S
ince 1998, Noel Hanley Transport has been providing customers with an unrivalled international transport service. Specialising in groupage, the company is run by Noel Hanley and his wife Lorraine from its Little Island base close to the Jack Lynch Tunnel on the outskirts of Cork city. Built on integrity and taking pride in what it does, Noel Hanley Transport offers a professional and personal service that is totally dedicated to the individual needs of its clients. By offering a daily service to the Continent, the company has the wherewithal to move your cargo from Ireland to any part of Europe. Noel Hanley Transport’s experience and dedication enables it to provide all the services you need to deliver your product in a professional, personal and cost-effective manner. No job is too big or too small for this progressive family-run firm which continues to go from strength to strength in the face of one of the worst recessions this country has ever known. “We’ve gone through hardship over the past few years, but we’re still here thanks to our willingness to go the extra mile for our customers. The majority of them have been with us from the very start and I’d like to thank them for their continued support,” says Noel. “The reason why they have stuck by us is because we never let them down. This is a very competitive business and you can’t allow your standards to drop. We will always go to great lengths to look after our customers whose business we appreciate very much. If you can’t keep them happy, you won’t last long in this game.” Noel Hanley Transport has come a long way since Noel took delivery of his first truck in 2002. The company now employs 18 staff, including three part-time, and operates a fleet of 24 trucks. The fleet is dominated by Scania, but Noel also has five DAF trucks on the road. He buys his IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS
Scanias from AOC Commercials in Carrigtwohill and his DAFs from DAF Truck Services in Cork. While Noel employs his own maintenance man, the bigger and more complicated repairs are carried out by AOC Commercials. “It’s nice to think we have gotten this far. Fifteen years is a good milestone to reach in the current economic climate,” he continues. “A lot of businesses have come and gone in that time and we’ve felt the pinch like everyone else. Spiralling fuel costs and low rates have placed the biggest burden on transport companies. The price of fuel has levelled off somewhat in recent times, but it’s still ridiculously high in my opinion. “Going out of business isn’t an option for somebody like me. I’ve been around trucks all my life – my father ran a fruit and veg business – and I know nothing else. Besides, my staff, Lorraine and I have worked far too hard to let things go.” Landbridge Logistics, whose Cork depot is located in Little Island Industrial Estate, were Noel Hanley Transport’s first customers, and they have remained loyal customers to this day. The company’s biggest customer is Johnston Logistics in Rathcoole. Co. Dublin. Noel has nine trucks dedicated to Johnston Logistics, who operate a comprehensive network service. Other valued clients include Castleblayney, Co. Monaghanbased Carna Transport, who specialise in the efficient and secure transportation of goods to and from the Continent, DSV Ireland Ltd in Naas, Co, Kildare, who are global transport and logistics specialists, and Nightline Logistics in Dublin, who provide a worldwide courier service. DHL Express in Cork was also a good customer of Noel’s until its closure two years ago. “Johnston Logistics have been our main customers since 2002. The work we get from – which mainly involves the transportation of hazardous waste and associated products – is the mainstay of our business really. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the likes of Landbridge Logistics, Carna Transport, Nightline Logistics and DSV for their custom down through the years. If it wasn’t for these customers, we wouldn’t be here.”
A selection of the Noel Hanley Transport fleet
35