The Fleet Transport Awards event returned to the stage in style at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield, on Thursday evening 10 November. After an absence of three years, the full house gathering enjoyed the evening’s entertainment and hospitality, as well as the announcement of the various Irish Haulier of the Year awards and Irish Truck of the Year category winners by compère Shay Byrne.
It was a case of ‘Back to the Future’ for the awards event, said Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport. The venue, then known as Johnstown House Hotel, had hosted the inaugural Fleet Transport Awards in 2006.
The reference to the block-buster movie series was two-fold in that in recalling the inaugural event at the venue, Jarlath observed that the famous DeLorean Gull-winged sports car needed a strong bolt of lightning to electrify it into the future. “Well, the way things
are going in the automotive front with electromobility, bolts of lightning in their millions will be needed to propel all of the electric vehicles that will be upon us soon, as the charging infrastructure lags way behind.”
Acknowledging the developments taking place at a time of great change for the industry, Jarlath observed: Great credit must go to the automotive manufacturers on their investment and speedy transition from petrol and diesel to electric and hydrogen, the energy sources of the future. Europe is to the fore with this technology, but in certain heavy duty applications and in developing countries around the world, diesel will still be required for years to come. The take-up is slow for a number of reasons - but the move to zero emissions has to
happen and transport operators will have to join the seamless green supply chain movement, or be left behind.”
Noting the pace of development, Jarlath added: “Interestingly, at the recent IAA Transportation Show in Hannover, practically every stand had prioritised electromobility with many variants and applications on display – Four years ago, when the event was last held, manufacturers were only talking about the move. Other alternative and immediate fuel options include HVO and Biomethane, which are already helping to reduce transport’s carbon footprint.”
On the subject of the restored annual awards programme, Jarlath said: “While the transport landscape continues to evolve, the basics of business remains true – customer service excellence, efficiencies, profitability, sustainability and investment. All these elements are required to maintain high standards and best practice; aspects we consider with the Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Awards. Thanks to everyone
that entered and to the finalists.
Congratulations to one and all. Special word of thanks to our event sponsors for being with us on this elongated journey since 2019. Indeed, we also are grateful to our awards adjudication panel for their invaluable contribution and expertise.”
Swords, County Dublin headquartered Zellwood Ltd., emerged as the overall Irish Haulier of the Year 2023 winner, sponsored by Rosslare Europort, following its success in achieving top honours in the Environment & Sustainability Award, in association with Close Brothers Commercial Finance.
Established in 1995, Zellwood Ltd is a family run business and one of the country’s leading contract management
and logistics solutions providers in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Over the past 25 years the company has grown substantially to become one of Ireland’s leading retail temperature controlled distribution solutions providers.
William Flanagan, MD at Zellwood was pleased to achieve the accolades and said: “We believe that the transport industry is constantly evolving and we have endeavoured to adapt our services to meet all our customers’ requirements. We have developed our ‘one stop shop’ capability over the years and Zellwood Ltd’s main objective is to provide the ‘complete distribution solution’ for each customer. Recent investments include the renewal of our fleet to more fuel efficient trucks and the addition of the first all-electric truck in our distribution fleet. We are absolutely delighted to win these awards and the high recognition they bring to our business.”
Among the category award winners were: Toner Transport, Dublin; Dixon International Transport, Dublin; Quitmann O’Neill, Galway; JS Ryan, Laois; Evergreen Fields, Galway; Cantwell Engineering Ltd., Tipperary; ATC Computer Transport & Logistics, Dublin; Irish Rail, Dublin; Derry Group, Armagh & Dublin;
McCulla (Ireland) Ltd., Antrim & Dublin; Shaw Commercials, Mayo; Kennedy International, Dublin; Polar Ice Ltd., Laois and DAF Trucks Ireland, Dublin, while the
On the night there was a special ‘Abba’ musical theme to acknowledge Swedish stage sponsor Volvo Trucks, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in Ireland last year. To draw the curtains on the occasion, Shay Byrne brought the audience to full voice with his rendition of Tony Christie’s ‘Show me the way to Amarillo’. Tony has strong family roots in Claremorris, County Mayo where ‘Fleet’ is based.
Jarlath was delighted with the successful in-person return of the event, commenting: “Yes, we were very happy to be in a position to return to a live event with full attendance. This is after hosting other award events virtually, such as the #StrengthInUnity Transport Heroes 2020 and Best Fleet Truck Brand
of the Year 2021 awards. Congratulations to all of the finalists and the award winners, and special thanks to our sponsors for their continued support. 2022 is a landmark year for us in Fleet as we mark twenty years publishing road transport and commercial vehicle titles. Here’s to the next two decades!”
Over two days, there was also a display of commercial vehicles and trailers at the Exhibition Arena at the hotel’s car parks, as well as a line-up of the contenders for the Irish Truck of the Year Awards, which were sponsored by AIB Finance & Leasing. DAF Trucks, Volvo and Renault Trucks were successful as the main prize winners of these awards.
c ategorY w I nners Internat I onal awards 2023 p resentat I ons
natIonal HaulIer oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by Volvo Trucks
Winner: Toner Transport & Logistics (Dublin)
InternatIonal HaulIer oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by Thermo King Winner: Dixon International Transport (Dublin)
own account transport operator oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles Winner: Quitmann O’Neill Packaging Ltd (Galway)
owner drIver HaulIer oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by MAN Truck & Bus Winner: JS Ryan Freight Ltd (Laois)
regIonal transport operator oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by FUSO Ireland
Winner: Evergreen Fields (Galway)
van Fleet award 2023
Sponsored by Peugeot Winner: Cantwell Electrical Engineering Ltd (Tipperary)
lIverY award 2023 Sponsored by Orbcomm Winner: ATC Computer Transport & Logistics (Dublin)
women In transport award 2023
Sponsored by Freight Transport Association Ireland in association with Commercial Driving Apprenticeship Winner: Denise Ryan - Polar Ice Ltd (Laois)
saFetY practIce award 2023
Sponsored by Health & Safety Authority Winner: Irish Rail (Dublin)
InnovatIon award 2023
Sponsored by Close Brothers Commercial Finance Winner: Derry Group Ireland (Armagh, Waterford, Dublin)
envIronment & sustaInabIlItY award 2023
Sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland Winner: Zellwood Ltd (Dublin)
tecHnIcIan oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by Dennison Fast Parts Winner: Daryl Smyth - DAF Trucks Ireland - Dublin
excellence In wareHousIng & product HandlIng award 2023
Sponsored by Combilift
Winner: McCulla Ireland Ltd (Antrim & Dublin)
customer servIce excellence award 2023
Sponsored by Schmitz Cargobull
Winner: Shaw Commercials (Mayo)
Fleet transport manager oF tHe Year 2023
Sponsored by Iveco in partnership with Emerald Truck & Van Winner: Paul Kennedy – Kennedy International Transport (Kildare)
servIces to tHe transport IndustrY award 2023
Sponsored by Tranzaura
Recipient: Irish Road Haulage Association
oF tHe Year
Pictured (l-r) Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine; Stephen Smyth, Evergreen Fields and Andrew Johnson, National Sales Manager, FUSO Ireland (Sponsor).
Pictured (l-r) Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine; John Meighan, Cantwell Electrical Engineering Ltd; Des Cannon, Managing Director, Gowan Group (Sponsor) and David Nolan, Cantwell Electrical Engineering Ltd.
