outdoor vehicle storage. Secure indoor extensively kitted-out mobile unit storage is a pre-requisite for vehicles which offers a 24 hour call-out service. that have to be technically examined. This enables them to carry out mobile Crash repairs were a natural tyre fitting and balancing as well as progression from this. roadside assistance. “We realised that we were towing the The mobile unit was sufficient for vehicles back to the storage minor breakdowns but it soon became compound and then another business apparent that a recovery vehicle was was bringing them off to be repaired. required to cater for more major We decided that it would be more mechanical faults or crashes. beneficial for us if we provided a oneAccordingly a new business venture stop shop”. 'GT recovery' was established. That business purchased a seven and a half tonne Mercedes Atego 815 Tilt & Slide with spec lift, capable of transporting two vehicles. Later, GT Recovery purchased a seven and a half tonne MAN 8163 chassis cab, and this time fitted a tilt and slide body with a spec lift themselves. GT Recovery also has at its disposal an ISUZU DMax 4x4 crew-cab with a winching facility. This is especially useful as they are regularly called Gormanstown Tyre Centre employee out to the local beaches Simas Jokubaitis at work to rescue vehicles and aid stranded motorists. Darren and his team maintain the fleet themselves ensuring that all safety aspects are adhered to in the finest detail. Darren admitted that their location is key to their success. “Being based on the old N1 means that the M1 is highly accessible. If someone breaks down, Brian Teeling works on a Directory Enquiries give vehicle at the centre out our number for Meath, Louth and North Dublin. We can get to a customer in no time. For instance, yesterday I was called to Dundalk in the morning and could be there within half an hour. Later that day it was Ashbourne and that evening I did a recovery on the M50”. GT Recovery now does work for the Gardai, insurance companies as well as Darren (left) along with panel their own clientele. They beaters Paul Reid, Sean Maguire and Feidhlim Duffy provide both indoor and IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS
In May 2009 Darren established GT Crash Repair Centre. The business secured a unit in Keenogue Business Park, Julianstown which is close to the existing tyre centre. They set up a state-of-the art facility complete with a low-bake oven, computerised colour matching/paint mixing system and chassis alignment. All of these provide faster more efficient repair times as well as a top quality finish. “With any business, the tools can only do so much. I realised I couldn't oversee 100% of the work so I needed to have a reliable professional team. I secured an excellent bodyshop manager who was highly regarded in the locality.” In addition, Darren built a modern shop at the front of the unit which sells parts and accessories such as lubricants, car stereo systems, xenon headlight conversions, alarms, parking sensors and batteries. The shop also includes a sit-down waiting area and coffee/tea making facilities. GT Crash Repair Centre aims to take the hassle out of collisions. “We offer a professional service designed to look after the customers' needs with the minimum of fuss. We'll collect your vehicle, prepare an estimate, deal directly with the insurance companies and their assessors as well as providing a courtesy car. We will even give you a cup of coffee or tea to calm the nerves”. Gormanston Tyre Centre, GT Recovery and GT Crash Repair Centre between them employ seven full-time staff, each of whom is highly trained in their areas of expertise. Darren feels that the growth and success of the businesses are largely down to the huge contribution they make.
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