Irish Trucker magazine September 2012

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

SEPTEMBER 2012 Vol. 15 No. 8 EURO 2.95 stg.£2.50

ALL INSURANCE QUOTED

• Motor Fleet For Hauliers • Worldwide Transit Risks • Single Vehicle Haulage • Carriers Liability • Warehouse Risks • Employers Liability • Public Liability

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W.S. Dennison adopts Eco-Driving and reduces fuel and CO2 by 15% Furniture delivery service W.S. Dennison has turned to fleet management technology from TomTom Business Solutions in a bid to slash fuel consumption for its entire vehicle fleet.

The Antrim-based company has installed TomTom’s LINK vehicle tracking devices and ecoPLUS™ fuel monitoring modules in 20 of their trucks, in a bid to improve efficiency, cut costs and to give it the tools to promote and monitor ecofriendly driver behaviour.

Pamela Riddell, Communication Manager, W.S Dennison says, “The combination of TomTom solutions we have installed is working extremely well and has addressed our main issues which are driver behaviour, fuel cost and environmental factors. Not only have we benefited from a 15% reduction in fuel costs and CO2 emissions, we are making incredible savings on vehicle maintenance. We are excited about continuing our cost saving and carbon reduction programme with the new advancements in technology and functionality from TomTom.” Established in 1979 W.S Dennison has 50 employees in its operating centres in Antrim and Limerick and a fleet of 25 vehicles. The company provides a furniture delivery service direct from manufacturers such as Marks & Spencer and Sealy. The goods are then routed for delivery direct to households and businesses throughout Ireland from their Antrim and Limerick operating centres.

Giles Margerison, TomTom Business Solutions’ Director, UK & Ireland: “It is great to see W.S. Dennison using our fleet management technology to reduce CO2 emissions and make significant cost savings in times when every penny counts; this in turn allows them to deliver an even more competitive service to their customers.”

IRHA welcomes government acceptance of fuel problems The Irish Road Haulage Association has welcomed the government’s realisation that soaring fuel prices are having a dramatic effect on the transport industry in Ireland. Commenting on the announcement by Government of a cash injection into CIE, Eoin Gavin President of the Irish Road Haulage Association states that Minister Varadkar’s realisation of crippling fuel prices has sparked government intervention to protect the state transport company. Like CIE, Irish hauliers are not immune to increasing fuel costs. Urgency is required on a government decision in relation to an Essential User Fuel Fuel prices are Rebate for the haulage industry. The Irish Road Haulage having a dramatic effect on the Irish Association has spent the last 12 months in talks with haulage industry Government and the Department of Finance in trying to find a workable solution to this escalating problem. A fuel rebate on Excise Duty will have no cost to the exchequer as Irish haulier’s struggling with fuel costs are currently purchasing their fuel elsewhere in Europe availing of fuel rebates in other EU countries. 1,400 haulage companies have gone out of business in the last two years and the rate of attrition is not slowing down. A rebate needs to be introduced or Ireland’s export led economy will grind to a halt.

Logistics jobs created in Northern Ireland Redhead International has opened a 33,000 sq ft depot in Mallusk, Northern Ireland. The facility represents seven figure investment in the company’s Northern Ireland infrastructure, and includes a 20 tonne overhead crane for heavy lifting, as well as modern new offices. Director of Ireland and Scotland Mark Cosgrove said: “Whilst we have had this type of capability in Great Britain and Dublin for many years, the new Mallusk depot will allow us to offer customers in Northern Ireland a full package of managed logistics services, including third party office space, warehousing and order fulfilment.”

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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EU probe TNT takeover The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of TNT Express by UPS. It has set a deadline of 28th November to take a decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area. The decision is based on a preliminary investigation which indicated potential competition concerns in the markets for small parcel delivery services, in particular international express services, in numerous member states, where the parties would have very high combined market shares.

Commission vice president in charge of competition policy Joaquín Almunia said: “The small package delivery sector is of strategic importance for various other industries in Europe. The proposed acquisition could in particular reduce competition for the provision of the fastest express delivery services, to the detriment of direct customers and ultimately of European consumers. The Commission needs to make sure that customers continue to have access to these services at competitive conditions." Last week UPS anticipated the move by the commission, saying that it would extend the offer period for the proposal.

Private waste firms under pressure The plight of private waste management companies in the current economic climate has been brought to light recently. Bord na Móna’s decision to write down the value of its waste management subsidiary by €23.1 million, five years after it bought the company for €61 million, highlights the issues facing private waste management companies in Ireland. A combination of governmentimposed landfill levies – designed to encourage diversion of waste from landfills to other more environmentally-friendly means of disposal – an estimated 30 per cent drop in the volume of waste being produced across the country, and the cut-throat pricing policy of an industry that is becoming increasingly competitive have served to weigh heavily on some of Ireland’s largest private waste management companies. NTR subsidiary Greenstar posted a loss of €64 million for the year ended March 2011, for example, while Limerick-based Mr Binman entered receivership last year.

While larger players such as Bord na Móna’s AES bemoan the proliferation of smaller companies in the market – chief executive Gabriel D’arcy called yesterday for greater consolidation in the sector – the flip-side is that many private operators believe the presence of a State-owned body in the private market is unfair.

Bord na Móna’s €23 million impairment charge also raises questions about the group’s diversification strategy. While D’arcy was not at the helm when AES was acquired, the decision to buy into the private waste sector at the height of the boom seems ill-judged.

Bord na Móna said yesterday it does not intend to sell AES, stressing its “strategic importance” to the group. The reality is that it would not be able to offload the business without incurring a huge loss. Greenstar, for example, has effectively been on the market in different forms for two years. As the debate over the role of State assets continues, a bit of soulsearching on the part of Bord na Móna wouldn’t go amiss.

The private waste sector is becoming increasingly competitive

RHA calls for transparency in the oil market Reports that oil prices may have been another victim of price manipulation come as little surprise to the Road Haulage Association. “This issue isn’t just about the motorist,” said RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning. “The price of oil dictates the price we pay for all fuel types. To learn that there is a possibility of oil traders worldwide manipulating the price comes as little surprise, given the recent news that our own financial system was rigged for the benefit of the banks. “We find it quite baffling that the oil market, as one of the world’s key commodity sectors, is unregulated and appears to rely, to a great extent, on the honesty of the trader to return accurate data regarding their activities. “The G20 revelation which has found the oil market to be wide open to ‘manipulation or distortion’ must be acted upon as a matter of urgency. How many more financial stones must be overturned before we can see a fair financial system in which we can place our confidence?”

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Granard, Co. Longford

Contact GERRY @ 086-2624196 Driver CPC September deadline fast approaching To stay legal, and be able to drive a bus or truck professionally, all truck and bus drivers must have their next Driver CPC training day completed by the 9th September 2012. This law came into effect on 8th September 2008 for bus drivers and the following September for truck drivers. The reason for this legislation is to promote professionalism in the industry and SAFED (Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving). If a driver does not complete their training they can be fined up to Eu2000 and their employer can be fined up to Eu5000.

This one day course consists of 6 different Modules which instruct drivers on everything from tachographs (digital and analogue), optimium vehicle control, better fuel efficiency, health and safety, driver documentation and accident prevention.

CPC.IE, Ireland’s leading CPC specialists have now trained over 30,000 drivers in their “nationally acclaimed” Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) Courses.

CPC.IE has been delivering Transport Training Courses for 25 years and deliver the Driver CPC at 30 locations throughout the country. According to Tony Hynes of CPC.IE, whilst a lot of drivers were hesitant and sceptical about the course initially, the feedback has been brilliant. Tony said that “The drivers who have attended our CPC course are extremely enthusiastic and have praised the practicality of our content. We have hundreds of testimonials on our website from drivers who have attended our courses.”

In the current economic environment operators have also been very impressed with the course due to the cost savings which can be applied to the bottom line.

Tony says that “This training is a win/win for everyone concerned and most importantly will promote excellence in road safety and accident prevention.”

CPC.IE run Driver CPC courses at 30 venues nationally and their courses are now available every weekend, weekdays and evenings to facilitate work and other commitments. A full schedule of up-coming course can be viewed on their dedicated website www.cpc.ie or you can contact CPC.IE at 1890 DRIVER (1890374837); 087-6363003; 086-2458379 or at info@cpc.ie

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MIDLAND BASED

Diesel prices to continue rising Hauliers will continue to feel the pinch at the pumps as Ireland has recorded its highest rise in oil prices since February. The weakening euro is said to be one of the factors pushing up the price of fuel, along with escalating tensions in the Middle East. This resulted in an 8% hike in the cost of wholesale oil for July, which is expected to have a knockon effect for consumers. Power Trader at Bord Gais Energy, John Heffernan, has said motorists and hauliers are not likely to see a let up in rising prices for some time.

Farmers urged to apply for A5 compensation Up to 200 farmers and landowners affected by the construction of the A5 dual carriageway in County Tyrone have been urged to ensure they are adequately compensated. The Department for Regional Development (DRD) says that of the 419 landowners along the A5 route, 171 will be affected by the two sections that are being started this year.

Compensation claims can be submitted from September 11th when the vesting order comes into force. The two sections will run for 15km from Newbuildings to Strabane and for 23km from Ballygawley to Omagh.

Work starts in the autumn and will take two-and-a-half years to complete. Strabane District Council chairman Thomas Kerrigan says it’s vital that those with land affected receive the proper compensation: “Strabane District Council is fully aware that some local residents and landowners are strongly opposed to this project because it is directly affecting their land or their property. Council would urge the department to fully compensate those landowners affected by compulsory purchase or acquisition. “Council trusts the department will work to ensure that local landowners and residents are inconvenienced as little as possible by this project.”

Varadkar welcomes Luas BXD decision Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant a Railway Order for the Luas BXD line. Minister Varadkar said: “Luas BXD will revolutionise public transport in Dublin. It will deliver a joined up commuter railway network by linking the two existing Luas lines. It will extend Luas into the north inner city to the new DIT campus at Grangegorman and will terminate at Broombridge where it will interchange with the Maynooth line." Minister Varadkar continued “When complete, Dublin will have an integrated rail and light rail network that is the norm in other modern cities. For the first time, it will be possible to get a train in Maynooth or Leixlip and get out in Dundrum or Sandyford with just one change. Similarly, you will be able to get on the Luas at Tallaght and with just one change, get out at the new DIT campus or at Trinity College.” Minister Varadkar concluded: “The Business Case for Luas BXD needs to be updated to take into account the changes made by An Board Pleanála. However I am confident that the business case remains robust and I expect that the arrangements for advance works and tendering will be finalised as soon as possible. I have instructed the RPA to begin work on this immediately with the intention that construction can commence in the near future.”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Search is on for the oldest working Volvo truck in Ireland In the throwaway society that is prevalent today, it’s good to know that some people still value long-term reliability and good old fashioned long life. Volvo Trucks have always had a reputation for staying the course and most people know of an old Volvo truck that is still earning its living. These four, six and eight wheeled ‘senior citizens’ of the transport world are not always seen at Shows and Rallies. Neither do they always feature in the pages of the press. They just keep rolling on.

That’s why the search is on at Fleet Transport as we look the length and breadth of our island for the oldest working Volvo truck. The emphasis being on ‘working’. So, if you own a cherished classic Volvo truck, be it an F86, F88, F89, F6, F7 or an F10, F12 or F16, that is still out there and earning its keep we’d like to hear from you.

There are a few simple criteria you will need to check before you send us the details and hopefully a photograph of your ‘auld, but good’ Swedish Classic: 1.

2.

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8.

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10.

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What year was it first registered?

Registration mark / Chassis number?

Where did you buy it?

Model type and configuration?

Name and address of the owner?

Contact telephone number and email of the owner?

Where is it kept?

What do you use it for?

How often does it work on hire and reward or on private business?

Date of next DOE test?

Date current road tax expires?

When did it last do a full day’s work for you?

What was the last load it carried?

What was the location of its last delivery?

Does it start on the key?

The overall winner selected by the Irish Truck of the Year Jury will receive a stained glass painting of the truck together with a bag full of Volvo Truck branded merchandise plus the opportunity to have the vehicle displayed at the Fleet Transport Expo12at Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin on 5/6 November.

Please send in all the details as required above with some photographs to ‘Find the Oldest Working Volvo Truck’ by email to enquiries@fleet.ie or by post to Fleet Transport, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, County Mayo. Telephone 094 9372819.

Safety works to begin in Jack Lynch Tunnel The delayed fire safety upgrade on the Jack Lynch Tunnel is finally set to begin in early September.

But motorists can breathe a sigh of relief after it was confirmed that the project — which was due to begin last January and take up to six months — will now be completed within three months. BAM will be appointed main contractors for the work. The tunnel will be closed for up to three nights in August for survey works. It will then close six nights a week from early September with a completion date in December.

The €5m contract involves a massive retrofitting of fire retardant slabs to the tunnel walls to bring it into line with new EU standards. High-quality calcium silicate cement boards will be bolted to Work will soon begin on the walls and ceiling of the tunnel structure. The the Jack Lynch Tunnel initial proposal which emerged last year was to carry out the work seven nights a week over six months, running right through last Christmas. But the city’s business leaders reacted angrily and following lengthy talks, a compromise was agreed. Engineers postponed the work until early last January to facilitate Christmas trading, and also scaled back the tunnel closures. However, city engineers said last night unforeseen technical and legal issues emerged and delayed the awarding of the contract. It is understood that the tunnel will close six nights a week, remaining open on Friday nights to facilitate late-night shopping.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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New Doosan MT31 ADT Purchased by Kilsaran Kilsaran Concrete, part of The Kilsaran Group, has purchased a new Doosan MT31 articulated dump truck (ADT) from Philip McCormack Plant Ltd for the company’s Gallstown Quarry at Grangebellew in County Louth in Ireland.

The Gallstown Quarry was acquired in the early nineties as a green field site and has since been developed into a complete installation of crushing and screening, washing, blacktop, block making and readymix concrete facilities.

Formerly branded Moxy before the range was acquired by Doosan in 2008, this line of trucks has been purchased by The Kilsaran Group since the early 1990s. The first to be bought was the MT30 model in 1992, since when the company has purchased different generations of the MT31 model, with the latest machine at Gallstown Quarry being the third generation of the MT31 truck to be run by Kilsaran.

Doosan Articulated dump truck

High Performance Trucks One of the main reasons for choosing the Doosan ADT range again is the reliability and dependability of the trucks over the last 20 years, backed by the 3-year warranty covering the powerline and engine from Philip McCormack Plant, based in Clane in County Kildare. The trucks are also maintained under service contracts run by Philip McCormack Plant, which help to ensure that Kilsaran receives a very good residual value for the Doosan trucks even for those with well over 20,000 working hours.

Peter Ryan, Location Manager at the Gallstown Quarry, said: “As well as the high residual value, it was the attractive package offered by Philip McCormack Plant that clinched the deal for the new MT31 ahead of Doosan’s competitors. The trucks have been great performers over the years and I’m sure this will continue under the Doosan brand if the performance of the new MT31 ADT is anything to go by.”

Founded by the late Patrick McKeown in 1964, The Kilsaran Group is a family-owned and run business that has grown to become Ireland’s largest independent manufacturer of concrete products. Despite its growth over the last 50 years, the company has succeeded in retaining its family values throughout the business by working as a team that prides itself on its honesty, integrity and transparency.

Peter Ryan added: “Philip McCormack Plant is also a family run business and we deal closely with both Philips, father and son, at the company, who offer us a very close, personal service that matches the way we like to do business.”

Kilsaran Concrete commenced commercial rock extraction at Gallstown in 1995 and since then routine environmental monitoring of noise and dust has been carried out on a regular basis. The quarry is operated to the very highest environmental standards, with procedures, practices and policies adopted to minimise the impact of the quarry on all aspects of the local environment; this includes the implementation of a self-imposed environmental management system.

Kilsaran Concrete is a member of the Irish Concrete Federation (ICF), which represents 95% of the production output in the quarrying/concrete products sector in the Republic of Ireland.

Gallstown Quarry has been honoured with a Five Star Award in the ICF’s biannual national Green Aggregates Award, an initiative promoting good environmental-management practices and operational performance.

Following hard on the heels of this achievement, Kilsaran Concrete entered the UEPG (European Aggregates Association) Sustainable Development Awards, where it was presented with a Special Award for Outstanding Team Dedication in the Environmental Best Practice category, in recognition of the good practice in evidence at Gallstown Quarry.

High Quality Stone The greywacke deposit at Gallstown possesses significant attributes in terms of its quality and physical properties, including a high polished-stone value of 65 and low aggregate impact and aggregate abrasion values. The stone is used as a construction material in a broad range of applications, including high-quality surface-dressings. It is suitable for use in all road-surfacing projects including motorway construction.

The quarry produces a range of aggregates, asphalt and macadam, hardcore and fill materials. Ready-mixed concrete and concrete blocks are also manufactured on site in a modern plant utilising raw materials from the quarry.

Weighing in at 22.7 tonne, the MT31 ADT features a proven, powerful Scania DC9 engine providing a gross power output of 255 kW (347 HP) at 2200 rpm, a maximum 28 tonne payload, central lubrication, a rear view camera and permanent 6wheel drive to ensure maximum stability and equal weight distribution.

Ideal for quarry operations, Doosan ADTs are optimised for extreme off road performance. The exceptionally agile undercarriage ensures that Doosan trucks can drive on terrain where other trucks may struggle to follow and also perform just as well on normal construction sites such as road works and mass excavation hauling.

For more information about Doosan Construction Equipment, visit the website:www.doosanequipment.eu

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Meath Recovery is first Irish operator to land 40th anniversary Dyson deal What better way to mark your company’s ‘coming of age’ than by investing in your first brand new piece of vehicle recovery equipment, a Dyson Enforcer with two-wheel lift conversion. J&S Motor Repairs, of Navan, County Meath, was founded 21 years ago by Jim O’Sullivan, who was joined in the business 13 years ago by his son Shane. Today, sister company Meath Recovery relies on a fleet of four dedicated vehicles to provide a 24-hour service covering most of Leinster including the Greater Dublin area.

Meath Recovery’s new Roger Dyson Enforcer two-wheel lift has a 2,500kg capacity E-Type locker storage body and a radio-remote controlled power tilt boom. Mounted on an Iveco 65C18 crewcab chassis, the body provides ample storage space for extra recovery equipment, parts and spares to deal with any roadside rescue. And it came fully equipped and ready to work, thanks to Roger Dyson’s 40th anniversary, limited edition offer. Britain’s leading specialist vehicle recovery equipment manufacturer is in the process of building 40 conversions at its production facility in Droitwich, Worcestershire.

All will come with additional ‘no cost’ extras, Roger’s way of giving something back to the industry as a thank-you for his four decades in the recovery business. Jim O’Sullivan confirms: “We were certainly very well looked after; with all of the extra equipment Roger threw in for free – items like a trolley jack, storage, strobe lighting, jump leads, sockets and cables, LED working lights, dolly wheel storage and even a broom and shovel – it was a fantastic deal. Jim continues: “Our last three trucks have all been fitted with Dyson bodies but this is the first brand new one. As the saying goes, his equipment ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. It’s exceptionally well built, easy to operate and has presented us with no problems whatsoever.” And he adds: “My son Shane agreed the initial price for our new truck and that’s exactly what we ended up paying. What’s more, Roger delivered on every promise he made in terms of the build and delivery date – it was a real pleasure working with the man.” Meath Recovery is a fully approved contractor to the AA, RAC (Hibernian Aviva), AXA, Mondial Assistance, Europ Assistance and MIS Claims, as well as many garages and vehicle dealerships. The ‘no cost’ upgrade offer extends to every product in the Roger Dyson range, which also includes Hydraloader slidebeds, vehicle and equipment transporters, Commander heavy recovery units and NRC sliding and rotating cranes. Even Landoll travelling axle trailers qualify for the free upgrades. The limited edition models are available on a ’first come, first served’ basis and are proving extremely popular, so operators wishing to take advantage of one of the great deals on offer should register their interest or contact Roger without delay on 01905 775808/9.

Dyson Enforcer with two wheel lift conversion

Haulage company banned ’to save lives’ Jobs are under threat after a Scottish haulier had its licence withdrawn following a series of major safety failings. The move means Highland Car Crushers will no longer be able to operate its fleet of eight vehicles and two trailers to haul scrap, agricultural goods, timber and waste. Announcing her decision, traffic commissioner Joan Aitken acknowledged jobs might be lost but said it would be a “gross dereliction of duty” if she did not impose the penalty. “Do I need to await a death or serious injury?” she asked. “My resounding answer is that the whole purpose of goods vehicle operator licensing is to protect the public from the harms that arise when vehicles are not maintained properly; when loads are not safely secured and when drivers are not properly rested and fit for the job.” Further investigations identified issues with the company’s vehicle maintenance, compliance with dangerous goods regulations, a failure to identify drivers’ hours offences and carry out appropriate driver licence checks, the arrest and subsequent conviction of a driver stopped in a company vehicle for drink-driving and the failure of the company to declare director Hunter Fraser’s conviction for drink- driving. Mr Fraser — who runs the company with his father Sinclair from centres in Carsegate Road North and at Poyntzfield Mains on the Black Isle — said the company would not be closing down, despite its directors being barred from holding a licence for five years, but refused to comment further. “It is appropriate and proportionate that I put this operator out of business in so far as that business involves the use of heavy goods vehicles,” said Miss Aitken.

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TIP add six new mobile service units (MSU’s) to nationwide service fleet

TIP Trailer Services add six new Renault Master Mobile Service units

In support of the company's successful FleetCare fleet maintenance programme, TIP Trailer Services has added a further six new Renault Master mobile service units (MSU’s) that are now strategically located across its nationwide network of depots covering the UK and Ireland. At the same time, TIP has also taken on six new technicians to operate these new vehicles.

This now means that TIP currently has a nationwide fleet of almost 50 mobile service units, providing support not just for the growing number of new FleetCare contracts, but also for the existing TIP rental fleet and for non account PayGo customers.

According to Karl Davies, Services and Marketing Director, TIP Trailer Services, “These brand new vehicles are completely self-sufficient, requiring no external air supply. Their detailed specification and high equipment levels give us the facility to check, inspect, service and repair trailers, either on customer premises or out on the road, without the need for any additional support requirements, making TIP unique as a trailer maintenance service provider.”

Supplied by sister company GE Fleet on a three-year deal, each of the six new Renault Master LWB35 panel vans is fitted out with a BOTT conversion kit that includes racking, generators, compressors, small tools and a trailer check system, which covers monitoring of all electrical functions on trailers.

Sporting the latest FleetCare livery, these self-contained MSU’s represent a very high level of investment by TIP in each vehicle and supplement the current network of service centres and ATF's provided under the TIP umbrella.

“Our FleetCare product, covering third-party maintenance, has expanded year-onyear to form a major business division within TIP. As a result, we have developed a nationwide structure to support these services, of which the MSU’s are a valuable asset that enhances the speed of response and quality of service that we can provide to our customers,” added Karl Davies.

Cork road at most dangerous Experts with Britain’s department of transport have claimed that an accident-prone section of a national secondary road in Co Cork does not have adequate "skid resistance". A series of crashes, including a fatal collision last September, have occurred on the stretch of the N71 at a corner known as "chip van corner" on the western side of Innishannon, near Bandon. The British Transport Research Laboratory conducted a survey of the roadway on the main route into West Cork from the city. According to a recently published report from the group circulated to county councillors in Cork, it advised that "skid resistance on the road was not as high as would have been anticipated for a relatively new section (of tarred road)".

County manager Martin Riordan said the skid resistance problem "was within approved limits" but admitted it might not be as high as should be expected on a new road surface.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Cork oil field reaches new level Experts have said an oil field off the Cork coast contains four-times as much oil as previously thought.

Providence Resources estimates their Barryroe well is home to more than 1.6 billion barrels. It has far exceeded expectations of previous estimates released just a few months ago. Newstalk Business Editor Ian Guider said it is very promising for the company.

Mr Guider said: "They have been doing further testing there and looking at some data on the field and they are saying they have found a four-fold increase in the potential amount of oil they could recover from this field. "The average North Sea gas field would be about that size and they were found over 30 years ago. That gives you an indication of how big this field could be." Providence Resources is now seeking a €1billion partnership with a major oil company to deliver the oil it discovered. “We're certainly talking €1bn - and then several billions over the field life," chief executive Tony O'Reilly Jnr told the Sunday Independent. "This involves big capital expenditure, with billions being invested, so the partner we team with won't be a small company. It will be a major industry player.” Who could this be? “Some of the larger North Sea players, but also international players - I'm talking to everybody.

We had overtures from big North Sea operators that wanted to meet with us and we pushed them away several months ago because we didn't know what we had at that stage - we only had pre-flow tests”. Providence has already put €500m behind its drilling at the site but will now start to reduce its 80% stake in Barryroe to get in an investing partner that will develop the oil. “This is a big oil resource by world standards,” O'Reilly insists. “Plus it's not Kurdistan or Sudan, you're not going to get shot. It's a nice place to do business, and it's not the tundra.

That already attracts players in the offshore arena. And Ireland also has an attractive fiscal regime.”

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3.5 million used M50 in May

Increase in traffic volumes on the M50

A new record of 3.5 million vehicles travelled on the M50 in May – an increase of 3% on the same period last year. The figure represents around 110,000 vehicle journeys per day. The increase is surprising as the recession had resulted in a decline in traffic in recent years, particularly in HGV usage. A spokesman for the National Roads Authority (NRA) says traffic patterns suggest much of the increase is due to changed journey patterns in response to low congestion on the radial route following the completion of the upgrade and the switch to barrier-free tolling. The increase in traffic volumes has prompted a renewed focus on a demand management strategy for the route. Since the upgrade of the route, the M50 has an effective capacity of around 160,000 vehicles per day, but congestion starts to impact at much lower traffic levels – between 120,000 and 130,00. Part of the reason for this is that certain parts of the route - namely where the M1, M4 and M11 join - are already heavily trafficked. The M4/M7 junction was at 120,000 vehicle journeys per day in 2010 and volumes have increased since then.

TomTom Business Solutions - Managing fuel costs for business The most appropriate way for businesses to tackle fuel costs, and their bottom line impact, is to introduce technology systems that provide the tools to instigate operational and behavioural changes encouraging fuel-efficient driving. The following white paper considers the challenges faced and how this can be achieved.

THE RISING FUEL COST TIDE A rising demand for oil, both in the short and long-term, has been widely predicted by economists worldwide – and at the pump, this is set to continue hitting fleet businesses hard.

The average diesel price in Europe has risen 92% since 2005 and premium unleaded prices by 109% according to The European Commission’s Market Observatory for Energy1.

THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE High fuel costs, combined with today’s highly competitive business environment and tight margins, have put companies under increasing pressure to scrutinise their operational performance.

Fuel is frequently regarded as the largest single cost in running a vehicle fleet. For a 7.5 tonne rigid HGV, fuel bills account for between 23 and 27 per cent of vehicle and driver costs depending upon mileage2. When leasing a light commercial vehicle, fuel accounts for 19 per cent of the lease price, with insurance accounting for 11 per cent and maintenance a further 10 per cent 3.

TOP TIPS • Businesses should tackle rising fuel costs from a change management perspective, implementing an appropriate company-wide efficiency policy • They should set up a communications plan to engage with all drivers.

• A reliable fleet management system should be used to measure performance and track the success of the efficiency initiative.

• The system should offer management insights into fleet activity, relaying information in real-time and in a clear, concise, dashboard.

• Drivers should be empowered to make a change in driving style: - Offer immediate feedback to drivers on their performance behind the wheel, with progress updates to positively effect change.

- Introduce navigation devices with live traffic information for efficient, stress free, driving and reduced mileage.

• Reward fuel efficient driving, celebrate success.

• Offer driver training to those who are under-performing.

FUEL SAVING OPTIONS As fuel expenditure is not a fixed business overhead, fluctuating depending upon vehicle type, mileage and driving style behind the wheel, companies can take a number of steps to reduce fuel consumption.

Upgrading a fleet by purchasing or leasing more fuel-efficient vehicles can have a considerable impact, although the cost

14

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

of doing so will frequently be financially prohibitive.

Ensuring vehicles are properly and regularly maintained can also be an influencing factor. Clogged air filters and poorly tuned engines can reduce mpg, while a study has revealed how fitting the right tyres, inflated to the correct pressures, can cut fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent 4.

THE QUICKEST, MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION The most logical and compelling solution for realising an immediate return is to positively influence driving behaviour, promoting a more eco-friendly, fuel-efficient, performance behind the wheel.

In order to achieve this effectively, companies require fleet visibility and clear management information, starting with an insight into the fuel efficiency of every vehicle and driver in the company. By setting a benchmark on fuel efficiency for an entire mobile workforce, managers can pinpoint sub-standard driving performances for individual employees.

However, simply identifying a problem is not sufficient to improve fleet-wide mpg – businesses need to discover the root cause. Driver behaviour data is required to inform businesses where improvements can be made to optimise driving performance, from reducing incidents of speeding 5 or idling to eradicating harsh steering or braking.

Advanced fleet management technologies can provide this information - relayed to managers’ computer screens via fleet management software – and offer businesses the required tools to release significant operational savings.

They can allow fleet operators to monitor driver speeds by generating detailed speed analysis reports and even offer onboard diagnostics, enabling fleet managers to measure and reduce fuel costs by taking live data direct from vehicles.

Moreover, all of this information can be reviewed retrospectively or in real time, both for individual employees or entire fleets, enabling companies to target fuel-efficient driver training where it is most needed.

INVOLVING, HELPING AND EMPOWERING DRIVERS Positively influencing driver behaviour also requires the empowerment of drivers to really effect change.

Recent advancements in TomTom’s sat nav devices include real-time driver feedback to employees. This means drivers themselves can now see their fuel efficiency, or be warned of speeding or excessive steering and braking, by a simple alert on their sat nav – a significant step in giving tools to the driver to facilitate learning whilst driving, and putting the responsibility with the driver to improve their driving style in line with efficiency and safety targets.

Sat nav device with live traffic information can also help users route around congestion and avoid inefficient start-stop journeys.

BUSINESS BEST PRACTICE Reporting functions of fleet management technology enable driver performance data to be measured against pre-defined business targets. If businesses introduce processes to monitor and utilise this effectively, not only can this directly impact the bottom line, it can help managers establish safer, greener, driving policies.

Businesses are advised to use the technology in conjunction with driver training and those that do so can establish sustainable driver improvement programmes.

Furthermore, celebrating success can dramatically effect change. Although drivers know that businesses have an obligation to manage their assets efficiently, employee incentive programmes can play a key role in encouraging engagement. Fleet drivers with the best annual mpg, for example, might be rewarded with a cash prize or all employees could enjoy a percentage of fuel cost savings as part of their remuneration.

1 In January 2005, net of duties and tax, the average diesel price was 0.39 and premium unleaded 0.32. By January 2012, the average diesel price had risen by 92% to 0.75; unleaded by 109% to 0.67.

2 The Freight Transport Association, Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs 2011, January 2012 Update Report.

3 Athlon Car Lease, total cost of ownership average values, February 2011.

4 Volvo Trucks and Michelin, January 2012.

5 Driving at 70mph uses 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph, while cruising at 80mph can use up to 25 per cent more fuel than at 70mph; UK Department for Transport.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Fuel saving initiatives from TomTom Business Solutions

15

Xbee aims to reduce fuel bills for trucks One of the greatest expenses in owning a truck is the on-going fuel bill. The price of fuel has risen dramatically and is predicted to rise further. Load rates from customers have not risen in line with fuel costs and therefore the margin is becoming squeezed to the extent of becoming non-existent. The increasing use of bio-fuels, with their hydroscopic properties and reduced energy yield, further increase costs.

The solution to the problem is Xbee. Xbee has numerous benefits and, amazingly, they are all contained within the one product.

1. Xbee enhances fuel burn by hyper-oxygenating molecules. This reduces the amount of energy required to ignite the fuel. This means that Xbee can reduce fuel consumption by approximately 10%. The variation in results is more about the length of time that Xbee may have been in the fuel prior to consumption.

2. Xbee has been proven in numerous certified tests to considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30% overall. Percentage variations exist in CO2, CO, NO,NO2,VOC. 3. Xbee is an enzyme and is therefore an active product, unlike chemical agents. Xbee has the ability to act as a catalyst on numerous molecules again and again. This means that the % increase in fuel economy and the reduction in emissions have a time dependency.

4. The Xbee enzyme has a cleansing effect on fuel. It breaks down contaminants, dismantles fungal growth, and dissolves petroleum-based sludge. In essence, the enzyme acts as an organically-obtained surfactant (detergent) which neutralises charged atoms and keeps them from clinging to each other or to other surfaces.

5. One major contaminant of fuel is water. Bio-fuels are hydroscopic and attract water. During the day the fuel attracts water and at night exhales it. This accelerates the build-up of water in the tank bottom. As the proportion of bio-fuels increases, water becomes even more problematic. However, Xbee acts as a water dispersant, keeping water dispersed throughout fuel so it can be burned during normal engine operation.

6. Due to enhanced fuel burn, Xbee also eliminates several other problems. As the flame spread burns more of the fuel charge, and with less fuel being forced past the exhaust valves, flame quenching in the exhaust stack is reduced, thus eliminating soot formation.

7. Xbee is the only non-chemical that will work with all fuel types: Petrol, Diesel, Gas Oil, Kerosene and heavy oils like HFO 380. However the main requirement is that by adding Xbee to the fuel it should remain within the international certified limits. Intertek Caleb Brett, the internationally-accredited laboratory, has published results that certify that Xbee operates within the accepted “fuel norms�. Prodrive in the UK has also undertaken an official CEC test on Diesel and Gasoline in line with the CEC procedures. These were also supplemented by the SSC laboratory in Italy, accredited by SINAL, all shown on our website www.xbee.co 8. Major companies like Caterpillar and Wartsila recommend Xbee.

9. Results have been seen in large and small engines, of various manufacturers.

However, what about user experiences? Some major companies throughout Europe have tried Xbee scientifically and their comments and tests are also shown on the web-site www.xbee.co.

1. Users of Xbee have carried out endoscopic studies inside engines (and also when cylinder heads were removed), and have found the absence of carbon deposits to be marked.

2. When fuel tanks have been examined the tanks are clean 3. Filters have been found to be exceptionally clean 4. Water in the filter system is shown to be absent 5. Vehicles burn the fuel more efficiently with either better fuel economy or greater power yield 6. They are more easily started in the mornings 7. Reduced emissions verified either by tests or visually 8 Increased injector lifespan 9. Effects have been shown in lorry engines, cars, trucks, generator engines and large ship engines 10. Reduced maintenance spending In summary we can say that: Xbee is only the fuel enzyme that works in all fuels.

The enzyme bio-technology is cutting edge and fully documented It has the certification to give the user confidence that it complies with the required standards.

Certified technical results in emissions and enhanced performance from reliable laboratories are available It has customer acceptance and testimonials to add confidence for the new customer Xbee UK has documented the certification, testimonials, and scientific tests on fuel usages and on emissions to prove the claims. Numerous customers in shipping, haulage, coaches, agriculture, vans and general vehicle owners have given testimonials about its results. The benefits of low emissions, reduced maintenance costs and a cleaner fuel system with reduced carbon build-up should also be significant.

We have on-site tools to calculate savings and carbon reduction. By subscribing to our newsletter we can send you other tools and helpful information to help you significantly reduce your costs.

The question is, why miss the chance to SAVE money? TRY IT and be convinced!

16

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Caterpillar sells logistics arm Caterpillar has completed the sales of its third party logistics business to Platinum Equity in a deal worth $750m (£477m).

Platinum is taking a 65 per cent stake in Caterpillar Logistics Services and plans to establish it as a standalone company under a new brand. Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei said: "Caterpillar Logistics Services has tremendous opportunity ahead of it, with dedicated employees, a rich history of innovation and a compelling customer value proposition. We look forward to building on that tradition while establishing a new identity and propelling the company to new levels of success."

A team that includes Platinum in-house operations specialists is working on the transition process. A rebranding initiative is underway, and a new corporate name and image will be announced at a later date.

Dan Spellman, president and chief operating officer of Caterpillar Logistics Services LLC. “I am excited to work with Platinum Equity as our new majority owners. Their expertise executing seamless corporate carve-outs and their commitment to operational excellence will be great assets to our company.” The sale does not affect Caterpillar manufacturing logistics and transport operations or Cat brand parts distribution which will continue as core businesses within Cat Logistics. Platinum Equity first entered the logistics business in November 2003, when it bought Hays Logistics from Hays plc for $170m (£105m). It renamed the business ACR Logistics and two years later sold it to Kuehne + Nagel for 500m euros (£400m).

Gray & Adams deliver new ferry spec trailers Northern Ireland trailer manufacturer Gray & Adams has designed ferry spec trailers for Shetland Transport to increase rigidity and protect them from damage on ferry voyages across the North Sea. Every day up to a dozen of its trailers make the 12-hour, overnight crossing to and from Aberdeen, or between the Orkneys and the mainland. Founder and managing director Hamish Balfour, said: “When the sea’s up the gravitational forces can be immense… Plus, of course, lateral forces will also be acting on the trailer throughout the voyage.” ”Twenty years ago our trailers were disintegrating because they couldn’t take the pressure. But the various strengthening measures that Gray & Adams builds into its ferry specification trailers mean we no longer have to worry. We’ve worked closely with the manufacturer as it has refined the design over the years.”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

17

Full of the Pipe proves a huge success The 2012 Full of the Pipe Truck show took place in a new venue this year as the Cavan Equestrian Centre held the event for the first time ever. Event organisers Kevin Mulqueen and Colin Hegarthy moved venue and this year's show was held on the June Bank Holiday weekend.

F

ollowing the success of last year's event, Kevin and Colin were aiming to improve on that and the show was intended to be more appealing to a wider audience with many more attractions included.

18

To say the show turned out to be a huge success would be an understatement as Full of the Pipe proved to be the most successful truck show in Ireland ever.

Kevin admits that he did not know what

to expect from this year's, but stressed that the feedback that they have received since the show has been nothing but positive.

"We moved the event to the biggest equestrian complex in Ireland, the

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Cavan Equestrian Complex, with 12,000 square metres under roof and also outdoor exhibition areas and it proved to be a wise move as everyone was delighted with the facilities.

“People could stay inside or out and one haulier said to me during the night that it was a great decision to have it in Cavan and I asked him why; his reply was to look outside and it happened to be raining at the time.

With the weather we have been having, it was essential to have some sort of cover, but we couldn't have asked for any better in the equestrian centre.”

With a top class venue, two bars, on site restaurant, full shower and changing facilities, already the facilities were in place to make it a better event than ever and that's how it panned out as no one could fault the venue.

The weekend started on Saturday June 2, where all trucks were registered on a first come, first served basis between 2pm and midnight, so no one had to worry about submitting applications this year. There were new categories added to the show, meaning that there were over 20 awards up for grabs.

“There was a greater interest in this year's show and the amount of people contacting us looking for information was unreal. We were not just catering for the truckers this year though, as car enthusiasts were also be catered for along with all the family.”

“We didn't know what to expect right up until the Friday evening when the trucks started arriving. In all there was 182 trucks registered for the weekend and we were absolutely delighted with that. We noticed that trucks were being prepared earlier than in previous years as there was great interest in the different categories being judged.

“Of course, the main event was to find IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

the Ireland's best Scania 143. This was a very interesting category and there was loads of interest in it. The 143 is the most popular truck in Ireland and this was our way of honouring it. Indeed something we learned from the show was that there are different types of the 143, so next year we are going to have a few different categories in that section alone.”

There were many trade stands on site over the weekend also, the majority of which were catering for the haulage industry, while others catered for the cars and even children. “There was in the region of 20 trade stands at the venue catering for everyone. We also sold a huge amount of merchandising on the Monday when the competitors were leaving the show, which is something we hope to build on for next year also.

“The fact that it was a family show attracted a wider audience and to give an idea of the crowd that attended, Hunky Dory's handed out over 3,000 bags of crisps by the Sunday.”

Already the support is strong for next year. Boreman Lighting are the main sponsor for the event, along with top sponsors Moran Signs and the Cavan Crystal Hotel, and that's just a start as we begin planning for next year.

“Without the sponsors, we wouldn't have a show, so I'm grateful to them and the many people that have helped out in organising the event. I'm not going to name them individually as I'm sure I'll leave someone out, but they know who they are.”

Learning from this year's show, Kevin and Colin intend to tweak certain areas to make it even more appealing and one way they intend doing this is by changing the way trucks are judged.

“We know that we have to freshen it up again next year and we are looking at a few different ways of doing that and hopefully opening it up to an even broader range of people.

“Lastly I would like to thank everyone involved for their help in putting the show together. I'd like to give a special mention to Peter Rees, who attends many truck shows where he takes photographs and he has been with us for the past few years. We look forward to seeing you at the Cavan Equestrian Centre again on the June Bank Holiday weekend, next year.”

19

Skipway Waste Management & Recycling was founded in 1998

While the construction sector has

“There has of course been a downturn

“We have always tendered our

certainly felt the effects of the global

in construction but one of my duties is

solutions to businesses of all sizes and

recession,

Waste

to ensure that our scope is large

we are reaping the benefits of that

Management & Recycling’s business

Skipway

enough to cope with that. We have

approach now. We believe that by

development manager is pleased to

achieved this by also working on small

catering for all types and sizes of

report that things continue to go from

to medium projects, even during the

construction projects, we have ensured

strength to strength for the company:

boom times.

our long-term sustainability.”

Lisburn Envirocare operate a quarry on the outskirts of Moira

22

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes To SKIPWAY

All the best to Trevor & everyone at Skipway

Environmental Material Handling Recycling Equipment

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

IRISH

Keep on trucking with

Continued Best Wishes To Skipway From

Barry Thompson & Co Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Bookkeeping | Business planning | Business start-up Business valuation | Company secretarial Financial performance review | Management accounts Payroll | Audit and Statutory accounts | Taxation 76/78 Church Street, Portadown, Co Armagh BT62 3EU

T: +353 749156708 www.macmachinery.com

Wishing Continued Success To Skipway From

Telephone:028 3833 8816 Fax:028 3833 8976 Email:barry@barrythompson.co.uk

www.barrythompson.co.uk

Best Wishes To Skipway From

DB Building Contracts Ltd 9 Presbytery Lane, Ballymena Dunloy BT44 9DZ Tel: 02827657615 Fax: 02827657770 Email: sharon@dbbuildingcontracts.co.uk

www.dbbuildingcontracts.co.uk

168 Thomas Street, Portadown BT62 3BD Tel: 028 38335211 E: portadowntyres@charleshurstgroup.co.uk

To Book Advertising Space or enquire about completing a Feature please contact

COLM on 00 353 (0) 46 9241923 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

23

CONTACT DETAILS Skipway Waste Management & Recycling 39 Groganstown Road Dunmurry BT17 0NR Tel: 028 9062 6464 Fax: 028 9062 1621 Email: sales@skipway.com www.skipway.com

Skipway operates an extensive fleet of skip loader, hook loaders, rear end loaders and tippers which has added to Heatricks already large fleet of plant and vehicles from bulk tippers to mobile crushers and shredders. Skipway has a wide range of skips (midi, builers, maxi and roll on/roll off) and containers available for hire at competitive rates so we have a skip to suit all our customers’ needs.

“Needless to say, everything is geared towards recycling. To this end, our aim is Customer care is a big to achieve a 90% recycling rate and we part of the business feel we are on our way towards achieving this. We are continually looking at innovative ways of recycling materials and trying to educate people through seminars and on-site waste management programmes.

“We are there on site working with our partners right through every phase of the construction project, from start to finish, and we are without doubt the mostreliable waste management company in the Greater Belfast area. All our drivers are courteous, punctual and professional and everything is done is a timely and professional manner.”

Looking to the future, Kevin says he is optimistic about the future prospects of Skips, big and small Skipway Waste Management & are available Recycling: “We realise that the construction industry is going through a tough period but there are still a lot of social houses being built and Government programmes. We are as happy to do small projects as large ones. We are an adaptable company and we have the wherewithal to evolve bigger and better.”

Best Wishes, From

How would a typical waste management contract pan out in simple terms? How are the original arrangements made?

“We would meet with the site contractor to discuss the waste that’s coming off the site and the containers that will be suitable etc. We will assist our customers with their duty of care, control of waste and overall Site Waste Management Plan.

We ensure that all waste taken to our Materials

Recovery Facility is put under analysis by our qualified site manager. This information is than analysed and used in the preparation of detailed waste reports where required by our customers.”

24

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

JMF - Limited, the metal specialists Metal fabrication is a specialised area that is closely connected to the Haulage, Generator and Quarrying Industries as many parts and equipment originate from this source.

T

he fabricating of any metal is a skilled trade that can take many years to perfect such is the attention to detail needed in manufacturing any product.

Manufacturing processes are continually changing, customers are looking larger and stronger products and in

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

order to supply the ever changing markets, manufacturing companies must ensure that they can meet these demands if they are to ensure longevity and success.

There are a number of companies throughout Northern and Southern Ireland that specialize in such work, but not many can provide the high level of service that JMF Limited supplies to its massive customer base.

For this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we profile this Ballymoney based company and speak to General Manager Stephen McIlwrath about the continued success of the business.

Success can be gauged by the longevity of any company and to this end, JMF are leaders in their field of expertise with almost 30 years experience in the industry.

This family run business is based on the outskirts of Ballymoney and was established in 1983 by James and Margaret Murray. From humble beginnings, the business has grown considerably from employing six people to having a staff of 260 these days.

James and Margaret's ethos for hard work and looking after the customers is carried on to this day through their sons Patrick and Timothy.

25

Two four axle flats with rear steel axle and one tandem curtainsider chassis with command rear

As Directors of the company, Patrick and Timothy's involvement in the day to day running of the company ensures that succession planning is the key to sustaining the business in the years to come.

Over the years new business ventures such as the design, manufacture and installation of Fuel Station Canopies were included on the company's portfolio and as the company grew it opened up a huge market of opportunity for JMF Limited.

Through continued growth

and investment in the business the company found the need to move to new premises and in 2002 JMF Limited completed the move to their current premises on the Frosses Road, Ballymoney. The business is now set on 200,000 square feet factory set on 11 acres of land. Having such a large factory and grounds give the opportunity to grow and expand further should market conditions allow.

Two years after the move, JMF Limited expanded their services and Concept Trailers A triple deck step frame curtainsider

26

High end vehicles moved in some style

Continued Success To All At JMF Ltd. from

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To JMF Ltd From

ALLISTER MOORE WELDING & ENGINEERING SUPPLIES LIMITED

WELDING EQUIPMENT | WELDING TRAINING| SERVICE & REPAIRS

For Sales and Service Call 028 9084 3676 Monday - Thursday 8-30am to 5-00pm Friday 8-30am to 3-00pm

www.moorewelding.com

Continued Best Wishes To JMF Ltd From All At

14 Drumagarner Road, Kilrea, Tel: +44 (0) 28 295 40300 Email: sales@emcintyre.com

HOT DIP GALVANISERS Silverwood Ind Est., Lurgan, Co. Armagh

Telephone: (00 44) 028 38 322222

N. Ireland BT51 5TB

Fax: +44 (0) 28 295 41069 www.emcintyre.com

Wishing Continued Success To JMF Ltd From

LAGAN VALLEY STEELS LIMITED STEEL STOCKHOLDERS OF ALL SHEETS, PLATES AND SECTIONS

Member of

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Delighted To Be Associated With JMF Ltd

10 Aghnatrisk Road, Culcavy, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6JJ

Tel: 028 9268 0900 | Fax: 028 9268 9993 Continued Best Wishes To JMF Ltd From

BES are the leading company when it comes to industrial lifting for equipment, advice and driving services. This has enabled us to become well established within the oil industry, trailer repair companies and build a solid working relationship with Terex.

Need some heavy materials lifting?

Unit 4, McKinney Ind Est, Mallusk, Newtownabbey BT36 4PU

Best Wishes To JMF LTD 28

E: sales@beslifting.co.uk www.bestlifting.co.uk

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Two four axle flats with rear steel axle and two draw bar tipper chassis for Denmark

was born. The business offers bespoke chassis' and trailers to a wide customer base through the UK, Ireland and Europe and continues to grow from strength to strength.

James and Margaret have never been afraid to invest in the business and that has afforded the business the opportunity to provide a vast number of products and services to their customers.

“We provide a wide range of services and these include CNC profiling, folding, fabrication, powder coating to our own fleet of lorries were we offer a very flexible and competitive logistic service to our customers. JMF Limited also offers a galvanizing and zinc plating as part of their surface finishing processes. The company recently invested heavily in a state of the art powder-coating plant which continues to be a great selling point for products that we manufacture.

“Our customer base has grown over the years and a lot of work that we IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

attract has come from word of mouth.

We pride ourselves on providing a top level service and quality products to our customers.

“We have become one of the largest sub-contracting companies in the UK and have seen our employee numbers increase substantially, to become one of the largest employers in the area. To compete in an ever changing market we have adapted our processes to suit our customer base and needs. This ensures that a quality product is delivered to all our customers large or small.”

The ability to diversify has stood JMF in good stead down through the years and never more so than in recent years when the current economic recession had a huge impact on our business.

“However, we kept working away with the aim to survive and thankfully we have now managed to build the business back up and continue to see good growth with our existing and new customers.

JMF Limited is a very resilient company with a strong focus placed on 'in house customer commitment'. Over the years the business owners have continued to reinvest heavily which has allowed the business to remain at the forefront of a very competitive industry.

For these reasons we have been able to service our customer base large or small allowing sustained growth across the organization.

JMF Limited considers themselves a one-stop shop for their customers, with product supplied into many different industries. “We would now manufacture many different products for our customers and our workforce processes a huge range of skills in order to meet our customer demands and expectations. This ethos is encouraged from point of order to delivery of the product as well as aftersales.

JMF have set high standards and their aim is to continue to meet those levels of expectations, while ensuring that they strive to improve their services.

Having acquired the ISO 9001 standard, the company is now focused on obtaining the 14001 level, which will see them leave their competitors in their trail with regards to the standards they have set.

“We have a huge range of manufacturing processes to enable us to compete in an ever changing market.

We pride ourselves in providing a service that is quick, competitively priced and meets or exceeds customers expectations.”

Like any other service provider JMF Limited would not be as successful with the continued support of their customers. As a business we value every order placed large or small and would like to thank all their customers for the opportunity to supply product and we look forward to continuing that service for many years to come.

For further information on our products and services please visit our website: www.jmf-ltd.co.uk or contact us using the details provided.

CONTACT DETAILS JMF Ltd 69 Frosses Road Ballymoney, Co. Antrim BT53 7HN Tel: 028 2766 5817 Fax: 028 2766 5887 E-mail: sales@jmf-lfd.co.uk

29

The company operates over 30 vehicles serving a wide range of clients

Thirty years a-growing Conway Transport Ltd is a well-established family-run company specialising in courier and haulage services. Over a 30-year period, it has earned a reputation as one of the leading and more reliable businesses of its kind in the Mid-West region.

30

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

previously operated their transport business as a sole trader. The origin of the business sprung from an idea generated by Gerard Conway who had a lot of experience as a driver in the haulage business and felt that he had the necessary skills and qualities to start his own transport company.

In 1984 he purchased his first van and immediately secured a contract collecting and delivering freight in the Munster area. He had built up a number of contacts from his previous employment, all of whom proved to be invaluable, when launching marketing strategies. The initial capital necessary for commencing the business came from savings mainly and with the cooperation of the local Allied Irish Bank.

For many years all members of the Conway family were involved to some extent in running the of the firm.

Gerard’s wife Claire , who was an accounting teacher in the local Vocational School, had a huge input into the financial section of the business. As students, Pat and Peter both worked in the business at various levels and school holidays were spent out on routes assisting drivers with collections and deliveries, while Clara, the eldest, helped out in the office during her school holidays.

In those years the business operated mainly from a premises at the family home at Garryduff, Newcastle West, employing approximately 10 people.

The business went from strength to strength which necessitated securing new premises located at Desmond Business Park. Currently the company has over 30 vehicles serving clients, varying from articulated trucks, rigid trucks to small parcel vans relevant to

B

ased in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick and in business for over 30 years, Conway Transport Ltd prides itself on providing a top-class haulage and parcel and pallet distribution service. From humble beginnings, this successful family-run concern now operates a fleet of over 30 vehicles and 15 trailers from a 10,000 sq ft state-of-the-art premises in Desmond Business Park.

Conway Transport boasts an impressive client list that includes leading courier and distribution companies which aer all household names.

The company was established in 1992 as a limited company by directors Gerard and Claire Conway who had IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Operations manager Peter Conway (on left) with his father and company founder Gerard Conway

31

BARRETT

Best Wishes To Conway Transport, From

ENGINEERING

Tyre Importer & Distributor DOCK ROAD, Limerick. Tel: 061-227088 Fax: 061-227461 RAHEEN, Limerick SHANNON, Clare

E: midwesttyres@eircom.net Telephone: 061- 300240 Telephone: 061 - 364848

SUPPLIERS OF ALL LEADING MAKES OF TYRES AND BATTERIES SPECIALISTS IN TYRES • BATTERIES • EXHAUSTS • 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT • BALANCING

Continued Best Wishes To Conway Transport, From

Rambling School Of Motoring For all your training requirements MOTOR CYCLE | CAR | RIGID | ARTIC AND COACH We provide defensive driver training, occupational driver training and Eco driver training to the transport industry

Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Tel: 069 61999 Best Wishes To Conway Transport, From

RAY SCANLON VALETING

Specialists In CAR| BUS & TRUCK VALETING Ballymurtagh Motors, Shannon, Co. Clare Email: rayproshineshannon@gmail.com

Aluminium Welding Specialists

Tel: 069 62400 Best Wishes & Continued Success To Conway Transport

Best Wishes To Conway Transport, From

DIAGNOSTICS & FAULT FINDING ON SITE WORK CARRIED OUT Batteries • Starters • Alternators Reverse Cameras & Sensors • Car Alarms DOCK RD., LIMERICK

Telephone: 061 304141 Mobile:087 2571476 Wishing Continued Success To Conway Transport, From

Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Tel: (069) 61373/61874 • Fax: (069) 61181 Email: westautoelectrics@eircom.net

Test Centre For Trucks & Vans, Truck Plating Tachograph & Speed Limiter Calibration

Specialists In Automobile, Electrical & Fuel Injection Repairs Agricultural, Truck & Car Oils

Batteries, Antifreeze, Filters etc In Stock

CONTACT US ON 086 2349110 Continued Success To Gerry & Peter

Continued Best Wishes To Conway Transport From

SPECIALISTS IN COMMERCIAL MOTOR FLEETS

SD

J.C. Daly & Co. Insurances Ltd The Square, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick Telephone: 068 31164 Fax: 068 31644

J.C. Daly & Company Insurances Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank Of Ireland

32

COMMERCIALS LTD SECONDHAND TRANSIT PARTS AVAILABLE Desmond Business Park, Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick

M: 087 9279618 E: seamus@sdcommercials.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Conway Transport boasts a topclass haulage and parcel and pallet distribution service Maurice and Alan of Conway Transport load the truck

customer needs. Among the Conway fleet are six MAN tractor units, seven MAN rigids, one Mercedes Benz seven-and-a-half tonne truck and a number of Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit vans.

At Conway Transport Ltd, they endeavour to provide a dedicated, reliable, professional and secure nextday delivery service to all customers.

Customer satisfaction is at the core of the business and success is ensured through Conway Transport’s Conway Transport provides a reliable and professional nextday delivery service

information technology and communications systems. The company’s next-day delivery service covers areas, including counties Limerick, Kerry, Clare and Tipperary, while our articulated trucks deliver full loads all over Ireland on a daily basis.

The business has invested heavily in driver training and development and in return expectations are high in order to provide an efficient and effective service to our network of clients.

Conway Transport has enjoyed the benefit of a very loyal workforce, with some staff members employed for more than 15 years. Currently the daily administration of the busy office is carried out by Mrs Triona McCarthy.

The operations manager is Gerard’s son, Peter, who with his roots in the transport business brings a wealth of

Triona McCarthy of Conway Transport

skills and knowledge to his position.

In recent times challenging conditions have placed huge emphasis on controlling running costs of the business. Tight cost controls have ensured that the company has retained its market share in the face of severe competition.

In the past 30 years Conway Transport has had a wide customerbase, but in recent years they have concentrated on contracts with multinational companies with the main focus on air and road freight.

A combination of factors, including continuously meeting customer requirements, re-investing in staff development and training, maintaining a modern fuel-efficient fleet of vehicles and finally the ability to meet challenges head-on have all contributed to the company’s growth and success.

“Business is steady, but you can never rest on your laurels, especially in the current economic climate,” Peter Conway says.

“Like every transport company, rising fuel costs are a huge issue for us at the moment. But we are committed to offering the best possible service we can and as long as that’s the case our customers will be happy.”

CONTACT DETAILS Conway Transport Ltd, Desmond Business Park, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.

Telephone: +353 69 62793 Fax: +353 69 61730 Mobile: +353 86 8278229 Operations email: conwayops@conway-transport.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

33

Parts can be ordered by phone or online at www.allcommercialparts.ie

Spare parts, no broken hearts Amongst other things, All Commercial Parts (ACP) in Athlone stocks a full range of spare parts for vans, trucks, trailers, forklifts and tractors. We called into the spacious, well-appointed store in Moydrum Business Park and had a chat with founder and managing director Michael Mannion, who’s also the driving force behind Mannion Quarries.

34

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A

one-stop shop for all your spare parts needs, All Commercial Parts (ACP) Ltd. carries a full range of truck, trailer and van spares, lawnmowers and garden machinery, hand tools and toolboxes, power tools, automotive parts, garage equipment, tractor parts, chainsaws, forklifts, LED lights, compressors and generators, oils and greases, engineering supplies, batteries, excavator spares, safety wear etc. at its modern and vibrant Athlone base, with all prices quoted including VAT and a nationwide delivery service available via Fastway Couriers (for the unbeatable price of just €7.95).

All items can be ordered over the phone or securely online using the IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

dedicated ACP website – www.allcommercialparts.ie – with either credit card or Paypal payment accepted and immediate dispatch guaranteed.

ACP boasts an excellent working relationship / partnership with all the major names in the industry. They stock tractor parts from John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland and Case, for example, and carry the full range of Corona tools. They also stock all Ford Transit van spares and are an official Parker Store and Hyster Forklifts agent.

Other notable brands stocked include Honda , Stanley Welders , Corona Tools , Castrol and Fleetguard In terms of truck parts, Michael notes: “We have absolutely everything you could need for a truck. You could nearly build a truck from scratch using the parts we have here in the store – from the bumper to the taillight and everything in between. Our parts are spurious but a lot of our suppliers also supply the Original Equipment Manufacturers – so they are of the highest quality. Volvo, Scania, MAN, Hino, DAF and Iveco parts would be amongst our best sellers.”

Michael Mannion is the founder and MD of both Mannion Quarries and All Commercial Parts, having established both businesses from scratch.

Operating out of Castlesampson, just outside Athlone, Mannion Quarries supplies crushed stone to local builders, developers and county councils. It was out of this original business that ACP evolved organically, as Michael relates: “All Commercial Parts opened our doors in March 2007. Initially, we had the quarry business where we were running a lot of our own trucks and we were finding it increasingly difficult to get spare parts anywhere in the local area. This was very restrictive and a lot of the local truckers told me they had the same experience. So I decided to start selling truck parts myself. Initially, we sold small quantities out of a small unit in Blyry Industrial Estate. Then in December 2010, in response to rising demand for a wide range of commercial parts, we moved to the current premises – a 14,000 sq ft facility here in Moydrum Business Park.”

It was an inspired move, as the proprietor confirms: “Since we moved

we have expanded into a wider range of hand tools, power tools, garage equipment, lawnmowers, truck and trailer parts etc. The landscape has changed a lot in the last few years. We used to deal with a lot of plant and machinery but that work has been replaced by more and more agricultural work. The trucks side of the business has remained steady, though.”

ACP draws a steady flow of customers from within a 20-mile radius

35

Great value and special offers at All Commercial Parts

A full range of parts are available in Athlone

but they adapt a proactive approach to drumming up business and, to this end, also have a sales team out on the road calling to garages and other potential end users.

Would it be fair to say they have found their niche market?

“Well, there’s nobody else doing truck or tractor parts locally and we also give an exceptional service,” says Michael. “We have over 40,000 different parts numbers in the shop. We have great staff – employing three in the office plus a girl in accounts and two lads on the road. We also have the best prices in the midlands as well as an excellent computer system in place, so we are in a strong position going forward.”

At the moment, about 70% of customers call to the counter and do business the oldfashioned way but it is conceivable that more and more ACP customers will use the website and conduct business online in future. “Tractor parts have become very popular and we have developed an excellent reputation in this area.

We are the only company in the midlands doing both truck and tractor parts so we have something here for everybody,” Michael continues.

“During the Celtic Tiger, everybody was buying new vehicles but things have changed and operators are far more inclined now to buy parts and to keep their existing vehicles on the road for as long as possible. All we need is a description of the part and the chassis number of the vehicle and we will find and supply an exact match.”

Finally, looking to the future, Michael is optimistic that ACP will continue to thrive: “I think we can keep growing it. I’m always sourcing new product lines to add to existing ones.

The distribution of parts nationwide is definitely one area where we can grow and we still have plenty of space here in the store to suit our needs. It can be hard to keep on top of things at times as we have up to one-million euros worth of parts in stock at any given time, but we know what we’re doing and we’ll continue to provide an excellent service.”

CONTACT DETAILS All Commercial Parts Ltd Unit 1 Moydrum Business Park, Athlone, County Westmeath.

Phone: 090 6486464 Fax: 090 6486463 Email: sales@allcommercialparts.ie www.allcommercialparts.ie

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Mannion Quarries

36

Joey Boland jboland@rbk.ie Tel: 090 6480600

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TYRE RETAILER & WHOLESALER Best Wishes To Mannion Athenry Depot : Ballydavid, Athenry | Tel: 091-845329 Quarries Galway Depot : Riverside Ind Estate,Tuam Road, Galway.

Tel: 091-769636 E: kburketyres@eircom.net |www.kevinburketyres.ie THE PROFESSIONAL TYRE PEOPLE

Best Wishes To Michael Mannion & All Commercial Parts, From

Ballyduff, Thurles, Co.Tipperary.

Telephone 0504 45510 Email info@hi-volt.net www.hi-volt.net Best Wishes & Continued Success To Mannion Quarries From

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS TO MANNION QUARRIES

Wishing Continued Success To Mannion Quarries From

FREEPHONE

1800 267742 “Your Low Cost Fuel Suppliers” IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Environmental Services Movement of Waste | Collection Permits TFS | Waste Carrier Licence | C1 Forms Section 261A/ Substitute Consent EIA/EIS | Reports for Planning +F.I. Environmental Monitoring Waste Permits | Licenses | IPPC Environmental Management System ENVIROCO Management Ltd., Bow House, O'Moore Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

LoCall 1890 522 000 www.enviroco.ie

37

The impressive Bradley Transport Scania fleet

Donegal company making waves Bradley Transport has been capturing the headlines for all the right reasons.

When Irish Trucker popped into the Buncrana, County Donegal base for an update last month, there wasn’t a lorry to be seen. The 24-strong fleet was all out on the road, busy providing an excellent temperature-controlled logistics service between Ireland and Europe. “Sure it’s a busy time of year, anyway,” Peter Bradley quipped modestly…

I

n March, Donegal-based Bradley Transport grabbed some welcome national headlines when they were shortlisted as finalists in four different categories Logistics Company of the Year, Transport Company of the Year, Logistics and Transport Client/Supplier Achievement Award and Future Achiever Award - of the prestigious Irish Logistics and Transport Awards 2012.

Described as ‘the number one fresh link to Europe’ Bradley Transport have established a strong reputation right across the continent. Their commitment to organic growth - based on excellence in customer service and delivery times - means they have been able to build up a strong network of loyal customers.

Spotting a niche in the market for an Irish fresh produce link to Europe, Bradley Transport ventured into the temperaturecontrolled logistics market in 2007 and now work in strategic partnerships with fresh produce suppliers in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Peter Bradley, who runs Bradley Transport in conjunction

38

with his wife and co-director Aishling, joined the family business aged just 18, the family business having been started by his father Danny in 1995. Today, it boasts a €4.5 million turnover, with staff of 30 and a fleet of two dozen trucks on the road Despite the economic downturn, spiralling fuel increases and decreasing imports, Peter has defied the odds and has managed to grow the company exponentially year on year.

He forecasts further growth in the region of 20% for the current calendar year, saying his company is “constantly looking for an opportunity and have realised that in the recession there are opportunities. Our clients will always come first because their success is our success.”

Bradley Transport’s main office is located in Buncrana, County Donegal and they also have a number of bases in the UK and Holland. The Bradleys are concerned with what their customers want and strive at all times to provide solutions for all types of logistical situations, priding themselves on delivering fast, professional services.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Temperature controlled logistics are a key part of the business

Transport Awards 2012, Peter notes: “This was our first year to have entered, so we are pleased to have done so well. It shows that we must be doing something right! We attended the awards night in the Burlington and we met some people and made a few friends.”

As for the business, the director is pleased to report that things are going well: “We’re doing alright. We purchased ten new Scanias there in March, having decided to increase and update the fleet to cope with existing work. We now have a fleet of 24 trucks, all Scania, all bought from McElvaney’s in Monaghan. We’ve always had a very good experience with Scania and I find that they do an excellent job.

“We’re taking part in a pilot programme for a new fuel-saving gearbox at the moment, so it will be interesting to see how that works out.”

As well as foodstuffs, Bradley Transport also carry a lot of car parts between the UK and Ireland, brining main-dealer parts into Northern Ireland for all manufacturers except Ford and Volkswagen.

Between their various operations, they employ a crew of 30.

How has such growth been possible during these recessionary times?

“We’ve always done a good job and provided a good service – that’s the long and short of it. Everything is based around giving a good customer service. We make sure we give an on-time delivery. If you do something well, then people are prepared to pay you to do it.

“Of course, there is pressure on rates all the time but we have built up a good reputation for providing a quality service

Five years ago, a decision was made to switch into the temperature-controlled logistics market when Peter and Aishling identified a gap for a quality Irish haulier to collect fresh produce in Europe and deliver to wholesalers throughout Ireland. Today, a state-ofthe-art fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles embraces the latest technology, including sophisticated tracking systems, to provide a comprehensive delivery service that is simply second to none.

Utilising speed, flexibility and reliability, Bradley Transport specialises in delivering organic produce such as meat, fruit, vegetables and flowers from producers in Europe fresh to the marketplace in Ireland. In addition to this, they also provide a dry freight system, including full loads between Ireland and Europe.

The directors are constantly working with their partners to ensure the shortest supply chain link possible between Europe and the end user here at home.

Commenting on Bradley Transport’s Bradley Transport has a fleet of 24 Scania trucks, all bought from success in the Irish Logistics and McElvaney’s in Monaghan

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

39

Continued Best Wishes To Bradley Transport

www.signsanddesigns.ie

Brae Road, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal T: 074-9368440 M: 086-3269846 E: signsdesigns@gmail.com

Exterior Signage

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Promotional Displays Best Wishes To Bradley Transport From All At

Best Wishes To Bradley Transport

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We are pleased to be a tyre supplier to Bradley Transport and wish them continued success for the future

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IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

and we have good contacts, so we are confident that we will continue to be successful going forward. We have done it right from the word go – there is no such thing as a late delivery in the Bradley Transport vocabulary.”

Looking to the future, the co-director concludes: “We’ll see how we get on.

Nobody ever knows what’s around the corner but all you can do is your best.

We’ll keep providing a prompt, highquality service and hopefully that’ll be enough to see us move forward.”

CONTACT DETAILS Bradley Transport, Umricam, Buncrana, County Donegal.

Tel: 074 932 2714 Fax: 074 932 0694 Email: bradleysales@eircom.net www.bradleytransport.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

41

Boyne Waste is a premier liquid waste service company

More success in the pipeline ...

With a particularly strong presence all along the east coast, Boyne Waste Services is one of Ireland’s premier industrial and commercial liquid waste transport solution providers. Irish Trucker visited the company HQ in Navan and spoke to directors Terry Kearns and Fintan McGeough about this exceptional, long-serving company which operates 14 trucks and three vans, providing gainful employment to an eighteen-strong crew.

O

ffering a full range of industrial and commercial liquid waste transport solutions, Boyne Waste Services is a Leinster-based liquid waste management company providing its services nationwide.

Specialist services provided include bulk haulage, CCTV surveying, drain

42

cleaning, grease trap removal, industrial sludge removal, interceptor cleaning, septic tank cleaning and sump pump cleaning.

Incorporating artic and rigid bulk haulage tankers for liquid waste transportation, jet vac trucks equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and

CCTV camera units, the Boyne Waste Services fleet boasts the most modern equipment available and is constantly increasing and evolving to meet the demands of its partners.

“About 80% of our work would be along the east coast,” notes Fintan McGeough. “But we operate a IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

An inspection taking place

Services has always provided a high-quality service, using the best equipment available and embracing modern technology and techniques. No job has ever been deemed too big or too small and they are 100% customerorientated, providing excellent services at affordable rates.

There is, however, one other vital ingredient in their winning recipe, as Fintan relates: “We are blessed to have the workers we have here. They are all excellent workers and the success of the company is down to them. They’d all be local lads, from within a 20-mile radius of the yard, and they are very competent and dedicated in their work. Over the years, we have established a reputation for the reliability and quality of our workmanship and this has been central to our success.”

Despite the dramatic downturn in both the construction and haulage sectors, Fintan is delighted to report that the team at Boyne Waste Services are more than weathering the storm: “We’re very busy at the moment,” he confirms. “We’ve had a tough few years, like everyone else, but we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Our reputation stands to us and we have the equipment, the expertise and the manpower

nationwide service and we have worked in every county in Ireland at some stage.

“We provide bulk handling of any type of liquid, including transportation to landfill sites, and we also maintain treatment plants in Meath, Kildare and Louth as well as looking after sewage plants in various counties around the country and providing a drain cleaning service.”

As a civil engineer, Fintan’s area of expertise within the operation is pipeline surveying and rehabilitation. “Using CCTV, we can From drain cleaning to survey literally any sort of pipeline – maintaining treatment from 10mm to 2.1m in diameter,” he plants, Boyne Waste offer an exceptional service continues. “Once we’ve sent the camera in, we access the reading and do a complete analysis to identify any defects in the pipeline. We will then make our recommendations for rehabilitation. The real beauty of this service is that we can re-line the hole and therefore repair the pipe without having to dig down.

“As well as re-lining pipelines and manholes, we can also test for water leaks in water mains using our sophisticated, state-of-the-art camera equipment, which is all German-made and would be the best that money can buy.”

Since its inception, Boyne Waste IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

43

Continued Best Wishes To Boyne Waste Services,From

TRUCK AND TRAILER TEC LTD Contact Jason Keating 083 3996098 Con O’Brien 083 4297183

STORE Roylan House St. Margaret’s Co. Dublin OFFICE 97 Hillview Estate, Ballinteer, Dublin 16 Email: truckandtrailerjk@gmail.com

Best Wishes To Boyne Waste Services, From

Best wishes & continued success to Boyne Waste Services, from

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Limited

T:041 9823282/9823016 F: 041 9880330 Platin Road, Drogheda, Co. Meath Email: info@kavanaghvtn.com

LGV & HGV Tests I Repairs & Services Tachograph & Speed Limiter Calibrations Tyres & Car Wash Best Wishes To Boyne Waste Services From

For All Your Drain Equipment Needs IRELANDS LEADING DRAIN EQUIPMENT COMPANY UTS LTD, Humphreystown, Blessington, Co. Wicklow

T: 045 867790

Email: info@utsltd.ie www.utsltd.ie

Continued Success To Boyne Waste Services From

Ardsallagh, Navan, Co. Meath

T: 046 90 21347 | 046 90 21695 F: 046 90 21128 E: keatingsoil@gmail.com Continued Best Wishes To Boyne Waste Services From

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Tel: 041 983 1771 | 041 984 5504 | Fax: 041 983 8561 Email: murphydrogheda@eircom.net

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CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

44

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Treatment of waste

– including a number of specialist engineers - to provide a high-quality, professional pipeline rehabilitation / liquid waste management service.”

All maintenance of equipment and fleet is carried out in-house by an exceptional on-site mechanic who could rebuild a unit from the ground up if he had to. “All our lorries are Volvo,” says Fintan. “They are very reliable and we receive a very good service from

Great Value & Top Class Produce Continues at

SEAN CAROLAN MEATS THE BRINK SERVICE STATION

Newsagents | Groceries Lotto & National Lottery Agents | Coal | Briquettes Bottled Gas Rathdrinagh, Beauparc, Navan, Co. Meath T: 046 902 4614 F: 046 902 4752

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Continued Best Wishes To Boyne Waste Services, From

Jim Byrne 085 7134405 Covering Leinster IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

are all in it together. We’re like one big family here and I think that filters down into a very personal service.”

Also looking to the future, Terry Kearns adds: “We will keep the good side up. We are holding our own, thankfully, and we enjoy a very good reputation for the quality of our work.

We’ve just secured a new contract with Fingal County Council and hopefully that’s a sign of things to come. The way things have gone with the CONTACT DETAILS economy in the last few years, it’s impossible to know for sure what the Boyne Waste Services future holds for anyone, Rathdrinagh, but we’ll continue to Beauparc, provide the best service Navan, possible and hopefully County Meath. that’ll be enough to keep us ticking over.”

Tel: 046 9024860 If its past record is Fax: 046 9024771 anything to go by, then Mobile: 087 2708292 Boyne Waste Services is Email: info@boynewaste.ie more likely to thrive than www.boynewaste.ie to merely survive!

McDonnell Commercials in Monaghan and Irish Commercials in Naas.”

Regarding the future prospects of Boyne Waste Services, Fintan is decidedly optimistic, concluding: “We are very confident going forward, not least because of our excellent track record in working with partners nationwide. Our workers have a very good attitude, they are happy in their work and we

McDonnell Commercials (Monaghan) Ltd WISHES ALL AT BOYNE WASTE SERVICES CONTINUED SUCCESS

FOR FULL DETAILS OF OUR CONTRACT MAINTENANCE OFFERS Visit us at Urblekirk, Dunraymond, Monaghan Telephone: +353 (0) 47 83588. E:info@mcdonnellcommercials.ie W: www.mcdonnellcommercials.ie

45

Lowloader work is a speciality of McFarland Trnasport

McFarland go wide and far The transportation of wide and abnormal loads is a specialised area that is carried out on a daily basis, but it is one that involves a lot more than just driving from one destination to another.

P

ermits are needed for the transportation of such goods and this means that not many companies throughout Ireland can carry out these duties.

Operating on a national and international scale, this Omagh based company has established a client list that covers some of the leading firms based in this country.

Experience is vital in the haulage industry especially in the current economic climate as every decision has to be made with the utmost precision and to this end, McFarland's have that commodity in abundance.

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The utmost care is taken when transporting goods

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

McFarland Transport was established 11 years ago

Established in 2001, this business specialises in low loader work, supplying a specialised service to their long standing customer base.

For this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we profile this company and speak to Managing Director Raymond McFarland about the success of the business.

Located in Omagh, Co. Tyrone the company is ideally located to carry out their daily duties, which sees them travel throughout Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

“We provide a competitive haulage service to destinations throughout Europe and the UK and we also carry out work throughout the 32 counties” revealed Raymond.

Having no background in the haulage industry, it became intriguing as to why Raymond ended up in this sector and he picks up the story from here.

"I would have had a background in farming, but always had an interest in lorries. I worked in England for a few years where I was farming and when I moved back home, I was bringing straw in from England,” said Raymond.

"I also started driving for Ewings and before long I decided to buy a lorry myself and bring the straw over. From there, the type of loads that I was carrying diversified greatly and now we transport anything in the wide load category generally.

Raymond chose a Scania as his first IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

truck and he has stuck with the Swedish make ever since as he finds them the most reliable vehicle on the road.

“I like the Scania, they are reliable and efficient and I can't complain about the few that I've had. I do keep them well maintained and try to change them every few years.

“I have an older model and just last year I added another truck. There is a young lad working with me here - he grew up with me and always wanted to drive a lorry so with the workload increasing, I decided to buy another one.”

Raymond admitted that there is plenty of legislation to be adhered to when it comes to the transportation of wide loads in every country.

“There are permits needed no matter where you go, especially to transport abnormal loads. Thankfully, I've the full range needed to operate in Ireland, UK and Europe.”

McFarland Transport can offer an excellent service that can be tailored to meet the customers' demands.

“We can provide scheduled transport services collecting and delivering all types of goods and produce throughout Ireland and Europe. We are a fully licensed Haulage Company and our customers seem to be happy with the service that we provide.”

Raymond is pleased with the direction that the business is heading in, but like all hauliers, he is feeling the pinch when it comes to the diesel bill.

A selection of some of the abnormal loads the company transports

Wishing Continued Success To McFarland Transport From

59 Drumlish Road, Dromore County Tyrone BT78 3ER Contact Alan on

07770 60 44 88

E-mail: alanwarmstrong@hotmail.com

www.armstrongtransport.eu

Best Wishes To McFarland Transport From

NEW & USED KTWO SPREADERS FOR SALE 44 Bann Rd , Kilrea, Coleraine, BT51 5RY T/F : (0044) (0) 28 29540319 M : (0044) (0) 7801 010 994 E: sales@richard-irwin.co.uk www.richard-irwin.com

Best Wishes To McFarland Transport, From

VA Generators Ltd

27, Camcosy Rd, Drumlea, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 7SF Tel: 028 8164 8486 | E: vincentdaly2000@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 07771 770202

Wishing McFarland Transport Continued Success From

N.B.T TRANSPORT & GARAGE SERVICES Specialising In Heavy Vehicle Repair COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS FOR

TRUCKS | TRAILER CAR | VANS

1 Glenavon Park, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone BT80 8JL

T: 028 8676 9343 M: 07738 148 125 Continued Best Wishes To McFarland Transport From

IRISH

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www.wastesystems.eu

48

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Don’t be left in the dark log on to

www.irishtrucker.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Another load sets off for delivery

Customer satisfaction is guaranteed

McFarland Transport operates on a national and international scale

“The price of diesel has really hit everyone hard. It has now surpassed everything else and it seems to be rising all the time. It's a situation that we have to deal with until there is something done about the prices.

The rise in the cost of diesel is not the only problem that Raymond has encountered in the industry as he explains.

“Ferry prices have risen dramatically as well and when like us, you're spending a lot of time on the sea, then this is another cost that is hard to cope with.

“The ferry prices just seemed to go up overnight and they have slipped in under the radar and there is nothing being done about it either, which is a shame.”

Nonetheless, Raymond is pleased by the direction the company is heading in “The business is still growing and we're delighted with that. Our aim for 2012 is to continue expanding and be best in our class and try to be better than our competitors.”

CONTACT DETAILS McFarland Transport

The necessary permits are all part of the service

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

50 Letterbrat Rd, Plumbridge, Omagh, BT79 8DX Tel: 028 8164 8555

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Fifty years of excellence August 2012 is a landmark month for R Barkley & Sons Ltd. as the Ballymoney, County Antrim based general haulier will be celebrating 50 years in business. Irish Trucker visited the company Headquarters and discovered that – with a fleet of 45 units, over one hundred trailers and 61 employees – this stellar family business is going from strength to strength.

E

stablished by Richard Barkley in August 1962, R Barkley & Sons has come a long, long way in half a century. These days it is the sons from the company title - namely Kenneth and Brian – who run the show. And the service provided is as keen and professional as it has ever

50

been.

A limited company since 2000, R Barkley & Sons has forged an exceptional reputation for itself by providing an astonishing level of service to a wide range of clients. With a new depot opened in Stoke last year – their third in total – the IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

R Barkley & Sons celebrated 50years in business this year

company continues to progress in spite of the obvious difficulties being inflicted on the transport sector as a whole by recordhigh fuel prices.

Assessing the current lie of the land, director Kenneth Barkley admits that spiralling and unsustainably-high fuel prices constitute the singlemost biggest change affecting the industry – and, by extension, his business – in the past decade or so: “There have been big changes, big increases in our costs and overheads, IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

especially fuel-wise. That’s the main thing affecting us at the moment. Fuel has never been so expensive and it’s placing a strain on everybody. This has been a big issue for the past three years or so and of course the recession also means we’re not as busy as we used to be.”

Having said that, R Barkley & Sons Ltd. has managed to thrive in the face of adversity, battening down the hatches and rolling up their sleeves to actually grow and develop the business in spite of the bad times. With depots in Manchester and Stoke as well as the main base in Ballymoney, a fleet of 45 vehicles and a staff of over 60 people, the company is progressing at an impressive rate.

How has this been possible? No magic formula was used, according to Kenneth. To the contrary, it all boils down to good, honest hard work: “We’ve always provided a top-quality service and that is still the case today. We just work harder for less money. That’s the reality of how the haulage sector has changed.”

Providing an unrivalled UK – Ireland service, R Barkley & Sons Ltd. runs a total of 100+ trailers. The service comprises general haulage – including a lot of machinery, plant and tractors – but they are moving more and more into groupage, thus the decision to open a third depot in Stoke.

In terms of fleet, DAF is the predominant name in the company yard, as Kenneth reveals: “They are pretty much all DAFs, apart from one Scania and one Volvo. We’ve always operated DAFs from the beginning. The man who first brought DAF to Ireland (J.M.R. Kirkpatrick.) was beside us here in Ballymoney. We also have our own workshop and all of our maintenance work is done in-house.”

For decades now, R Barkley & Sons Ltd. has been renowned for its versatility. A wide range of specialist haulage services is catered for, with warehousing also offered. The impressive modern, perfectly-maintained fleet of trucks and trailers can tackle literally any job and, by embracing the latest technology and techniques, the company is attuned to the times that are in it, offering cutting-edge solutions using state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated, knowledgeable industry professionals.

Fifty years on from its inception, R Barkley & Sons Ltd. stands tall as a striking success story. The next milestone is a century and, with such a great track record, there’s no reason to suggest they won’t get there! Looking to the future, Kenneth notes: “We are confident we can keep moving forward. If you give a good service, there are still people who need work done.

And we are here to provide a quality service. A lot of the smaller operators have been forced out of business and that has meant greater opportunities for us.

“Apart from the rising overheads, we are generally quite pleased with how things are going. We have a lot of long-term partners who have been working with us for many years and

The excellently maintained fleet

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To R. Barkley & Sons Ltd, From

TBF Thompson Mallusk: 028 9034 2001| Garvagh: 028 2955 8353 | Portadown: 028 3839 3300

DAF Distributors- Northern Ireland

Talk to Aramex Ireland today: Dublin: +353 1 807 8000 Cork: +353 21 488 1122 Shannon: +353 61 362600

Best Wishes To R. Barkley & Sons Ltd,

Wishing Continued Success To R.Barkley & Sons Ltd

www.aramex.com Wishing Continued Success To R. Barkley & Sons Ltd From

Technical Transport Products

12 Landhead Road Ballymoney Co. Antrim BT53 7HD

Woodside Ind Estate, Woodside Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT42 4HX Tel: +44 (0)28 256 46481 Fax:+44 (0)28 256 40351 www.technicaltransportproducts.com

Tel: 028 2766 2396 Tel : 028 2766 5916 Mob: 07974 016502 Fax: 028 2766 6053 Email: mccombsteel@btconnect.com

www.mccombsteelstockists.com Congratulations to R. Barkley & Sons Ltd On 50 Years In Business From

Paul A. Taylor & Co. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Unit 4, 12, Spittal Hill, Coleraine

Tel: 028 70355186

Email: info@ptaccountants.co.uk 52

J.N.K. Components Ltd. THE CAR, COMMERCIAL & TRACTOR PARTS PEOPLE Main Agents for: OERLIKON WELDING PRODUCTS, EXCELUBE OIL, VARTA BATTERIES, NIGAS & DONALDSON FILTERS Pennybridge Industrial Estate, Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT42 3HB

Tel: 028-256 48111 Fax: 028 256 42422 Email: info@jnkcomponents.co.uk

www.jnkcomponents.co.uk Best Wishes To R. Barkley & Sons Ltd

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

This is the first combine registered in Galway in over 30 years, delivered by R Barkley & Sons

we always strive to provide the bestpossible transport solution to both new and existing customers. Indeed, we’ve had to expand to keep our existing customers happy.

“I’ve been in the business 41 years now and [co-director] Brian has been here for 43. We know what we’re doing but you can never get complacent or take your eye off the ball because the

industry keeps changing and evolving and you learn something every day.

The nature of our work is such that each day brings a fresh challenge and we have to be ready to meet that.

“As long as we stay on top of things, I’m optimistic that we’ll be here for another while anyway!”

As a family business first and foremost, R Barkley & Sons Ltd. has

always been able to provide a friendly, personal touch. This will remain the case as the next generation will hopefully one day assume the reins. At present, Kenneth has a son and daughter working in the company while Brian has two sons involved.

“If the fuel would only come down a bit, it would make everything a lot easier,” Brian concludes. “Everything else would come down with it. At the moment it’s pushing everything up – not just the cost of running the trucks but also boat rates etc., which is another big overhead when you are providing a UK – Ireland service. The margin is disappearing – but hopefully we’ll get some respite soon.”

CONTACT DETAILS R Barkley & Sons Ltd. 14 Landhead Road, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 7HD. Tel: 028 2766 3301 Fax: 028 2766 5286

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Stat of the art Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd. has been providing a wide range of services to a host of satisfied customers for over two decades. The slowdown in the construction sector has hit them hard but Statcroft have battened down the hatches and continue to offer a quality, value-for-money service. Irish Trucker popped into their Turloughmore depot for a chat with general manager Darren O’Shaughnessy, a man who lined out for Galway in the 2001 All-Ireland senior hurling final.

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thenry. A place revered in song and folklore. The spiritual home of Galway hurling. No surprise then to find that there’s a well-known stickman in the ranks of local haulage firm Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd. General manager Darren O’Shaughnessy was a Tribesman from 2000 until 2003. During this time he collected a national hurling league medal, won a Railway Cup, and also lined out against Tipperary in the ’01 All-Ireland final.

But this is a trucking magazine, so we better talk about all

54

things transport. (Well, for now anyway - perhaps we’ll return to the hurling later on!)…

John Morris is the MD of Statcroft Transport, having established the company in 1990. Darren has been on the payroll since 2003. Over the past 22 years, the company has provided a premium haulage / plant hire service to customers nationwide, forging a reputation as genuine leaders in their chosen field of expertise.

As Darren confirms, a large percentage of Statcroft’s work is IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

directly related to construction and civil engineering, a sector which of course has been hit heavily by the economic downturn: “A lot of the haulage we do would be from excavated sites – stone, topsoil, rubble and construction materials. We also specialise in ‘muck away’ work and hold a multi-region waste permit in addition to the haulage licence, which allows us to operate anywhere in Ireland.”

Fleet-wise, Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd. operates 35 units, all rigids, mostly Scania and Volvo. In terms of heavy plant on site, they also have a range of excavators varying from mini-diggers to 30-tonnes, Volvo dump trucks, crushing plant and eight or nine concrete bottles.

The nature of the work has changed with the times that are in it, as the general manager reveals: “During the good times, we did most of our own dig-outs and we got lost somewhere in the madness, but we’ve since found that it’s better to go in by the hour.”

How much has the slowdown affected the business? “It’s been massive,” Darren admits. “When you have a fleet of 35 you really have to have them out moving every day but that’s not possible anymore. It varies from day to day, but hopefully there will be some sort of pick-up in the economy soon.

“Fortunately, we have always provided an excellent service and this means we’ve earned a very solid reputation. We are the main contractors for Coshla Quarries here in Athenry, IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

hauling all their stone, and we’ve also been down in Cork working for Michael Harrington as well as working for Scariff Plant Hire. On top of that, we’ve worked for all the major civil engineering companies like Sisk and Hegartys.

“We never really advertised our services. With the plant we had and the good contacts we had with the quarries that kept everything moving. We knew what we were doing and we were flat out. There was plenty of work. We were the main hauliers on the N6 from Galway to Ballinasloe, which was a six-year contract. Then, when we came off that, we got the Coshla Quarries contract and another one with Coffeys Construction. But things are a lot quieter now and we are on the look-out for something at the moment. We have a proven track record, so we are confident something will come up.

55

“We have a very fresh fleet and they are all very well looked after by our own full-time mechanic. There has never been any issue with any of our trucks. We have a state-of-the-art tracking system installed in them all and a transport manager who makes sure the fleet is maintained in immaculate condition.”

Diversifying into different areas has never been an option, Instead, Statcroft will concentrate on doing what they do best: “The fleet we have is made for construction and that’s what we’ll do. We have worked with all the big names in construction, all over Ireland, and we are available for work nationwide.”

Looking to the future, Darren continues: “The plan is to try and keep the trucks moving and to increase our share of the market. We want to become the No.1 go-to guys for builders.

We want to provide a service to builders. We’ve always given a top-class service in the past and we will continue to do that.

There aren’t too many fleets to rival ours anymore and we Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd, From have the machinery, the personnel and the know-how to keep any site going.

“We’ll provide an efficient service and hopefully we’ll be able to keep all the lads in work. That’s really important. 90% of them would be local and we want to look after them. Also, we have a policy of making sure we create employment in any area where we work. Say, for example, we have a contract in Cork – we will bring two of our own men and take on six or seven local guys to provide local employment, as well as OPENING HOURS local knowledge, which is important.”

Monday to Sunday 7am to 10.30pm Okay, let’s return briefly to the hurling. As a former intercounty hurler, Darren obviously has a great interest in the Ballyglass, Turloughmore, Co. Galway ancient game and he points out that this goes right through every facet of Statcroft Transport: E: gfahy57@yahoo.co.uk “We have very strong links with the local GAA. We have sponsored some of the local teams and John Morris the MD is a keen GAA supporter. His father Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd, From would have been chairman of the Turloughmore Hurling Club and would have played on the historic team that won six successive county SHCs between 1961 and ’66. During the summer, we always try to take on some of the local hurlers as well.”

Hopefully, they will be in a position to do so again in the coming months. Given the success Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd. has enjoyed for over a score of years and the exceptional service they provide, one suspects they will find a way!

FAHY & SON TEXOIL FILLING STATION

Family Run Business

Tel: 091 797179

56

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd, From

Motor Insurance Cover | Carriers Liability Cover | Employers/ Public Liability Cover

Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd, From

Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd From

Barry Quinn

MARTIN NAUGHTON OIL CO.

TRANSPORT LIMITED

Lisheenavalla, Claregalway, Co. Galway

SPECIALISING IN GENERAL HAULAGE Supplier of Sand, Stone, Topsoil & Truck Hire

T: (091) 738738 Mobile: (087) 1274143

School Road, Carnmore, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Call Barry on (087) 2501368

Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd, From

For Quality, Service & Value In Your Grocery, Hardware & Agricultural Needs

Flynns of Lackagh

Limited

GENERAL MERCHANTS

Lackagh, Turloughmore, Co. Galway Tel: (091) 797116 Fax: (091) 797146 Wishing Continued Success To

STATCROFT TRANSPORT & CIVIL ENGINEERING LTD

Best Wishes To Statcroft Transport & Civil Engineering Ltd From

Hydraulic & Industrial Hoses 24 HOUR ON SITE HOSE SERVICE

IRISH

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HYDRAULIC | INDUSTRIAL | CHEMICAL PLANT / AGRICULTURAL | MARINE Turoe, Bullaun, Loughrea, Co. Galway Tel: 091 871340 Mobile: 087 1213755 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS log on to

www.irishtrucker.com 57

All systems ‘Go’ for LCC

Headquartered in Cookstown, County Tyrone, the LCC Group is a pioneering, innovative concern that operates at the very forefront of the fuel distribution industry here in Ireland. Irish Trucker met up with transport manager Michael Moran to gain a further insight into this exceptional group of companies, which continues to go from strength to strength.

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stablished in 1980 by managing director Michael Loughran, the LCC (Lissan Coal Company) Group remains family owned and managed and is a customer focused organization, providing a range of services spanning various energy sectors locally and worldwide.

LCC Ltd is the leading solid fuel importer and distributor in

58

Ireland, handling and delivering domestic and industrial coal at all levels of the supply chain. The company has coal washing and screening facilities in Belfast, Londonderry, Gijon in Northern Spain, and Oxelosund in Sweden and supply quality specialised product for cement production, the manufacturing industry and power generation throughout IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Europe.

Following the Business’ success in the importation and distribution of Coal, they diversified into the Domestic Oil Industry in 1997. After years of continuous steady growth in both Coal and oil, in 2005 LCC Ltd concluded a 50/50 Joint Venture Agreement with StatoilHydro, ASA Norway building their own Oil Terminal (LSS Limited), located in Maydown, Co Londonderry.

LSS Ltd is to date the largest independent sea-fed oil import and distribution terminal in Ireland, most modern in Europe with a total storage capacity of 96,000 tonnes. Hence LCC Ltd is now one of the leading Oil Importers and Distributors in Ireland, supplying wholesale, agricultural, commercial and retail customers throughout the country including the company’s own retail forecourt brand Go. Go – is a fresh, contemporary brand for the modern forecourt, under the umbrella of the LCC Group, they have introduced a host of innovative ideas – including unmanned forecourts - to improve and modernise the retail forecourt sector in Ireland.

Offering a complete forecourt package, Go provides a comprehensive range of products including unleaded petrol, ultra low sulphur diesel, gas oil, heating oil, small pack lubricants, LPG and solid fuel. With a modern fleet of delivery trucks and representatives available 24 / 7, Go guarantees a stress-free and efficient forecourt experience.

As it’s a family-run business, the LCC Group can provide a personal touch through every aspect of its operations – just one of the many reasons why they are so highly regarded across the fuel, distribution and forecourt sectors throughout the island of Ireland and much further afield.

“Across the board, we operate a fleet of up to 60 vehicles,” transport manager Michael Moran notes. “Most of our fleet are MANs, with a smaller number of Volvo and Scania.”

Continuity and consistency are vital in any line of work and, to this end, the LCC Group has a tried and trusted partnership in place to ensure that their vehicles are maintained in perfect running order. “We’ve been outsourcing all the mechanical work for the past 25 years to Eamonn McGuigan Garage Services. Eamonn has provided an excellent service from Day One and we’re very happy with the service he provides us with. He looks after everything, with the exception of warranty work.”

In terms of catchment area, LCC boasts complete coverage of the Emerald Isle, as Michael confirms: “We cover the length and breadth of Ireland, from Donegal to Kerry. As well as Northern Ireland, we also deliver all across the south. We import our coal from different countries around the world and then sell it to wholesalers, shops, filling stations etc.

“The solid fuels come into the ports in Belfast and Derry, where our processing plants located in Belfast, Derry and Cookstown, prepare the fuels for distribution locally and worldwide.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

59

Go is a forecourt brand created by LCC Group

“We also have our own oil terminal in Derry, which is a joint-venture with Statoil in Norway. So we import our oil from Statoil in Norway and then distribute it throughout Ireland as well.”

Considering the spiraling cost of fuel globally, is this a particularly difficult business to be in at present? “People are still buying fuel because they need it. You can’t really manage without it.

From a solid fuel point of view, much of it is purchased for domestic use and the weather very much determines demand, whereas the demand for petrol and diesel is generally steady all year around often peaking in the summertime. The result is that we are kept busy all year around.”

Supply deals secured with the likes of the National Health Service, NI

Councils, Civil Service, Translink and Northern Ireland Railways give an indication of the high esteem in which the LCC Group is held.

Michael has been with Lissan Coal Company since 1989. Reflecting on those days gone by, he recalls: “I started out driving a 4x2 F7 Volvo.

When I started, the fleet consisted of the F7 Volvo, one old MAN and two

The company provides a range of energy services

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Continued Best Wishes To LCC Group From

Eamonn McGuigan

36 Gortahurk Road, Draperstown, Co. Derry BT45 5NN

GARAGE SERVICES

Tel: 028 796 28968 Mobile: 07798 941753

✓ Oil Tanker Repairs ✓ PSV Work ✓ Brake Roller Testing Best Wishes & Continued Success To LCC Group From

Specialise In

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www.roadtankersarmagh.com Continued Best Wishes To LCC Group

Unit 8+9, Derryloran Industrial Estate Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, BT80 9LU T: +44 (0) 28 8676 4477 F: +44 (0) 28 8675 8000 E: info@metrocctv.com

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Continued Success To LCC Group, From

J.M. Autoparts. Ltd. 80 Burn Rd., Cookstown, Co. Tyrone BT80 8DR Tel: (028) 86765585 • Fax: (028) 86765340 Gortrush Ind Estate., Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT78 6EJ Tel: (028) 82246723 • Fax: (028) 82246723 SUPPLIER OF

Commercial Road Springs • Brake Linings & Brake Drums • Brake Pads/Discs/Callipers • Air Brake Equipment • Clutches • Filters • Under Chassis Components • Air Bags & Air Springs • Trailer Components • Shock Absorbers • Mirrors & Lamps Bearings & Seals • U-bolts, Nuts & Bolts IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Driving IT at the LCC Group

SWIFTSOFT Computer Systems

Ferney Business Park, Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh BT94 2HH Tel: (028|048) 6638 8833 Email: sales@swiftsoft.com 61

Delighted To be associated with LCC Group www.roadtankerspares.com Specialising In Tank Truck Equipment | Hoses | Couplings | Health & Safety Equipment | Truck Storage |Workshop/Garage Consumables

Road Tanker Spares International

17 Dunnesmullan Road, Markethill, Co. Armagh BT60 1TJ Tel: +44 (0)77 3036 0996 E: info@roadtankerspares.com

Congratulations To Lissan Coal Company On Their 30 Years In Business

We are pleased to be a tyre supplier to Lissan Coal Company & wish them continued success for the future

DEPOT LOCATIONS Armagh • Dungannon • Saintfield Belfast • L/derry Castleblayney • Dublin

Tel: +44 (0)28 37510666

PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS

Best Wishes To LCC Group

CARN BUSINESS PARK, 19 CARN ROAD, PORTADOWN, COUNTY ARMAGH, BT63 5WG Tel 028 3835 0698 Fax 028 3833 4487 Email: delta.signs@btconnect.com www.deltasignsystems.co.uk

Best Wishes & Continued Success To LCC Group

www.irishtrucker.com 62

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Solid fuel with Lissan Coal

Bedford TK rigids. We now operate 25 to 30 tractor units plus the rigids, so it has obviously grown substantially in the last 23 years or so…”

Looking to the future, the transport manager is optimistic that LCC can continue to thrive, with the new Go

forecourt brand a source of particular positivity: “These guys are always pushing the boundaries, in attempt to maximize all new business growth opportunities!

Introducing our own forecourt brand – Go – was a major step forward. We

have three company-owned Pay @ Pump sites in Cookstown, Carrickfergus and Portadown, with a fourth opening on Great Victoria Street Belfast this Autumn. The Go forecourt brand and our company-owned sites are unique in the island of Ireland in

Contact us for VERY competitive tanker rates including On and Off road spillage cover

Cover includes both UK and Ireland

www.caulfieldinsurance.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Continued Best Wishes To LCC Group

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Best Wishes To LCC Group

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email: info@stopwatchsecurity.com

Best Wishes To LCC Group From

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENGINEERING LTD

Call us anytime.. +44 2890 651234 Don’t forget we buy and sell trucks through www.justtankers.com and can supply all your tanker spares at www.justtankerspares.com

Continued Best Wishes To LCC Group

To Book Advertising Space or enquire about completing a Feature please contact

Best Wishes & Continued Success To LCC Group

COLM on 00 353 (0) 46 9241923 64

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

that they are completely unmanned, using pay-at-the-pump technology. This is very convenient for the driver and we believe this could be the way forward. There are also a further 20 Go dealer sites nationwide, including the Republic of Ireland.

“So far, we seem to be continually g r o w i n g throughout the LCC Group and I suppose it may well slow down one day. But for now it’s looking very positive.”

Other companies operating within the group include Star Fuels, Lissan Coal Company S.A., Fuel Preparations International and Patmond Energy Ltd.

CONTACT DETAILS LCC Group, 16 Churchtown Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone BT80 9XD Tel: 028 867 65588 Fax: 028 867 64211 Email: enquiries@lissancc.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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N6 Concession just the ticket!

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Conceived five years ago to construct and operate the N6 stretch of motorway, N6 Concession Ltd. provides a fantastic service to motorists who use the magnificent new route between Ballinasloe and Galway city. Irish Trucker popped into the toll plaza and had a chat with General Manager of Operations Kevin McGrath to get an insight into the day-to-day activities of the company.

The operations plant for N6 Concession Ltd

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Wishing Continued Success To N6 Concession Ltd, From

EAST GALWAY FIRE PREVENTION LTD Fire Prevention Engineers

Contact Sylvie Harty

SALES & SERVICE OF FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT Castleblakeney, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS | HYDRANT TESTING Ballinasloe, Co. Galway HOSE REELS & HOSES | EMERGENCY LIGHTING FIRE ALARMS | STAFF TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION Tel/Fax: 090 9678235 Mobile: 086 8064490 CERTS OF INSPECTION | SUPRESSION SYSTEMS ( Kitchen/ Machinery) E:eastgalwayfireprevention@gmail.com Continued Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd, From

Continued Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd, From

DUANE’S HARDWARE BUILDER’S PROVIDERS FEEDS FERTILIZERS & AGRI PRODUCTS

Kiltulla, Athenry, Co. Galway Tel: 091 848562 / 091 848565 Fax: 091 848566

www.duaneshardwareandfoodstore.ie

LOUGHREA TYRE CENTRE We stock all branded tyres and budget brands Laser Alignment | Tracking & Balancing Batteries | Alloy Wheel Sales | Alloys Straightened DUBLIN ROAD, LOUGHREA, CO. GALWAY

Contact Us On 091 841260

Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd, From P. Webster Highway Maintenance offers high quality temporary traffic management solutions P. Webster Plant & Tool Hire Ltd Highway Maintenance

Cloonkeen, Castlerea,Co. Roscommon.

Philip: 086 8577265 Michael: 086 0236320 T: 094 96 20355 E: info@pwebsterhm.com

www.pwebsterhm.com

Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd, From

Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd,

Ballinasloe 090 96 42888 | Galway 091 79 0777 | Athlone: 090 64 74711 Roscommon 090 66 27121 | Castlerea 094 96 21100 Email: sales@domachire.com www.domachire.com

Continued Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd From

Galway Garden Machinery Ltd. Tel: 091 759789

SERVICE & REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS Unit 9 Royal Rock Ind Est, Ballybane, Galway (Directly across from McDonagh’s DIY)

Galway Garden Machinery

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Farm Machinery Parts | Tractors Spare Parts Welding Equipment | Hydraulic Hoses Work Tools | Hand Tools | Garden Tools Rotating Beacons | Antifreeze | Coolants Oils Wipers | Bearings | Batteries |Seals | Filters | Bulbs Nuts | Bolts | Screws Call in today or contact us on 091 842 994 Unit 3, Caherlavine Business Park, Loughrea, Co Galway

T: (091) 842 994 F: (091) 842 997 www.mitchellsmachinespares.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Traffic management in place

N

6 Concession Ltd. was established in 2007 as part of a joint venture to construct, maintain and operate the section of the M6 motorway from Ballinasloe to Galway. The parties involved in N6 are Globalvia, Sacyr and PJ Hegarty.

All the shareholders are represented on the board of directors and there are individuals seconded from the shareholder companies on the senior management team. The senior management team is headed by General Manager Gareth Gallagher.

Overseeing first of all the successful construction of the N6 motorway and now charged with operating the route, including management of the toll plaza thereon, N6 Concession has as its base an administration building beside the toll plaza at Cappataggle, Ballinasloe, County Galway. This is where we caught up with Kevin McGrath, General Manager of Operations, who explained what the main objective of the company is in terms of delivering customer satisfaction: “The main aim of N6 Concession at the time of construction was to deliver the motorway infrastructure between

Ballinasloe to Galway on time. Now that the project has entered the operations phase, the aim is to maintain the network in accordance with the contract requirements and to the standard that has been achieved on similar projects that the parent companies are involved in. Customer satisfaction on such a scheme is of paramount importance and N6 constantly strives to ensure that all queries are answered in a timely fashion.”

Obviously, the schedule is a hectic one all year around with so much traffic using the motorway, but is there a peak period for the business? “From the point of view of maintenance, the winter season is the busiest, particularly during the harsh winters that have been endured over the past few years.

Summer time also brings its challenges with more traffic on the road resulting in more breakdowns and minor incidents that need to be reacted to.”

Between the toll plaza and the maintenance department, a total of 50 people are employed by N6 Concession Ltd. – certainly a significant number in the times that are in it (or, indeed, in any times!).

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Kevin points out that the staff members are instrumental in the ongoing success of the business: “As it is a service that is provided, staff are the key element to the success of the business. Without a flexible workforce, the business would not be able to meet the demands that a 24 / 7 / 365 working day / year brings.”

As General Manager of Operations.

Kevin’s role involves liaising with the shareholders to ensure that parent company interests are addressed and ensuring the quality systems that are applied throughout the group are implemented on this scheme. Another aspect of the role involves reporting to the National Roads Authority on an ongoing basis to ensure that any issues that are raised by them and others are addressed and that the requirements of the Operations Contract and that Annual Performance targets are met.

Looking to the future - and specifically the company’s hopes / plans for the forthcoming calendar year - he reveals: “Hopes for 2012 are for growth in the economy, which should lead to increased activity on the roads. Plans are to continue to maintain the infrastructure in the manner that we

“Total Maintenance Care” We provide a quality and reliable supply of Repair and Maintenace Products to the end user Unit 104 Dunhill Enterprise Centre, Dunhill, Co Waterford Tel: (051) 396964 Fax: (051) 396965 E: tomacproducts@eircom.net Continued Best Wishes To N6 Concession Ltd

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Maintenance trucks

have been doing since the project opened in December 2009 and to improve on the delivery of this service.�

The N6 motorway project comprises a 53km stretch of motorway stretching Ch 2+450 on the Galway city side of Glenascaul Grade Separated Junction (Interchange 19) to Ch 55+340 just west of the Tulrush Grade Separated Junction (Interchange 14) in Ballinasloe.

In terms of fleet, with Health & Safety being the most critical issue when working on high-speed motorways, N6 Operations procured two purpose-built trucks - a Scania P230DB 4x2 and a Mercedes Actros 4x2 - incorporating a traffic management body, lighting board and truck-mounted crash cushion.

Health & Safety regulations dictate that any operations which require operatives to work on the hard shoulder (e.g. safety barrier repair, litter picking, grass cutting etc.) are carried out under the protection of a crash cushion vehicle. The crash cushion will absorb the impact of any errant vehicle, thus protecting the operatives on the ground. The traffic management bodies are utilised when erecting static lane closures. The body of the truck is designed to carry cones and stands, with a well in the body to allow an operative stand close to ground level and drop out cones onto the pavement.

N6 Operations has a contract requirement to complete winter maintenance treatment to the entire network within two hours of issues arising on the road. To this end, N6 Concession procured four multipurpose trucks. It is vital that each vehicle is versatile so that it can be used all year round.

A Scania P340 CB 8x4 32-tonne tipper truck is fitted with a 5-tonne, 12metre high Palfinger crane equipped

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with manbasket and grab bucket. The crane allows for the removal of obstructions from the motorway, whilst the manbasket facilitates access to street lighting and signage for maintenance.

During the winter, it carries a 10m3 demountable salt gritter and snow plough as required.

A Scania P320 CB 6x4 26tonne body swap truck carries a traffic management body in the summer months for spraying and TM duties. In the winter, the body is swapped for a 12m3 salt gritter and snow plough as required.

Meanwhile, the company’s second Scania P320 CB 6x4 26-tonne truck is equipped with a fixed 12m3 salt gritter with the possibility of converting to a body swap vehicle if required later in the contract.

An Isuzu 7.5 NPR 7.5-tonne tipper truck is used all year round as a general work horse. A 2m3 salt gritter can be attached during periods of exceptional cold weather or to cover any downtime in the larger gritters.

And an Isuzu crew cab, 5.2lt with bespoke traffic management body and rear lighting board, was procured in February 2012. This vehicle is ideal for setting out TM on junctions due to its smaller size. It is also used extensively for spraying operations where a motorised sprayer is carried on the flat bed as an operative stands in the cone well spraying herbicide to the required areas at low speeds.

The fleet is maintained in prime condition at all times and all funding for the maintenance and operation of the road is generated from toll revenues.

Maintaining the road network is the aim of N6 Concession

Lighting at the toll plaza near Ballinasloe

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Frigospeed provides a top-class refrigerated transport service

The refrigerated specialists For over a decade, Frigospeed Ltd has been providing a top-class refrigerated transport service throughout Ireland and abroad. Sandra Buckley, who runs the Co. Kilkenny-based company with her husband Tom, explains more.

F

rigospeed Ltd is a wellestablished company specialising in refrigerated transport. Based in Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny, the company is run by husband-and-wife Tom and Sandra Buckley who have a wealth of experience in the transport industry.

Before setting up Frigospeed in 2001, Tom was employed in his father James’ international haulage firm, while Sandra worked for the leading freight ferry agent, Victor Treacy International and International Trailers, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.

“Tom is a native of Cappoquin, Co. Waterford and I’m from Bagenalstown, but we ended up setting up the business in Paulstown, which is on the KilkennyIRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Carlow border. We also have a yard in Naas. In the early days of the company, we provided both a nationwide and international service, but since 2003 we have been concentrating mainly on the domestic market.”

Frigospeed’s reputation for quality, reliability and value-for-money has seen its customer-base grow substantially over the years. Its excellent facilities and modern fleet,

coupled with an unrivalled dedication to customer service, enables Frigospeed to meet a wide range of customer needs.

“We work mainly for retail companies as well as fruit and vegetables producers. We specialize in chilled, frozen, ambient and containerised produce,” Sandra explains.

“We can offer cold storage for nationwide distribution. Being a small to medium sized company allows us to get to know our customers and their individual needs. Having worked as a retailer distributor for many years, we understand and appreciate the importance of delivery schedules, route planning and time management.”

Frigospeed operates a Frigospeed trucks are a familiar sight on Irish roads fleet of high-specification

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The company boasts a fleet of DAF 105 and 95XF trucks

temperature controlled vehicles which provide the appropriate conditions to ensure the safe arrival of even the most sensitive of cargoes.

The company boasts a fleet of DAF 105 and DAF 95XF trucks and Chereau trailers, which are made up of twin and triple evaporators. Tom and Sandra have just taken delivery of a new Chereau fridge trailer fitted with a Carrier Vector1850MT triple evaporator from International Trailers in Bagenalstown and T.S.S, Dublin.

“We see that the requirements of trailers specification are changing and triple evaporator trailers are the way of the future”. With their distinctive blue and white livery, the Frigospeed fleet is a familiar sight on Irish roads.

All of Frigospeed’s trailers are 33 euro pallet semi-trailers and are equipped with tails lifts.offering the option to carry frozen/fresh and ambient good simultaneously with the choice of floor loader or tail lift entry.

consignment’s location and Avoiding damages and keeping schedules temperature at any time. would not be possible The staff and drivers at Frigospeed without maintaining have many years’ experience in the tractor units and trailers transport industry. By making one to the highest standards phone call, you can be confident that in compliance with your transport needs will be met. national testing criteria.

Sandra is extremely appreciative of The Frigospeed trucks the business Frigospeed has and and trailers are cleaned continues to receive from its inside and out before customers. She is also full of praise every consignment for the company’s staff. collection.

“Our policy is to keep our customers While maintenance happy 24/7. We’re totally committed work is carried out into looking after their needs and are house by Tom himself, always open to any suggestions more complicated which they might have. repairs are referred to “I would also like to pay tribute to our DAF, Carrier (TTS) or staff, who have played their part in the Thermo King (Naas success and growth of our business. refrigeration). All truck We strive to keep our workforce parts are supplied by happy at all times. The fact that many Bennettsbridge Parts in of them are with us for a long time Co. Kilkenny, while reflects well on us, I think,” she Frigospeed purchases concludes. its tyres from Heffernan Tyres in Kildare town, CONTACT DETAILS who received the Frigospeed Ltd Semperit Tyre Retailer of Shankill, the Year award for 2011.

Paulstown, “All the companies that we deal with Co. Kilkenny provide an excellent service and that’s Telephone: (059) 9726459 why we keep going back to them,” Mobile: (086) 8371520 Sandra continues.

Fax: (059) 9726945 Modern technology allows Email: info@frigospeed.com Frigospeed to use GPS to instantly Website: www.frigospeed.com locate its drivers with pinpoint a c c u r a c y .

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The ground clearance and demolition experts For nearly 30 years, Shanowen Plant Hire Ltd has been trading as a successful family-run business specialising in plant hire, site clearance and demolition works among other things. Director Paddy Patton explains more.

E

stablished in 1984 by husband and wife Joe and Julie Patton, Shanowen Plant Hire is recognised as one of the leading companies of its kind in the greater Dublin area.

Originally based in Santry, but now operating just off the M50 in The Ward, Dublin 11, Shanowen has been providing an unrivalled service to large/small developers, local authorities and the private sector for three decades. The company boasts a highly experienced and qualified team who are committed to providing customers with the transport and service solution that best suits their needs.

Shanowen specialises in everything from plant hire, site

74

clearance and demolition to excavations and groundwork. With a range of machinery including tipper / grab trucks, tracked excavators, JCB, mini-excavators, dumpers, tractors and plant attachment, Shanowen can tackle any type of job.

“My father Joe started out with a single truck and digger, and things grew from there,” explains plant and haulage manager Paddy Patton, who is also a director in the family-run concern along with his parents Joe and Julie, and sister Annita.

“Over the years, we’ve increased our plant and now have a fleet of 10 tipper and low-loader trucks as well as numerous other types of machinery. All our machines come with IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Shanowen has a wide range of vehicles and machinery for hire

Shanowen Plant Hire has been in business for 28 years

experienced operative who hold CSCS 180 and 360 degree tickets. We’ve also increased our range of services over the years to include low-loader work, skip hire, grab hire and snow removal.”

All of Shanowen’s tipper trucks are less than three years old and are renewed on a regular basis. They can hold a load capacity of nine cubic meters and can remove materials such as clay, rubble/hardcore and topsoil. The company can also deliver materials such as stone, sand and topsoil.

Shanowen Plant Hire holds a Waste Collection Permit for the entire country. All employees hold Safe Pass and appropriate licence category. Drivers are also under the Construction Federation Operatives and Pension Scheme.

Since Shanowen was formed nearly 30 years ago, the company has been using JCB and Case Excavators.

In addition, Shanowen has a vast range of mini-excavators ranging from 0.8 to eight tonnes. These are renewed regularly and are packed with features that give them the operating smoothness and precision equal to that found on larger excavators. A wide range of attachments are also available.

Shanowen boasts a large range of track machines ranging from eight to 22 tonnes. These come with a wide range of

The Dublin-based company has a fleet of 10-tipper and low-loader trucks

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Shanowen specialises in site clearance

attachments, including buckets, hammers and cradles to suit your needs.

Again, all operators hold current Safe Pass and 360 degree licences.

Tractors and attachments such as water tankers and tipping/low loaders trailers are also available for hire. Free quotations are available on all jobs.

Shanowen’s regular customers include Fingal County Council, Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine, KN Networks , Meadowleck and G&T Crampton Ltd. Among the recent projects completed by the company are the McDonalds and KFC at Charlestown, Dublin, Old Gasometer Barrow Street & Dogs Aid , Ballymun.

Similar to most companies involved in the construction industry, Shanowen hasn’t been immune from the recession and has had to scale back accordingly.

“At the height of the boom, we

employed 23 staff, but we’ve had to reduce our staff to 11 because the same volume of work isn’t there anymore.

We’re like most companies in that we’re just trying to keep our heads above water at the moment,” Paddy says.

“We haven’t been helped either by rising fuel costs. The price of diesel is way too high, it’s way out of proportion.

It’s putting awful pressure on transport and construction companies, and something needs to be done about it urgently.”

Apart from offering a professional, reliable and value-for-money service, Shanowen’s location makes it easily accessible to customers from all over Ireland.

“One of our biggest selling points is our experience and that personal touch you get from a family business plus our location just off the M50. We’re only two

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minutes off it and people are welcome to call in at any time and have a chat about what we have to offer. We have an excellent working relationship with all of our customers who come back to us time and time again,” he concludes.

CONTACT DETAILS Shanowen Plant Hire Ltd Old Ashbourne Road, The Ward, Dublin 11.

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A winning partnership

One of the most-respected names in the motor trade in Ireland, Frank Keane has joined forces with Volkswagen to become Dublin’s newest VW dealer.

With an exclusive new dedicated dealership opened on the Long Mile Road - including an indoor commercial vehicle showroom - this exciting new partnership is a godsend for motorists in the capital and further afield. Irish Trucker got an update from operations manager Donal Geoghegan.

F

or over four decades, Frank Keane has provided Irish motorists with an unrivalled level of service, forging a reputation as one of the most dependable motor dealers in the country. News that Frank has joined forces with Volkswagen in an exciting new venture – namely Frank Keane Volkswagen – has caused quite a stir amongst passenger car and commercial vehicle drivers alike in the city and beyond.

There are many reasons why this partnership comes as a breath of fresh air to beleaguered motorists, not least of which is the vast knowledge and experience accumulated by

78

Frank Keane down through the years. In Volkswagen, Frank Keane Holdings has found an ideal partner.

Encouragingly, Volkswagen Bank is very supportive of the new business and, with a very high approval rate, finance can be secured on all vehicles in stock – a welcome departure in the times that are in it!

A strong aftersales service is also provided and a busy parts department ensures that every customer is a satisfied customer. For commercial users, there is something in the VW range to suit every requirement – drivers can choose from the Crafter (Irish Continental Van of the Year), Caddy, IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A large stock of Volkswagen commercial vehicles is in stock

Some of the team, l/r: Donal Geoghegan, Frank A Keane, Ger Colwell Adam Chamberlain, Christian Freisse, Billy Riordan IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Amarok or Transporter, all of which can be viewed in the state-of-the-art showroom on the Long Mile Road.

Frank Keane boasts unrivalled experience being in business since 1967, always offering the highest levels of value and customer care across sales and service. This new Volkswagen dealership is ideally located at the junction of the Long Mile Road and Walkinstown Avenue, with convenient access to the showroom and plenty of space for customer parking.

Inside, customers are guaranteed the latest and most competitive offers on new Volkswagen cars and commercial vehicles as well as a wide choice of Volkswagen-approved used vehicles, with highly-trained staff on hand to cater for all servicing / maintenance requirements.

The exclusively Volkswagen-related services extend to having a highly experienced business manager - who is fully-accredited and works closely with Volkswagen Bank to provide customers with the most competitive finance options in the market - in place to handle all vehicle financing questions.

For commercial vehicle customers, Frank Keane Volkswagen has a dedicated commercial specialist, tasked with making sure commercial owners receive the specialist customer care they deserve. They also offer dedicated Volkswagen fleet support, Volkswagenauthorised accident repairs and a trade parts specialist operation.

The Frank Keane Group is an Irish company, which employs over 100 people and is dedicated to putting down strong and lasting roots in the local community.

In addition to sales of new and preowned cars and commercials, Frank Keane Volkswagen offers a full range of service, parts and repair facilities including servicing, pre-NCT, pre-DOE and tyre checks. This aspect of the operation is supported by an efficient and well-stocked parts operation, guaranteeing fast delivery through a dedicated parts delivery service and offering a two-year warranty on all genuine Volkswagen parts – all at the most competitive prices!

Customers can avail of a free vehicle health check or Volkswagen servicing from just EUR99, with all work carried out by factory-trained, main-dealerapproved technicians.

Operations manager Donal Geoghegan has been working in the industry for twelve years and has worked with Frank Keane for seven of those. He notes: “We opened the new Volkswagen dealership on the Long Mile

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Best Wishes To Frank Keane Volkswagen, From

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

The indoor commercial vehicle showroom at Frank Keane Volkswagen on the Long Mile Road

Road in December 2011. This business is an exclusive Volkswagen dealership, specialising in sales, aftersales and parts. We also have the commercial vehicle franchise and we have opened the first indoor Volkswagen commercial vehicle dealership in Dublin.”

Indeed, as Donal reveals, the link between Frank Keane and Volkswagen goes back quite a long way: “When Mr. Keane first went into business, the very first car he sold was a 1953 Volkswagen Beetle, so he has a long association with VW. Since then, he has built up a strong association with German vehicles and German engineering.

“The showroom at Frank Keane Volkswagen holds 15 cars plus four commercial vehicles in the adjoining

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The Frank Keane Volkswagen team is, front l/r: Dave Collier, Michael Greaney, Niamh Delaney, Sonya Delaney, Helen Corrigan, Donal Geoghegan. Back: Chris Deasy, Eoin Campbell, Ger Colwell,Trevor Dalton

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Volkswagen’s award winning commercial vehicles

commercial vehicle showroom, with space for 120 vehicles outside. We also have a purpose-built aftersales facility adjacent to the showroom, which has a 3.5 tonne ramp and can cater for all passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The workshop has passed all the relevant VW standards and is fully-approved and endorsed by the manufacturer.

“With the opening of Frank Keane Volkswagen, we are creating 50 new jobs in west Dublin, which is an important boost for the local economy.”

Donal is more than pleased with how the business has performed since its inception, noting: “We have been in line with our plans to date. Considering that we had missed the vital order-take period at the end of 2011, we’ve done very well. There has been no Volkswagen representation in this part of Dublin for a number of years and we have great plans for West Dublin.

“On the commercial vehicles front, we’ve had a very satisfactory year to date. We’ve exceeded both our own expectations and those of the manufacturer. We are close to many industrial estates, residential areas and are only a very short distance to the city centre city, while the M50 is only 2 minutes away. That means we attract a lot business from all parts of the country.

“Volkswagen commercials are second to none. They are vastly superior to the direct competition. It’s a very versatile range with no limits to what you can get as you can have any of the vehicles in the range modified to your exact requirements, whether you’re a builder who needs to carry heavy weights or a hotelier who needs to transport refrigerated produce.

“We also have a dedicated commercial vehicle specialist here at Frank Keane Volkswagen – Ger Colwell, who has over 20 years’ experience in the market. And Volkswagen Bank are offering 4.9% on new Volkswagen Commercials – they are open for business with a very high approval rate.”

Looking to the future, Donal concludes on a fittingly positive note: “Things are going to be a lot different next year as Volkswagen are restructuring their current Network and we will be one of only three dealers remaining in Dublin.

We are very optimistic about the future and we are on course with Volkswagen’s plan to become the No.1 passenger vehicle dealer in Ireland. “Commercial vehicles are also going very well and our ambition is to continue to grow the business and to increase our market share.”

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CONTACT DETAILS Frank Keane Volkswagen Long Mile Road, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 426 2000 email: info@frankkeanevolkswagen.ie www.frankkeanevolkswagen.ie

Continued Success To Frank Keane Volkswagen

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Midlink: Ensuring an efficient service On June 1st, 2010, the then An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, TD, opened the final section of the M8 Dublin to Cork motorway. The new wishbone-shaped 41km M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown PPP Motorway Scheme was completed four months ahead of schedule in a PPP partnership between the National Roads Authority and Celtic Roads Group (Portlaoise) Ltd.

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idLink M7/M8 Limited was charged with the responsibility for the operations of the M7/M8 Portlaoise Toll Plaza and associated project road.

MidLink M7/M8 Limited carry out the operation and maintenance obligations on the project road for Celtic Roads Group during the thirty year term of the

An aerial view of the M7/M8

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

concession.

MidLink General manager Greg McMahon speaks to Irish Trucker about their role in maintaining this stretch of road.

“We are responsible for the supply, installation and operation of the toll collection system for the project, a 14 lane open tolling system, incorporating manual, automatic coin, and electronic toll collection payments,” revealed Greg.

“We are also responsible for all routine maintenance on the project, including routine inspection of the assets, response to emergency incidents, landscape maintenance, traffic management, severe weather response and winter maintenance.

The motorway cut up to 45 minutes off the Dublin to Cork journey at peak times and provided a motorway/dual carriageway link between Dublin and Cork, of which 218km or 91% is motorway. It is also a significant section of the M7 motorway link between Dublin and Limerick.

The 41km M7/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown PPP Motorway Scheme starts at the western end of the existing Portlaoise Bypass and initially travels in a south-westerly direction. After travelling for 17km

along the scheme, the M7/M8 motorway to motorway interchange at Aghaboe takes the road in two separate directions; the 10km M7 section continues to the west towards Borris-in-Ossory, while the M8 proceeds 14km to the south to tie into the existing M8 to Cork, just south of Cullahill.

“We are responsible for the full 41kms of road, while I also oversee the day to day running of SouthLink N25, the Operations and Maintenance Contractor on behalf of CRG on the N25 Waterford bypass, so my time is divided between the two.”

MidLink M7/M8's shareholders' are Egis Road Operation S.A., Royal BAM Group Limited and ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios S.A. “There is a 30-year contract in place with Celtic Roads Group and we operate 24/7 365 days a year. There are 42 directly employed people from the local area and the majority of these would take part in shift work.”

Greg stated that road maintenance is of the utmost importance and he stressed that their winter programme in particular requires precise attention to detail in planning and execution.

“We continuously monitor the weather conditions and have weather monitors

83

Continued Best Wishes To MidLink From

PSA Licence No: 02851

Best Wishes To MidLink You will get a Professional and Efficient Service by fully qualified Auto Body Repair Specialists.

Best Wishes To MidLink, From

Unit 86 Westside Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, Waterford

Mobile: 086 278 3180 24 HOURS Tel: 051 853598 Email: michaelmurphycrashrepairs@gmail.com

www.mlmurphycrashrepairs.com Continued Best Wishes To MidLink, From

Gibbons Air Conditioning Ltd SPECIALISTS IN Refrigeration | Air Conditioning Close Control VRF & Split System Heat Pumps Units 58 Glenvara Park, Knocklyon, Templeogue, Dublin16

Tel/Fax: 01 4941972 Mobile: 087 2576830/ 087 2768566 Email: gibbonsac@gmail.com

Don’t be left in the dark log on to

Road Markings- Road Studs- Car Park Markings Water Blasting - VMS Signs - Coloured Surfacing Traffic Management - Ancillary Products

Highway Markings Ltd is a company specialising in the provision of Traffic Management and Road Safety products & Services throughout the Republic of Ireland.

Head Office Kilshanroe Enfield Co. Meath

Western Depot Sonnagh Charlestown Co. Mayo

Phone: 046 954 1300 Fax: 046 954 1346 Email: info@highwaymarkings.ie www.highwaymarkings.ie

White lines saves lives

IRISH & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

www.irishtrucker.com 84

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A selection of the plant kept at the yard in Portlaoise

along the route. We have a stock pile of salt, which is in the region of 1500 tonnes, which is more than we need, but it is better to be safe than sorry going by recent winters.”

MidLink has a maintenance yard just behind the toll plaza, which allows all equipment to be on the road in quick time if needed. They have the plant and equipment to deal with all eventualities and an emergency response units in place.

“Precautionary work would be carried out on a regular basis particularly during the winter months when the roads are more susceptible to bad weather. We would also work very closely with all the emergency services.

“Winter would definitely be our busiest time regards maintenance and each worker is highly trained in their field of expertise. We place a great emphasis on developing the skills of the staff with maintenance personnel spending up to 20 days a year training and upgrading their skills.”

MidLink carries out 95% of the work needed on the route themselves, with only the likes of specialist structural work and inspections being subcontracted.

Greg confirms that their emphasis is to provide a top quality service to the thousands of motorists that pass through the toll on a daily basis.

“Our aim to keep the route in the best possible condition and making journey times for motorists as smooth as possible. Our employees are trained and encouraged to be friendly and IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

efficient at their jobs and we feel that the feedback we receive would support our objective.”

There are a number of ways to pay for using the toll; paying cash is probably the most popular, but motorists are urged to use the electronic toll collection service.

This allows motorists to pay their toll fare electronically thereby saving time at the toll plaza. Electronic toll collection uses a small electronic tag which is placed in the vehicle and is detected each time the vehicle passes through the plaza. The toll is then debited to the customer's account.

Electronic toll collection is available in all lanes at the toll plaza.

“Interoperability” of electronic toll collection was established in 2007 and

enables the road user to pay the toll fare at any toll plaza in the Republic by using an electronic tag supplied by any of the service providers in the Republic.

The Portlaoise Motorway toll plaza will accept payment by valid electronic tag issued by any of the service providers in the Republic.

CONTACT DETAILS MidLink M7/M8 Limited Fatharnagh Mountrath Co Laois Tel: +353 (0) 57 8694900 E-Mail: info@midlink.ie

The toll plaza was opened in 2010

85

Hassle free breakdowns Breakdowns are one of the worst scenarios faced by hauliers on a daily basis as they are accompanied by downtime, the scourge of the haulage industry. When a truck or van are sitting on the side of the road, it is not making money and to hauliers that is the cardinal sin.

T

here are times too when accidents occur and along with breakdowns, these can be very stressful times for the owners/drivers. However, such strain can be eased by the dedicated few who concentrate on the recovery of heavy and light commercials. There are many recovery services throughout the country, but the majority concentrate on cars and small vans, leaving hauliers struggling to find anyone equipped to meet their requirements.

86

One company that works solely for the haulage industry is Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, which is based in Rathfarnham, Co Dublin and in this month's edition of Irish Trucker; we profile this business and speak to company MD Jimmy Halligan.

Specialising in the recovery of heavy and light commercials, Jimmy offers a unique nationwide service to a large customer base and he revealed that his knowledge of the industry was IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

All the necessary permits are obtained

All heavy vehicles can be towed

Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage was established in 2005

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

a major help when he set up the business in 2005.

“I just felt that the opening was there. I've been involved in the haulage industry and the repair side of things for many decades and this seemed like the logical next step. It was a big decision and a big step, but I knew a good few people in the industry and that was a big help starting off.

“Aside from the recovery work, I also supply second hand gear boxes, which are taken from crashed trucks that I buy in.”

A full 24-hour service is provided, seven days of the week, 365 days per year. A professional, prompt and affordable service is provided at all times and Jimmy Halligan Recovery is renowned for getting the job done on time every time. As the company's stellar reputation spreads, he is benefiting from more and more business through word of mouth.

Simply put, this business is now established as one of the premier recovery / breakdown operators in Leinster. A comprehensive service is provided under one roof and using the latest state-of-the-art equipment means customers can be back on the road in double-quick time.

“I'm available 24 hours a day to recover anything from a truck to a light commercial. I can recover a vehicle from literally anywhere - the roadside, out of a bog or wherever it might be stranded. The equipment is very versatile and for that reason the work can be quite varied.

Jimmy may think that it is a 'small operation' but his large customer base suggests otherwise, the majority of which come from the public sector and the MD admits that there location is key to the success they have sustained over the years.

“From Rathfarnham here, I can be on most of the motorways in minutes and through the road network travelling times have been greatly reduced, so I can be anywhere in the country in a matter of hours.”

Jimmy is pleased to report that he is reasonably busy at the moment. “We're tipping away.

Things have picked up in the last six months or so, which is encouraging. From '06 up to '09, it was booming. Things have been a lot quieter since, but we're still kept ticking over. This work can be seasonable, but in all honesty even though many might think that the winter is

87

Best Wishes To Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, From

Tipper Services Ltd. TIPPER TRUCKS - PLANT HIRE SITE CLEARANCE- SAND & GRAVEL

Best Wishes to Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, From VEHICLE TESTING NETWORK

SPECIALISTS IN DOE Testing- HGV LGV ADR 24 Hour Heavy Recovery Service Tacho Calibration Centre Van & Truck Sales & Rental 24 Hour Tyre Service Service & Maintenance

BILLY DONOGHUE Haulage Contractor

“Thornfield House” Mountseskin Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24

T: 01 4513154 M: 087 6777990 F: 01 4624859 Best Wishes To Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, From

RAY WHELAN LTD.

Wheelie Bin & Skip Hire

PC Commercials, Unit 42 Baldoyle Ind Est., Dublin 13 T: (01) 832 1316 F: (01) 839 1470 Daytime 087 255 4462 or 087 2077633 24 Hour Towing & Recovery : 087 277 3969 Professionals Doing A Professional Job!

Best Wishes To Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage From

Ballyharmon, Carlow.

T: (059) 9147678 Fax: (059) 9135219

E: info@raywhelanltd.com

www.raywhelanltd.com

Straffan Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare Tel: 01 628 6311 Fax: 01 628 5404 www.noone.ie Best Wishes To Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, From

“Wishing Jimmy Halligan all the Best”

Best Wishes To Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, From

Seamus Tougher SAND & GRAVEL

Washed Sand | Washed Stone Site Clearance | Tip Head Facilities Road Filling | Topsoil Graded Crushed Stone | Large & Small Quantities JCB & Track Machines For Hire

Hillsborough, Newbridge T: 045 431124/486430 F: 045 486421 Mobile: 087 249 7027 88

www.irishtrucker.com IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

recommendations. “Health & Safety are of paramount importance,” Jimmy confirms. “You have to be clearly visible when you're out on the road and you have to keep all the equipment fresh, clean and in prime working order.

Image is everything so I look after the vehicle as best I can. It is checked on a daily basis and maintenance is key. I must go on refresher courses every two years to ensure they are up to date with the latest legislation.”

As for the future, Jimmy concludes: “I'll try to keep the overheads down, keep the money coming in and offer as much help as possible to the people who need the service. I've have no major plans to expand for the time being, but in saying that I'm thinking of bringing in a recovery vehicle for car, but I'm pleased with the direction that the business is heading.”

Jimmy operates a nationwide service

CONTACT DETAILS

busier, I think the summer can be busier at times as people are driving a lot faster.

In this line of business, no corners can

be cut and no chances can be taken. To this end, Jimmy Halligan Recovery is fully certified and does everything in compliance with existing legislation and

Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage Rathfarnham Co Dublin Tel: 087 2512991

A 24-hour service is offered 365 days of the year

Best wishes to Jimmy Halligan, from Al & John

TRANSPORT

A&J TRACY

SERVICES

Boherboy, Saggart, Co. Dublin T: 462 6695. F: 462 6696 M: 087-2581043 / 087-2576084 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Best Wishes To Jimmy Halligan Recovery & Salvage, From

Blessington Sand & Gravel Ltd Laurel Lodge, Blessington, Co. Wicklow T: 045 865123 M:087 2538067 F: 045 865545 Email: bsgltd@eircom.net

Washed Sand | Aggregate, Crushed Stone, Gravel Filling 89

Star of the show

Starplan have a 34-strong fleet

90

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Over the past 40 years, Starplan has evolved organically into one of the UK’s largest bed and bedroom furniture manufacturers, selling its products exclusively through a network of showrooms strategically located across the UK and Northern Ireland. Irish Trucker paid a visit to the company’s Dungannon head office to discuss the thoroughly-professional, dedicated delivery aspect of the operation with transport manager Declan Rafferty, who oversaw the installation of Navman Wireless tracking systems into the 34-strong fleet of delivery vehicles a couple of years back.

The fleet is constantly updated

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

91

Star of the show

Starplan have a 34-strong fleet

90

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Over the past 40 years, Starplan has evolved organically into one of the UK’s largest bed and bedroom furniture manufacturers, selling its products exclusively through a network of showrooms strategically located across the UK and Northern Ireland. Irish Trucker paid a visit to the company’s Dungannon head office to discuss the thoroughly-professional, dedicated delivery aspect of the operation with transport manager Declan Rafferty, who oversaw the installation of Navman Wireless tracking systems into the 34-strong fleet of delivery vehicles a couple of years back.

The fleet is constantly updated

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

91

All vehicles feature a Nauman Wireless tracking systems

A

s one of the UK’s largest bed and bedroom furniture solution providers, Starplan sells direct to the customer from its network of factory stores. At Starplan, you can choose from one of the widest ranges of bedroom furniture in the UK - from free-standing bedrooms to luxurious fitted bedrooms, with a fantastic choice of colours, styles and budgets to suit everyone.

The company’s focus is on giving exceptional service from design and manufacturer through to delivery and installation.

All employees are professionally trained and the level of customer care afforded to the consumer from Starplan is simply second to none.

For the best-quality fitted children’s bedrooms, modern bedrooms and traditional bedrooms, sliding wardrobes; freestanding furniture from Solo, Solsbury and Allure; and Vono beds – Starplan should be your first-choice one-stop shop.

Founder / managing director Mervyn Wilson opened his first furniture showroom 40 years ago, in 1972. Determined to offer top-quality bedroom furniture and beds at good value prices and to give customers the highest possible level of service, he opened the first Starplan factory in Dungannon, County Tyrone in 1978. employing ten staff members. At last, he was able to guarantee quality, delivery and prices in line with his original vision!

As word spread and the company developed, the factory was expended with more showrooms opening around the country. Mervyn wasn’t content to simply follow fashion and trends – he wanted to set them. As such, Starplan has become a pioneering force in the beds and bedroom furniture manufacturing / delivery / installation sector.

Today, with a 150,000 sq. ft. purpose-built factory boasting state-of-the-art European machinery and a workforce of up to 200 people, Starplan is one of the leading direct-sales bedroom furniture companies delivering to over 15,000 homes in the UK every year. However, it remains very much a family business which will always put the customer first.

Transport manager Declan Rafferty explains: “Mervyn literally started selling furniture out of a car and trailer before

92

opening his first premises outside Dungannon and starting to manufacture. In the ‘seventies, he built a factory in an industrial estate and that served us until, in 2002, he opened the existing state-of-the-art facility close to Dungannon, which serves as our manufacturing base and also has a showroom built in.

“This is our flagship premises. All the manufacturing takes place here and the furniture is then shipped to England through McNeill Transport in Ballyclare.”

Declan has been with the company since 1984, working in a number of different departments before joining the transport section of the operation in 1992. As transport manager, he currently oversees a fleet of twelve vehicles out of the HQ, twelve more in the Birmingham depot and five in the Manchester (Warrington) depot.

The decision to install Navman Wireless vehicle tracking technology was taken in 2010 as part of Starplan’s ongoing commitment to operating an effective fleet in order to guarantee an exceptional level of customer service.

As Starplan can make up to 110 deliveries per day across the UK, the tracking system helps them keep everything on schedule, resulting in better fleet management, improved teamwork, increased productivity and greater fuel efficiency.

“We can see where all the vehicles are at any given time with just the push of a button and we have also benefited from a 25% reduction in insurance costs as well as the obvious savings in terms of diesel usage,” Declan notes. “While this was an expensive system to install, we have always looked at the long-term benefits of technology and we expect it to start paying for itself within the next three or four years.”

Starplan runs a fresh fleet of Ivecos, all of which are kept within a four-year contract. “They’re all purchased from NI Trucks in Belfast, with a full contract maintenance package,” confirms Declan. “We find this to be the most economical arrangement and we have five new units coming in at the end of the month.”

The collapse of the Republic of Ireland market saw Starplan switch its focus more and more to the UK mainland, where IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

NI Trucks are pleased to supply commercial vehicles to Starplan.

Congratulations on 40 years in business

Complete Packaging Solutions SPECIALISTS IN PACKAGING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT • Shrink Wrap Equipment • Polyolefin Shrink Film • Tray Sealing Equipment • Smoothwall Foil Trays • Automatic Label Applicators • Soft Fruit Punnets • Automatic Stretch Wrappers • Food Grade Stretch Film & Lidding Film • Checkweighing & Metal Detection • Meat & Poultry Trays • Automatic Flowrap machines, Automatic Vertical Form Fill and Seal machines, Multi-head and Linear Weighing Machines

Wishing Starplan every success, from

Fire Resistant Glass

SUPPLIER OF ALL YOUR GLASS REQUIREMENTS

Decorative coloured glass

Tel: Fax: Email:

00353 1 8452526 00353 1 8451030 carlenglass@eircom.net

Cloonina, Tuam, Co. Galway

PVC FOIL SUPPLIER TO THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY OFFERING OVER 60 DIFFERENT COLOURS AND DESIGN IN HI GLOSS, WOODGRAIN & SOLID COLOURS Tel: Mob:

+ 353 93 26300.

Fax: + 353 93 26303 + 353 86 2506706. Email: info@hunterplasticsltd.eu

Wishing Starplan Every Success In The Future IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

JMC PACKAGING LTD 116 CLONMORE ROAD, DUNGANNON, CO TYRONE BT71 6HX Telephone: 048 3885 1413 Fax: 028 3885 1224

www.thegshgroup.com Best Wishes To All At Starplan 93

they have increased their number of showrooms from three to seven.

“It would be wrong to say the recession hasn’t affected us because at the end of the day a bedroom unit is a luxury item, but we have held our own and the product is still selling well. Our aim was always to produce furniture that was competitively-priced but over the years the quality of Starplan’s furniture has also improved substantially, to the level where our furniture is now as good as anybody else’s – but aimed to suit individual pockets. We also offer keen financing packages, which can take a lot of the pressure off the buyer.”

With Starplan, customers can take advantage of 0% interest-free options.

As Starplan manufacture everything they sell and rigorously control the quality of each item and its installation in your home – with a buying direct policy resulting in factory direct prices – quality and value are assured. All materials are sourced from reputable, ethical suppliers and Starplan maintains demanding quality control standards in its factories.

Thanks to modern computer design software, customers can see the latest

Starplan fitted wardrobe exactly as it will appear in their room.

With over a dozen Starplan showrooms throughout the UK, prospective customers can get up close and personal with the entire range of over fifty display bedrooms, each beautifully decorated and waiting to transform the purchaser’s home.

Starplan now owns Vono Beds - one of the oldest and most respected bed manufacturers in the UK. After selling Vono beds for over a decade, Starplan took the opportunity to purchase Vono – who have been manufacturing topquality beds since 1896 - when it came to the market in 1982, knowing that Vono stood for the same things as Starplan - quality, choice and value.

Rather than making thousands of beds a week, Starplan concentrates on making a smaller amount of bespoke beds, which are individually-tailored to suit the needs of customers and can come with a warranty of up to five years.

Standing on very solid financial footing, Starplan is still very much a family-run company, founder Mervyn Wilson being joined in the business by his two sons and one daughter.

Best Wishes To Starplan, From

As for the future of the distribution end of the operation, Declan Rafferty concludes: “We have to keep the overheads down. The biggest factor is obviously the cost of diesel. Even though it has come back a small bit, diesel remains very expensive. I was looking back at some old receipts the other day and I saw that in 2006 we were paying 64p for a litre of diesel and it’s now £1.12 plus VAT. “We could spend up to £4,000 a week on fuel in Northern Ireland alone, so that’s the biggest overhead in terms of transport. We have to keep it under control and we’re constantly looking at ways of increasing economy and providing the customer with the bestvalue service possible.”

Contact Details: Starplan 173 Killyman Road Dungannon, BT71 6LN Tel: 028 8772 3663 www.starplanbedrooms.com

We are pleased to be a tyre supplier to Starplan and wish them continued success for the future

Sevroll UK Ltd. is a producer of aluminium systems for sliding, folding and room dividing doors.

www.sevroll.eu Email: infoUK@sevroll.eu

DEPOT LOCATIONS Armagh • Dungannon • Saintfield Belfast • L/derry Castleblayney • Dublin

Tel: +44 (0)28 37510666

D.W. McNEILL & SONS LTD HAULAGE CONTRACTORS Specialists In The Transportation Of New Furniture To And From Scotland, England, Wales & Ireland Avondale Ind Est., Ballyclare, Co. Antrim BT39 9AU Tel: 028 9334 2396 Fax: 028 9332 2346

CONTINUED BEST WISHES TO STARPLAN 94

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

All vehicles feature a Nauman Wireless tracking systems

A

s one of the UK’s largest bed and bedroom furniture solution providers, Starplan sells direct to the customer from its network of factory stores. At Starplan, you can choose from one of the widest ranges of bedroom furniture in the UK - from free-standing bedrooms to luxurious fitted bedrooms, with a fantastic choice of colours, styles and budgets to suit everyone.

The company’s focus is on giving exceptional service from design and manufacturer through to delivery and installation.

All employees are professionally trained and the level of customer care afforded to the consumer from Starplan is simply second to none.

For the best-quality fitted children’s bedrooms, modern bedrooms and traditional bedrooms, sliding wardrobes; freestanding furniture from Solo, Solsbury and Allure; and Vono beds – Starplan should be your first-choice one-stop shop.

Founder / managing director Mervyn Wilson opened his first furniture showroom 40 years ago, in 1972. Determined to offer top-quality bedroom furniture and beds at good value prices and to give customers the highest possible level of service, he opened the first Starplan factory in Dungannon, County Tyrone in 1978. employing ten staff members. At last, he was able to guarantee quality, delivery and prices in line with his original vision!

As word spread and the company developed, the factory was expended with more showrooms opening around the country. Mervyn wasn’t content to simply follow fashion and trends – he wanted to set them. As such, Starplan has become a pioneering force in the beds and bedroom furniture manufacturing / delivery / installation sector.

Today, with a 150,000 sq. ft. purpose-built factory boasting state-of-the-art European machinery and a workforce of up to 200 people, Starplan is one of the leading direct-sales bedroom furniture companies delivering to over 15,000 homes in the UK every year. However, it remains very much a family business which will always put the customer first.

Transport manager Declan Rafferty explains: “Mervyn literally started selling furniture out of a car and trailer before

92

opening his first premises outside Dungannon and starting to manufacture. In the ‘seventies, he built a factory in an industrial estate and that served us until, in 2002, he opened the existing state-of-the-art facility close to Dungannon, which serves as our manufacturing base and also has a showroom built in.

“This is our flagship premises. All the manufacturing takes place here and the furniture is then shipped to England through McNeill Transport in Ballyclare.”

Declan has been with the company since 1984, working in a number of different departments before joining the transport section of the operation in 1992. As transport manager, he currently oversees a fleet of twelve vehicles out of the HQ, twelve more in the Birmingham depot and five in the Manchester (Warrington) depot.

The decision to install Navman Wireless vehicle tracking technology was taken in 2010 as part of Starplan’s ongoing commitment to operating an effective fleet in order to guarantee an exceptional level of customer service.

As Starplan can make up to 110 deliveries per day across the UK, the tracking system helps them keep everything on schedule, resulting in better fleet management, improved teamwork, increased productivity and greater fuel efficiency.

“We can see where all the vehicles are at any given time with just the push of a button and we have also benefited from a 25% reduction in insurance costs as well as the obvious savings in terms of diesel usage,” Declan notes. “While this was an expensive system to install, we have always looked at the long-term benefits of technology and we expect it to start paying for itself within the next three or four years.”

Starplan runs a fresh fleet of Ivecos, all of which are kept within a four-year contract. “They’re all purchased from NI Trucks in Belfast, with a full contract maintenance package,” confirms Declan. “We find this to be the most economical arrangement and we have five new units coming in at the end of the month.”

The collapse of the Republic of Ireland market saw Starplan switch its focus more and more to the UK mainland, where IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

NI Trucks are pleased to supply commercial vehicles to Starplan.

Congratulations on 40 years in business

Complete Packaging Solutions SPECIALISTS IN PACKAGING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT • Shrink Wrap Equipment • Polyolefin Shrink Film • Tray Sealing Equipment • Smoothwall Foil Trays • Automatic Label Applicators • Soft Fruit Punnets • Automatic Stretch Wrappers • Food Grade Stretch Film & Lidding Film • Checkweighing & Metal Detection • Meat & Poultry Trays • Automatic Flowrap machines, Automatic Vertical Form Fill and Seal machines, Multi-head and Linear Weighing Machines

Wishing Starplan every success, from

Fire Resistant Glass

SUPPLIER OF ALL YOUR GLASS REQUIREMENTS

Decorative coloured glass

Tel: Fax: Email:

00353 1 8452526 00353 1 8451030 carlenglass@eircom.net

Cloonina, Tuam, Co. Galway

PVC FOIL SUPPLIER TO THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY OFFERING OVER 60 DIFFERENT COLOURS AND DESIGN IN HI GLOSS, WOODGRAIN & SOLID COLOURS Tel: Mob:

+ 353 93 26300.

Fax: + 353 93 26303 + 353 86 2506706. Email: info@hunterplasticsltd.eu

Wishing Starplan Every Success In The Future IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

JMC PACKAGING LTD 116 CLONMORE ROAD, DUNGANNON, CO TYRONE BT71 6HX Telephone: 048 3885 1413 Fax: 028 3885 1224

www.thegshgroup.com Best Wishes To All At Starplan 93

they have increased their number of showrooms from three to seven.

“It would be wrong to say the recession hasn’t affected us because at the end of the day a bedroom unit is a luxury item, but we have held our own and the product is still selling well. Our aim was always to produce furniture that was competitively-priced but over the years the quality of Starplan’s furniture has also improved substantially, to the level where our furniture is now as good as anybody else’s – but aimed to suit individual pockets. We also offer keen financing packages, which can take a lot of the pressure off the buyer.”

With Starplan, customers can take advantage of 0% interest-free options.

As Starplan manufacture everything they sell and rigorously control the quality of each item and its installation in your home – with a buying direct policy resulting in factory direct prices – quality and value are assured. All materials are sourced from reputable, ethical suppliers and Starplan maintains demanding quality control standards in its factories.

Thanks to modern computer design software, customers can see the latest

Starplan fitted wardrobe exactly as it will appear in their room.

With over a dozen Starplan showrooms throughout the UK, prospective customers can get up close and personal with the entire range of over fifty display bedrooms, each beautifully decorated and waiting to transform the purchaser’s home.

Starplan now owns Vono Beds - one of the oldest and most respected bed manufacturers in the UK. After selling Vono beds for over a decade, Starplan took the opportunity to purchase Vono – who have been manufacturing topquality beds since 1896 - when it came to the market in 1982, knowing that Vono stood for the same things as Starplan - quality, choice and value.

Rather than making thousands of beds a week, Starplan concentrates on making a smaller amount of bespoke beds, which are individually-tailored to suit the needs of customers and can come with a warranty of up to five years.

Standing on very solid financial footing, Starplan is still very much a family-run company, founder Mervyn Wilson being joined in the business by his two sons and one daughter.

Best Wishes To Starplan, From

As for the future of the distribution end of the operation, Declan Rafferty concludes: “We have to keep the overheads down. The biggest factor is obviously the cost of diesel. Even though it has come back a small bit, diesel remains very expensive. I was looking back at some old receipts the other day and I saw that in 2006 we were paying 64p for a litre of diesel and it’s now £1.12 plus VAT. “We could spend up to £4,000 a week on fuel in Northern Ireland alone, so that’s the biggest overhead in terms of transport. We have to keep it under control and we’re constantly looking at ways of increasing economy and providing the customer with the bestvalue service possible.”

Contact Details: Starplan 173 Killyman Road Dungannon, BT71 6LN Tel: 028 8772 3663 www.starplanbedrooms.com

We are pleased to be a tyre supplier to Starplan and wish them continued success for the future

Sevroll UK Ltd. is a producer of aluminium systems for sliding, folding and room dividing doors.

www.sevroll.eu Email: infoUK@sevroll.eu

DEPOT LOCATIONS Armagh • Dungannon • Saintfield Belfast • L/derry Castleblayney • Dublin

Tel: +44 (0)28 37510666

D.W. McNEILL & SONS LTD HAULAGE CONTRACTORS Specialists In The Transportation Of New Furniture To And From Scotland, England, Wales & Ireland Avondale Ind Est., Ballyclare, Co. Antrim BT39 9AU Tel: 028 9334 2396 Fax: 028 9332 2346

CONTINUED BEST WISHES TO STARPLAN 94

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Bring your ELV to an ATF In conjunction with the Department of Environment, Northern Ireland Environmental Agency ensures that all EU directives regarding End of Life Vehicles are implemented across the Six Counties. It is imperative that only Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are used to dispose of vehicles which have ran their final race‌

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

95

79 Gortgole Road, Portglenone, Co Antrim, BT44 8AN

Tel: (+44) 028 258 220 66 Fax: (+44) 028 258 229 02 Email:info@ppp-group.co.uk www.ppp-group.co.uk BEST WISHES TO NIEA

Best Wishes & Continued Success To NIEA

SALVAGE & BREAKER AUCTIONS

PPP Salvage Auctions is part of the Portglenone Peugeot Parts Group.

METAL RECYCLING & END OF LIFE VEHICLES

Commercial Scrap Dealers - Services Buy and sell ferrous and non-ferrous metals, End of life vehicles, catalytic converters, basically any form or grade of metal.

TYRE PROCESSING

Craigavon Commercial Vehicle Dismantlers

47, Annaloiste Road, Lurgan, Craigavon, Co. Armagh BT66 6NJ

Providing a reliable and efficient service in scrap metal collection, covering both the domestic and commercial sectors.

Top prices paid for your scrap. Call us on 028 8676 2706 T: 028 8676 2706 E: alanrooneymetals@googlemail.com 8 Knockaleery Road, Cookstown BT80 9EA www.rooneymetals-cookstown.co.uk

Tel: 0776 4464004 Tel: 028 3832 5045

Best Wishes To NIEA from

HIGGINS CAR DISMANTLERS LTD

CAR & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DISMANTLERS OPENING HOURS

A U T O PAcamlough RTS CAR DISMANTLERS

Best Prices On Second Hand Car Parts!

Main Camlough Road, Bessbrook, Newry BT35 7EF

Monday - Friday 9am-6pm

Tel: 028 3083 0503 From ROI 048 3083 0503

T: 028 7086 8814 E: higginsdismantlersgarvagh@hotmail.com

WE ALSO COLLECT CARS AT BEST PRICES

www.higginscardismantlers.co.uk

Saturday 9am -1pm NEXT DAY DELIVERY AVAILABLE 62a, Belraugh Rd., Ringsend, Garvagh, Coleraine BT51 5HB

Best Wishes To NIEA, From

LICENCED CAR DISMANTLERS DAMAGE REPAIRABLES

Breaking 1000s of Cars, Vans & 4x4s Old & Fresh Cars, M3s & 325 Sports • ATF Approved Treatment Facility • Old Cars De-Polluted • Certificate of Destruction Obtained For Your Old Car 169 Glenshesk Road, Armoy, Ballymoney

T: 028 2075 1584 F: 028 2075 1984 M: 077 10857363 96

PPP Tyre Recycling offer a unique recycling and waste management service PPP Tyre recycling can provide a professional and competitively priced service for the disposal of waste tyres.

Wishing Continued Success To NIEA, From

Providing a range of metal recycling services, from demolition and site clearance to buying and selling all ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

ATF END OF LIFE VEHICLES 21 Crosskeys Road, Ahoghill Ballymena, Antrim BT42 2QT Telephone: 028 2587 9005 Email: t.hamillandsons@btconnect.com

www.thomashamillandsons-ballymena.co.uk IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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n Northern Ireland, an estimated 50,000 vehicles reach the end of their lives every year. These have to be treated and disposed of properly. End of life vehicles have the potential to release harmful substances into the environment if they are not stored, treated and disposed of is a competent and conscientious manner.

End of life vehicles are classed as hazardous waste until they have been fully treated and de-polluted. As a result of concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of waste vehicles, the European Union adopted the End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (2000/52/EC) in October 2000.

The ELV Directive includes the following provisions: that End of Life vehicles must only be treated at permitted treatment facilities which meet strict environmental standards; that producers (i.e. vehicle manufacturers and importers) are held responsible for the costs of ELV take-back and treatment; that producers and other economic operators (the likes of car dismantlers and shredders) are to establish adequate systems for the take-back and collection of ELVs; that the last owner of a vehicle must be able to return their vehicle into collection systems free of charge from January 2007 onwards; that the last owner of a vehicle must be issued with a Certificate of Destruction for their vehicle once it has been professionally and legally disposed of; and that specific recycling and recovery targets must be met (85% recovery with a minimum of 80% recycling from 2006 and 95% recovery with a minimum of 85% recycling from 2015).

If a vehicle is ready for the breaker’s yard, then it must be taken to an Authorised Treatment Facility as scrap vehicles are hazardous waste. It can only be transported by authorised hauliers who hold the necessary hazardous waste permits.

Under no circumstances should scrap vehicles be given to unlicensed, illegal sites.

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The legal requirements of End of Life Vehicle legislation dictate that all waste vehicles must be de-polluted at an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), that ATFs must issue a Certificate of Destruction to the last owner of the vehicle being disposed of and that vehicle manufacturers are responsible for ensuring there is an adequate network of ATFs. Customers must be offered free take-back.

In the UK, the ELV Directive is implemented through ELV regulations issued in 2003 and 2005. The 2003 regulations deal with treatment standards, site licensing and restricting the use of hazardous substances in new vehicles while the 2005 regulations cover recycling targets and free take-back for ELVs. Complementary to these ELV regulations, in Northern Ireland, the licensing of Authorised Treatment Facilities and the site and operating standards with which they must comply is contained in the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.

Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) have a huge role to play in protecting the environment and ensuring that this particular type of hazardous waste is disposed of / recycled properly and in full accordance with all local and Europe-wide legislation.

ELVs must only be treated at permitted treatment facilities which meet strict environmental standards, AKA Authorised Treatment Facilities. In Northern Ireland, ATFs are approved and regulated by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). An up to date public register of ATFs is available at ATF Register NI. A guidance document commissioned by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) describes the procedures for de-pollution of an ELV

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PRIOR'S - Belfast

Car & Commercial Vehicle Dismantlers for your vehicle parts & spares in the UK & Ireland

Best Wishes To NIEA

SERVICES AVAILABLE Prior's - Belfast Car & Commercial Vehicle Dismantlers provide: PART FITTING | CAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE | SECOND-HAND CARS, BOUGHT AND SOLD DAMAGED CAR PURCHASED | RECOVERY SERVICE SECOND-HAND PARTS |NEW CAR PARTS | DELIVERY SERVICE | SCRAP CARS LIFTED 167 - 169 Upper Springfield Road, Belfast BT17 0LZ www.belfastcardismantlers.co.uk T: 028 9061 1321 M: 07810 698 668 F: 028 9061 2210 E: belfastcardismantlers@btconnect.com

Continued Best Wishes To NIEA, From

Continued Best Wishes To NIEA, From

NORMAN MC MULLAN Your No.1 For Vauxhall Spares

41 Dobbin Rd, Portadown, Co. Armagh BT62 4EY Tel: 028 3833 7333 East Twin Rd., Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast BT23 9EN Tel: 028 9045 7556 Lisahally Dock, Port Road, Lisahally BT47 6FL Tel: 028 7186 1151

BEST PRICES FOR FERROUS & NON-FERROUS • Waste Disposal • Skip Hire • Tank Cleaning Services

www.clearway-group.com

24 Hour Recovery Service New & Used Vauxhall Spares 79 Orchard Rd., Strabane, Co. Tyrone Office : 028 816 58324 Licenced for the disposal of end of life vehicles

Best Wishes & Continued Success To NIEA from

T DEVLIN

Car Dismantlers FOR ALL SPARE PARTS CALL NOW ON

028 94472535 117 Staffordstown Rd., Randalstown, Co. Antrim BT41 3LH

To Book Advertising Space or enquire about completing a Feature please contact

COLM on 00 353 (0) 46 9241923 98

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Minister Attwood

so that it is no longer hazardous waste.

Furthermore, an application form to be accepted as an ATF can be obtained by contacting NIEA on 028 9056 9358 or by emailing gary.tate@doeni.gov.uk Once a facility licence has been granted, Northern Ireland Environment Agency monitors the licensed ATFs to ensure that they are treating ELVs correctly. NIEA also investigates and takes enforcement action against

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

operators of illegal sites. These sites threaten the environment and undermine legitimate operators. It is imperative that the motor trade and members of the public do not provide ELVs to illegal operators. One can check the ATF public register to ensure that waste vehicles are only given to legal operators. Anybody with information on illegal ELV sites should contact the NIEA Environmental Crime team on 028 9056 9453 or email environmentalcrime@doeni.gov.uk As stated above, one of the requirements of the ELV regulations is that the last owner of a waste vehicle (passenger cars or light good vehicles) that’s de-polluted or dismantled is issued with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). A CoD can only be issued by an ATF. The CoD ensures that the vehicle is treated and disposed of properly and that it is de-registered with the Northern Ireland Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).

In summary, it is absolutely imperative that anyone disposing of a vehicle in Northern Ireland only uses Government-approved End of Life treatment facilities. These Authorised Treatment Facility operators are located throughout the province and

are fully endorsed by Alex Attwood, the Minister of the Environment on the Northern Ireland Executive.

The professional, fully-approved network of ATFs – which comply with ELV and environmental permitting regulations - will ensure that your vehicle is disposed of in a responsible and lawful manner and that all necessary paperwork is completed in accordance with existing legislation.

There’s only one way to go.

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B&R pride themselves on ensuring an efficient delivery service

B&R continue to deliver People in Ireland have become more price conscious since the economic recession took its vice like grip on the nation and the search for quality goods at competitive prices has gone to a new level.

The business was established in 2010

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

A selection of the products available at B&R Transpares

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he haulage industry has been hit harder than most and the rising cost of fuel and the decrease of rates have meant that cash flows have become tighter.

Hauliers are now holding on to their vehicles for longer than they used to be and this means there is more of an emphasis on maintenance.

A major part of maintaining vehicles is replacing parts, which is something that occurs on a regular basis. Truck owners will now go to great lengths to source parts at a reasonable price, but for hauliers in the south east of the country, they need look no further than B&R TranSpares, which is based in New Ross, Co Wexford.

This flourishing business was established in November, 2010 by brothers Brian and Richie Minogue.

Many may have frowned upon the lads' decision to set up their own business at the height of a recession, but as Brian explains to this month's edition of Irish Trucker, the company has grown considerably since they opened.

“The decision to set up our own business at the time came about after the company that both Richie and myself had worked for many years closed down and they were in the same line of business that we specialise in A number of products set for delivery now,” revealed Brian.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“Both of us were out on the road delivering parts, so we were dealing with the customers on a daily basis, so when Irelands largest parts distributor closed down, we asked the customers would they be interested in dealing with us and we got a great response from that, so we had a good core customer base to work on from the very start.”

Brian stated that indeed the business had grown considerably since the first opened their doors in New Ross.

“Our customer base has doubled from last year and we had the same increase the year before. We would be the only truck parts dealer in the South East covering the full range of truck, bus & trailer parts to our customers based in Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford, Carlow and Tipperary.

“We would supply parts for trucks, vans, buses and trailers.

I suppose you could say we are unique in the service that we provide. About 60% of our parts are sourced outside the country but we try to buy in the Republic providing we get the best value for our customers.

“People are a lot more aware of the price nowadays and we do our best to be very competitive on that level and I think we have succeeded to do that. We stock a huge range of parts

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Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares, From

Continued Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares From

Blackheath Brake & Clutch SUPPLIER OF BRAKE SHOES & PADS

Unit 13B, Parkmore Industrial Estate, Longmile Road, Dublin 12

Ardcavan, Wexford T: 053 91 22561/24900 | F: 053 91 23093 E: info@ardcavan.com www.ardcavan.com

Best Wishes & Continued Success To B&R TranSpares

Culletion

Telephone: 01 450 4184 Fax: 01 456 9376 Mobile: 086 850 6772 Email: frank@blackheath.ie Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares, From

Transport Repair Solutions

Transport Ltd. Tinnecarrig, Ballymurphy, Borris, Co. Carlow

Tel: 059 9773378 Mobile: 087 6792242

JERRY O’ROURKE & SONS

Jerry O’Rourke & Sons Would Like To Wish B&R TranSpares Continued Success In The Future Hewitsland, Ring Rd., New Ross, Co. Wexford Tel: 051 421231 Fax: 051 422694

T: 086 817 3845 E: mick@transportrepairsolutions.ie

Head office: Unit 2, Kilrane Business Park, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford www.transportrepairsolutions.ie

| Services - all mechanical services including timing belts/timing chains, clutches and brakes | DOE and NCT preparation | Servicing and Diagnostics for all vehicles (trucks, vans, cars, jeeps) | Puncture repairs | Call out service available (24/7)

Continued Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares From

AXLE TRANSPORT GENERAL HAULAGE Cappagh, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny Tel: 056 7758587 Fax: 056 7758587 Contact Paddy on 087 2284748 Accounts Margaret 087 2424157

E:margaret.axletransport@yahoo.com

Wishing Continued Success To B&R TranSpares From

Commercial Diesel & Electrical

Best Wishes & Continued Success To B&R TranSpares 102

CDE is the leading supplier of an extensive range of commercial vehicle LED lighting.CDE have an extensive range of truck lighting, starters, alternators, tachographs and a full range of electrical components for commercial vehicles Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork TEL: (+353) 021-4883780 FAX: (+353) 021-4883085 Email: commercialdiesel@eircom.net

www.cdeled.com

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

in sales of Genuine Mercedes & Iveco for DAF,HINO, IVECO, ISUZU, CONTACT DETAILS MERCEDES-BENZ, MITSUBISHI, parts in recent months giving our SCANIA & VOLVO trucks and also a customers OE parts at the right price.

B&R TranSpares massive range of trailer parts. We Brian is pleased by the direction that HewitsLand, supply all OE brands such as MEKRA New Ross, the company is heading and he feels Lang, KNORR BREMSE, TEXTAR, Co. Wexford that if they can continue the growth Tel: 051-425971 SACHS, VALEO and WABCO.” they have seen over the past two Fax: 051-420838 B&R provide special offers on a years then the future for B&R E-mail brtranspares@hotmail.com monthly basis and the most recent are TranSpares looks bright. web: www.brtranspares.ie on the Mercedes Actros single clutch kit “We are pleased in brand new Valeo. Please visit the with the way the website for full list of offers.

Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares, From business is “We would try to do the same day progressing and I delivery in the local areas, while it suppose with would be next day delivery otherwise. regards to We would be supplying garages and expanding, we will end users mainly and we know the just play it by ear importance of getting their parts when and hopefully we promised.” can continue to Brian admitted that their stock was provide the same increasing on a weekly basis and the level of service that parts lists now has thousands of items our customers on it. “We are continuously increasing have become used the stock, so that if a customer comes to.” looking for a part, we generally have it & if not we offer a VOR es To Best Wish pares service. We stock all the main S B&R Tran brands and recently became agents for Gulf Oil & Tube Gear.

“We are also distributors for Universal Components Ltd providing us with a huge range of quality trailer parts and we stock a huge range of LED tail lamps, side lamps & indicator lamps, while we also have a huge range of LED work lamps and reverse NOW STOCKING A LARGE RANGE OF PARTS FOR IVECO DAILY VANS lamps.

We sell parts for We are currently in negotiations with 2 more major truck & trailer suppliers who we hope to have on Station Road Industrial Estate, Loughgall Road, Armagh, N. Ireland BT61 7NP board within the next two months.

We have seen a steady increase Fax: 028-3752 7781 • Email: sales@cmpireland.com

DAF • VOLVO • IVECO • MAN • RENAULT • MERCEDES • SCANIA

Tel: 028-3752 5427

Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares, From

Best Wishes To B&R TranSpares From

VICTOR BRENNAN TRANSPORT LTD NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL HAULAGE SPECIALISING IN LOW LOADERS

Thomastown Road, Knocktopher, Co. Kilkenny Tel/Fax: 056 7766819 Mobile: 086 2335 789 Email: brentrans@eircom.net IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Flagship for Citroën’snew Dublin Dealership Citroën Ireland launched a new flagship Dealership for Citroën cars and commercial vehicles at the Airside Motor Park in Swords, Co. Dublin. Irish Trucker Magazine recently visited their General Manager, Rod Deane.

T

his flagship dealership showcases the new Citroën Corporate Identity, with an updated image, and provides the full range of Citroën cars and light commercial vehicles backed up by an aftersales facility that covers all servicing requirements and accessories.

The new franchise is part of the UK Division of the Peugeot Citroen Retail Group and backed by the parent PSA Group, and also houses the Headquarters of Citroën

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IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Motors Ireland. Rod Deane, who was previously General Manager at the Edinburgh branch, was appointed General Manager of Citroën Dublin ahead of the official opening and was involved in the complete set up of the Dealership. To date, Citroën Dublin has become the highest volume Citroën Dealer in Ireland including passenger and light commercial vehicles. Although the commercial business has been hit during the recession Rod is confident they are making good inroads into the commercial market.

Rod Deane, commented: “Part of the success in driving this business has been consumers’ confidence in the Citroën range. The highly economical PSA Diesel engine that is supplied

globally to Ford, Volvo and BMW offers CONTACT DETAILS excellent performance, reliability and economy. Numerous mopdels in the efficient Citroën car range qualify for Citroën Dublin, the lowest tax band (A). Citroën Airside Motorpark, recently introduced the DS range which Swords, is stylish and technologically advanced County Dublin and gives us a range of cars to grow in Tel: 01 8108900 the Irish market. The light commercial Email: info@citroendublin.ie range includes the Berlingo, which is citroendublin.ie one of the top selling vans in this range and is generally very well regarded by the small trader and large fleet operators.

Car finance can be arranged with our partners Citroën 237-239 Richmond Road, Finance and First Fairview, Dublin 3 Auto Finance Ltd.” The current staff Tel: 837 0963 levels at this Fax: 837 6406 Dealership are 15

MOTOR BODY REPAIRERS

people and as the d e a l e r s h i p progresses this number is expected to improve.

Mobile: 087-2649863

Email: declan.oflaherty@gmail.com

Continued success to all at Citroen Dublin MOTOR BODY REPAIRERS IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Con has worked hard to establish the business

GWC leads the way The process of recycling scrap metal is quite a complex procedure which is carried out by a number of companies around the country; including Greaney Waste Collection situated on the Cork - Limerick border.

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ocated at Broadford, Co Limerick, Greaney Waste Collection Services has been trading for the past six years and is a family business.

The company was established as a scrap metal removal firm by Con Greaney who is ably assisted in the day to day running of the business by his daughter Aoife, who speaks to Irish Trucker about the success of the business.

Times have changed dramatically since Con first became involved in recycling and these days legislation plays a

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major part in the secure running of the business. GWC specialise in the removal of all scrap metals, which are then sent to recycling. From farm machinery to cars, vans and trucks, right down batteries cables and sheds, once there is metal involved GWC are interested.

Con worked for a local haulage company for 18 years and after being let go in 2010 he concentrated in putting all his time into Greaney Waste collection which he had been operating on a part time basis while working mon-fri with the IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

haulage company. “Being let go from a job after so long is not easy but it was the best thing that happened as I was over whelmed by the demand there was for scrap collection at that time. I had a lot of friends and contacts made through my previous job and thankfully all these have supported me in my full time business venture. “ “Since new legislation under the waste management act was introduced, it is essential that we adhere to all legal requirements to undertake this activity. We have waste collections permits to undertake the collection and transfer of waste metals throughout Cork city & county, Kerry county, Clare county and Limerick city & county, anyone undertaking this activity is legally obliged to have a valid collection permit," revealed Aoife.

All scrap is brought to either Hegarty metals or United metals which are authorized treatment facilities for End of Life Vehicles (ELV's). “Both companies have been very good to Con down through the years, helping him in any way possible.” Under EU Legislation for End of Life Vehicles, any member of the public can bring their vehicle to their facility for appropriate recycling, this process is known as depollution, a process where all hazardous wastes .i.e. fuels, oils battery and tyres are removed free of charge. The vehicles are recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.

Greaney Waste Collection was established as a scrap metal removal firm

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

“The metal is weighed and we will pay accordingly. The beauty is that rather than charge companies to take away their unwanted scrap metal, we actually pay them! The good thing about the market is that these metals have a particular value and we will pay that.”

Greaney Waste Collection Services also offer a collection service to its many customers and members of the public. The scrap metal that is collected comes from all over the permitted counties and is sourced from waste companies, farmers, factories and car dismantlers to name just a few.

“Farmers particularly enjoy this service as it assists them in cleaning up their lands for the REPS Scheme,” added Aoife.

She revealed that the company is ideally located on the Cork-Limerick border, as the type of business their involved means spending a lot of time on the road.

“There are so many different types of scrap metal, it is vital that the sorting process is done properly and strategically to maximize added value to our product”.

Greaney waste collection can also collect a number of non metal materials including WEEE, glass, plastic, concrete, bricks, tiles to name a few.

Even though the company has developed steadily over the years, managing director Con Greaney still provides a personal service to customers, considering themselves part of a two-way partnership. Con supplies his customers with a top-class service; this is why he can count a huge customer base after just six years in business.

Another service that the company now provides is the removal of waste sludge and Greaney's have a tanker that caters for this sort of work, while they also have the relevant permits to ensure that it is done by the book.

"We operate modern vehicles which are designed to load and transport. One of our vehicle is a rigid truck fitted with a grab loading crane which can lift most farm yard scrap and larger vans and trucks. Our other truck is a flat body for the smaller loads. We can make any of our trucks available at short notice.

Recovery is also available and the tanker is the latest addition to the fleet."

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Greaney Waste operate throughout Cork, Kerry, Clare and Limerick

ways to improve their business and the personal service that they provide their large customer base, which is expanding on an annual basis to facilitate the workload. “There is very good longterm viability in the recycling industry.

CONTACT DETAILS Our order books are decent and there Greaney Waste Collection Address: Broadford, Co. Limerick will always be a Tel: 086 3714267 or 087 9000451 need for metals to www.greaneywastecollection.com be recycled.

Aoife is confident that the future of the business looks bright given the nature of the business that they are involved in. Greaney Waste Collection is not afraid to move with the times and they are continually looking at

Best Wishes To Greaney Waste Collection, From

John White Plant Hire

Best Wishes To Greaney Waste Collection WE PAY TOP PRICES FOR YOUR SCRAP METAL BUYERS OF: Copper, Brass, Bronze, Aluminium, Stainless, Lead, Batteries, etc.

End-Of-Life-Vehicles | Scrap Steel & Iron DEMOLITION & FACTORY CLEARANCE Eastway Business Park, Ballysimon, Limerick 061 603848 info@unitedmetals.ie

www.unitedmetals.ie

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Greaney Waste Collection From

All About You

Excavators 1-13 Ton | Site Dump Trucks For Hire

GROUNDWORKS CARRIED OUT Fully Insured & VAT Registered

Mount Plumber, Broadford, Charleville, Co. Limerick

Contact John On 086 1717576 or 063 84264 Email: johnwhiteplanthire@eircom.net

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Beauty Salon FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTY NEEDS!

Prop Aoife Greaney

Tel: 063 83746

Check us out on facebook Allaboutyou Beautysalon or www.allaboutyou.ie

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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WORN TRUCK TYRES Bought For Truck Tyre Retreading Only good quality cases

Sizes required 295/80 315/80 385/65-22-5 Email: info@condrontyres.ie

Contact Sean on 057 9344292

www.condrontyres.ie IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

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Distributor Of Commercial Vehicle Spare Parts

Volvo Scania Iveco Daf

Mercedes Benz Man Renault Hino

Unit 10, Parkmore Industrial Estate, Longmile Road, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01 4098200 www.truckandbusparts.ie