manual Transmission.

A Mercedes-Benz owner since 2013 – the year when Mitroline commenced operations in the transportation industry – the company purchased its first new Mercedes-Benz vehicle three years later in 2016. Today the company operates a mixed truck and van fleet of 65 vehicles servicing routes across Europe and the UK, alongside a thriving domestic trade.

Supporting their activities is an office network located in Dublin, Romania and Austria, controlled by a team of dispatchers and managers headquartered in Cashel. Including drivers, staff numbers exceed 100 persons, all of whom benefit from continuous training which the company says is ‘aimed at delivering the best experience and professionalism to everyone who chooses to do business with Mitroline’.

Commenting, Fergus Conheady, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in Ireland said: “It is especially pleasing for Mercedes-Benz to have Mitroline amongst our esteemed owners, as we are aware of the high standards and dedication to professionalism that permeates the Mitroline organisation, and of the service demands and challenges that their vehicles are expected to meet”.

Kevin Burke Tyres new distributor for the Alliance brand in Ireland

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires’ Alliance brand has a new distribution partner in Ireland. Starting in October 2022, Kevin Burke Tyres (KBT Ltd) will have the entire Alliance tyre portfolio on offer. Based on its solid reputation for supplying premium tyres at value for money prices, KBT Ltd is an excellent partner for the Alliance brand’s proven “best value for money” strategy. Established in 1995, KBT has evolved into one of Ireland’s largest wholesale tyre providers. In 2019, the firm relocated into a purpose-built facility located in Athenry beside the M6 Motorway, allowing the company to offer a comprehensive delivery service to customers throughout Ireland on a daily basis.

Kevin Burke, Managing Director of KBT, says: “We at KBT are excited to be a chosen wholesale partner for Alliance tyres. In the current cost of living crisis our customers are looking for value for money and Alliance tyres provide that. Our mission statement very much aligns with theirs – Value Driven, Application Specific and Purpose Build. The Alliance brand along with KBT’s knowledge of the tyre and wheel business makes a perfect partnership for end users and OE manufacturers alike. We look forward to working with the Alliance brand and further building on their success in the Irish market.”

“Kevin Burke Tyres has grown an enviable reputation as one of Irelands key suppliers of off-highway tyres, and Alliance tyres have long enjoyed a reputation for quality and value. I’m very excited by the partnership between our two businesses. By giving consumers wider access to our brand it gives us an opportunity to attack and win in this key market together, and continue to build upon the success we’ve already had in Ireland”, says Andrew Musgrave, Country Manager UK & Ireland at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (YOHT).

YOHT’s new partnership with Kevin Burke Tyres, and its long-standing relationship with Kirkby Tyres, will ensure an even wider array of tailor-made solutions for the Irish market. Kirkby Tyres remains the exclusive partner for the Alliance brand in England, Wales and Scotland.

IVECO plants in Madrid and Valladolid receive the Lean & Green Star for their carbon footprint reduction

The IVECO plants in Madrid and Valladolid have been awarded the Lean & Green Star by the Association of Manufacturers and Distributors (AECOC) for reducing their carbon footprint. The two factories enrolled in the Lean and Green programme in 2016, when they initiated an Action Plan to reduce CO2 emissions and minimise the impact of logistics processes on greenhouse gas emissions, with a commitment to cut their carbon footprint by 20% in five years.

The Star released by Lean & Green (the largest European platform specifically aimed at reducing emissions throughout the supply chain) certifies that the two plants have delivered on this commitment. This achievement represents a tangible contribution towards IVECO’s goal to reach carbon neutrality across its entire value chain, and a significant step in its comprehensive sustainability strategy.

The Madrid plant is dedicated to production of IVECO’s entire range of heavy vehicles for the global markets and has a workforce of 2,850 employees. The Valladolid facility employs around 1,000 people and manufactures the Daily light commercial vehicle in chassis cab and Hi-Matic versions. In addition, it is also responsible for manufacturing and painting the cabins for the heavy line production at the Madrid plant.

The measures implemented at the two plants to reduce their carbon footprint involved direct emissions (Scope 1), indirect emissions (Scope 2) and transport efficiency (Scope 3), affecting most of the production processes. A number of the actions undertaken have come from ideas collected from the workers at the two factories.

The Scope 1 and Scope 2 measures focused on reducing the plants’ consumption of natural gas and electricity with actions such as photovoltaic energy projects, installation of heat recuperators in afterburners, generation of photothermal energy and diversification in heating production.

Scope 3 activities included, among others, optimisation of 'milk run' routes to allow a full load per truck, development of new container models for load optimisation, use of RFID technology to improve inventories and reducing unnecessary express transports.

Schmitz Cargobull launches new curtainsider semi-trailer –S.CS FREEPOST – for the UK and Irish markets

Schmitz Cargobull has added a new product to its general cargo portfolio – the S.CS FREEPOST – which has been specially developed to meet the requirements of the UK and Irish markets, without the need for sliding posts.

Manufactured at the Schmitz Cargobull UK production plant in Manchester, the S.CS FREEPOST offers quick, easy and safe side loading by incorporating a bolted galvanized steel cant rail and fixed aluminium roof sheet as well as a reinforced chassis structure.

Paul Avery, Managing Director - Operations at Schmitz Cargobull UK, says: “We successfully launched production at our Manchester plant in June 2021 with the production of the market specific S.BO PACE and S.CS FIXED ROOF curtainsider semi-trailers.

“We are now pleased to be able to offer our customers the S.CS FREEPOST curtainsider semi-trailer, without the need of sliding posts, from our proven modular system.”

Matthias Muffert, Head of Product Management General Cargo at Schmitz Cargobull, adds: “Before the start of series production, we subjected the S.CS FREEPOST to a series of rigorous tests. The vehicle meets the strict TÜV test requirements with its low tare weight, and is certified to DIN EN 12642 Code XL, meaning our customers can rely on a highquality curtainsider with maximum safety for general freight transport.”

In addition to high body stability, the design of the S.CS FREEPOST is focused on handling, the safety of the goods and the safety of the driver and loaders. It is available in different heights from 4,200mm to 4,800mm.

The S.CS FREEPOST does not require any sliding posts and offers the driver free, lateral loading and unloading with a side aperture height of up to 3,200mm. To facilitate unloading, the curtain can be tensioned from both the front and the rear. Additional driver safety is provided by the Schmitz Cargobull Susi-Rail, with electrical and pneumatic connections which can be moved to the edge of the trailer so coupling can be achieved without climbing between the tractor and trailer. Flexible load securing points, with continuous lashing holes in the side rave and an optional 16 pairs of 4t lashing rings are available for optimum load securing. Load shift can be prevented by optional load securing straps, which are tensioned from the rave to the roof track. Additional security against unauthorised access is provided by a 1.8 metre high anti-slash mesh integrated inside the curtains.

Like all Schmitz Cargobull trailers, the S.CS FREEPOST is also equipped with the proven repair-friendly MODULOS chassis with a 10-year guarantee against rust-through. The chassis is complemented by the ROTOS axles and suspension, which are guaranteed for 1,000,000 km or six years*.

The trailer is also fitted with the TrailerConnect® telematics system from Schmitz Cargobull, which is factory fitted as standard. TrailerConnect® offers intelligent connectivity and supports rapid diagnosis and processing of the collected data from all components.

Casey Enterprises adds to fleet

Wexford-based concrete and tarmacadam specialists, Casey Enterprises has added further weight to its fleet of heavy commercial vehicles in the form of a new Mercedes-Benz Arocs truck.

Supplied by Mercedes-Benz main dealer, Somers Commercials of Camolin, of which Casey Enterprises is a long-standing customer, the new truck is finished in the Company’s striking orange and black livery and will soon begin operation delivering product to customers throughout the South East.

Coupled with its high cab and elevated driving position, designed for all-round visibility and safety, the Arocs has gained a reputation for being a loadable truck that delivers power, robustness and efficiency in equal measure.

Featuring on the 3243 unit is an eight tonne front axle, planetary gear rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs and tipper body completed by Thompson of Carlow. With bases in Gorey and New Ross, Casey Enterprises design, manufacture and deliver and install concrete products and tarmacadam to a wide range of customers, large and small, in the South East of the country.

Hartshorne Group named Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland Dealer of the Year

Midlands-based Hartshorne Group has won the prestigious title of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland Dealer of the Year 2022, as well as collecting the hotly contested New Vehicle Sales Award. The independent business, which operates from sites in Alfreton, Birmingham, Burton, Nottingham, Potteries, Shrewsbury and Walsall, was presented with the two awards at Volvo Trucks’ annual dealer conference on Tuesday 8th November, attended by leaders representing all 79 service points across the UK & Ireland.

2022 has seen Hartshorne Group drive its business from strength to strength, delivering on projects to improve customer experience, modernise facilities, achieve strong sales and bolster sustainability with a series of environmental initiatives aimed at supporting both staff and customers, including the arrival of the company’s first electric parts delivery vans.

Christian Coolsaet, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, says: “Hartshorne Group has been on a transformation journey this year, led from the top and supported at all levels within the business. The team is consistently outstanding with its fast actions, focused on delivering the best possible customer service and has been proactively taking key steps to demonstrate its commitment to a sustainable future built around e-mobility.

“As a team they set the perfect example for what any manufacturer wants from a high- performing multi-site dealership; never resting on their laurels but rising to new challenges and driving the business forward each and every day.”

Hartshorne Group has also continued to focus on its Healthy Heart Campaign in 2022, aimed at encouraging its 254-strong team to take actions to improve their personal health through activities such as walking and cycling to work. The company has also continued to donate

£1 towards community-based defibrillators for every hour of physical exercise its staff track via an app, with multiple lifesaving devices now installed across its area of responsibility.

Other awards presented on the night included Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East securing the Sustainability Award, for the £2m project currently nearing completion in Croydon, to build the most sustainable dealership in the network, just 10 miles from central London. The 17-site group has also replaced its entire fleet of customer courtesy cars this year with electric vehicles, supported by the installation of on-site vehicle charging infrastructure at all dealerpoints – helping to drive down emissions and promoting the benefits of switching to electric.

Irish Commercials secured the inaugural Electric Sales Award for its success in signing a significant Volvo FE Electric order with a major beverage company, whilst Crossroads Truck & Bus won the Used Truck Sales Award after winning new customers and extending relationships with existing fleets, despite another challenging year for used truck supply.

Stuarts Truck and Bus, which represents Volvo Trucks in Devon and Cornwall, rounded out the evening by picking up the Service Market Award for its commitment to delivering a first- class aftersales experience for customers in the south west.

14 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Ballyvolane Cork +353 21 4505988

Ballyvolane Cork +353 21 4505988

www.transpart.ie info@transpart.ie

www.transpart.ie info@transpart.ie

Best wishes to Johnny Ryan Truck Repairs

Best wishes to Johnny Ryan Truck Repairs

Ballyvolane Cork +353 21 4505988

www.transpart.ie info@transpart.ie

Nationwide Delivery

Nationwide Delivery

Nationwide Delivery

Irelands largest stockist of Truck & Trailer Parts

IRELAND’S LARGEST STOCKIST OF TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS

Irelands largest stockist of Truck & Trailer Parts

HILL ROAD COMMERCIALS KEEPS YOUR WHEELS TURNING

Established in 2020 by brothers Robert and David Baird, the business has grown rapidly to become the HGV repair centre of choice for a long list of clients from both sides of the border. Hill Road Commercials’ highly-trained and experienced

mechanics can carry out all necessary repairs to your vehicle at their state-ofthe-art workshop which is constantly being upgraded and boasts a full range of diagnostics for all makes and models. The family-run business prides itself on its top-class, cost-effective and friendly truck repair and maintenance service.

Servicing, maintenance, PSV preparation, brake testing, engine repairs and builds are the main services provided by the Co. Down operation which has earned an enviable reputation in its first two years in business. Having started on their own, Robert and David are now joined by their cousin Gary Baird, Jake Dennison and Josh Hanna, who is in the third year of his apprenticeship. Ironically, all bar Jake cut their teeth with Dennison Commercials in Newry.

“The business has grown quicker than we could ever have imagined. Starting out during the Covid pandemic was daunting, but thanks to the support of the haulage community, we’ve hit the

Contact Details: Hill Road Commercials Ltd 20 Hill Road, Ballinaskeagh, Banbridge, Co. Down BT32EB.

Telephone: +44 7526927362

Email: hillroadcommercialsltd @hotmail.com

Facebook:/hillroadcommercialsltd

ground running,” Robert says.

“I worked with Dennison Commercials from 1998 to 2020 and David was also on their books for six years. Gary served 16 years with them, while Jake was a mechanic with Gibson Bros Quarries here in Banbridge before joining us a year-and-a-half ago. We’re thinking of taking on another mechanic as we continue to grow.

“Our workshop has expanded to

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Offering a team of highly-trained and experienced mechanics

five bays and we’ve added a parts section as well. We’ve also purchased new Steril-Koni Column lifts from Search Workshop Supplies in Londonderry and plan to invest in a new brake tester in 2023.”

He continues: “Our father, who is also called Robert, and mother Ellie have been a tremendous support to us over the last two years. Dad runs his own haulage company, Robert Baird Transport, and our grandfather was in the business before him. So we’ve been around trucks all of our lives. It’s in the blood.”

The experience the brothers gained from working for Dennison Commercials, coupled with the customers they met, has stood them in good stead.

“I joined Dennison’s after finishing school as an apprentice mechanic,” Robert explains.

“After a few years, I had eight mechanics working under me. When I eventually left and took the decision to go out in tandem with David. I just felt that it was the right time to do it. David has also completed a thorough apprenticeship and gained a great mix of skills and knowledge while working alongside me in Dennison’s.

“We developed good working relationships with customers in Dennison’s and I think that has counted for a lot.”

Hill Road Commercials already boasts a large and loyal client-base which includes McCann Transport in Newry, J Murray & Son in Ballygowan, Co. Down, Christopher Hughes Transport in Portadown, Kieran McKay Ltd in Dundalk, Strain & Shields in Armagh, Sean McMahon Storage & Distribution in Mullagh, Co. Cavan, Boyle Transport NI in Newry, Ian McCann Transport in Downpatrick, LW Surphlis & Son Ltd in Newtownstewart, M&G International Haulage Ltd in Dundalk, Wheatfield Stone in Banbridge and Stewart International Transport in Banbridge.

“We have over 100 regular customers at this stage,

Now providing Renault Diagnostics

With over 6,000 products in stock we have a full range of workshop equipment and consumables ready to keep you on the road. Along a with a fully qualified service team with dedicated service vans we are here to ensure you operation and compliance is always in order.

many of whom are from the Newry / Dundalk area. We’ve built up our customer-base through word of mouth and recommendations from existing clients. While we have a great name for Volvo, we can service any truck,” Robert explains.

“To avoid downtime for them, we call out to our bigger customers’ yard once a month to service their fleet for them. Hauliers don’t want the hassle of having to carry out repairs themselves. When they come to us with a truck, they know it will be fixed right - first time.”

The Banbridge garage has extended its weekday opening hours for its customers’ convenience. Opening hours are 7.30am to 5.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and 7.30am to 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“We don’t open on Saturdays anymore because we found that our customers prefer to bring in their trucks during the week. It also gives us the weekend off which means we’re coming back nice and fresh on a Monday.

“In the event of anyone needing parts over the weekend, dad is always around

the yard and will be able to get them. We won’t see anyone stuck.”

Robert concludes by saying: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and suppliers for their continued support. Every customer, regardless of their size, is treated the same. We are proud to be a one-stop shop for all their repair and maintenance needs.”

For your next truck repair or service, be sure to give Hill Road Commercials a call.

SPECIALIST FLEET SETS CREAGH CONCRETE APART

A regular sight on the roads of the UK and Ireland, Creagh Concrete’s fresh and immaculately-maintained specialist fleet of trucks, trailers and cranes never fails to impress. In keeping with their status as industry-leading pioneers in precast, Creagh’s diverse range of vehicles invariably delivers the goods even in the most challenging of circumstances.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Creagh Concrete boast a fresh and immaculately-maintained specialist fleet

A regular sight on the roads of the UK and Ireland

Always looking resplendent and performing at optimal levels, Creagh Concrete’s striking blue fleet of efficient trucks and bespoke specialist trailers – many of them fitted with loader cranes to ensure prompt, professional and safe delivery even in the most confined spaces – always get the job done both on the roads and motorways of Ireland and the UK or in the busy environs of live, high-traffic construction sites.

One of the UK’s largest producers of concrete products for a range of market sectors, Creagh Concrete operates a large, varied and highly specialist fleet. At the time of writing, the offsite precast manufacturing company’s transport manager was overseeing some 38

trucks and 60 trailers. The fleet is regularly replenished and kept in pristine condition at all times by an experienced team of maintenance operatives stationed at their busy Toomebridge maintenance workshop.

With cranes situated behind the cab, the trucks are so versatile that they can get into almost any tight site and reach up to 16m. This requires great skill and precision from Creagh’s expert fitting team – yet another area where this industry-leading company stands out from the competition.

Creagh Concrete source and operate only high-performance, ultraefficient, sustainable vehicles, which are manned by skilled, experienced and conscientious drivers. The same uncompromising standards apply to all

Creagh’s diverse range of vehicles invariably delivers the goods

Contact Details:

Creagh Concrete, 38 Blackpark Road. Toomebridge, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT41 3SL.

Tel: 028 79650500

Email: info@creaghconcrete.com

Web: www.creaghconcrete.co.uk

of their subcontracted haulage services. A pioneer of precast for coming up on half a century, Creagh Concrete are consistently challenging and changing the way people think about concrete,

introducing new levels of efficiency and performance with innovative, gamechanging products such as offsite Spantherm insulated precast concrete flooring and the fast-track, bespoke offsite concrete build system, Rapidres.

Creagh Concrete is one of the leading producers of concrete products for the civil engineering, residential, education, commercial, custodial and agricultural sectors. The company offers a diverse

portfolio of products that showcase the limitless possibilities and potential of precast concrete. Its flooring range includes prestressed hollowcore flooring, the HomeSPAN precast flooring system, prestressed t-beam flooring, plate flooring and Spantherm insulated flooring.

Other products include ready mixed concrete, bricks and blocks, sand and gravel, agricultural precast products,

general precast for home and garden, structural precast such as precast stairs, landings, terrace units and frames. Designing, manufacturing and supplying an extensive range of concrete products for the UK and Ireland markets, the company operates from its head office in Toomebridge, County Antrim with bases in Ardboe, Dunloy, Draperstown and Magheraglass and also at Nottingham, England and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Operating a large, varied and highly specialist fleet

Producing some 800,000m2 of concrete flooring annually, Creagh’s expertise is unrivalled. Their hollowcore precast slabs are lightweight, yet durable enough to support heavy loads, delivering outstanding thermal properties and offering improved thermal efficiency in buildings.

Creagh Concrete’s manufacturing facilities are based in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, ensuring they can produce quality products close to their customers. Every concrete piece is designed with unrivalled engineering expertise, using innovative production methods to deliver concrete solutions with outstanding quality, convenience, efficiency and reliability.

Every facility manufacturing these products operates to the same best-inclass quality standards with common processes and management. All have ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification of manufacturing and environmental standards, which means that all products and services are safe, reliable and offer world-class quality.

Leaders in sustainable construction, Creagh’s concrete testing and aggregates lab was constructed using

up to 80% recycled materials from construction demolition waste.

Perennial winners at the Deloitte Best Managed Company Awards, Creagh were named as a Gold Standard winner at the 2021 award ceremony.

Excellent management and staff make an invaluable contribution to the company’s success. The Creagh Concrete Academy offers trainees a twelve-week paid training programme, with a job offer for successful candidates.

Rapidcore is the new name for Creagh Concrete’s precast offsite cores. Rapidcore lift and stair cores are manufactured offsite in bespoke moulds and – following professional deliveryare installed quickly and efficiently by specialist installation teams.

Creagh can design and manufacture the capping slabs with all temporary and permanent anchors cast in. With a reduced on-site construction time of more than 50% and offering an inherent fireproof solution, Rapidcore can also be designed as shear walls to provide lateral stability or as an efficient replacement for blockwork or in situ concrete.

In June, the Creagh Concrete team

were celebrating once more when Hackney New Primary School and 333 Kingsland Road was honoured with a RIBA National Award 2022. This magnificent project - a unique hybrid building combining a 350-pupil primary school and 68 homes on a former fire station site - has won dozens of awards since its completion in 2020.

The apartment building touches the pavement in a well-mannered way, with a welcoming colonnade giving space to the public realm and a sense of place to the shop fronts. This stunning piece was manufactured in Creagh Cpncrete’s facility in Toomebridge and installed by their expert onsite team.

The family-owned company’s products and services remain in high demand and their order book is currently extremely healthy. They recently secured their largest contract to date, with international property company Vastint, valued at £26m. For this, Creagh’s Rapidres precast system will be used to build three apartment blocks in London.

As ever, the specialist fleet will play its part in ensuring the project runs smoothly.

Tel: 028 8676 3496

Mobile: 07860 410399 (Ian)

Mobile: 00776 0227755 (Lloyd)

Email: info@ianhayeshaulage.com

Website: www.ianhayeshaulage.com

11 Drumnacross Road, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, BT80 9DT

info@ianhayeshaulage.com

Website: www.ianhayeshaulage.com

11

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Ltd.

Ltd.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

AF LUCEY HAULAGE LTD. CEMENTING THEIR REPUTATION

Albert Lucey prides himself on running a fresh and immaculately-maintained fleet

Cork-based AF Lucey Haulage Ltd. have been delivering the goods for two decades and the addition of two magnificent new Volvos to their fresh and varied fleet suggests that there will be no let-up in their relentless quest to continue providing industry-leading bulk haulage solutions. Irish Trucker touched base with founder / proprietor Albert Lucey to get an update.

Specialists in bulk haulage, low loader, tanker, tipper and readymix concrete work, AF Lucey Haulage Ltd. in Kanturk, County Cork bolstered their strong fleet with the acquisition of a pair of stunning new Volvo trucks from McCarthy Commercials Watergrasshill earlier this year. This is part of an ongoing fleet

replenishment programme which keeps this standard-setting operator, which works predominantly for Breedon Group, transporting concrete, blocks, bulk cement, stone, agri lime and blacktop, on top of their game.

“We’ve taken possession this year of a new five-axle readymix lorry with telescopic conveyor and a new Volvo FH13 540 6x4 double drive tag axle,”

Contact Details:

AF Lucey Haulage Ltd., Rathmaher, Kanturk, County Cork.

Tel: 0878556079

Email: afluceyhaulageltd@gmail.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“You have to put the time and dedication into providing a service that matches your customers’ needs.”

A stunning new Volvo Readymix lorry was recently added to the fleet

confirms owner Albert Lucey. “Our fleet is mostly Volvo and DAF, with a couple of older Scanias and one Hino.

“We like to spread it around a bit and each addition will come down to the price and the performance of the lorry. We have two more Volvos on order for next year but I also find that DAF are great lorries too, offering excellent fuel efficiency. It all depends on what we are looking for at any given time and who can give us the best deal.”

The lead time for new lorries at the moment is close to nine months, which is far from ideal as a great deal can change between the time of ordering and receiving a new lorry.

Lucey Haulage work is predominantly for Breedon Group

are placed in a difficult situation, where they almost need to be able to predict the future, although the alternative – i.e., not upgrading the fleet – is unthinkable to Albert, who prides himself on running a fresh and immaculately-maintained fleet:

“A lot can certainly change in nine months,” the Cork trucker agrees.

“That’s the way the thing has turned and you have to act in advance. With the way inflation and interest rates are going, you wonder will the economy hold, so you are taking a chance, but there’s no other option.

“You have to keep positive. Over the last couple of years, we’ve all be through a hell of a lot of changes. Things that we never thought could happen have happened, but we have come through it so far. You really don’t have a choice; you have to find a way to get through the challenges that are put in front of you.”

Value Tech Ltd.

Elaborating further on the secret

of delivering an outstanding haulage service, Albert continues: “You have to put the time and dedication into providing a service that matches your customers’ needs. Once you are getting positive feedback and some recognition and appreciation of the service you’re providing, that gives you more drive.

“If a customer comes to me and needs this or that, I will sit down and find a way to make it happen. It’s all about coming up with the best solution.

“Every truck here has to run at full capacity all the time and that’s why I keep them so modern. We have spare trucks to make sure that a driver is never off due to a breakdown but, with the cost of putting a truck out on the road today, they have to go out full to capacity to ensure a worthwhile return. Our customers don’t sell their products for nothing and I can’t draw them for nothing – there has to be something in it for both parties.”

AF Lucey Haulage Ltd. have a full-time team of drivers at present and Albert says his staff make an immeasurable contribution to the success of the business: “I have a lot the same lads with me all the time. If they like it, they are going to stay, it’s the same as anything. We have a very small turnover of staff and some of them have been here for ten years and over.

“I try to look after them every way possible and they understand how difficult transport is. You will be rewarded with good work and loyalty. Also, they will mind the gear and look after it, which is important. A driver has a very big responsibility these days. They could be driving a truck worth €250,000-€300,000 and that means a lot of responsibility.

“With modern technology, you have dash cams, which are a good asset. We also have tracking systems on all the trucks. Even with the standard

LIEBHERR Truck Mixers and Conveyors.

Dromalour Ind. Park, Kanturk, Co Cork, Ireland. Telephone: +353 87 2561953, Email: info@valuetech.ie┃Web: www.valuetech.ie.

Specialists in bulk haulage, low-loader, tanker, tipper and readymix concrete work

BEST WISHES AND CONTINUED SUCCESS TO AF LUCEY HAULAGE

best wishes

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

technology on a truck we really are getting the most out of modern tech in this game. Things have come on an awful lot in the past ten years.

“Fellas are obeying the tachographs, too, and we are 100% compliant and running efficiently and effectively. If it doesn’t work out at that, then we will step aside and hand it over to the next fellow.”

Regarding day-to-day activities at AF Lucey Haulage, Albert says there’s always plenty going on and no two days are the same: “We do a lot of bulk cement for Breedon Group and we also do the majority of their readymix concrete. We have artic tippers, tipper trucks, low loaders, flat trailers. The fleet is flexible

… the new 6x4 double drive tag axle was bought to pull a readymix trailer but has that flexibility if concrete goes quiet.

“We also draw agri lime for Breedon and do blacktop with a walking floor trailer. We also have a HIAB lorry with a block crane and can literally move anything they need to move.

“Breedon Group have expanded and taken over more of the market in Cork. They’re a great company to work for and I enjoy a very good working relationship with them. I’d still have private customers as well and we’d draw the same materials for them, but 90% of our work is for Breedon.”

Looking to the future, like the rest of us. Albert hopes the economy begins to recover sooner rather than later. “With the way costs are rising, you’d be hoping things would level out and that prices will start to come down a bit,” he concludes. “It was in the third quarter of last year that diesel prices started to go up. It was €1.04 plus VAT in May and went up to €1.28 by November and that hike took all the good out of it.

“Transport will turn good again, as hauliers will have to charge more as drivers will go scarce and companies will have to work closer with hauliers.

Trucks across the country will have to run more efficiently and at the end of the day everything has to travel by road in Ireland.”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

MARTIN BOYLE HAULAGE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

Boyle Haulage is celebrating 40 years in business

Celebrating 40 years in business, Martin Boyle Haulage Ltd is a family-run business specialising in groupage across Ireland and the UK.

Based in the Gaeltacht village of Bunbeg in Co. Donegal, the company’s philosophy is to focus on the needs of its customers and develop cost-effective solutions to meet them. Over the past four decades, Martin Boyle Haulage has become a market leader within the movement of dry goods and continues to go from strength to strength by providing an unrivalled service to an ever-growing client-base.

The company is run by founder Martin Boyle Snr with the help of his son Martin

Jnr, daughter Louise Coll, Martin Jnr’s wife Catherine and 23 staff. The business was founded in 1982 by Martin Snr and his late wife Rosie who built it up to what it is today. From humble beginnings with one lorry, Martin and Rosie added more lorries and created more employment as the years went by. The time and dedication they poured into the foundation of the business has enabled it to go from strength to strength.

Martin Boyle Haulage prides itself on its highly-skilled and trained team as well as its modern fleet. Continued investment in the latest equipment and technology ensures total customer satisfaction.

The haulier’s services consist of dry goods haulage throughout the whole of Ireland and mainland UK. Its very dis-

tinctive green and white trucks and trailers are a familiar sight on the Irish and UK road network.

“Our aim at all times is to provide the best possible service to our customers. We always go the extra mile for them,” operations director Louise Coll stresses.

“Our customers can rest assured that their goods will be delivered in a safe and timely manner. We treat every customer the same regardless of their size.”

Martin Boyle Haulage runs 17 trucks, including a stunning new Scania S660 which was purchased from Cawley Commercials in Sligo.

“We thought it would be a nice way to mark our 40th anniversary,” Louise says of the new arrival.

The family-run business specialising in groupage across Ireland and the UK

“The registration is 222 DL 40. Our fleet comprises 16 artics, one rigid and two vans. The trucks are a mix of Scania and Volvo. We’re also running over 40 trailers which are predominantly SDC curtainsiders. We have one refrigerated unit which is dedicated to deliveries we do for SynerChi Kombucha, who manufacture energy drinks down the road from us in Gweedore Business Park.”

She adds: “How your vehicles look says everything about your company If they are clean and well presented, it gives a good impression. We take great pride in the appearance of our trucks and how they are maintained. We have a new state-of-the-art maintenance facility onsite which is manned by two mechanics. All checks and repairs are carried out in accordance with strict RSA guidelines.”

Behind the wheel of every Boyle truck is a reliable, experienced and courteous driver. “Our drivers are the best in the business. They always deliver the goods,” Louise says.

“We have a team of professionals with decades of experience within the transport industry. Many of our drivers have been with us for years. It is important to have drivers that you can trust

and you know will do the job to the best of their capabilities.”

Martin Boyle Haulage looks after the transport and distribution requirements of several locally-based companies, including ProAmpac, Donegal Shores Hygiene & Catering and Randox. ProAmpac is a leading global flexible packaging company operating out of both Bunbeg and Gweedore. Donegal Shores Hygiene & Catering is another Gweedore-based business committed to offering expert services to the hospi-

The company is run by founder Martin Boyle Snr with the help of his son Martin Jnr, daughter Louise Coll, Martin Jnr’s wife Catherine

A market leader within the movement of dry goods

We have a team of professionals with decades of experience within the transport industry

tality sector.

Brexit and rising fuel costs have proven more problematic than the Covid-19 pandemic for the family-run business.

“When Brexit happened, we trained our staff to deal with the new customs requirements and all the paperwork that comes with that. This has allowed us to keep the goods moving.

“Spiralling fuel costs are the single biggest issue facing the industry at the moment. It’s crippling. The fact that prices are changing almost on a daily basis

makes it even more challenging. You can only pass on such much to your customers before they become uncompetitive. Everyone is being affected by the soaring costs.

“Every day brings a new challenge in this business. But you just have to get on with it and do the best you can.”

In summary, Martin Boyle Haulage prides itself on its professional, dependable, trustworthy, value-for-money and expertise service. Martin and all the team would like to take this opportunity

to thank their clients and suppliers for their continued support.

Here’s to the next 40 years!

The distinctive green and white trucks and trailers are a familiar sight

The fleet comprises 16 artics, one rigid and two vans

SHANNON FOYNES PORT COMPANY CONTINUES TO PERFORM STRONGLY

Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) reported an exceptionally strong year in 2021, with record earnings achieved and profit before taxation exceeding €5.2 million for the first time.

Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) reported an exceptionally strong year in 2021

Ireland’s second largest port operator and largest bulk port company, Shannon Foynes Port has statutory jurisdiction over all marine activities on a 500km2 area on the Shannon Estuary, stretching from Kerry to Loop Head to Limerick. Adjacent to the world’s busiest shipping routes, with current capacity to handle over 10 million tonnes annually and with water depths of up to 32 metres, it is uniquely positioned to expand as an international cargo hub serving the domestic, European and worldwide mar-

gins. This expansion will be accommodated by up to 1,200 hectares of land available for port development.

Last year’s performance was down to a mix of recovery from Covid-19 impacts sooner than expected, a resurgent

Contact Details:

Shannon Foynes Port Company Harbour Office, Foynes, Co. Limerick, V94 R232.

Telephone: 069 73100

Email: info@sfpc.ie

Web: www.sfpc.ie

economy and the supply / demand imbalance in the energy generation sector. With tonnage throughputs increasing by 16% to 10.9 million tonnes, turnover increased by 23.8% to €16 million (2020: €12.9 million). Tonnages were particularly strong in the agriculture and construction sectors, with the export of cement and related imports growing strongly.

Overall, SFPC’s general cargo terminals of Limerick and Foynes performed strongly, with year-on-year throughput increases of 9.9%, manifesting in these terminals now operating at historically high levels.

In addition to throughput and turnover growth, stringent cost management remained a core focus,

Shannon Foynes Port has statutory jurisdiction over all marine activities on a 500km2 area on the Shannon Estuary, stretching from Kerry to Loop Head to Limerick

“With

an expanded business development function, we have identified targeted areas that will drive revenue growth over the short, medium and long-term.”

resulting in returning a significantly improved EBITDA margin of 47.5% (2020: 42.9%) and historically high EBITDA of €7.6 million (2020: €5.6 million).

Shannon Foynes Port CEO Patrick Keating said that despite challenges of 2022, he remained confident about the company’s future: “Notwithstanding the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine, we remain confident that there are significant opportunities to grow and expand the Port at the operating level. With an expanded business development function, we have identified targeted areas that will drive revenue growth over the short, medium and long-term.”

Mr Keating said that since 2011 – the base year of the company’s masterplan, Vision 2041 – tonnage at its general cargo terminals increased by 60%, even accounting for the Covid contraction. This performance is also reflected in the company’s balance sheet, with net assets increasing by 281% to €54m since 2010 and with annual net operating cashflow increasing by over 170% over the same period.

The SFPC CEO added that due to the increased tonnage throughputs projected in Vision 2041, the ongoing roll-out of the company’s investment programme is continuing at pace.

Following the completion of Phase 1 at a cost of €12m, construction has now commenced on Phases II through to IV. These phases, costing a total of €33m, will involve construction of 117 metres of new quay to join the East and West

Jetties, infilling for associated quay set down together with the development of 38 hectares site at Foynes as a port business park. These represent the largest capital projects ever undertaken by the company and are scheduled to be completed in 2023.

Mr Keating explained that the company will have a significant part to play in assisting the country’s transition to a low carbon economy due to its role as an international offshore renewable energy hub.

“Our medium-term Capital Investment Program has been reviewed to ensure that the Port will have the necessary capacity for the medium term to accommodate this transition, particularly with regard to offshore renewables and deep-water berth capacity,” he said.

Commenting on the 2021 results, SFPC chairperson David McGarry said: “The year not only recorded great financial success but also notable progress on several fronts with regards to SFPC’s Strategic Plan. With SFPC making strides internally, it also remains one of the foremost economic drivers for the Mid-West Region.”

Mr McGarry noted that the Board had made significant progress on realising the objectives of the Strategic Plan 2021–2025. The company has now updated its objectives with the drafting of a 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which has been delivered to the Department of Transport and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with the report expected to be approved soon.

Meanwhile, Patrick Keating

said that the Foynes to Limerick Road is one of the key infrastructure elements that will assist in unlocking the Shannon Estuary’s potential as a global renewable energy and logistics hub.

Welcoming the approval of the road by An Bord Pleanála recently, Mr Keating outlined that it is imperative that the development is prioritised so that SFPC can capitalise on the unprecedented opportunity for the State from both floating offshore wind and improving the capacity of the national supply chain.

“The granting of approval for the road is a hugely welcome development as it is critical enabling infrastructure for realising the potential of the Shannon Estuary as a global floating offshore wind energy and associated alternative green fuels production, and logistics hub,” he commented.

“The opportunity for the Estuary is at a scale that will be transformative from an economic perspective for the region and, indeed, the State. Moreover, it will have national and international impact on the fight against climate change as we have an infinite supply of renewable energy in the Atlantic accessed from the Shannon Estuary. These renewable resources will not only serve Irish energy demand but can also support Europe in unwinding its dependence on Russian gas by the production of green alternative fuels.

“But for all that to happen, we need to transform our port infrastructure and the 35km Limerick to Foynes Road is an essential element of that. Together

Ireland’s second largest port operator and largest bulk port company

with the regeneration of the rail link from Limerick to Foynes, the contract for which is now out to tender, this will ensure the port has the type of connectivity essential for it to play this pivotal role in Ireland’s future.

“The road already has government backing through the National Development Plan and now has approval from the relevant planning authority. But we must ensure that the project is prioritised and that we can move quickly through to final approval stage and, ultimately, to the development of the road.”

Mr Keating said that the Foynes to Limerick Road has been a priority for the port authority since the launch of the Vision 2041 masterplan.

“Such is the opportunity for the Estuary now that we have engaged Bechtel, who are world leaders in strategic planning and development of ports, to update it. We see the granting of approval for the road as further validation of this opportunity.”

Mr Keating added: “This new road facilitates the sustainable development of the immense renewable energy resources in the Atlantic by properly connecting the adjoining deep-water port of Foynes on the Shannon Estuary and as such is so much more than a road. It’s key to unlocking our green energy future as well as providing resilience on the national supply chain.

So the commitment of the Mid-West

Road Design Office, Limerick City and County Council, the wider stakeholder community and, indeed, An Bord Pleanála for its careful consideration, must be acknowledged in getting us to this important juncture.”

Shannon Foynes Port Company was formed in 2000 following the merger of the former Shannon Estuary Ports and Foynes Port companies, and specialises in bulk cargoes which constitute more than half the cargoes transiting Irish ports. It accounts for more than 37% of all bulk cargoes in the Republic of Ireland, with typical cargoes including liquid fuels and chemicals; ores, coal and other energy products; agri-business inputs such as animal feedstuffs and fertilisers; recyclable materials; and various project cargoes, including wind turbines for wind energy projects.

Fully certified to ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS 18001 standards, SFPC’s location on one of the deepest waterways in Europe enables it to accommodate the world’s largest ships and to act as a gateway between Europe and North America. Its future has never looked brighter.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

KC COMMERCIALS ADDS MORE STRINGS TO ITS BOW

Catering for all the maintenance and repair requirements of commercial vehicle operators, and specialising in the ADR sector of the market, KC Commercials has emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic with an even greater service offering.

For over 30 years, the Dublin-based operation – which is headquartered in Kinsealy and has a depot in Dublin Port – has been a one-stop shop for the ADR sector. But not one to rest on its laurels, KC Commercials has added several more strings to its bow in the last two years. The company comprises three divisions – truck and trailer maintenance and repairs, engineering and fabrication, and tank testing. Most of the recent developments relate to the latter division which is one of only three hydraulic tank testing facilities in Ireland.

Firstly, KC Commercials now has an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System in place. The company is also accredited for calibration and verification of truck-mounted oil flow meters (Section 12 of the Metrology Act).

In addition, KC Commercials is now offering HVO meter calibration and repair. HVO is a new NSAI-approved fuel made from hydrotreated vegetable oil which reduces carbon emissions by in the region of 90% compared to diesel. It is also more cost-effective at a time when diesel prices are at a record high.

IPIA (Irish Petroleum Industry Association) has changed its name to FFI (Fuels for Ireland) and

maintains validation of SLP inspectors, of which KC Commercials has five approved inspectors. Indeed, the company carries out the highest number of SLP inspections in the Republic of Ireland.

As an NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) service partner, KC Commercials provides staff to support meter verification on both of its sites, thus reducing customer downtime and improving flexibility as part of its onestop shop philosophy with particular emphasis on the ADR sector.

Furthermore, the Dublin firm has a service partnership / agreement on ADR recovery and provides nationwide support for specialised ADR recovery and containment support. KC Commercials staff are ERIC (Emergency Response Incident Coordinator) certified to support customers when rapid response / coordination is required for product spill, RTA etc.

KC Commercials has also invested in additional

customer support vehicles and increased its staff to 20, a figure which includes three apprentices. As it looks to the future, the company is committed to training and developing more apprentices.

As an essential service provider, KC Commercials remained fully operational throughout most of the pandemic, during which it provided vital refuelling services to the Irish Air Corps’ fleet of aircraft in Baldonnel and the Irish Lighthouses’ helicopter fleet.

“Although Covid was a difficult time for us, we were classified as an essential service support and remained open

except for a two-week period at the start of the pandemic. It presented many challenges, including Covid training to lead workers, isolation areas on site, regular staff testing, altered shift patterns and revised staff welfare layout,” explains KC Commercials general manager Jimmy Monks.

“Although CVRT stopped testing and

derogations / exemptions were in place, the ADR sector of the haulage industry kept all vehicles maintained and continued to carry out 12-week safety inspections, which is a credit to them. It goes without saying that we would not have been able to operate during the pandemic were it not for the dedication and commitment of our staff.

“Our aim has always been and continues to be to provide a ‘best in class’ service and support to our customers, and we do this with a highly-motivated and skilled workforce. We have a lot of blue-chip clients and our ethos is to offer the best possible service to all of our customers, including operational and aftersales.

Looking after the maintenance and repair requirements of commercial vehicle operators

KC Commercials specialise in the ADR sector of the market

“We also pride ourselves on being a nice place to work. You can’t do anything without good staff. We’re fortunate to have some of the best. Our people are our greatest asset.”

With accreditation from FFI, KC Commercials carries out both safe load pass and tank testing at its state-of-theart facilities in Kinsealy. Also located at the five-acre site is a fully equipped workshop with four bays, while the company also has a CVRT test lane the exact same as test centres, which is used for the pre-CVRT test.

“There has been massive investment in the business over the years, particularly in the last few where a ‘Centre of Excellence’ has been developed which includes an ADR bay and state-of-the-art fall arrest system

for working at height and diagnostic technology which replicates that of a port facility loading gantry,” Jimmy adds.

When it comes to diagnostics, what the team at KC Commercials don’t know is not worth knowing. It caters for everything to do with ADR and is the only company on the island that has accreditation both north and south of the border.

There is no doubt that this is a forwardthinking concern and Jimmy praises managing director Brendan Kealy, who founded the business along with the late Robert Cray, for his foresight to drive it forward.

“There has always been a massive emphasis on training and this company has gone above and beyond in that regard as some of the staff are the most-

qualified in their sector. The training covers all areas of the business from management right down to the skilled workers and office staff. Everyone is encouraged to grow within the company.

“Our welders are coded to standard BS EN 9606 for stainless, aluminium and mild steel with additional PED approvals.

“The compliance side of a business is sometimes neglected, but that is not the case here and it is managed very well. We have a software management system in place which assists the transport manager and others to make sure the business runs as smoothly as possible.”

“Our customers are very happy with the service that we provide, but that doesn’t stop us from looking at ways of improving the business.”

As an approved operator for pressuretesting tanks, KC also provides leakproof testing and thorough examinations on vehicles.

“An intermediate test should be carried out every three years after the tanker is put into service. All testing in this facility is carried out to standard EN 12972 by highly trained and qualified technicians,” Jimmy says.

“Uniquely, our test facility monitors all pressure test values remotely with data logging equipment and records the same to cloud-based systems. As part of our ever-improving philosophy, we are currently testing digital CCTV systems for internal monitoring of the tankers, thus reducing the requirement for ‘confined space working’ of staff and digitally recording all information for records purposes.”

As it continues to go from strength to strength, KC Commercials would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients and suppliers for their ongoing support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.

HORAN TYRES KEEPS YOU MOVING

Established in 2005 by John Horan, Horan Tyres Ltd is a leading tyre depot in Portumna, Co. Galway which also specialises in batteries, exhausts and car servicing.

From humble beginnings, Horan Tyres has become the number one for tyres, tracking, fast puncture repairs, balancing and alloy straightening in the region. The company has earned an enviable reputation for supplying, fitting and repairing tyres for cars, jeeps, trucks, tractors and quarry equipment.

“We cater for everything from a wheelbarrow to an earthmover,” John proudly states.

“We provide a full service to the car, haulage, agri and earthmoving sectors. We also offer a 24/7 callout service to our regular customers. We have two fullykitted vans dedicated to this which are able to carry out repairs onsite or on the roadside. We can also fit agri tyres on

the farm or in the farmyard. It’s all about giving customers the service they want.”

In addition, Horan Tyres offers preNCT checks along with full servicing at its state-of-the-art four-bay workshop. The Bridge Road depot has everything John and his team need to repair and replace tyres, and carry out servicing, including John Bean 3D four-wheel laser alignment, diagnostics and hydraulic lifts. As well as providing a comprehensive range of tyres for different vehicles to suit all budgets, the garage stocks a full selection of batteries, exhausts, alloys and other accessories.

Horan Tyres offers free and impartial advice on the best quality tyres to suit your needs and budgets. They are authorised agents for all the leading brands, including Michelin, Pirelli,

Goodyear and BFGoodrich for cars, Hankook and Bridgestone for trucks and BKT Agrimax, Firestone and Tianli for tractors and earthmoving equipment. A huge selection of midrange, budget and used tyres are also in stock. Horan Tyres’ most popular budget brand is Arivo which is supplied by Bolger Tyre Wholesalers in Tullamore.

“The wear on Arivo tyres is brilliant and they have such a wide range… I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a budget tyre,” John says.

“We pride ourselves on our quality products and top-class service. We’re always prepared to go the extra mile for our clients. Customer satisfaction and value-for-money are very important to us. Our primary concern is the safety of our customers, hence the importance

Horan Tyres was established in Portumna in 2005

As well as tyres, the garage stocks a full selection of batteries, exhausts, alloys and other accessories

of choosing the right tyre to suit your vehicle and the way you drive it.”

In the unlikely event of it not having the tyres you require in stock, Horan Tyres will have them for you the next day. “If the order goes in before 3 o’clock in the afternoon, we will have the tyres by 8 o’clock the following morning. We will never see anyone stuck,” the affable managing director stresses.

John served his time as a mechanic with Al Hayes Motors in Portumna before working in Galway for a few years. In 2005, he returned to Portumna and set up John Horan Tyres, which was later shortened to Horan Tyres.

“I had only 10 tyres and 16 boxes of tubes starting off,” he recalls.

“Slowly but surely, I built it up from there. The support I got from local truckers, farmers and businesses was massive. The likes of Quitmann O’Neill Packaging, GA Claffey, TP Sullivan, Arrabawn Co-Op, Al Hayes Motors, Pat Fahy Haulage and Gill’s Agri Contracting in Rathcabin, East Galway Quarries in Ballinasloe and East Galway Stone in Deerpark have been long and loyal customers. We cover a wide area which takes in Galway, Tipperary, Offaly and Clare. We’re situated in the middle of those four counties.”

Horan Tyres’ suppliers include Tractamotors, Euro Car Parts, Kelly Motor Factors (Ballinasloe) and Agrigear Tyre & Wheel Specialists (BTK). John is joined in the business

by four full-time staff, while his son John Vincent – who is following in his footsteps by serving his mechanic apprenticeship with Al Hayes Motors –and partner Cheryl also help out.

“I cannot praise our tyre fitters enough. They’re excellent at what they do and

“We cater for everything from a wheelbarrow to an earthmover.”

have played a big part in our growth and success to date. We’re all on the same team,” he adds.

John has noticed a trend towards smaller tyre profiles on trucks and is also meeting the growing demand for electric car tyres which are a different specification to conventional petrol and diesel cars.

“We pride ourselves on our quality products and top-class service”

“The profiles on truck tyres are generally dropping 10mm from 31580/32.5 to 31570/32.5. That has been very noticeable, so we’ve had to stock up on the smaller size. You have to be able to adapt and evolve in this business or else you’ll get left behind.”

As Horan Tyres continues to go from strength to strength, John would

like to take this opportunity to thank his customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as his staff for their hard work, dedication and skill.

Opening hours are 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

Horan Tyres

Best Wishes and Continued Success to Horan Tyres

HAWEKA CHASSIS& WHEEL ALIGNMENTSYSTEMS

Best Wishes to Horan Tyres

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WEST

Specialising in sand and gravel, low-loader, abnormal loads and crane hire, Kenny Transport (Willie Kenny & Sons Transport Ltd) provides a top-class haulage service to a growing client-base in the West of Ireland and beyond.

Based in Claregalway, Co. Galway, the company was established in 1980 by Willie Kenny Snr. His son, Willie Jnr, took over the reins in 2000 and has overseen significant growth with the business now running

15 trucks and 38 trailers, and employing 14 drivers. Kenny Transport has earned an enviable reputation for reliability, efficiency and value-for-money.

Kenny Transport’s exceptional service and fleet ensure every load reaches its destination safely and on time. The

immaculately turned-out fleet is instantly recognisable thanks to its white cabs with blue graphics. Willie operates 14 tractor units and one HIAB rigid which are split evenly between Volvo and Scania. His trailers are a mix of OKM, SDC, Montracon trombones and

50 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Willie Jnr took over the reins in 2000 and has overseen significant growth with the business now running 15 trucks and 38 trailers

The fleet is maintained and serviced inhouse as well as by the main dealers

Dennison flats, Kassbohrer and Schmitz tippers. He runs Nooteboom low-loaders and Dennison step-frames. He recently took delivery of two new OKM 45ft flat trailers from Trailer Store in Naas and has two more tractor units and four more flat trailers ordered for January 2023.

“We continue to invest heavily in our fleet to ensure our customers get the best possible service and that there is no such thing as downtime. We have expanded our trailer count in the last 10 years and continue to go from strength to strength,” Willie says.

The fleet is maintained and serviced inhouse as well as by the main dealers. These include Murphy Commercials in Galway (Volvo) and Cawley Commercials in Sligo (Scania). The Galway firm can offer trailers ranging from 30ft to 100ft (extendable) in length and also has two HIAB cranes dedicated to industrial lifting.

Willie’s biggest customer by far is Kilsaran who are recognised as Ireland’s leading supplier of innovative concrete

products for home and construction projects, including concrete, paving and asphalt supplies. Kenny Transport is at both ends of the supply chain to Kilsaran’s Oranmore plant, drawing in the raw material and drawing out the finished product.

“The work we do for Kilsaran accounts for about 75% of our business,” he explains.

“We draw in the sand, gravel and aggregate that goes into making the hollowcore floors and walls which we also draw out. With the construction sector going well at the moment, we’re extremely busy with the line of work.”

Kenny Transport are experts in the movement of office and shipping containers which they supply, hire and sell – both new and second-hand – to customers across the West of Ireland. Willie and his highly-qualified team of professional drivers can look after everything from permit procurement to escorting and heavy load management. They pride themselves on having the

Contact Details: Kenny Transport Kiltrogue, Claregalway, Co. Galway, H91 A2W8.

Telephone: 087 2361865

Email: wkctransport@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ KennyTransportGalway

Website: www.kennytransport.com

knowledge, expertise and equipment to ensure that the most secure and effective movement of abnormal, wide and long loads is provided.

Kenny Transport are also experts in transportation of all abnormal loads and have trailers to suit any requirements by customers. Being a qualified toolmaker by trade, Willie has a passion for industrial lifting with his experience of

Kenny Transport’s exceptional service and fleet ensure every load reaches its destination safely and on time

Combining great equipment and experienced personnel to achieve exceptional results

precision engineering.

No job is too big or too small for the company which has carved out a niche for itself in this very specialised sector.

“We’re a one-stop-shop for all your abnormal load needs,” the affable haulier continues.

“We have escort vehicles and a range of trailers to suit all requirements. Our crane lorries can follow our tractor units and trailers for loading and unloading. We lift, fit and install, and have the wherewithal to relocate a large number of office / shipping containers, portacabins and prefabs in a short space of time.

“Many of the jobs we take on require a lot of planning, preparation and attention to detail. Our drivers are well-versed in Health & Safety and are qualified banksmen. Our policy is ‘zero tolerance, zero accidents’. There are no shortcuts

“We continue to invest heavily in our fleet to ensure our customers get the best possible service”

Kenny Transport has earned an enviable reputation for reliability, efficiency and value-for-money

taken.”

Kenny Transport retains and attracts new clients by providing a service that is second to none.

“It’s all down to our commitment to offering complete customer satisfaction. Being a family business, we’re able to offer a personal touch that you just

don’t get from the large haulage companies. We enjoy a great rapport with our customers and are always at the end of the phone. We go the extra mile for them and they recognise that.

“We’re very busy in Galway and are also involved in projects in Dublin and Cork.”

Murphy Commercials (Galway) Cloughaun, Claregalway, Galway Tel: 091 739700 / 087 9203920 service@murphycommercials.ie

Willie suffered a great loss in February 2021 when his beloved wife Karen passed away after a long illness bravely borne. Karen was also adored by her children Kian, Sean and Ava, and was a huge support to her husband in the family business.

Passionate about haulage, Willie would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as his drivers for their dedication, hard work and skill.

FINNEGAN BRAY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS ON THE ROAD

Eugene Finnegan and daughter Sarah collect their stunning new Volvo 9700 coach from Irish Commercials

Celebrating 50 years in business, Finnegan Bray is a well-known and respected family-run company which provides coach and minibus hire for all occasions and to all locations.

Fronted by Eugene Finnegan, Finnegan Bray operates an 18-strong fleet of buses to cater for all types of groups. The latest addition to the fleet is a stunning 222-registered Volvo 9700 which was purchased from Irish Commercials in Naas. Decked out in the company’s trademark red livery, the new bus offers flexibility, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety.

It’s one of the largest coaches in a stellar fleet that also includes 16-seater Ford Transit minibuses, 30-seater Iveco Turas midi-buses, a 37-seater Higer, 53-seater DAF executive coaches, a Mercedes Tourismo 59-seater and

a 78-seater Volvo double decker. In addition, Finnegan Bray has Optare Solo low-floor midi-buses dedicated to its scheduled services. Taking care of all your transport requirements, the company’s executive coaches offer air conditioning, WIFI, audio / video facilities, WC facilities, tinted windows and comfortable reclining seats with ample leg room.

Wheelchair accessibility is also standard on most coaches. Finnegan’s dedicated team of professionals will make sure your journey is as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

The Co. Wicklow bus operator is committed to providing its passengers with the highest safety standards, with each coach fitted with seat belts and the latest safety features. All drivers are experienced, CPC-trained, courteous and professional in every aspect of their

Contact Details:

Finnegan Bray Pinewood Close, Boghall Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Telephone: 01 286 0061

Email: buses@finnegan-bray.ie

Web: www.finnegan-bray.ie

job. The fleet is maintained by an expert team of technicians at CVR (Commercial Vehicle Repairs) who share the same yard as Finnegan’s in Bray and ensure maximum performance, efficiency and safety.

Grove Motors in Newtownmountkennedy also carry out

Decked

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Finnegan Bray is celebrating 50 years on the road

Finnegan Bray operates an 18-strong fleet of buses to cater for all types of groups

out in the company’s trademark red livery, the new bus offers flexibility, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety

some servicing and inspections, while Brian Noone Ltd in Maynooth, M50 Truck & Van Centre, Irish Commercials and the Harris Group are among Finnegan Bray’s main suppliers.

“The new bus has been put to work on our group tours service,” Eugene explains.

“We provide school transport on behalf of Bus Eireann, scheduled services, private group travel and bespoke guided tours for overseas students which is a real growth market for us. We provide driver guides who are very experienced and have a wealth of knowledge of popular tourist destinations like Kerry and Galway. This service is proving to be very attractive to the customer.

“We have replenished our fleet every year since 2017 with the exception of the Covid years of 2020 and ’21. Our aim is to give our passengers the best possible travel experience.”

As well as having vast experience in arranging large group travel requirements, Finnegan Bray provides scheduled daily services that link the Southern Cross with Bray Dart and Sandyford Luas Stations. The first service is at 6.45am and the last at 8.15pm. Until recently, the company also ran a night service from Dublin

to Bray, Greystones, Charlesland and Kilcoole at the weekend.

The pandemic hit the scheduled services particularly hard and Eugene questions whether they will ever return to normal as working from home becomes the norm for so many.

“I think Mircosoft Teams and Zoom meetings are here to stay. It’s a pity because that personal contact with work

colleagues isn’t there anymore,” he laments.

“With less people now travelling to the workplace, our passenger numbers are down, but there is still a strong demand for our scheduled town service within Bray and environs. The service has been running since 1987 when we became the first privately-operated public service in the greater Dublin area since 1946.”

Mercedes-Benz Tourismo parked at Belfast City Hotel

During the pandemic, Finnegan Bray kept passengers safe with onboard hand sanitiser dispensers and wipes. Screens were also installed for driver protection, while each vehicle was cleaned and disinfected after use to practically eliminate the risk of spreading infection.

The origins of Finnegan Bray can be traced back to 1972 when Eugene set up a company called Azterck, which specialised in mini-bus camping tours across Europe. That led to him establishing Finnegan Bray in 1977 and he hasn’t looked back since.

“I worked as a system analyst with the lighting company Solus at the time, but spent my summers organising camping tours to Europe. It’s 50 years since my first camping tour went away to France, Italy and Switzerland,” he says.

“I was among the first group of operators to take a CPC class. By the time I set up this company, I had enough Ford Transit minibuses to go into private hire. The company has grown over the years and we now have 16 drivers employed. My daughter Sarah is also involved. She’s a qualified transport manager and is also qualified to drive any of the buses when she’s needed.”

A shortage of suitable drivers forced

Eugene to suspend the aforementioned Dublin to Bray, Greystones, Charlesland and Kilcoole weekend night service. He feels more needs to be done to attract young people to the sector and is also calling on Bus Eireann to review its policy of not employing drivers who are over the age of 70.

“Driver availability is a huge issue. It’s not an attractive job for youngsters due to the difficulties surrounding insurance. They also face difficulties in being accepted by some customers, which shouldn’t be the case.

“The Bus Eireann retirement age is another strain on the sector. We have

six people – including myself – who cannot drive on a Bus Eireann contract because we’re over 70. Some of the best and most reliable drivers I know are in their seventies. That rule needs to be looked at again.”

A business that continues to go places, Finnegan Bray is dedicated to offering the very best service at unbeatable prices. Passengers can rest assured that they will have the ultimate travel experience with Eugene and his team at the wheel.

Here’s to the next 50 years!

“Our aim to give our passengers the best possible travel experience”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

THE HAULAGE AND LOW LOADER SPECIALISTS

The Co. Meath operator takes great pride in the appearance of its trucks, which are always immaculately turned out

Farrelly Transport Services specialises in general haulage and low loader hire

Founder and managing director Pat Farrelly has 35 years’ experience in the business, having previously worked as transport manager with his father Paddy’s company, Farrelly Plant Hire, in nearby Castletown. Pat is joined by his sons Patrick Jnr and

Aaron, daughter Debra, and a small but dedicated team of drivers. The Farrelly’s run an eight-strong fleet of Iveco and DAF artics and rigids, with a new Iveco Stralis from Kearns & Murtagh in Dundalk on the way. They also run 15 tipping and low loader trailers which are a mix of Kelberg and Kassbohrer.

“We are looking forward to taking delivery of the new truck which was on display at this year’s Full of the Pipe Truck Show in Punchestown. Tipping gear along with other features such as side-skirts and extra lights have been added to it since then,” Debra Farrelly explains.

“The Stralis is the first truck we’ve bought new and represents a significant investment in our fleet and business. Most of our trucks are only a few years’ old, so the fleet is very modern.”

Farrelly Transport Services prides itself on its dependable, trustworthy, value-for-money, friendly and unrivalled service. All trucks and trailers are maintained and serviced on a regular basis to ensure there is no such thing as

Contact Details:

Farrelly Transport Services De Valera Park, Drumconrath, Co. Meath.

Telephone: 087 948 7482 / 087 399 2475

Email: farrellytransportservices @gmail.com

downtime. Most of this is carried out by the aforementioned Kearns & Murtagh. Other suppliers include Mileage Tyres in Navan, Doyle Truck & Trailers in Clondalkin and GEM Oils in Cavan. The Co. Meath operator takes great pride in the appearance of its trucks, which are always immaculately turned out. Farrelly Transport Services’ growth and success can be attributed to the knowledge, experience and expertise of its drivers as well as the quality of its fleet. Pat, Patrick Jnr, Aaron, Debra and

Farrelly Transport Services in Drumconrath, Co. Meath is a family-run business specialising in general haulage and low loader hire. While the company was only formed in 2011, the Farrelly family name has been synonymous with the transport industry for decades.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

All trucks and trailers are maintained and serviced on a regular basis to ensure

there is no such thing as downtime

The Farrelly family name has been synonymous with the transport industry for decades

their professional team deliver the value and quality their clients have come to expect from them.

Blue has become the company’s fleet colour owing to its association with the Breedon Group. Formerly the Lagan Group, Breedon is Farrelly Transport Services’ largest client by some distance. Its other customers include Blacktop Tarmacadam Co Ltd in Duleek and Tarstone Road Maintenance Ltd in Navan.

“The work we do for Breedon accounts for about 90% of our business. We draw

Sean O’Carroll Street, Ardee, Co. Louth Telephone: (041) 685 7165 | Email: info@prcallanacca.com www.prcallanacca.com

aggregates, tarmac and bitumen for them along with machinery and abnormal loads. They are a great company to work for. My father has dealt with them for over 30 years. We go the extra mile for all of our customers,” Debra adds.

The Breedon Group has implemented strict requirements for its hauliers and owner-drivers in relation to vehicle maintenance and compliance with road traffic regulations. It acquired the Lagan Group four years ago in a £455 million deal and continues to go from strength to strength. Breedon is a leading construction materials group in the UK and Ireland which produces cement, aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete, Welsh slate, specialist concrete and clay products, while offering a range of contracting services.

Breedon has a strong asset backing, with around one billion tonnes of mineral reserves and resources. The Group’s strategy is to continue growing through organic improvement and the acquisition of businesses in the heavy-side construction materials market. Breedon reports as three segments: Great Britain, Ireland and Cement. Its operations in Great Britain and Ireland are fully integrated aggregates and downstream products businesses. Its Cement business is a major producer of bulk and bagged cement in the UK and Ireland. Breedon’s quarries and manufacturing plants are strategically located across Ireland to provide nationwide coverage.

Blacktop Tarmacadam Co Ltd specialises in the design, layout and supply of all Asphalt products for roads, car parks and driveways. Tarstone Road Maintenance Ltd is a specialist contractor in the field of bituminous pavement construction and maintenance, civil engineering and related activities.

Committed to quality and complete customer satisfaction, Farrelly Transport Services would like to take this opportunity to thank its customers and suppliers for their continued support, as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.

The Farrellys run an eight-strong fleet of Iveco and DAF artics and rigids

Farrelly Transport Services prides itself on its dependable, trustworthy, value-for-money and friendly service

62 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

MCAULIFFE TRUCKING COMPANY FLEET STANDS OUT FROM THE REST

McAuliffe Truck Company in Castleisland, Co. Kerry is as well-known for its eye-catching fleet as it is for its exceptional transport service.

Every truck in the 18-strong fleet boasts impressive artwork. They even have their own names! The airbrushed trucks have a different theme which adds to their uniqueness. With some of the most

attractive trucks on the road, McAuliffe Truck Company regularly showcases them at truck shows such as Full of the Pipe in Punchestown and the famous Truckstar Festival in Assen, Holland.

To mark its 50th anniversary in 2020, the third-generation family-business

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Mike McAuliffe, Orla McAuliffe and Declan Mangan

Airbrushing on Lady Caroline by Alan Smallwood

Orla McAuliffe collecting the new Scania S650 V8 NG Highline

welcomed a stunning new Scania S650 V8 NG Highline to its fleet. Christened Lady Caroline, it was a star attraction at this year’s Full of the Pipe and Truckstar Festival as Orla McAuliffe – who shares the transport manager duties with Declan Mangan – explains:

“She got a great reaction. She’s the flagship truck in our fleet at the moment and my fiancé Thomas Shine drove her out to Assen in July. She’s named after my future mother-in-law. We usually leave it up to the drivers to give the trucks names. They treat them like they’re their own and take great pride

in their appearance and how they drive them.

“We bought Lady Caroline from T Nolan’s Scania here beside us in Castleisland. The artwork was carried out by Alan Smallwood of AS Airbrush in the UK. The detail is incredible. We couldn’t be happier with it.”

Lady Caroline was the second Scania to join the McAuliffe Trucking Company fleet in the space of two years. In 2019, the company took delivery of another S650 Highline from T Nolan Scania, which is a delightfully airbrushed mermaid-themed model called Lady

Contact Details:

McAuliffe Trucking Company Ltd

Fahaduff, Castleisland, Co. Kerry.

Telephone: 066 7141933

Mobile: 087 2509508

(Declan), 087 9256446 (Orla)

Email: mcauliffetrucking@gmail.com

Web: www.mcauliffetrucking.com

A fleet photo for Christmas

Loading bulk feed in Foynes Port

Freya after driver Lorcan Regan’s five-year-old niece. Lady Freya is still going strong doing runs back and forth to the Continent.

Having not had any Scanias in its fleet for many years, the Kerry haulier now has four. Since purchasing Lady Freya, it has added Lady Caroline along with two new R500s named Lady Meadbh and Lady Ciara. Lady Meadbh is named after driver Cian O’Connor’s mother, while Lady Ciara is driven by Dan Murphy who named her after his new bride.

In addition, McAuliffe Trucking Company took possession of a new DAF XG530 from DAF Truck Services (Cork) last April and has another one ordered for the New Year. It has also invested in a new Chereau refrigerated trailer. In total, the company runs 30 trailers which are a mix of tankers, bulk trailers, livestock trailers, refrigerated units and curtainsiders.

Closely aligned to the family’s pig farming enterprise, McAuliffe Trucking Company provides a comprehensive range of livestock, liquid, refrigerated and bulk transport services both nationwide and internationally. Orla took over the family business from her father Mike, who now concentrates on running his piggeries.

“My grandfather, Jack, had a pig farm before branching into haulage in 1970,” the young transport manager reveals.

“He started drawing whey from Kerry Co-Op (Kerry Ingredients) in Listowel with a Bedford truck and tank to his own pig farm. The business grew from there and he bought two new Hino articulated trucks on the same day in 1975. Following Jack’s passing in 1992, my father took over at the age of 27. He stepped aside a few years ago and is now farming in Shinrone, Co. Offaly. I’ve had my truck licence since I was 21 and started full-time in the business in 2018 when I was 23.

“I studied Business with Marketing in college and

The Kenworth W900 show truck

A new DAF XG 530 purchased in 2022

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

also hold a Transport Management certificate from the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport. It’s handy to have the licence as I’m able to go out and relieve some of the drivers when the need arises. If they’re ‘out of hours’ and only up the road, I can bring the truck the rest of the way.

“It’s also nice to be able to get out of the office every once in a while.”

McAuliffe Trucking Company continues to enjoy an excellent working relationship with Kerry Ingredients, working out of their creameries in Listowel, Newmarket and Charleville. The Castleisland operation also collects milk from dairy farms in the North Kerry and West Limerick areas for Limerick Liquid Milk Producers and North Cork Co-Op in Kanturk, having two DAF trucks dedicated to this service.

The McAuliffe fleet is also a familiar sight on mainland Europe. They transport sow carcasses to Germany and bring back everything from cheese to fruit on behalf of Allmed Logistics in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

With 52 years’ experience in haulage and distribution, McAuliffe Transport Co prides itself on its ability to execute its customers’ shipments in a safe and timely fashion. The Kerry firm’s experienced and professional management and staff have the knowledge and capabilities to provide the highest level of transportation services. Using modern

The DAF XF 530 complete with Magyar tank Lady Caroline ready to load for Holland

Lady Betty – a tribute to Jack McAuliffe complete with Pezzaioli livestock trailer

GPS technology, its trucks and trailers can be tracked from anywhere in the world.

“We’d be nothing without our drivers,” stresses Orla.

“We are very lucky to have a top-class team of full-time and relief drivers who are reliable, courteous and will go out of their way to look after the customer. We also have excellent staff in the office and in our state-of-the-art workshop. We have two mechanics maintaining

our own fleet, while Declan (Mangan) is also a qualified mechanic and helps out when needed. He’s very hands-on.”

Orla welcomes the fact that more women are getting involved in the transport industry.

“It’s great to see more women involved in driving and transport management. While it remains a male-dominated industry, I have never once been looked down upon because I’m female. You do, however, sometimes get funny looks when you’re behind the wheel which

you probably wouldn’t get in Northern Ireland and the UK where it’s much more accepted.

“It would be nice to see more women becoming HGV mechanics. I’ve never come across one before.

“Trucking is in my blood and I hope to play my part in keeping the family tradition alive for many more years to come,” says Orla, who concludes by thanking her clients and suppliers for their continued support.

Wishes and Continued Success to McAuliffe Trucking Company

THE ONE-STOP SHOP HEAVY LIFT SPECIALIST

Providing safe lifting solutions, these are exciting times for Co. Wexfordbased Mastiff Engineering Ltd which continues to go from strength to strength and is relocating to a bigger and better premises in 2023.

When it comes to wide and abnormal loads, planning and preparation are key

Mastiff Engineering was established in 2007 by brothers Kevin and PJ Whitty

Established in 2007 by brothers Kevin and PJ Whitty, Mastiff Engineering is one of Ireland’s leading rigging companies specialising in Heavy lift, Rigging, Hiab, Haulage and Hire. A one-stop shop for all your heavy lift requirements, the company has grown to employ over 100 highly-skilled people, including the office-based Mary Lawless (Operations Manager), Cathy Colfer (Transport Manager), Joanne Whitty (Accounts Manager), Sandi Kennedy (HR Administration) and Catherine French (Administration).

Mastiff Engineering provides services to a large portfolio of clients within the pharmaceutical, IT & data, food & beverage, medical, construction and energy sectors. It is constantly growing and diversifying, and has extended services to include the transportation of abnormal loads, Hiab and haulage. With a variety of trailer types available, including two-, three- and four-axle extendable low loaders, wide, high, long and heavy loads can be transported

by Mastiff’s professional drivers from point of collection to destination.

Furthermore, the company runs two artics (Scania and Volvo) and two rigids (DAF and Renault) with Hiabs as well as a Mercedes Sprinter drop-side pick-up van and two escort vehicles with flashing beacons for abnormal load transportation. The transport department will prepare the necessary permits while planning the route, ensuring the correct traffic management system is implemented for the load type and transport route.

The recent pandemic brought a level of business uncertainty to the economy. “We remained fully operational during the Covid lockdowns as an essential service and it actually worked for us rather than against us. The industry has grown off the back of the pandemic which has resulted in an increase in demand for our services,” Mary Lawless says.

“We celebrated 15 years in business in 2022 and hope to move into our new premises in the middle of 2023. We recently purchased the old Bank

Contact Details:

Mastiff Engineering Ltd

Main Street, Taghmon, Co. Wexford, Y35 FH5H.

Telephone: 053 9183 604 / 053 9183 587

Mobile: 087 972 0519

(Kevin) / 087 210 7840 (PJ)

Email: info@mastiffengineering.ie

Web: www.mastiffengineering.ie

of Ireland building on the Ross Road in Taghmon and will be making the short move there from our current premises on Main Street as soon as refurbishment works are completed.”

When it comes to wide and abnormal loads, planning and preparation are key, as a client, you’re guaranteed an unrivalled service. Mastiff works directly with local authorities and the Gardaí to ensure full compliance with RSA regulations.

Mastiff Engineering is one of Ireland’s leading rigging companies specialising in Heavy lift, Rigging, Hiab, Haulage and Hire

In addition to the transportation element of a project, the company can offer clients the option of removal, loading, unloading and final positioning services.

“We’ve invested heavily in new trucks, trailers, lifting devices, rigging gear and equipment to provide a complete rigging and heavy lifting service for our growing customer-base,” Mary adds.

“We offer Hiab and haulage services, transportation of loads including abnormal loads, hire of spider cranes, roto telehandlers and forklifts with an operator, load testing of lifting beams as

well as GA certification of lifting tackle and rigging gear.

“These services are delivered by a top-class team of highly-qualified, experienced and competent personnel, including lift supervisors, banksmen riggers, machine operators, general operatives, truck drivers and task supervisors. They are supported by our office team who each have an important role to play. A culture of safety awareness and teamwork is constantly promoted among the work force which increases awareness of the benefits of teamwork as well as team awareness of

the company supports in place to assist workers when needed.

“Everything at Mastiff is about teamwork. It fits in with our safety culture. Health & Safety is top of our agenda.”

Mastiff Engineering supplies licensed Hiab and haulage services nationwide. Its range of trailers are suited to transporting a diversity of load types. From flat to extendable / low bed extendable low loaders and curtainside trailers, loads of up to 48,000kg and 20m in length can be transported. The Wexford company’s truck drivers are experienced in loading, tying down loads and offloading an assortment of load types, including pipes and pipe racks, containers, cabins, tanks and skids, structural steel, factory lines, generators, compressors and heavy machinery.

“The added advantage of our truck drivers is that they are all competent riggers and machine operators and therefore can oversee and carry out offloading. That’s another cost-saving measure for our clients,” Mary points out.

Mastiff’s PM and Cormach Hiab cranes have the capacity to lift and load weights of up to 21,000kg. All transportation services are carried out in compliance with the Irish Road Haulage Associations’ Conditions of Carriage. All vehicles are tested and certified in compliance with the CVRT test and RSA regulations.

The family-run business has earned an enviable reputation for its lifting specialist services. From basic to complex lifts, the Mastiff team has the solution you’re looking for. With experience working within a range of industries, lifting and fitting a variety of large machinery and equipment into position, no job is too big or too difficult for its riggers.

Mastiff Engineering supplies licenced Hiab and haulage services nationwide

Providing safe lifting solutions

“It’s vitally important to act on customer feedback as we’re continually learning and perfecting our work systems. As members of the IRHA, we operate under their terms and conditions. We’re fully compliant with all regulations and always ensure our paperwork is up to scratch.

“We pride ourselves on being a onestop shop for all your heavy lift needs. We can organise transport among other things which improves efficiency and saves money. It gives us more control and our customers a better overall experience. We also collaborate with bigger transport and crane hire companies on a regular basis and work with some of the most reputable suppliers in the industry.

“We’re lifting experts who offer advice and who try to work with our clients and help them. We will do our utmost to provide clients with options. There are strict regulations governing the transportation of abnormal loads, the transport department will work with and advise clients accordingly.

“Recently some of the company suppliers have become clients. The range of trailers available at Mastiff are

suitable to carry a large variety of load types. This has enticed suppliers to engage with us in regard to transportation. We are continually building up and maintaining business relationships within the market.”

Mastiff’s lifting team are experts in tandem lifting which involves the simultaneous use of more than one lifting device to bring a piece of equipment to the chosen position or chosen orientation, e.g. horizontal to vertical. Depending on the way an item is packed for transportation, offloaded onsite or currently positioned will determine the way it will be lifted.

Mastiff has experience pairing lifting devices such as cranes, 360 telehandlers, forklifts, Hiab cranes and spider cranes with varying lifting capacities. By forging solid relationships with some of the most reputable crane and hire companies in Ireland, Mastiff can offer the most competitive rates available.

Mastiff’s lifting team can offer solutions to height restrictions, access and egress restrictions, floor openings, confined space work and work within cleanroom areas as well as many others with limited interruption to existing good

manufacturing practices or services in the area.

Mechanical and Electrical installations is another company speciality. It has developed specialist techniques over the years to lift, move, transport, install and relocate everything from air handling units (AHUs), tanks and skids, dryers and drying systems, boilers, chillers, compressors and pumps to heat exchangers, electric panels, control panels, transformers, flight simulators and structural steel.

From bidding to planning to the execution of a project, the needs of its clients are paramount at Mastiff. The Mastiff team works with clients both on and off site to guarantee projects are completed within the agreed schedule and that all Health & Safety requirements are provided for, and meet the standard set for each individual site.

As Mastiff Engineering looks forward to the next 15 years, the company would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as their highly-motivated and dedicated team for their hard work, loyalty and expertise.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

ANOTHER LANDMARK YEAR FOR THORNTONS RECYCLING

Twenty-twenty-two was another busy and productive year for Thorntons Recycling –Ireland’s largest and most progressive family-owned waste management company, which continues to move with the times.

Already firmly established as proven market leaders in the increasingly vital area of waste management and recycling, Thorntons Recycling further expanded and enhanced their service levels during the course of the 2022 calendar year.

Alongside significant improvements

to the best-in-class fleet of more than 150 vehicles and cutting-edge facilities, Thorntons – a family business providing employment to a vast team of experienced personnel, many of whom have been with them long-term – also acquired The City Bin Co., which will help them broaden their influence even further.

Taking their environmental and

Deeply embedded into the communities they have served for more than four decades

community responsibilities extremely seriously, Thorntons Recycling are deeply embedded into the communities they have served for more than four decades – not just as a waste management provider but also as a sponsor of countless bodies and events – and this will undoubtedly continue to be the case going forward.

It was announced in July that Thorntons Recycling had agreed to acquire The City Bin Co. in Galway from existing shareholders – an

acquisition which combines awardwinning customer service with best-inindustry waste management practices and places the enlarged group at the forefront of helping Irish businesses and households meet the challenges of the circular economy and to support them to lower their carbon footprint.

Thorntons Recycling is an Irish business owned by brothers Paul and Shane Thornton, employing more than 550 staff who are committed to providing the highest level of customer

Contact Details:

Thorntons Recycling, Unit S3B, Henry Road, Parkwest Business Park, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 6235133

Email: info@thorntons-recycling.ie

Web: thorntons-recycling.ie

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Thorntons provide a secure confidential shredding service

Operating a best-in-class fleet of more than 150 vehicles

service. It has been operating in Ireland’s waste sector for almost fourand-a-half decades and today handles over 700,000 tonnes of waste material across eleven depots, including Ireland’s largest food waste compost facility at Kilmainhamwood, County Meath.

The company provides a full range of recycling and waste management services to over 80,000 household and commercial customers. A continuous re-investment programme in modern recovery facilities, processes, fleet, staff and equipment has positioned Thorntons at the forefront of Ireland’s green economy drive, with a marketleading 90% of the waste processed by Thorntons being recycled and recovered.

The City Bin Co. was co-founded by Gene Browne in 1997 to bring a

Ireland’s largest and most progressive familyowned waste management company

Collecting their 4th new Renault truck D Range from Setanta Trucks

Best Wishes to Thornton’s Recycling

Best Wishes and Continued Success to Thornton’s Recycling

customer-centric approach to the waste management industry. The company is headquartered in Galway and operates in both Galway city and Dublin. Its core strategic focus is customer service, and it is renowned for quality of service and investment in people. In recent years, with approximately 180 people employed across its operations, the company has increased its revenues as well as customer and staff numbers while also increasing recycling rates and continuing its relentless pursuit of customer service excellence.

Referring to this landmark acquisition, which sees two major waste recycling pioneers join forces, Thorntons Recycling CEO Gary Brady, who has been with the company for 20 years, confirmed that Thorntons intend to retain The City Bin Co. brand name:

“We are delighted to acquire The City Bin Co., which has an excellent reputation in the waste management sector and is a well-known brand with a loyal customer base in Dublin and Galway city. With this investment Thorntons Recycling is making a strong commitment to delivering for Ireland’s circular economy and helping the country achieve its climate action targets.

“Our two businesses are highly complementary in terms of culture and outlook, and together we will continue to deliver a premium service to our customers and excellent career opportunities to our employees.”

Best Wishes and Continued Success to Thornton’s Recycling

Best Wishes and Continued Success to Thornton’s Recycling

SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY TRANSPORTATION CLEANERS

Unit 6C Malahide Road Industrial Park, Coolock, Dublin 17 Tel: +353 1 8770997 Fax: +353 1 8770996

Email: sales@northchemicals.com

www.northchemicals.com

Proud suppliers of Refuse Vehicles, Moba Weighing & Vehicle Repair Services

T: +353 1 4203000 | E: info@logicfleet.ie | W: www.logicfleet.ie Logic Fleet Management Limited

Unit 81 / 82 Broomhill Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24

22 Delmere, Enfield, Co. Meath A83 D372 Mob: +353 87 2236303 | Tel: +353 46 9549695

Email: viviondaly@gmail.com

Best Wishes and Continued Success to Thornton’s Recycling

Operating the most advanced technology for C&D waste (excavated soil, stone, concrete, brick, tiles, glass, metal, plastic and wood) recycling in Europe, Thorntons Recycling offer a variety of waste management and recycling services for home owners and businesses in Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow and nationwide including everything from a threebin domestic waste collection service to skip hire and confidential paper and digital media shredding.

Established in 1979 by Pádraig Thornton and his wife Carmel, Thorntons Recycling are fully committed to providing clients with the exceptional service they expect and deserve. Their dual goal is to help customers increase their recycling rate and reduce their waste management costs. Thorntons Recycling invariably provide excellent customer service to all clients, with a dedicated team of recycling experts on hand to help with all waste and recycling needs.

Over the years, Thorntons Recycling has grown into one of the country’s largest waste management companies, providing waste collection, recycling and recovery services to thousands of satisfied customers, and investing over €80 million in its facilities, processes, fleet and equipment. As part of this continuous replenishment and improvement, four magnificent new Renault D Range trucks were added to the fleet in early 2022.

Thorntons are proud of their yearly improvements in recycling rates, with the stated objective of ensuring the maximum amount of waste is fully recycled or reused as an alternative fuel source.

Providing a one stop shop solution for all waste. Thorntons Recycling have grown to serve more than 5,500 commercial customers and over 75,000 household customers every day, consistently delivering a premium, value for money service.

The company is fully invested in industryleading compliance and quality. Last summer, following an FTAI TruckSafe renewal audit, Thorntons Recycling received the Silver standard. Along with their Guaranteed Irish membership, this is further proof of the providence and customer care credentials of the company.

Fully ISO-accredited, the business is operated in compliance with a number of international standards – namely ISO 9001, ISO14001, ISO45001 and EN15713.

Thorntons Recycling have a wonderful history of providing unrivalled, customer focussed waste management services and, if 2022 is anything to go by, this record of outstanding achievement is set to continue into the foreseeable future and beyond.

TAILORED TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS FROM J&G

With an exceptional, modern and diverse fleet of trucks and trailers at their disposal –manned by vastly-experienced and skilled personnel - J&G Haulage provide a complete range of transport solutions island-wide from their well-appointed Carrickaboy, Cavan base.

Regardless of the size, nature or quantity of the goods that need to be delivered, J&G provide professional and value-added tailored transport solutions to cater for all specific needs. The business was established in 1989 by Jim McCabe and his wife Gabrielle

and incorporated as a limited company in 2001. Today, Jim and Gabrielle are joined in the day-to-day running of the exceptional, multifaceted family business by their sons John and Gary.

A state-of-the-art fleet of twelve articulated trucks – tastefully decked out in the Cavan colours - is complemented by a selection of custom-made high curtainsiders, flat trailers, low loaders, extendable trailers, tippers, refrigerated units and Pezzaioli livestock trailers to ensure that all transport solutions are accommodated, covering everything from groupage to wide or abnormal loads.

Regular reliable transport and distri-

bution services are provided throughout the island of Ireland, whilst secure, modern, high quality on-site storage and warehousing facilities are also available.

J&G pride themselves on consistently providing the highest levels of reliability, value for money and customer service and this is why they benefit from a large and steady volume of repeat business. All vehicles are fitted with modern satellite tracking technology and a first-class haulage service is guaranteed – on time, every time!

“We have a fleet of twelve artics at the moment, with eleven on the road all the time plus one spare,” confirms

Over the past 33 years and counting, Cavan-headquartered J&G Haulage have established themselves as one of Ireland’s premier transport and distribution providers. We briefly interrupted John McCabe’s busy schedule to discuss the full-range of services delivered by this industry-leading, family-run business.

Cavan-headquartered J&G Haulage have established themselves as one of Ireland’s premier transport and distribution providers

Delivering the goods for 33 years and counting

John, who drives one of the lorries himself and has been a trucking enthusiast for as long as he can remember. “We provide a comprehensive general haulage service with a lot of curtainsider and flat work as well as livestock and tipper work. We still do a bit of refrigerated, too, but not as much as we used to.

“In the last two years, we’ve diversified into low loader work, delivering wide and extendable loads to Intel for Breffni Air. Around about two years ago, we also started doing walking floor work and that has also taken off. We also draw tankers of oil out of Dublin Port for Millbrook Edible Oils.”

It was as a livestock haulier that

J&G HAULAGE LTD.

Glencurran, Carrickaboy, Cavan. Tel: (049) 4361085 Mobile: 086 4678910 Email: info@jandghaulage.com

Web: jandghaulage.com

founder Jim McCabe started out 33 years ago with one truck and this is still one of the specialist services offered by J&G Haulage today.

A pair of three-deck Pezzaioli livestock trailers carry pigs for Rosderra Meats, while J&G also draw concrete slabs for both O’Reilly Concrete and

Flood Precast as well as insulation materials for Xtratherm, as well as Loane Transport in Kesh and McBurney Transport in Ballymena.

The stunning J&G Haulage fleet of a dozen trucks and 25 trailers is regularly replenished and maintained in immaculate running order at all times. “We try to keep fresh stuff, both to ensure reliable service and also for the drivers, who are happier when they are operating good gear,” says John.

“We have six Scanias at present, five Volvos and one DAF. They all love their V8s, but unfortunately they can’t all have them. But we try to make sure all the trucks are fresh and economical.

The stunning J&G Haulage fleet of a dozen trucks and 25 trailers is regularly replenished and maintained in immaculate running order at all times

J&G Haulage have an exceptional, modern and diverse fleet of trucks and trailers at their disposal

“As a transport provider, you are part of a team and you have to step up and play a team game.”

We also have a good spread of trailers, with up to 15 curtainsiders alone in the fleet.

“In so far as is possible, we try to maintain everything ourselves but if there is any major work that needs to be done we will take it to Sean Coyle Commercial Repairs or McDonnell Commercials, the main Volvo dealer. We’ve used a lot of different trucks down through the years.

“We started off with Volvo and changed to DAF, then Scania and back to Volvo again and we now have a mixture. When you’re adding to the fleet, you look for the truck that’s going to give you the best performance, efficiency and value for money.”

At the moment, Volvo is ticking all the boxes and plans are afoot to add a couple more to the fleet, hopefully in the not-too-distant future: “We’re hoping to add two new Volvos in 2023 but there is a long waiting list on them,” John confirms.

“We are very happy with the Volvos and you are getting better value as you can pretty much get two new Volvos with curtainsiders included for the price of two new Scanias. They are still a very good truck and with that kind of saving it makes sense to go with Volvo at the

moment.”

J&G Haulage have clocked up serious mileage over the past 33 years but there is plenty more to come from this exceptional second-generation family business, which remains as committed as ever to delivering absolute customer satisfaction on every consignment, large or small.

“It’s the same in any line of work – it all comes down to customer service and that’s what we are focused on,” John concludes. “We provide a personal service and we put our customers first. It’s

all about being there on time, safely. If you take on a job, you have to turn up and do it exactly as agreed.

“You can’t let your customers down. You wouldn’t last long in haulage if you did. You have to be on time, every time; that’s key to us.

“As a transport provider, you are part of a team and you have to step up and play a team game. We are delighted that our customers place their trust in us and we invest all of our energy into making sure we repay that trust with the best-possible service.”

A diverse fleet of trucks and trailers ensures that all transport solutions are provided

THROUGH TEAMWORK AND FAMILY ETHOS, GCS DELIVERING ON ALL TRANSPORT NEEDS

Invariably adapting a personal and professional approach, Global Cargo Solutions is an exceptional family-run business that delivers a comprehensive range of industry-leading, tailor-made transportation services across Ireland and the UK from its recently-upgraded HQ in Armagh. Irish Trucker touched base with Jemma Woolsey to get an update.

Afamily ethos and personal touch permeate every facet of Global Cargo Solutions Ltd. (GCS), the rapidly-expanding, client-focused transportation company which was established by Andy Woolsey alongside his daughters Jemma and Andrea in 2016.

By consistently offering high-quality, value-added freight and transportation services, GCS has grown organically in response to strong customer demand, currently running a magnificent stateof-the-art fleet of 80 trucks and some 180 trailers – including curtain siders, refrigerated trailers, tail lifts and double decks for express groupage.

“We started off with two trucks and three trailers doing a set run, and our initial intention was to have a small, easyrun trucking business,” Jemma reflects.

“However, since our very humble beginnings, we seemed to experience more queries, and opportunities landed

on our doorstep. Due to an undeniable passion for what we do, which entails delivering a great service and a personal touch within the family-run business model, we grew rapidly.

“Sometimes not being able to say ‘No’ can create a lot of pressure, but in our case, we thoroughly enjoyed welcoming new customers, more drivers and contacts to our small business. Within one year, we were operating ten trucks and 45 trailers with ten subcontractors. This at the time felt huge to us, and not something we imagined would escalate. We were very humble and proud of this achievement within our first year’s business.

“Growing any business takes a lot of time, and comes with pressure, but as a family-run business, we put all we had into it, to ensure its success, and we thrived on our steady growth. Having a great network of people to deal with, and a wealth of knowledge within the industry, stood to us, as did the long

Contact Details:

Global Cargo Solutions Ltd., Suite 37 & 38, Dean Swift Building, 50 Hamiltonsbawn Road, Armagh.

Tel: 028 38830890

Email: info@globalcargosolutions.co.uk

Web: globalcargosolutionsgcs.com

working hours that were invested into achieving our goals.”

Jemma adds that the support GCS received from two local businesses in particular during these formative years was invaluable: “Our growth would not have been achievable without our very valued suppliers NR Trucks [Nigel and Estelle Rafferty and their team] alongside Hireco NI [Ricky Graham and

Andy Woolsey with his late mother and daughters Andrea and Jemma, in front of Lady Harriett

Wendy Woolsey, Head of Accounts Credit Control

Lady Harriett, the pride of the fleet

his team]. From the day we opened our doors up until now, both of these suppliers have been a major part of our growth and success - we will never be able to thank them enough.”

Considering the testing economic times that have prevailed over the past six years and counting – between Brexit, Covid, fuel price increases and worldwide economic crises, the growth experienced by GCS since its inception has been nothing short of remarkable. “We have to thank each and every person, current and past employees and suppliers, for their major role played in bringing Global Cargo Solutions to where it is today,” Jemma notes.

Global Cargo Solutions provide unrivalled transport, distribution and storage solutions predominantly covering the UK and Ireland, alongside Europe. Services within the UK / Ireland market include express delivery, 24-hour delivery and a 48-hour service, with options of accompanied or unaccompanied transport.

“Originally, we only had plans to focus on curtain side work within the UK / Ireland. However, due to high demand, we have now added refrigerated trailers to our fleet, and currently run 20 fridge trailers,” Jemma reveals. “This is a growing part of the business

Global Cargo Solutions is an exceptional family run business

Delivering

Collecting a new Scania from valued supplier NR Trucks

and we look forward to welcoming more customers. Within the fleet, we have tail lift vehicles serving a range of retail customers, while all of our curtains are 3.1 metres high, allowing for maximum space.

“We also offer ADR / Pharma trained drivers to give our customers more options. Complementing our Pharma trained drivers, the fridge trailers we have in the fleet to provide this service are high-spec, pharmaceuticalequipped.”

Regularly expanded, improved and replenished, a superb fleet of vehicles is at the heart of the business: “We focus on transport here and our priority is to ensure that we do a topclass job for every customer, big or small,” says Jemma. “For truck / trailer replenishment and maintenance, we pass this responsibility to qualified and competent dealers.

“We work alongside Hireco NI, NR Trucks, Scania Road Trucks, Granco and Corr Brothers Armagh to ensure the safety and quality of our truck / trailer fleet. Through longstanding relationships with each of these businesses and steady communication between our compliance team here in Global Cargo Solutions, our young fleet is very well maintained and safe at all times, which is very important to us. This great health and performance of our trucks and trailers also contributes towards our excellent level of service,

with little to no issues arising whilst on the job.

“We run a modern fleet, with trailers no older than five years, and plans to update every five years. As well as maintaining all our trucks, we have been constantly adding new trucks to our fleet during the last two years, in response to growth and also to ensure again the quality aspect of what equipment we use to service our customers.”

A number of new trucks were added to the fleet in the past 18 months alone –two new Iveco S-WAYS and six S Series Scania from Road Trucks as well as eight S Series Scania from NR Trucks, with plans in the pipeline for even more additions. Offering great MPG, spacious, aesthetically pleasing and loved by drivers, the Scania S Series is very much the preferred truck of choice at Global Cargo Solutions.

“We also added a V8 650 S Series – ‘Lady Harriett’, pride of the fleet, and safe to say Andy’s baby! We custom designed a fridge trailer to stay with this truck and are constantly updating and adding to the fleet to stay ahead of the challenges we face in this industry,” states Jemma.

As for the key to providing optimal transportation and logistics services, Jemma says it all comes down to service: “Here at Global Cargo Solutions, customer / logistics service is something we focus on the most. So many different factors contribute to this. Operating a safe and well-maintained

fleet is paramount, to ensure as few problems as possible whilst working. Due to our well maintained and fresh fleet, we have a great record for a very small number of call-outs needed.

“Having a great driver team is also vital. We have depots in Burton-onTrent, England and Armagh, Northern Ireland and the driving teams from each depot are a credit to our business, excellent and professional at what they do, with great timekeeping skills alongside communication between them and us at the planning desks. This teamwork between drivers and planners is a major benefit to customer service.

“Due to this great team of drivers, we enjoy paying well. Without drivers we would not have a business. Their constant loyalty and hard work is something we are so proud of and hugely thankful for.

“Communication - something we pride ourselves on again – is also crucial and something every customer deserves. We constantly update customers to ensure they know at each step of the way where their delivery is. This helps them and their customers, ensuring that there is as little stress as possible.

“Our ‘family’ in Global Cargo Solutions - from suppliers, drivers, office staff and subcontractors - all play key roles in maintaining service levels. We work together well to achieve this.”

This strong family ethos is certainly one of the many traits that sets GCS

Providing unrivalled transport, distribution and storage solutions across Ireland and the UK

apart from the competition. Their status as a traditional family business is very important to them and traditional family values are instilled across every aspect of the company. Staff members feel like they are part of an extended family and it certainly helps when they are being well looked after.

“We like to invest in our people and they in turn take pride in their work and look after us,” Jemma continues. “Everybody is working together and pushing in the same direction as part of a team.”

Personal service to customers is also a prerequisite: “This is our main focus, and has been from the day and hour we started, ensuring each customer can pick up the phone at any time and speak to someone for any reason,” Jemma confirms.

“We all put huge amounts of effort in, to treat any customer big or small as if they are the only customer. We value our customers greatly, and are thankful for their constant support and loyalty, especially throughout the last two years, when fuel and other rising costs have made things very difficult for all industries.”

The recent development of a new extended yard will be a central component of GCS’s continued growth and viability going forward. The business had outgrown its existing facility but has just unveiled a significant extension comprising a large new fully-concreted

yard finished to the highest spec, with an Istobal truck and trailer wash, where the imminent integration of crossdocking and extra warehousing facilities will open more doors for this model familyrun business.

“We have more space, it’s more safe, and it’s a better environment all around,” says Jemma. “With the new yard, we expect to double our growth over the next three years and this growth will help pay for the investment. We’ll look at our refrigerated business and may put in ten bays of warehousing for chilled storage at some point in the future.

“We have a lot more space now and it’s safer for staff. The facilities for washing the trucks are excellent and it’s a more professional set-up. All of our trucks are in the yard on a Saturday – there isn’t one here during the week – and we make sure to get them all washed, checked and fully serviced.”

All in all, due to the hard work and vision of the Woolsey family and their dedicated team, it’s onwards and upwards for Global Cargo Solutions, who have no intention of slowing down or compromising on the outstanding service levels they’ve been consistently delivering since 2006!

“We thankfully are busy, and seem to be getting busier,” Jemma concludes. “However, that is through constant efforts from our driving team and office team to be as proactive as we can within the industry. We are constantly looking

at ways to improve our services and how we do things. We strive to be as innovative as possible with our transport plans and with the solutions we offer customers - to save both them and ourselves time and money.

“For the future, with this in mind, we are currently looking at crossdock solutions and warehousing, with a mind on venturing more into refrigerated and chilled transport.

“We have plans to grow our teams both in Northern Ireland and England within the office to ensure we have the staff structure in place to cope with the added business we hope to achieve. The Global Cargo Solutions family will continue to work hard to keep our business running in the right direction, as we have done since our humble beginnings.

“Climate change is becoming a major concern for all globally. For the past year, we have been teaming with selected customers to ensure load fill is maximised legally, which in turn can take one truck off the road. As well as this, we are ensuring that our cars within the company are fully electric, whilst looking at our truck emissions intensely.

“While we have come a long way in a short space of time, there is no room for complacency and we want to ensure that every aspect of what we do is improved upon.”