Fleet Awards 2024

Fleet Transport Awards 2024 Supplement

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AWARDS 2024

Sligo Haulage & Distribution Ltd Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2024

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AWARDS 2024

OVERALL WINNER IRISH HAULIER OF THE YEAR 2024 - SLIGO HAULAGE & DISTRIBUTION LTD.

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58 | NEWS I

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AWARDS 2024

Title Sponsor

Associate Sponsor

Sligo Haulage & Distribution collects the Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Award 2024

Pictured (l-r) Keith, Stephen and Gareth Mullen, Sligo Haulage & Distribution – Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2024; Glenn Carr, Director, Commercial Business Units, Rosslare Europort (Title Sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Commitment, dedication, efficiency, top quality customer service and maintaining an impeccable fleet, were just some of the plaudits from the judging panel in awarding Sligo Haulage & Distribution Ltd. the prestigious Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Award 2024.

It was a special and memorable occasion for the Tubbercurry, County Sligo based Mullen family as they received strong applause from the full house gathering at the Fleet Transport Awards 2024 Gala Banquet at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield, County Meath on Thursday 9 November.

Receiving the prestigious accolade from Glenn Carr, Managing Director, Rosslare Europort, the main award sponsors, Stephen Mullen, founder and Managing Director, Sligo Haulage & Distribution, was asked by event compère Shay Byrne’s: “What does this recognition mean for you?”

“Well, as a small to medium sized family owned and managed

FLEETTRANSPORT | DEC 23 / JAN 24

business based in the North West, it is a dream come true. We pride ourselves on our service quality and dedication to our customers’ needs and meeting every challenge with a can-do attitude for 25 years. To have this recognised is indescribable in words. We would not

Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Publications

be able to do this without the hard work and dedication of our excellent team in the office, warehouses and on the road.

Along with the loyalty of our customers and suppliers we have achieved this together.”

NEWS I | 59 difficult number of years for us personally and those who know us are aware of the reasons why.”

Shay Byrne, RTE Radio 1 – Master of Ceremonies

“Our thanks go out to the Fleet Transport Team and the judges for honouring our family business with this prestigious award, which we will proudly display across our vehicles in the future. Even though this accolade is for 2024, it’s an award which will stay with the company for its lifetime. To be recognised as one of the best hauliers in the country, an award that is normally associated with larger operators, is a huge honour. We are truly humbled by the amount of well wishes we have received from our peers, and to have received a standing ovation when it was announced was most memorable.

To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in yet that we are the Irish Haulier of the Year 2024. It has been an extremely challenging time for our family over the past number of years in business, with a global pandemic, a war which has played havoc with the global economy, and of course the rising costs. It has also been a

While Stephen is firmly at the helm, his two sons Gareth and Keith are also very much involved in the day-to-day running of the family business, and take great pride in running their highly distinctive fleet of predominantly yellow liveried trucks, trailers and vans. 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the firm.

Welcoming the attendees, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Publications, on behalf of the organising team stated that the annual event continues to maintain its objective – “Honouring best practise in the Irish Road Transport Industry” and highlighted the great variety of entries from sole traders/owner drivers and SMEs to large fleet operators. “We appreciate the time and effort in submitting the applications and are pleased to see new entrants. Congratulations to the winners and well done to all the finalists for their participation.

This annual occasion provides the opportunity for companies to look inward and highlight what they are doing well, with great energy and enthusiasm, which is praiseworthy.”

He continued: “As you will all know, this is an ever changing industry, with so many issues, rules and regulations to deal with day-to-day, as well as looking after number one – the customer.

The interview sessions that were conducted with the finalists proved most interesting, giving us a great insight in the state of play, more like the state of the nation, as in reality, road transport turns the wheels of the economy at home Gareth, Ann, Stephen and Keith Mullen, Sligo Haulage & Distribution and abroad.

In recent times, we have seen some mergers and acquisitions and this is likely to continue as the sector becomes more consolidated. But the SMEs will remain at the heart of the haulage industry. And many of these family-run businesses are finalists here tonight.

Then there is the transition to electro-mobility, which is happening but has a number of challenges, ranging from the initial cost to the lack of charging infrastructure, but also the change of mindset required. High praise must go to the commercial vehicle manufacturers for turning out highly engineered and competent electric vans and trucks in a very short time. This technology is continuing to evolve and alongside is the ongoing research and development

of hydrogen powered trucks and vans. In recent times, I have had the opportunity to drive these latest alternatively powered vehicles and will keep you informed through our magazines, website and social media posts.”

Jarlath thanked everyone involved in making the night another great success, including the adjudication panel, the host venue and members of the organisation team. “We are grateful of your ongoing support and appreciate the great business relationship with our event sponsors and magazine advertisers. He mentioned the broad selection of commercial vehicles and trailers on display at the Exhibition Arena outside the hote - “the best ever,” he said and thanked all the companies involved in contributing towards this “fine showcase for the road transport industry”.

with Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine

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AWARDS 2024

Irish Haulier of the year Year Winners National Haulier of the Year 2024 Sponsored by Volvo Trucks Winner: Zellwood

Van Fleet Award 2024 Sponsored by Peugeot Winner: Uisce Éireann

Technician of the Year 2024 Sponsored by Dennison Fastparts Winner: Liam Phelan – JS Ryan Freight

Refrigerated Transport Specialist (International/National) Award 2024 Sponsored by Thermo King Winner: – Hendrick European

Livery Award 2024 Sponsored by Renault Trucks Winner: Byrne Logistics

Excellence in Warehousing & Product Handling Award 2024 Sponsored by Combilift Winner: Derry Group

Own Account Transport Operator of the Year 2024 Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Winner: Sweeney Oil Owner Driver Haulier of the Year 2024 Sponsored by MAN Truck & Bus Winner: A Transport Regional Transport Operator of the Year 2024 Sponsored by FUSO Ireland Winner: Sligo Haulage & Distribution

Women in Transport Award 2024 Sponsored by Enterprise Flex-E-Rent Winner: Jodie Prendergast – Kennedy International Safety Practice Award 2024 Sponsored by Health & Safety Authority Winner: McCulla Ireland Ltd Innovation Award 2024 Sponsored by Close Brothers Commercial Finance Winner: Digicom Environment & Sustainability Award 2024 Sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland Winner: Dixon International Transport

Customer Service Excellence Award 2024 Sponsored by Schmitz Carogbull Winner: Smith Vehicle Solutions Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year 2024 Sponsored by IVECO in Partnership with Emerald Truck & Van Winner: Thomas Heffernan – Iarnród Éireann Customer Service Excellence Award 2024 Sponsored by Capital Flow Recipient: Moffett Family

Irish truck of the year Year & Green Commercial Awards awards 2024 Irish Flagship Tractor-Unit of the Year 2024 Sponsored by AIB Finance & Leasing Winner: DAF XG+

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Trucks – Medium Duty Sponsored by ePower Winner: Mercedes-Benz eActros 300/400

Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2024 – Medium Duty Sponsored by AIB Finance & Leasing Winner: MAN TGM

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Trucks – Light Duty Sponsored by ePower Winner: FUSO eCanter

Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2024 – Heavy Duty Sponsored by AIB Finance & Leasing Winner: DAF XD 6x2

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Van – Small/Medium Sponsored by ePower Winner: Renault Kangoo E-Tech

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Trucks – Heavy Duty Sponsored by ePower Winner: Volvo eFH

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Van - Large Sponsored by ePower Winner: Ford E-Transit

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Irish Truck Innovation Award 2024 Sponsored by Freight Transport Association Ireland Winner: Renault D-Wide E-Tech 6x2 low entry cab with bus-style folding door and low step height Irish Trailer Innovation Award 2024 Sponsored by Freight Transport Association Ireland Winner: Dennison Urban Split Curtainsider Trailer

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category winners National Haulier of the Year 2024

Winner: Zellwood William Flanagan, Zellwood; Joe Roddy, Network Truck Sales Director – Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Refrigerated Transport Specialist (International/National) Award 2024

Winner: Hendrick European Diarmaid Bucke, Thermo King Area Manager – Ireland Sales & Service (sponsor); Alan Hendrick and Simon Cox, Hendrick European and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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category winners Own Account Transport Operator of the Year 2024

Winner: Sweeney Oil Fergus Conheady, Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager, MercedesBenz (sponsor); John Sweeney and Louise Martin, Sweeney Oil and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Owner Driver Haulier of the Year 2024

Winner: A Transport Callum Anderson, A Transport; Tim Cronin, Head of Sales, MAN Importers Ireland (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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category winners Regional Transport Operator of the Year 2024

Winner: Sligo Haulage & Distribution Gareth Mullen and Stephen Mullen, Sligo Haulage & Distribution Ltd; Andrew Johnson, National Sales Manager, FUSO Ireland (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Van Fleet Award 2024

Winner: Uisce Éireann Paul Mahon, Tara Dooley, Uisce Éireann; Sam Weir, Fleet Manager, Peugeot (sponsor); Ken Clayton, Uisce Éireann and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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category winners Livery Award 2024

Winner: Byrne Logistics Harry Nash, Managing Director, Setanta Vehicle Sales/Renault Trucks Ireland (sponsor); David Byrne and Jess Carey, Byrne Logistics and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Women in Transport Award 2024

Winner: Jodie Prendergast – Kennedy International Jodie Prendergast, Kennedy International; Owen McNamara, Head of Sales, Enterprise Flex-E-Rent (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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category winners Safety Practice Award 2024

Winner: McCulla Ireland Ltd Ashley McCulla, Wendy McCulla, Drew Elliott and Brian Beattie, McCulla Ireland; Paul White presenting the award on behalf of Health & Safety Authority (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Innovation Award 2024

Winner: Digicom Allan Vincent, Sales Manager; Colin Robb, M.D.; Jayne Murdock, Shipping Manager and Brigid Derry, CEO, Digicom

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category winners Environment & Sustainability Award 2024

Winner: Dixon International Transport Brendan Dixon, Dixon International Transport; Fran McFadden, National Customer Acquisition Manager, Gas Networks Ireland (sponsor), Colum Aungier, Dixon International Transport and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Technician of the Year 2024

Winner: Liam Phelan – JS Ryan Freight Liam Phelan, JS Ryan Freight; John Browne, Dennison Fastparts (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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category winners Excellence in Warehousing & Product Handling Award 2024

Winner: Derry Group Patrick Derry, Derry Group; Noel O’Dowd, Product Manager for Ireland, Combilift (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Customer Service Excellence Award 2024

Winner: Smith Vehicle Solutions Colin Maher, UK Managing Director, Schmitz Cargobull (sponsor); Peter Smith, Smith Vehicle Solutions and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine. www.fleet.ie

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category winners Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year 2024

Winner: Thomas Heffernan – Iarnrod Éireann Thomas Heffernan, Iarnrod Éireann; Patrick Farbrace, Truck Business Line Director, IVECO (sponsor) and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Customer Service Excellence Award 2024

Recipient: Moffett Family Ronan Kelly, Managing Director, Capitalflow (sponsor); Carol Moffett; Shay Byrne, Master of Ceremonies and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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category winners

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70 | IRISH TRUCK OF THE YEAR

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2024

Sponsored by

Irish Flagship Tractor-Unit of the Year 2024

Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2024 – Medium Duty

Winner: DAF XG+

Winner: MAN TGM

Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing (sponsor); John McCann, Sales Manager, DAF Trucks Ireland and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing (sponsor); Tim Cronin, Head of Sales, MAN Importers Ireland and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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Fleet Transport Irish Truck Green commercial of the Year Awards 2024 awards 2023 Sponsored by Irish Distribution Truck of the Year 2024 – Heavy Duty

Winner: DAF XD 6x2

Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing (sponsor); John McCann, Sales Manager, DAF Trucks Ireland and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Sponsored by

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Trucks – Heavy Duty

Winner: Volvo eFH

Joe Roddy, Network Truck Sales Director – Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland; Hugh Hall, ePower (sponsor); Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media & Truck Demonstration, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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72 | IRISH TRUCK OF THE YEAR

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2024

Sponsored by

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Trucks – Medium Duty

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Trucks – Light Duty

Winner: Mercedes-Benz eActros 300/400

Winner: FUSO eCanter

Hugh Hall, ePower (sponsor); Gerry McDonnell, Technical Sales Executive and Fergus Conheady, Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Commerial Vehicles and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Alexander Kuhnt, Daimler Truck AG; Andrew Johnson, Natasha Maher and Eline de Vries, FUSO Ireland; Hugh Hall, ePower (sponsor) and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2024

Sponsored by

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Van – Small/Medium

Irish Green Commercial of the Year 2024 – Electric Van Large

Winner: Renault Kangoo E-Tech

Winner: Ford E-Transit

Conor Dixon, Key Account Manager, Groupe Renault; Hugh Hall, ePower (sponsor) and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

Hugh Hall, ePower (sponsor); Padraig Duane, Fleet Business Manager, Ford of Ireland and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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74 | IRISH TRUCK OF THE YEAR

Fleet Transport Irish Truck INNOVATION Award 2024

Sponsored by

Irish Truck Innovation Award 2024

Irish Trailer Innovation Award 2024

Winner: Renault D-Wide E-Tech 6x2 low entry cab with bus-style folding door and low step height

Winner: Dennison Urban Split Curtainsider Trailer

Harry Nash, Managing Director, Renault Trucks Ireland; Aidan Flynn, C.E.O. Freight Transport Association Ireland (sponsor) and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

David Dennison, M.D. Dennison Trailers; Aidan Flynn, C.E.O. Freight Transport Association Ireland (sponsor) and Sean Murtagh, Fleet Transport Magazine.

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AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

Paddy & Petronilla Ryan with Liam Phelan (middle) – JS Ryan Freight

Sean Murtagh, Howard Knott, Leo & Valerie Gunning

Katherine Chivers, Smith Vehicle Solutions; Simon Cox, Hendrick European and Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport.

Fergal Campion, Oisin Berg, Ian Doyle, Ronan Kelly, Kevin Scullion and Paidi White – Capitalflow

Zoltan Bognar, William Flanagan & Andras Simo – Zellwood.

Ricky Fitzpatrick and Paula Kelly - Fitzpatrick Freight

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76 | WELCOME RECEPTION

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AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

Brian Giblin, Stephen Smyth, Olivia Lohan, Martin Smyth, Bridie Smyth, Kevin Regan and Joey Smyth – Evergreen Fields

Emma Taaffe and James Kennedy Kennedy International Logistics

Paul O’Reilly, Michelle O’Brien, John McCann, Lorna Reville, Conal McCourt, Suzanne Duffy and Damien Finn – DAF Distributors Ireland

Gareth, Keith, Stephen and Ann Mullen – Sligo Haulage & Distribution

Sinead Anderson, Calum Anderson, Vickie Anderson, Roger Anderson, Olive Anderson and Enda Wright – A Transport Ltd FLEETTRANSPORT | DEC 23 / JAN 24

Ashley McCulla, Wendy McCulla and Drew Dliott – McCulla Ireland Ltd

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AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

Henry Ritchie, Alison Richie, Stephen Flanagan, Ronan Dunn, Denise Ryan, Aaron Hyland, Anthony Crosbie, Jackie Kinch and Des Byrne – Polar Ice Ltd

Iveco and Emerald Truck & Van – sponsors of the Fleet/ Transport Manager of the Year Award

The team at Fleet Data and Smith Vehicle Solutions

Jodie Prendergast and Jack Kennedy Kennedy International Logistics

Management and Staff at Digicom

Gareth and Stephen Mullen Sligo Haulage & Distribution www.fleet.ie

78 | WELCOME RECEPTION

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AWARDS 2024

welcome reception

Mary Morrissey, Frances Murtagh, Anne Marie Grant, Cathal Doyle and Orla Sweeney – Fleet Transport Magazine.

The team at Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles

Katherine Chivers and Peter Smith – Smith Vehicle Solutions

The winning team at Hendrick European

Jarlath Sweeney, David Moffett, Noel O’Dowd, Carl Moffett, Josh Moffett and Martin McVicar (Combilift)

Mary Morrissey and Orla Sweeney, Fleet Transport with Martin Hough, Dennehy Commercials.

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AWARDS 2024

outdoor exhibition arena

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80 | OUTDOOR EXHIBITION ARENA

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AWARDS 2024

outdoor exhibition arena

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outdoor exhibition arena

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82 | OUTDOOR EXHIBITION ARENA

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AWARDS 2024

outdoor exhibition arena

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Sponsors | 83

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AWARDS 2024

Sincere thank you to the Sponsors, Exhibitors and Attendees for making this event possible

Fleet Transport Awards 2023 Sponsors

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84 || NEWS AWARDS 1 extra

Family Values Acknowledged

Sometime in business we find ourselves working in a sterile and professional environment based on systems and procedures that allow very little latitude for human emotion or sentiment.

So what a nice surprise to see some simple and dignified human reaction at both the recent Fleet Transport Awards and the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards events. When Sligo Haulage & Distribution Ltd., (pictured above) was announced as overall winners as the Irish Haulier of the Year 2024, representatives from the successful company were called to the stage to receive the trophy.

When company founder and managing director Stephen Mullen and his sons arrived at the stage, he was clearly overwhelmed and emotional and was so overcome that he left the interview to his sons Gareth and Keith. At their table in the room, other members of the Mullen family and their staff, and those in attendance shared the moment with the family.

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One week later at the Fleet Bus & Coach Awards, Cronin’s of Cork were announced as the winners of the “Coach Operator of the Year - Tours”. Company MD Derry Cronin (pictured below) was called to the stage to accept the award.

It was clear there was a little hesitation as event compare Sile Seoighe awaited his arrival. Some knew what the delay was about. Derry’s father and company founder, Dermot Cronin, at 93 years of age was going to accompany him to the stage. As they made their way through the room, there was a spontaneous standing ovation for Dermot, a sign of

the respect he and his family are held in by their peers. Not in the least bit phased, he charmed the audience as he had a few words with Sile, highlighting the importance of family values in business.

Business has become competitive, exact, but rules and regulations, although necessary, sometimes take away from personal exchanges and relationships. So, in the fast moving world of business it was refreshing to witness genuine human reaction and interaction.