april/may irish trucker

the quarry. Before all that, my father’sgrandfather would have started up abusiness in Kill in the 1940s and it wasworked up from there.”

While he admits the last six monthshave seen things “quieten down”, Joesays that N and C Enterprises are stillholding their own in these tough times,having recently purchased in a newVolvo truck and Hino truck to bump uptheir fleet up to even greater levels,and are confident that they will have agood summer in the coming months.

From this positivity into the future N& C Enterprises started as a tradingcompany, Gavin Transport. Thisbranch of the company deals withexports and imports to and from

Ireland – UK – Europe and has beenexpanding rapidly over the last sixmonths with a number of vehicles nowon the continent full time.

As for the tough winter months,which have hit record lowtemperatures over the past two years,Joe Gavin and co have recentlydevised a scheme for flood and iceprotection.

If you are based in a region which isunder regular threat from riversbreaking banks, or from coastal waterscausing localised flooding, N and CEnterprises are now offering to all oftheir customers small sand bags onpallets and one-tonne sacks, suitablefor flood protection. They will also

welcomeenquiries fromlocalauthorities, to

take part in their flood threat actionplans.

The news has been welcomed bylocal authorities and is anotherexample of the company’s willingnessto lend out a helping hand.

N and C Enterprises are very proudof their involvement in certaincharitable work, which has benefitedpeople who have suffered greatly,down through the years. It is throughcontinued support that they are in aposition to contribute as they do.

For many years both Michael andClement Gavin journeyed as far asBelarus, with building materials insupport of the Chernobyl Child aidappeal. To this day N & C Enterprisescontinues its involvement in theircontribution to the Chernobyl Appeal.The materials they send out are usedto refurbish daycare centres for people

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS42

N and C Enterprises is basedin Blackhill, Co. Kildare

The works which goes on at the company’sbase in Blackhill, Co. Kildare

Best Wishes To N&C Enterprises From

Oliver Conroy(Pallets) Ltd

Mullingar, Co. WestmeathTel: 044 9373500

Email:[email protected]

who require treatment for mental and physical disabilities.The people of Belarus are still living under the effect of theChernobyl disaster, now over two decades ago.

N and C Enterprises have also contributed to the NiallMellon Township Trust. 2008 saw their first involvementwith this worthy cause. Michael Gavin travelled with over1,000 Irish people, to help to build homes for people inFreedom Park, Cape Town, South Africa, and thecompany would like to thank all of its suppliers who havecontributed materials towards their charitable work bothnationally and internationally.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS 43

Some of the daily workcarried out at N and C

Enterprises

The company has embarkedon a major expansionprogramme since 2008

Best Wishes To N&C Enterprises From

Western Plastics manufactures and distributes anever-expanding line of packaging supplies and

machinery to a wide market range.

Ireland’s premier supplier of Total Quality Packaging.

www.westernplastics.ie

Galway OfficeBallybrit Industrial Estate , Upper

Ballybrit GalwayTel: 353 91 771588 Fax: 353 91 752877

E: [email protected]

Dublin OfficeU7, Crosslands Business Park,Ballymount Road, Dublin12

Tel: 353 1 456 6919Fax: 353 1 456 6926


Continued Success To N&C Enterprises From

Naas Insurance& Finance

Competitive rates for Vans, Fleets, and HGV’s

Tel: 045 874444Fax: 045 876695

Email: [email protected]

Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Registered Office: 15, Sth. Main St., Naas, Co Kildare.

TRAILER REPAIRS SALES & SERVICE

SPECIALISTS IN SHOT BLASTING & PAINTING

Baltracey, Donadea, Naas, Co. Kildare

Office: 01 – 651 9334 Fax: 01 651 9335 E-Mail: [email protected] Continued Success To N&C Enterprises

O’Sh

ea Commercials Ltd.

Wishing N&C Enterprises Continued Success In The Future From

Range of Services ProvidedLawns • Flowers Paving • Decking • Pergolas

Water Features • Lighting • Maintenance

CALL NOW FOR A FREE QUOTATIONCedarview House, Barrettstown,

Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Telephone: (045) 438762 (086) 8262245E-mail: [email protected]

www.keneustacelandscaping.com

There aren’t toomany lines ofbusiness tougher,

nor more demanding, thanthe recovery game, but forover two decades now Jand S Motors havemanaged to make it work.

Offering a dependableand low-cost servicenationwide, Jim Sullivan’scompany has come a longway from its humblebeginnings way back in1990 when the times were

so different and the famous‘Celtic Tiger’ had yet toleave its mark in thiscountry. Back then, Jimstarted his company out hisvery own home and hisendeavours saw thebusiness grow rapidlywhich convinced him toexpand operations up tothe point they are atpresent.

“We’re based in Balreaskin Navan and we’reestablished since 1990,”

explained Jim. “We have seven working

here, one of them is part-time, and I also have a son,Shane, who is working withthe company on a full-timebasis, so we’re kept busyenough here at themoment.”

On the history of J and Smotors, the MD explained:“In 1990, I started at homeand to create a bit of work Istarted toying around withcars. I went out and bought

J and S Motors are in business over 20 years

44

Still leading the waySince their establishment in 1990, J and S Motors havebeen among the leading recovery and repair outfits inthe Leinster region. Irish Trucker found out all aboutthe Navan-based company from its Managing Director,Jim Sullivan.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

J and S Motors cater for alltypes of vehicle recovery


a small van and then eventually starteddoing contract work for AA in 1992.

“After that I bought my first tow-truckand as the months went by, things justgot busier and busier for me. I decidedto employ a mechanic after that and itreally started to move on from thereand the business just grew fromstrength to strength to where it istoday.”

While it all seemed straightforward,Jim will tell you that it was anything butas he tried to get his businessoff the ground. Propercertification and vehicles forentering into the recoverybusiness were neither easy toobtain or cheap to come by,but through months and yearsof hard work he and hisemployees managed to build astrong relationship withcustomers – many of which hehas obtained repeat businessfrom up to this day.

In the J and S Motorsworkshop, Jim Sullivan and cocater for all of their customersneeds and hopes are that bythe end of 2011 there will be abrand new state-of-the-artworkshop up and running inBalreask.

“We have a fully equipped workshopwith all diagnostic machines and thereare three qualified mechanics workinghere for us on a full-time basis,”explained Jim.

“We cater for any kind of vehiclereally, including jeeps and lightcommercials, and at the moment wehave a new workshop underconstruction at the moment here and itshould be open in another six months’time with all going according to plan for

us.” The move to invest in a brand new

workshop may be seen as a bit bold,particularly in such a harsh economicclimate, but nobody better than Jimknows what’s right for his company andyou can bank on the fact that it’s asound investment on his behalf.

Despite the downturn, Jim says thatthe business is experiencing goodtimes at present off the back of a busywinter period when vehicle recovery

The team at J and S Motors,l/r: Keith Boland, ColmEogan, Gwen Geraghty,

Shane Sullivan, JohnClarke, Jim Sullivan

was busier than ever given the icyconditions on roads in December andJanuary, when record lowtemperatures were recorded all overIreland.

“Business at the moment isabsolutely flying,” he said. “We havefour recovery trucks and a 4x4 jeep inour fleet here and they’re all out on theroad for every day of the week.

“We haven’t been affected much bythe recession in the way that manyother companies have, thank God. Weare fortunate that we are established along time and have built up a strongcustomer-base here, which has helpedus to stay in business for over 20years now.”

J and S Motors have built up a longlist of customers in their 21 years, allof whom have relied on the company’srenowned efficient service time andtime again. Satisfaction of customershas always been a priority for J and SMotors and Jim and co have madesure to abide down through the years.

Jim is able to list the companies thathave been with him the longest off thetop of his head:

“Our main contractors would be AARAC, Europe Assistance, AxaAssistance, Ireland Assist, MIS Assist,Mercedes Assist, The LocalAuthorities, the M3 motorway and theGarda,” said the MD.

“What we find with the industry isthat a lot of the regulations aren’tbeing implemented. We are insuredand trying to deal and compete withother companies that are not fullyinsured and are basically just liftingvehicles off the road with just carinsurance.”

On the company’s fleet, Jim added:“We have tilt and slide recovery trucksand one of them is a crew cab whichcan carry up to seven people, whichwas specially purchased for the

motorway work that we do.” One thing that Jim has always been

stringent about is obtaining the properinsurance to recover and repairvehicles off the road. Since being set-up, J and S Motors have always hadthe proper certifications to carry outthe work that they do.

“It’s very important that we are fullyinsured,” he stressed. “We have awaste collection license, a roadhaulage license and all of our trucksare Pass 43. Most of the assistcompanies insist on a Pass 43 and wehave made sure that our fleet have it.

“The IFRS are the training peopleand they have brought the standardsup to a level where everyone shouldbe looking to reach. We’ve made surethat we’re up to standard and that’sone of the reasons why our customershave continued to stick with us. Wewould like to take this opportunity tothank the IFRS for all their work andraising the standards of the recoveryindustry.”

So whether it’s repair or recovery yourequire, be sure to look no further thanJ and S Motors in Balreask, Navan,where Jim Sullivan will be on hand tomeet your needs, 24/7 365 days ayear.


Shane Sullivan alongwith Colm Eogan

J and S Motors have fourrecovery vehicles and a

4x4 in their fleet

J and S Motors arefully certified

46


Continued Best Wishes To J&S Motor Repairs From

McConnon’s Vehicle Recovery Ltd

Commercial & Car Repairs24 HOUR RECOVERY

Aclint, Ardee, Co. LouthTel: 041 6855404/405 Fax: 041 6855460Mobile: 087 2569429

Best Wishes To J&S Motor Repairs From

ANTHONYCARNEY& CO.Financial ConsultantsTaxation AdvisorsHayestown, Navan, Co. Meath

Tel: (046) 9024522

Wishing ContinuedSucccess To

J&S Motor Repairs

UNIT 1 HOLFELD PARK, KILMACANOGUE, CO.WICKLOW

Tel: 01-2762607 Mobile: 087-6900895www.ifrsireland.com


MARTIN SMYTHMOTORS

24 Hour Recovery ServiceDulane, Kells, Co. Meath

Contact Martin086 2599171

T/F: 046 9249001


MARTIN CAHILL LTDAUTO RECYCLER & DISMANTLER

Dept of Environment ELV certs issuedDismantling Modern Cars & Light Commercials Including

2010 passat 2.0 tdi bluemotion • 2010 Zafira 1.9 d 6sp • 2008 Mondeo 1.8 tdci zetec (choice)2008 Astra 1.3d, 1.4p • 2005 523i,525d M-tec • 2007 Transit t280

Crossrule, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan • Tel: 049 8544444 • Fax: 049 8544311

M: 087 2516336 or 086 2581560 • E: [email protected] www.martincahill.ie

24 HOUR BREAKDOWN & RECOVERY

HEAVY RECOVERYMECHANICAL REPAIRS & SERVICING

ON CARS & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

D.O.E. PREPARATIONS.I.M.I. AND I.F.R.S.

Balreask, Navan, Co. Meath

T: 046 9029752/24 HoursM: 086/087 2566284

J&SMOTORS

48 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

O'Reilly & Sons have been selling the Volkswagen brand since the mid1950s. Irish Trucker got the chance to speak with the company’s SalesManager, Danny Ledwith, and found out more about the Longford-basedoutfit.

The Midlands leaders

O’Reilly & Sons have beenestablished in Longford over 50 years


For over 50 years now,O'Reilly & Sons Longfordhas been among the leading

car sales companies in themidlands and are currently theleading Volkswagen dealers forcounties Longford and Leitrim.

A family run business, O'Reilly &Sons have remained committed tooffering their customers the highestlevels of products and service, inkeeping with the quality of thefranchise which they represent.Down through the years they have

expanded their portfolio toinclude not only new cars, butalso Volkswagen commercialvehicles and substantial stockof used vehicles.

Danny Ledwith is thecompany’s Sales Managerand has been a focal part inhis end of the business forover a decade now. Heexplained the ins and outs ofO’Reilly and Sons; past,present and their hopes forthe future.

“We’re based here on theDublin Road in Longford,”said Danny.

“We’re established since theearly 50s and we’ve about 16working here. My ownposition is Sales Manager andI’m here about 13 years.

“Joe O’Reilly is the DealerPrincipal and his son KevinO’Reilly is General Manager.It’s a family run business hereand they would have obtainedmany loyal customers heredown through the years.”

Originally founded byRichard O’Reilly in Drumlish,the company moved to itscurrent location on the DublinRoad in Longford town andwas taken over by JoeO’Reilly, who has sincebrought the business fromstrength to strength.

Even in such harsheconomic times, O’Reilly andSons continues to defy theodds and maintain a steadyflow of business in its salesdepartment. Four years ago,the company constructed anew building on the premises,which was seen as an

investment towards the future, anddespite the economy things have beenrunning quite smoothly, considering.

“The company was founded byRichard O’Reilly in Drumlish and hemoved the business to Longford in theearly 1960s. After his death his son,Joe, took over,” explained Danny.

“We’re the main Volkswagen dealerfor Longford and Leitrim. We do thenormal services and started doingtyre-fitting there in December.”

O'Reilly & Sons offer a completerange of services at their well-appointed Service Bay.

If your car needs an NCT or DOEtest why not arrange to call in to themfor a pre-test check. This will ensurethat any faults likely to fail your vehicleare attended to in advance - savingyou the cost of a repeat test. They willcheck your exhaust emissions too.

To make an enquiry concerning thisservice, you can use the company’sservice request form, which is locatedon their websitewww.oreillyandsons.ie.

O'Reilly & Sons also stock a largerange of parts and customers’requirements can be located by usingthe Order Parts form on thecompany’s website.

Red stock parts are another ventureof the business which can bepurchased by customers at a veryreasonable cost.

The company’s website explains:“We have in stock a large selection ofred stock parts for sale at a knockdown price. These parts are allgenuine Volkswagen Audi parts, theyare new and unused, although theyare old stock. A small amount of itemswill show signs of age, and marksfrom moving. Also included in the sale,but unlisted will be some spuriousfilters to fit Volkswagen/Audi cars.

Some of the Volkswagen Passatson sale at O’Reilly & Sons

Prices quoted beside the parts are allRRP. We are selling the parts in onelot, and the buyer will be required tocollect the parts from our warehouse.”

Not many industries have been hit ashard as the motor sales industry in thisrecession, but O’Reilly and Sons havestill managed to make it work andhave bucked the trend when it comesto sales in the current climate.

“Business at the moment in thepassengers end of things is quite goodand commercials is quite good aswell,” said Danny

“Work-wise four or five year old vansare doing rightly, but people aren’tgoing to borrow over 10,000 euro inthis climate to buy something new.The new Caddy is a nice van and it’sattracting a lot of customers, but otherthan that it’s mostly the four or fiveyear olds that are selling here at themoment.”

While O’Reilly and Sons lead theway in counties Longford and Leitrim,their business comes from all areas ofthe country, with a fair share comingfrom the capital.

“We do a good bit in Dublin and wehave a lot of repeat business becauseour customers are loyal to us andknow that we provide a dependableservice,” explained the company’sSales Manager.

Longford on the N4 is centrallylocated in Ireland,being under 30miles away from

Athlone, Leitrim Village, Carrick-on-Shannon, Cavan town, Mullingar andRoscommon town. While otherlandmarks like Enniskillen and Sligotown are under 50 miles away andKildare and Dublin just 55 and 75miles away, respectively.

So, wherever you are, be sure to visitO'Reilly & Sons Longford for all yourVolkswagen needs.


O’Reilly & Sons are currently theleading Volkswagen dealers for

Longford and Leitirm

Some of the cars on offer atthe company’s showroom

Continued Best Wishes To O’Reilly & Sons From

fuelclean.ie

Best Wishes To O’Reilly & Sons From

KENWALWINDSCREENS & RADIATORS LTD

Townspark Ind EstStrokestown Rd,

Longford,Co. Longford.

T: 043 3345275

51IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Another loads setsoff for delivery

A truck boardsa ferry

Recycling is a bigpart of the business

Guinan Haulagework in conjunctionwith WEEE Ireland

This area of thehaulage industry iswithout doubt the

most governed as everymove is monitored. So forthis month's edition of IrishTrucker, we profile acompany involved in thissector just to see what isexactly involved in the dayto day running of such abusiness.

To help us out in ourquest to understand theremoval of hazardouswaste, we speak toBrendan Guinan, whosecompany the Guinan Groupspecialize in such aprocedure.

Under the Guinan Groupumbrella is Guinan HaulageLtd, which is the part of thecompany that caters for thetransportation of hazardouswaste. With a national andUK permit, the Offaly basedcompany collect waste inIreland and delivery it totreatment plants in theUnited Kingdom.

“We provide first class,professional services intransport (including self-

loading), waste andvehicles. The Groupincludes Guinan HaulageLtd, one of the top fivehazardous/non-haz haulagecompanies operating inIreland today. Withexperience and knowledgeat the core of what we do, Iand my dedicated staffguarantee quality, serviceand value for money,” saidBrendan.

Since being established in2005, Guinan Haulage Ltdhas built up a customerbase that includes the topcompanies in the wasteand environmental sectorsincluding KMK MetalRecycling Ltd and Indaver.

KMK Metal Recycling Ltdorganizes for the treatmentand recycling of wasteelectrical and electronicequipment and batteriesand accumulators fromauthorized collection points.

Indaver is an establishedEuropean wastemanagement company,with a proven track record.Their trademark isdelivering high quality, cost

NoW.E.E.E.taskThe transportation of hazardouswaste is a specialized area thatonly a number of haulagecompanies are involved in. All therelevant licenses must be obtainedin order to carry out suchprocedures and the legislationinvolved must be followed to theletter.


The fleet is kept inpristine condition

Maximised capacity

Some of the trucks arefitted with grabs

Guinan Haulage isestablished six years

effective services in the municipal, industrial andspecialist hazardous waste market acrossIreland. Whether your quantities of waste arelarge or small, we can tailor a solution to suit.

“We have built up a good customer base overthe years with the likes of KMK Metal RecyclingLtd, Indaver and Eco Safe all on our client list.We would collect hazardous materials on sitesuch as refrigeration gas, acid sludge, hospitaland pharmaceutical waste, waste electronic andelectoral equipment led acid batteries etc.

“Our fleet would consist of four artics and onerigid. All curtainsiders are fitted with etherMoffett or Manitou telescopic forklifts. The ridgedis equipped with a tail lift while one double driveartic is fitted with an Epsilon E110 Z boom craneand grab. All drivers are ADR trained and safetyis paramount when transporting and product.

“Quality is key to everything we do. Weoperate to the highest safety standards and arecurrently preparing for ISO accreditation. With aNational Waste Collection Permit WCP-OY-09-626-01 bringing our current clients peace ofmind.

Over the years, the company has added anumber of services to improve the standard ofthe business and some of these changesinclude real time tracking of loads, the nationalwaste permit and vehicle servicing, which issomething that was developed by chance.

“I took on a mechanic to service and maintainthe fleet, but found that there just wasn't enoughto keep him going, so instead of making himpart time, I took on some outside work and Imust say it has been going very well. Not onlywould he look after servicing, but we also docrash repairs, fit outs, spraying and even dieseltanks. A specialized area that is also catered foris aluminum welding, which is something that isnot that common in these parts.

“These complementary services combine ouryears on the road, knowledge of the industryand reliability to give our clients peace of mind,value for money and a guarantee of a job welldone. We believe in being in the right place atthe right time with the right service.”

Brendan admits that there is always room forgrowth, but stressed that any decision will bemade with the greatest of caution due to thenature of the haulage industry at the moment.

“Our main aim is to continue providing the levelof service that we and our customers havebecome accustomed too over the past few yearsand hopefully improve on that. We would belooking to expand, but a lot depends on dieselprices, which are of great concern at themoment. The whole industry is suffering greatlyand it is just a case of keep your head down andworking hard.”

Brendan revealed that idle driving wassomething that he strived to avoid and to thatend, he has worked hard to facilitate all of hisfleet.

“I have a yard rented at Dublin port with avariety of trailers there so any truck that goes up

51IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Another loads setsoff for delivery

A truck boardsa ferry

Recycling is a bigpart of the business

Guinan Haulagework in conjunctionwith WEEE Ireland

This area of thehaulage industry iswithout doubt the

most governed as everymove is monitored. So forthis month's edition of IrishTrucker, we profile acompany involved in thissector just to see what isexactly involved in the dayto day running of such abusiness.

To help us out in ourquest to understand theremoval of hazardouswaste, we speak toBrendan Guinan, whosecompany the Guinan Groupspecialize in such aprocedure.

Under the Guinan Groupumbrella is Guinan HaulageLtd, which is the part of thecompany that caters for thetransportation of hazardouswaste. With a national andUK permit, the Offaly basedcompany collect waste inIreland and delivery it totreatment plants in theUnited Kingdom.

“We provide first class,professional services intransport (including self-

loading), waste andvehicles. The Groupincludes Guinan HaulageLtd, one of the top fivehazardous/non-haz haulagecompanies operating inIreland today. Withexperience and knowledgeat the core of what we do, Iand my dedicated staffguarantee quality, serviceand value for money,” saidBrendan.

Since being established in2005, Guinan Haulage Ltdhas built up a customerbase that includes the topcompanies in the wasteand environmental sectorsincluding KMK MetalRecycling Ltd and Indaver.

KMK Metal Recycling Ltdorganizes for the treatmentand recycling of wasteelectrical and electronicequipment and batteriesand accumulators fromauthorized collection points.

Indaver is an establishedEuropean wastemanagement company,with a proven track record.Their trademark isdelivering high quality, cost

NoW.E.E.E.taskThe transportation of hazardouswaste is a specialized area thatonly a number of haulagecompanies are involved in. All therelevant licenses must be obtainedin order to carry out suchprocedures and the legislationinvolved must be followed to theletter.


The fleet is kept inpristine condition

Maximised capacity

Some of the trucks arefitted with grabs

Guinan Haulage isestablished six years

effective services in the municipal, industrial andspecialist hazardous waste market acrossIreland. Whether your quantities of waste arelarge or small, we can tailor a solution to suit.

“We have built up a good customer base overthe years with the likes of KMK Metal RecyclingLtd, Indaver and Eco Safe all on our client list.We would collect hazardous materials on sitesuch as refrigeration gas, acid sludge, hospitaland pharmaceutical waste, waste electronic andelectoral equipment led acid batteries etc.

“Our fleet would consist of four artics and onerigid. All curtainsiders are fitted with etherMoffett or Manitou telescopic forklifts. The ridgedis equipped with a tail lift while one double driveartic is fitted with an Epsilon E110 Z boom craneand grab. All drivers are ADR trained and safetyis paramount when transporting and product.

“Quality is key to everything we do. Weoperate to the highest safety standards and arecurrently preparing for ISO accreditation. With aNational Waste Collection Permit WCP-OY-09-626-01 bringing our current clients peace ofmind.

Over the years, the company has added anumber of services to improve the standard ofthe business and some of these changesinclude real time tracking of loads, the nationalwaste permit and vehicle servicing, which issomething that was developed by chance.

“I took on a mechanic to service and maintainthe fleet, but found that there just wasn't enoughto keep him going, so instead of making himpart time, I took on some outside work and Imust say it has been going very well. Not onlywould he look after servicing, but we also docrash repairs, fit outs, spraying and even dieseltanks. A specialized area that is also catered foris aluminum welding, which is something that isnot that common in these parts.

“These complementary services combine ouryears on the road, knowledge of the industryand reliability to give our clients peace of mind,value for money and a guarantee of a job welldone. We believe in being in the right place atthe right time with the right service.”

Brendan admits that there is always room forgrowth, but stressed that any decision will bemade with the greatest of caution due to thenature of the haulage industry at the moment.

“Our main aim is to continue providing the levelof service that we and our customers havebecome accustomed too over the past few yearsand hopefully improve on that. We would belooking to expand, but a lot depends on dieselprices, which are of great concern at themoment. The whole industry is suffering greatlyand it is just a case of keep your head down andworking hard.”

Brendan revealed that idle driving wassomething that he strived to avoid and to thatend, he has worked hard to facilitate all of hisfleet.

“I have a yard rented at Dublin port with avariety of trailers there so any truck that goes up

to the docks doesn't leave until it has a load to be broughtsomewhere. We have a very reliable customer base, whopay on time, while we only work for people that have beenrecommended to us. You would have to be choosy to acertain extent when it comes to taking on new customersthese days.”

Brendan had a background in the farming industry beforethe opportunity to get involved in the haulage industryarose and he is very grateful to the firm that gave him hisfirst chance.

“I was told by KMK Metal Recycling that if I got set up,they would throw some work my way and that is how I gotstarted. I'm very grateful to Max, Kie and Kurt from KMKfor giving me that opportunity and they still support me tothis day. I've learned a great deal over the interveningyears and feel that I've accumulated vast amounts ofexperience, which can only help improve the business inthe future.”


The hazardous waste istransported to the UK

Wishing Continued Success To Brendan Guinan From

Specialise in All Types of Fencing COVERING ALL AREAS

Coolagh, Geashill, Co. Offaly.

Tel: 087 6720055e-mail: [email protected]

www.ocfencing.ie

Best Wishes To Brendan Guinan From

Pat GormanPlant Hire

Turf Cutting & Land ReclamationLake Development

Ballylevin, Geashill, Co. Offaly

Tel: 087 6550746Email: [email protected]

Best Wishes to Brendan Guinan from

IAN DUNNE TYRE SERVICES

MOUNTMELLICK - TULLAMORE

24 Hour Breakdown ServiceSupplier of Truck

& Agri TyresKilcavan, Geashill, Co. Offaly

Telephone086 8511633

Cloncollig Commercial Park, Tullamore, Co.OffalyTel: 057 9323322 - E: [email protected]

Conor 087 7998876087 2888862

Best Wishes To Guinan Haulage

ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALLYOUR TRANSPORT NEEDS

Continued Best Wishes To Brendan Guinan From

EVER TON DEPOTFor Storage Shipping Container Sales & Rental

Nationwide Delivery & Lift-Off

Also Anti -Vandal Office & Canteen & Welfare Units

Contact Pat Keville on 086 044 8392Email: [email protected]

A selection of Patrick Molihan &Sons Transport trucks

54 IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

So when a business revealsthat they have been tradingsince the early 1930s then

you sit up and take notice and evenmore so when it is in the fickle worldof the haulage industry.

Hauliers have always been in atough trade, but never more so as itis now with rising fuel costs andlower rates causing it to be a nervytime in the industry.

Patrick Molihan has been involvedin haulage all his life, from the dayswhen he was 'knee high to a

grasshopper' as they say. His fatherstarted dealing in cattle and Patrickrevealed that he had array of trucksthat will leave many old hauliersfeeling nostalgic.

“The first truck my father had was aRio and that was a very rare lorry,there wouldn't have been many ofthem around. He also had a Dodge,Acheson, AEC Mercury, LeylandBeaver, AEC Mandator and a KBHino at different times,” said Patrick.

“Most of the younger generationwould never have heard of some of

Moving withthe timesMoving withthe times

Patrick (middle) along with histwo sons Padraig (left) and Alan

those trucks, but the older lads wouldhave. I have been around trucks aslong as I can remember. I worked formy father drawing cattle from Irelandall across the U.K for many years andwe still are involved in doing that.”

These days, Longford based PatrickMolihan & Sons Transport continue todraw cattle and export them all overthe world, while their main focus thesedays is continental refrigeration work.Patrick's sons Padraig and Alan are

involved in the business with Padraigrunning the operation and Alanworking mainly on the continent.

“I take more of a back seat rolethese days and let the lads look afterthe business. We would draw a lot offoodstuffs across the continent tocountries like France, Belgium,Sweden, Germany, Denmark and theU.K to name just a few.

“One of our main customers wouldbe Kepak, while Green Isle (Northern

Foods) would also be anothercustomer that we would have a longassociation with. In fact, we have beenwith them since they started up. Wewould sub a lot of work off McBurneyTransport too and we have beeninvolved with them for a number ofyears also.”

Patrick feels that by delivering anefficient and reliable service, thecustomers will always be happy andhe stressed that this is something that


The fleet is alwaysmaintained regularly

A company's ability to move with the times is an essential factor in thesuccess of the business and many firms achievements can be gauged bythe length of time that they have been operating.

The company is basedin Ardagh, Co. Longford

they have always strived to do.“You have to make the deliveries on

time and be reliable. If you don't thenthe customers will go elsewhere andget someone else to do the work. It'sthe nature of the business, so westress the importance of that to ourdrivers.”

Finding a reliable staff can besometimes difficult, and Patrick admitsthat it is not always easy to findcompetent drivers, especially forcontinental work.

“We would employ 20 in total and tobe fair many of them are very good,but during the good times, it is difficultto hold on to drivers as they werespoilt for choice, but it's a differentstory now altogether,” he stated.

“This is not the easiest industry to beinvolved in, but we are fortunate tohave a loyal customer base and thefact that we are involved in exportingalso helps as it is one of the fewtrades that are doing well at themoment. It is certainly difficult timesfor all concerned.”

Patrick points to the increasing rise

in diesel prices as the main concernwithin the industry and like all hauliers;he feels there should be more done tohighlight their plight.

“The diesel bill is a killer and thereisn't a thing being done about it. It justkeeps going up andno one is sayinganything, which isworse.”

With a fleet ofeleven trucks on theroad, Patrickrevealed that hispreferred choicewas Iveco, Volvoand MAN, all ofwhich are kept inpristine condition.

“We would buy thetrucks in England aswe feel that we geta better deal overthere and they are amore qualityvehicles. Usuallythe main Volvo orIveco dealers in the

area would look after themaintenance. We wouldn'tbuy brand new, but still liketo keep the fleet fairly freshin order to avoid any un-necessary downtime.”

Given the nature of theirbusiness, Patrick admitsthat they are not as affectedby the downturn as somecompanies, and they arepleased with the directionthat the company is headed.

“Ah yeah, we can'tcomplain too much. You justhave to get on with it andkeep working away. Wehave a loyal customer basethere and as long as theyare happy then we must be

doing something right.“We have no major plans to expand

at the moment anyway, it just a caseof keeping our heads down andworking on ways to improve on theservice that we provide.”


Refrigeration work is themain area of expertise

The fleet consists ofIveco, MAN and Volvo

56

The family run businesshas been trading since

the 1930s

Continued Success To Molihan Transport From

Specialise In Repairs To Alternators & StartersDiesel Injectors • Fitting Spots & Lamps

STOCKISTS OF Batteries, Filters

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Lamagh, Newtownforbes, Co. LongfordT: (043) 33 46817 • F: (043) 33 46814 • M (087) 9490045


Best Wishes to Molihan Transport Ltd, From

• Pre DOE Testing • Break Testing• Texa Diagnostics • Wheel Alignment• All Repairs On Trailer & Trucks• All Repairs on Steel Fabrications

on all types of trailers

Cloonaugh, Drumlish, Co. Longford

Tel: (043) 33 24128Fax: (043) 33 24731

MULLEADY COMMERCIALS

Continued Best Wishes To Molihan International Transport

From

Second Hand Diesel Car SpecialistsANY DIESEL CAR SOURCED & SUPPLIED

Strokestown Road, LongfordTel: 043 3346055 /3346095 Fax: 043 3346430


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Conor 087 7998876087 2888862

Best Wishes To Molihan Transport

ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALLYOUR TRANSPORT NEEDS

Best Wishes To Molihan Transport, From

Killeen ChemicalsSpecialising In

Valeting Products • Truck DetergentsWorkshop Products

Hand Cleaner & Paper Products

Killeen, Granard,Co. Longford

Tel: (087) 9975936

Best Wishes To Molihan Transport, From

Motor InsuranceCar Insurance • Van Insurance

Fleet Insurance • Tractor InsuranceMotor Traders Insurance

House InsuranceOwner Occupied • Let Properties

Holiday Homes • Unoccupied

Liability InsurancePublic Liability • Employers Liability

Combined Liability • Professional IndemnityContractors All Risk

Call Us today on

043 33415773 New Street, Longford, Co. Longford

Deanspoint Insurance Brokers Ltd T/A Abbey Murphy Insuranceis regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

Continued Good Wishes To At All Molihan Transport from

O’REILLYCOMMERCIALS

Ballinalack, Mullingar, Co. WestmeathTel: 044-9371360. Fax: 044-9371534

Sales & Service • Approved VTN Test Centre • Suppliers and Installers of Tachographs and Speed Limiters

MAIN MAN AGENTS FROM MIDLANDS TO NORTH WEST

Awell-established fuel providerin the north Co. Longfordvillage of Moyne, Corrigan

Fuel Services has recently expandedits services to include the installationof oil tanks and the supply/fitting ofanti-siphon devices, which preventdiesel theft in trucks and buses.

Formed in 1999 by brothers Declanand Bernard Corrigan, Corrigan FuelServices is an expansion of theexisting family business, which hasbeen in operation for threegenerations since 1918 at the samelocation. The business consists of amodern Texaco-branded forecourt, a1,400 sq ft convenience store and fuel

depot as well as a fuel sales andaccounts office which is managed byDeclan’s wife Olivia who is alsoinvolved in the day to day running ofthe business.

A fleet of modern delivery trucks,comprising 2 x Scania, 1 x DAF and 1x Daewoo, are attached to the fueldepot and are operated byexperienced, fully-trained ADR driverswho are always willing to go the extramile to ensure customer satisfaction.With a staff of 15, Corrigan’s arecommitted to providing a high-qualitypersonal service across the whole fueltrade spectrum.

While Corrigan Fuel Services are

best known as distributors of fuelproducts such as home heatingoil/kerosene, agri-diesel, motor diesel,Adblue and an extensive range ofmotor oils, they also offer associatedproducts and services such as motorand agri-fuel additives, kerocooker/boiler additive, oil tanks, fuellevel gauges, fuel pumping equipment,tank assessment, anti-theft oil tanklocking devices and anti-siphondevices.

“We have expanded our range ofservices over the past few years,”Declan Corrigan explains.

“With fuel prices up 30 per cent andless of a demand for fuel locally, due

58

Corrigan’s expandtheir servicesCorrigan’s expandtheir servicesCorrigan Fuel Services in Moyne, Co. Longford is much more than aTexaco Service Station and fuel distributor as director Declan Corriganexplains.


mainly to the demise of theconstruction industry, we have had todiversify and look at other ways ofgenerating business. We are nowoffering a wide range of products andservices that are associated with thefuel business. Unlike our fueldistribution business which is confinedto Longford and neighbouring countiesLeitrim and Cavan, all our otherproducts and services are availablecountrywide.”

One of the products that CorriganFuel Services is pushing strongly isthe TISS anti-siphon device, whichstops fuel theft and prevents dieselspills. The only device that completelyprevents spillage and skimming ofdiesel, TISS anti-siphons are made tosuit an individual make/model of truckto provide maximum security and easyfitting. The device’s unique float valve

means no fuel canbe siphoned fromthe tank – evenwhen the tank isfull. Its “anti-spill”capability preventsoverfilling of thetank, thereforeensuring that dieseldoesn’t leak fromthe top of the tank.

There are threedifferent optionsavailable to meetthe requirements ofany truck operator.TISS’s anti-siphonrange fit any vehicleor tank type – evenwith small necks orclearance issues.

“Over 35,000 unitshave been sold sofar, making TISSanti-siphons themarket leader whenit comes topreventing fueltheft,” enthusesDeclan.

“Leadingcompanies likeQuinn Group,Roadstone, Tesco,DHL andSainsbury’s swearby this product. Inaddition, its “anti-spill” capability willsave you up to 10per cent off yourfuel bills.”

Corrigan’s have also earned areputation as oil tank installationspecialists. They can supply tanksranging in capacity from 1,000 to100,000 litres and are agents for suchreputable brands as Envirostore andKingspan/Titan. The Filstop overfillprevention device is also a newproduct available from Corrigan FuelServices. Fitting the Filstop, which istested up to 580 litres per minute,provides safe filling by automaticallyshutting off the flow to the tank fromthe delivery tanker if the fuel reachesthe maximum fill level, preventing overfill is now more important than everwith fuel prices high and very stringentpollution laws been enforced by localcouncils through Ireland if fuel spillspollute soil or water courses.

The Co. Longford-based company is

agent for Exocet anti-bug, anti-waxand cooker additives. Exocet’s biocideadditive for motor diesel is designed tobe a problem solver wheremicrobiological contamination (dieselbug) has occurred. This is a blacksludge that occurs in diesel which isstored in damp conditions and isbecoming a more frequent problemdue to our wet climate and also sincethe addition of 7% bio diesel by theGovernment last July.

This contamination can causeincreased fuel filter blockage, loss ofengine power and extensive damageto the fuel system of your car or truckif not treated. One bottle treats andcures 2,500 litres and can be added insmaller quantities to new or cleantanks to prevent this contaminationfrom occurring.

Exocet’s anti-wax/anti-freeze additivefor motor and agri-diesel is designedto stop diesel waxing/gelling and evenfreezing in extreme winter weatherdown to –30 degrees Celsius. Thisproduct also aids combustion, leadingto easy starting in these conditions.The treatment rate of 1 to 1,000 litresof diesel will cope with the coldest ofEuropean weather.

Corrigan Fuel Services also stockfuel filtration systems, fuel pumpingequipment, Ad blue bulk storagesystems, fuel tank cleaning and fuelpolishing.

With the arrival of low sulphur dieseland the addition of bio fuel to alldiesels available in Ireland, it is nowmore important than ever to filter thediesel in your storage tank. Filtereddiesel ensures that moisture anddebris present in your storage tankdoesn’t make its way into yourvehicle’s tank, thus ensuring thatexpensive problems don’t arise.

Corrigan’s supply Piusi DieselTransfer pumps suitable for dispensingall diesel fuel for agricultural, truck andcar use. Ad blue bulk store systemsare also available in sizes from 1,000to 5,000 litres and are becoming acommon product in most haulier’syards.

The fuel polishing service (TankCleaning) available from Corrigan FuelServices firstly removes the visiblewater from the bottom of your storagetank. The fuel is then pumped througha fuel-water separator. This processremoves 99% of water and filters thefuel down to 10 microns. The fuel isallowed to circulate through the


Corrigan Fuel Services are wellestablished in north Longford

separator and severaltimes back into the tankuntil all the sediment iscleaned from the tankbottom.

In addition, Corrigan’soffer a boiling servicingservice and are agents forthe Tiger-loop boilerdevice and the newWatchman Sonic domesticheating oil tank gauge.

Corrigan Fuel Services’fuel delivery service orderoffice is open seven dayswith delivery serviceavailable every day exceptSunday.

For moreinformationabout thecompany,telephone

049-4335333 or 086-8044627, or [email protected], you can callinto Declan, Olivia or anyof the team at Legga,Moyne, Co. Longford.


Corrigan Fuel Servicesin Moyne, Co. Longford

Declan Corrigan saysdiversification is vital

to the business

60

Bernard Corrigan (pictured) and his brother Declan expanded the

business in 1999

Best Wishes To Corrigan Fuel Services, From

fuelclean.iewww.fuelclean.ie Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 086 2532715Fuel Tank Cleaning and Fuel Polishing Service

Agri, Derv, BioDiesel and KeroseneNationwide Service

for Storage Tanks, Generators and Boats

From January 1st 2011, the introduction of ultra low sulfur diesel with7% biodiesel will cause fuel storage problems. Regular tank

maintenance is much more important when using these new fuels.Biodiesel is more prone to algae growth when water is present in thefuel storage tank. The algae feeds on the water to form a black slime

at the bottom of the tank. This water and black slime must be removed from the tank before it is allowed reach the fuel

filters on modern diesel engines.The safest way to do this is with our fuel polishing system

Our on site service removes 99% of water and dirt particles down to 3 micron. This operation leaves the

fuel cleaner than new with minimum waste.

Other Products and ServicesWe also sell a full range of fuel,

Oil and grease Pumping equipment. For more information please visit www.gfplantspares.com


Specialise In theTHE BUILDING AND REFURBISHING OF

NEW & USED TANKERS FORTHE FUEL INDUSTRY.

221 Armagh Road, Keady, Co. ArmaghTel: 028 3753 9999Fax: 028 3752 3995


Best Wishes To Corrigan Fuel Services

Best Wishes to Corrigan Fuel Services, From

• Pre DOE Testing • Break Testing• Texa Diagnostics • Wheel Alignment• All Repairs On Trailer & Trucks• All Repairs on Steel Fabrications

on all types of trailers

Cloonaugh, Drumlish, Co. Longford

Tel: (043) 33 24128Fax: (043) 33 24731

MULLEADY COMMERCIALS

Best wishes to Corrigan Fuel Services

Best wishes to Corrigan Fuel Services

Best Wishes To Corrigan Fuel Services From

HALLTRANSPORT

Cornadrung, Aughnacliffe, Co. Longford

M: 087 2515931F: 043 6684130


In these tough economic times,Baku has been one of the fortunatecompanies which has managed to

get through the crisis “reasonablywell”, according to MD, Uwe Kuhn. In2010, the business grew considerablyand whilst things were very tough, itwas a much better year than both2008 and 2009, by all accounts.

Baku’s guiding principle has always

been to provide a quality service, andto achieve this the company continuesto invest in staff, staff training,equipment, technology and qualitysystems.

The Baku owned vehicle and trailerfleet is gradually expanding. ThisMarch, Baku is expecting a delivery of3 MAN Euro 5 fuel efficient tractorunits, which will bring the company’s

fleet up to 12 tractor units and 40trailers, including an increasingnumber of refrigerated trailers. Alongwith this, direct employment in Baku in2011 is set to grow from 24 to 28 bythe end of the year.

Staff training is something whichcontinues to be high on the agenda atBaku. When the company started upalmost 11 years ago, it started with

Baku GLS Ltd have been onthe road since May 2000

62

Optimistic as everOptimistic as everIn operation since May 2000, Baku GLS Limited has continued to be one ofthe leading international haulage companies in Ireland, making dailyjourneys all across Europe. Managing Director, Uwe Kuhn, spoke to IrishTrucker, who found out all about the Wexford-based business.


three employees, who were all veryexperienced staff, in a small office.

Now we are 24 people betweenoffice, warehouse, drivers andmaintenance staff. To ensure that thecustomer is getting a consistently highquality service, all staff members aretrained on an ongoing basis and thecompany is lucky to have a bunch ofvery dedicated people employed. Inaddition to the training provided byBaku, some of them are takingevening classes to improve therecompetence and knowledge.

Baku has also set-up a specialisttraining company called South EastTransport Training which specialises


The company’s headoffice in Rosslare

Harbour

in transport related training from DriverCPC, to Airport security training, GDPand hazardous goods training. Thiscompany has been now up andrunning for 12 months and havealready trained in excess of 400people. The courses on offer aregradually being expanded, but willremain entirely focused and transportand logistic.

The company continues to grow withthe vision of developing aconsolidation centre in the south eastof Ireland for import and exportgroupage and part load cargo. Baku’snew warehouse facility offers state-of-the-art cross docking and also offersstorage in the new warehouse. Storedgoods depending on whether import orexport cargo are then being called offfor export or domestic distribution.

On the export site, this facility is ofparticular interest to manufacturerswith multiple manufacturing sites inIreland who wish to consolidate thereshipping from one warehouse.

Baku have full planning permissionfor a 4000 square metre warehouseand office facility and are hoping toconstruct this within the next 30months. The people behind the projectare still looking for a suitablewarehouse customer which wouldenable the business to customise thenew facility to their specific needs.

Currently, they are offering up to 40departures per weekto all over Europe.The main marketscontinue to be theBenelux countries,Germany, Switzerland,France, Italy andSpain. However theEastern Europeanmarket is graduallygrowing and Bakuprovides regularservices to Poland,Czech Republic,Slovakia, Sloveniaand Hungary.

The full load business continues togrow quite fast and Baku are handlingregular loads to all over Europe anddestinations as far away as Russia,Turkey and Greece.

Besides quality and reliability, theprice is also an importantconsideration for everybody. Tocombine the necessary, namely a lowprice with providing greener transport,


Some of the Baku fleet at thecompany’s headquarters in

Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford

64

The Insurance Centre, Sandyford BusinessCentre, Sandyford, Dublin 18

TEL +353 1 2932370FAX +353 1 2932360E-MAIL [email protected]: www.mikemurphyinsurance.ie

TRUCKCARBUS

HOMEVAN

TRAVELFLEET

BUSINESSLIABILITY

SHOPSOFFICES

MORTGAGELIFE

HEALTH

FOR ALL YOURINSURANCE

NEEDS

CONTINUED SUCCESS TO BAKU GLS LTD

Mike Murphy Insurance Group is a trade name of Insureforsure Ltd. And regulated by the Central Bank Of Ireland

MIKE MURPHYGROUP

Continued Best Wishes To Baku Gls Ltd From

M.S. Commercials Ltd.Bosheen Road,

New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Tel: 051 422277 • Fax: 051 421606Mobile: 087 2573653 • 087 2440707

Wishing Continued Success To Baku Gls, From

K.D. (Garage)Services Ltd.

Main Dealers For Scania & Mitsubishi Trucks

Rosslare Road,Drinagh, Wexford

T: (053) 91 45554www.kdgarage.com

Baku uses longer ferry routes, trainsand container services where possible.At this point the company is using theCherbourg route more frequently, andare also using the services of theEurotunnel and the train from Freiburgto Novara in Northern Italy when goingto Italy.

Container services are also beingoffered for imports and exports on anincreasing basis where transit timescan be increased slightly. Having thetrucking service as a back up offersthe best of both worlds, as this helpsto lower transport costs by optimisingthe transport chain as well as helpingthe environment.

Baku are increasinglyfinding that the “greener”option is often the cheapestoption.

In addition to high tech,electronic and generalengineering products, Bakuis transporting more andmore pharmaceuticalproducts. An increasingnumber of pharma productsare transported undertemperature controlledconditions and Baku hasspecial SOP's (StandardOperating Procedures) inplace to prove that theproducts were transportedunder the requiredconditions.

Vehicles can be trackedfrom loading to delivery,temperatures are beingcontrolled all the way withprintouts being provided notonly from the fixedtemperature recorders, butalso from mobile temperaturetrackers that travel with eachload.

All office staff and drivershave be trained in GDP anda full risk assessment isdone prior to taking on newcustomers. For each newcustomer a SOP is writtenbased on the riskassessment. Baku’s QS iscurrently being upgraded tocomply with GDP/GMP.

In addition to investing in

staff, staff training, quality systems andequipment, Baku is also investing intechnology. The current IT systemsupports vehicle tracking andelectronic documents management butdetails are not immediately availableto the customer.

The company is currently in theprocess of developing a web-basedservice which will be fully up andrunning by the end of 2011.Customers will then be able to bookand track all shipments on line. Pod’swill be instantly available online.

It’s no secret that 2008 and 2009were very difficult years for every

company in the country, includingBaku and this necessitated changeswhich lead to cost reductions andhigher efficiency, while 2010 was still adifficult year it was also a muchimproved one compared to 2009.

Despite all the challenges that 2011is holding, Baku are optimistic andconfident that the basic business issound and that the changes they haveimplemented in 2008 and 2009 willensure a better long term future for thecompany. They are happy with theirlocation in Rosslare Harbour from awork, as well as a quality of life pointof view.

Good to hear.


Two-thousand-and-nine was aspecial year for PalatineTransport (Ireland) Ltd. as the

Collooney, County Sligo basedcompany celebrated 100 years inbusiness. Since Palatine wasestablished in 1909 by Martin Cawley,four generations of the Cawley familyhave provided businesses in Sligo,Connacht, Ireland and beyond with anunrivalled service, making them averitable institution in Irish roadhaulage.

Palatine Transport (Ireland) Ltd. isfirst and foremost a regionaldistribution company. However,international freight services are alsoprovided for all types of goods (withthe exception of tankers).

The company operates out of astate-of-the-art 60,000sq ft warehouseand distribution centre in Collooney,County Sligo. Situated on a secure 3_acre site, Palatine also offers ambientstorage and logistical services.

A commitment to excellencethroughout every facet of the operationhas seen Palatine Transport evolveinto the dominant transport andlogistics provider in the north west ofIreland. With a wealth of experience,professionalism and efficiency – allprovided to suit customerrequirements and at affordable rates –the Sligo-born company has forgedlong-term contracts from a host ofmajor national and internationalcompanies. As a family-owned and–operated business, with a high-quality, fully-trained and competentworkforce, Palatine is an idealtransport and logistics partner, offering

prompt, convenient, safe and flexiblesolutions.

Palatine offers a daily full-load andgroupage service between Dublin andthe north west and also holds a wastecollection permit for Connacht.Storage is offered for up to 5,000pallets, with pick and pack facilitiesavailable, A driver-accompaniedinternational service is provided to theUK and western Europe, as well ascontract vehicles and driver hire (inclient livery). All personnel are ADRtrained.

Noel Cawley takes us back to thevery early days of the company’sexistence: “My grandfather MartinCawley started out in Sligo in 1909with just a horse and a cart. In thebeginning, and probably for the nextten or 15 years, most of the businesswas hauling grain etc. off the docks inSligo. This was brought in 20 stonebags up to the warehouses. ‘Carters’is what they called themselves.

“My grandfather had the first Bedfordtruck that came across the Shannon.They were the Rolls Royce of trucks atthe time. From there, he bought moretrucks and built up the fleet. He had aMorris commercial back in the 1940s.During the War, he hauled sand andgravel into Sligo from the pits.

“Eventually, the business wastransferred to my father Jack and hisbrother. In the office, there’s amerchandise licence detailing thetransfer of the business from mygrandfather to John (‘Jack’). He hadtwo trucks on his licence at the time…

“There was a factory built in Nenaghmanufacturing aluminium pots and

pans and kettles etc. and we used togo down there with a truck and bringthem back to the big merchant inSligo, Woods, who distributed them allover the county. The WesternWholesale Company also started inSligo around that time and we alsoworked for them, drawing to Dublinand also making collections for them.”

Of course, those were different timesthat today and one couldn’t just zoomacross the country along a smoothand perfectly-maintained motorway.“Going from Sligo to Dublin at the timewas like going to the moon,” Noelconfirms. “There was a strip of tar upthe middle of the roads and no whitelines. It was a big expedition headingoff to Dublin but fortunately the roadimproved a bit once you got toKilcock…

“We collected around all the factoriesin Dublin and we were as well knownin Dublin as we were in Sligo. If therewas any whiskey or anything goinginto Sligo, we were the ones who gotit. After securing a deal with acompany who manufactured weighingscales, Martin bought a couple ofarticulated trucks and he began to doshipments up to Dublin to the docksand the airport.

“I started out on my own in 1952/53and all my brothers were also involvedin the business. I bought amerchandise licence off a man inBallina and I had my own truck doingwork for a mill. They then opened upthe licences and you could have up tosix trucks on the road, so I got asecond truck and we were doing tripsinto the mill from Dublin and the North

66

Four generations ofexcellenceSligo-based, family-owned distribution / freight company PalatineTransport (Ireland) Ltd. has been providing a top-class service for over acentury. Irish Trucker caught up with former MD Noel Cawley (whose sonGreg runs the company today) to reflect on the history of thisextraordinary business.


etc. I was doing runs to the mill for about 25 years.

“However, the mill then closed down and we had to find

alternative work. My second son, Gary, decided that we

should start going across the channel, so that’s what we

did. We worked in the UK for some local companies and

we had six trucks going to the UK for about ten or twelve

years. When the local factories were closed down, we

went to the UK and bought a place outside Liverpool and

secured a merchandise licence for the UK. I secured

insurance for the trucks within ten minutes over there and I

can tell you I came out singing a merry tune!”

Working for shipping agents, Noel was operating

between the UK and Spain, Germany etc. “We opened an

office in the West Midlands and my son Jack was based

there. We had called the company in the UK Palatine

Transport, so when Jack wanted to come home we

brought that licence back with him and named the

business in Sligo Palatine Transport (Ireland) Ltd.

“But they didn’t want to just do long-distance work. They

decided to go into distribution and that now accounts for

about 90% of our work. They started with three trucks on

the docks in Sligo and then bought a fourth as the

business increased. We went to a 20,000 sq ft facility in

an industrial estate but the business kept growing and we

had to move again.

“In 2008, we relocated again, this time into the 60,000 sq

ft facility in Collooney. We have a fleet of 24 vehicles

between vans, artics and rigids and my four sons – Jack,

Gary, Mark and Gregory – run the show now. We offer

daily services in and out of Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo,

Donegal, Longford, Leitrim, Dublin and Northern Ireland.”

Very few haulage companies have been around as long

as Palatine Transport. Looking back over their history, it

really is a remarkable and intriguing story.

Palatine Transport (Ireland) Ltd.Collooney,County Sligo.Phone 071 9118618Email: [email protected]


Best Wishes To Palatine Transport From

Colm BurnsCommercials Ltd.

Dublin Rd., Ballisadare, Co. SligoT: 353 71 9160986 - 10 Lines F: 353 71 9161889


Mercedes-BenzCommercial Vehicles

MAIN AGENTS TOTOYOTA FORKLIFTS

Sales • Service • Hirewww.callaghanforklifts.com

Drumfin, Co. SligoT: (071) 9165129 • F: (071) 9165298Contact Sean On (087) 2799772

Best Wishes To Palatine Transport

Continued best wishes to Palatine Transport, from

INNISFREEMOTOR FACTORS- GENERAL FACTORS- DAGENITE BATTERIES- RADIATOR- NEXA AUTOCOL PAINTS

Riverside, SligoTel: 071-9145291 / 071-9143534. Fax: 071-9144285

Heating & Plumbing Contractor& Attic Insulation

Ballincurry, Curry, Co. Sligo

087 2068908DOMESTIC • INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL

CCoonnttiinnuueedd BBeesstt WWiisshheess TToo PPaallaattiinnee TTrraannssppoorrtt

Best Wishes To Palatine Transport, From

LAKE ISLE CONFECTIONERY

Lynnbale, Sligo. Tel/Fax: 071-9160624 Mobile: 087-2549327

IMPORTERS & MANUFACTURERSAGENTS & DISTRIBUTORS

NATIONWIDE

SPECIALISTS IN MARKETING OFCHILDREN’S CONFECTIONERY

AND SEASONAL CONFECTIONERYNOVELTIES

LW Surphlis & Son wasestablished by Lowry Surphlis in1948. In the post-war era, farm

machinery and building materials werein short supply and trading modestlycomprised a grocery shop and subpost office. Since those formativeyears, the business has been grownsubstantially, mostly by the founder’sson and current MD Maurice Surphlis,

who today runs the company inconjunction with his own sons Colinand Adrian.

As part of this expansion, bulk binswere installed in the mid ‘80s for thestorage of dairy, beef and sheep nuts,along with a weigh bridge to allowcustomers to collect bulk feed atcheaper prices. Around this time, anew warehouse was also erected for

the manufacture of farm buildings.A new meal store followed due to

demand as well as a mixer wagon asthe agriculture sector grew and stocknumber increased rapidly. Furtherrenovations were completed in 1997with the extensive refurbishment of thehardware store and a new office blockbuilt incorporating the latestcomputerised systems. Another

68

A surplus ofexcellenceFor over 60 years, LW Surphlis & Son has forged a superb reputation foritself as one of the premium agricultural / general merchants in NorthernIreland. A familiar sight on roads north and south of the border, thecompany operates an extremely attractive, efficient and well-maintainedfleet of vehicles. Irish Trucker travelled to the company HQ inNewtownstewart, County Tyrone and met up with Colin Surphlis to discussthe history, present wellbeing and future aspirations of this third-generation family business.


An immaculatelypresented Scania

tractor unit

substantial upgrading was carried outin the summer of 2010.

LW Surphlis specialises in a widerange of animal health products,animal feeds, fertilisers, farm supplies,

hardware and building products aswell as the manufacture of farm sheds.An additional 33,000 sq ft of storagespace for straights and the installationof mixing plant affords customers a

wider choice of products and services.An extensive range of fertilisers isstocked and grass seed mixture issupplied.

LW Surphlis boasts its own transport


LW Surphlis tractor unitshave won numerous

awards for their livery

solution to collect quality-assuredcompound feeds from JohnThompson’s mills (which are based inBelfast and offer a large range ofdairy, beef, calf and sheep feed) anddeliver direct to farms. They also havestorage facilities on their premises,where farmers can collect theseproducts.

The company’s commercial fleetcurrently comprises a total of 45 units– 25 lorries and 20 trailers. Tractorsunits with optional blower trailers, rigid

bulk blowers, rigid curtainsiders,tippers and flats are included in thefleet. The company also has threewalking floors and provides a haulageservice to ADT in St Helen’s,Liverpool, who specialise in movingreels of paper and waste paper.

Many of the tractor units and rigidshave won awards all over Ireland fortheir livery, which is synonymous withthe company’s red and cream colourscheme, with the LWS logo carriedright across the range. Keeping the

fleet in pristine condition is a must andno stone is left unturned when itcomes to ensuring optimal appearanceand performance. Darren Hollywoodhandles all the livery and signwriting,while all the servicing and PSV work iscarried out in-house, headed up byKenny Foster, who boasts years ofexperience, with one other mechanicand an apprentice also on hand.

Two of the many duties of the fleetare delivering animal feeds to farmersand delivering brites wood pellets for


The firm is headquarteredin Newtownstewart

70

Wishing Continued Success To L.W Surphlis & Son From

Growing in more fields than you can imagineAgriculture • Amenity • Equine

Specialist Seed & Agricultural Merchants

25 Mahon Ind Est, Portadown BT62 3EHTel: (028) 38 391010 • Fax: (028) 38 393020


Continued Best Wishes To LW Surphlis From

Mechanical Engineering ContractorsProviding Innovative Engineered Solutions,

to the Animal Feed Milling & Waste/Recycling IndustriesOver 40 Years of unrivalled experience

Upper Glanmire Bridge, Glanmire, Co. Cork.T: +353 (0)21 4396666 F: +353 (0)21 4396665

E-mail: [email protected]


WW Tyres& Batteries

FAST & EFFICIENT SERVICE• ANY MAKE OF NEW OR REMOULD

TYRES SUPPLIED & FITTED• COMPUTERISED WHEEL BALANCING

& WHEEL ALIGNMENT• TRUCK WHEEL BALANCING• TRUCK & TRACTOR TYRES IN STOCK• BREAKDOWN SERVICE

TEL/FAX: 028 8224 6160MOBILE: 07771 800938Best Wishes to L.W. Surphlis & Son

KEVLIN ROAD, OMAGH, CO. TYRONE

Best Wishes To L.W. Surphlis & Son From

S&M ProductsManufacturers of

QUALITY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS“Designed by a farmer for a farmer”

www.sandmengineering.co.uk27 Corlea Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT78 5LG

Telephone: 028 82 249681

SPECIALIST IN TANALISED TIMBER FOR JETTIES, GARDEN FENCING, AGRICULTURAL

BUILDING AND PUBLIC WORKS

41 Badoney Road, Trillick, Co. Tyrone BT78 3SQTel: 028-8956 1250 Fax: 028- 8956 1890

Email: [email protected] Success to L.W. Surphlis & Son

J.F. IRVINE SAWMILLS LTD.

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Don’t be left in thedark

log on to

www.irishtrucker.com

Specialises in the manufacture and distribution ofHDPE (high density polyethylene) drainage pipe

to the Agricultural, Civil Engineering andConstruction Industries.

30 Colebrooke Rd, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone BT75 0QGTel: 028 8952 1207 Fax: 028 895 21402


Wishing Continued Success To L.W. Surphlis & Son

Balcas Timber in Enniskillen. Abouthalf of the fleet would be rigids for bulkfarm deliveries, while the ten or sotractor units are mostly Volvo (fromDennison Commercials in Ballyclare)as well as a few Scania. All the latesttechnology and tracking systems areincorporated on the vehicles and ColinSurphlis admits that he wouldn’t haveit any other way: “The progress thathas been made in technology isunbelievable. It’s very handy nowbecause you can just glance at acomputer screen and see where yourlorries are at any given time, whichcuts down on a lot of phone calls…”

LW Surphlis is a dynamic andprogressive company. Last summer,the bones of half a million poundswere invested in the plant, which isnow a fully push-button, state-of-the-art, computerised facility. Including allpersonnel from the grocery shop to themill, a total of 50 people areemployed. This represents a majorboost to the local economy in theseuncertain times.

“We are very busy at the minute,”

Colin notes. “The price of feed is toohigh for farmers’ liking – it has goneup £50 a tonne in the past twelvemonths – but we are generally verybusy and we can’t complain. We aremostly involved in the farming industryand the downturn hasn’t had a majorimpact on agriculture – farmers stillfarm and people still need theirproduce. Of course, it’s very difficult toget money in these days, but we havethree salesmen on theroad full time andwe’re doing out bestto keep the booksbalanced.”

The LW Surphlisfleet can be seenpredominantly on theroads of Donegal,Tyrone, Fermanaghand Armagh but theyalso move furthersouth and makeregular runs to Dublinand Louth, forexample. As for thefuture, Colin reveals:

“The plan is to more or less keepgoing as we are. We’re trying tocontrol what we have and consolidatethe business. We have securedplanning permission for a new storefor storing brites wood pellets, whichwe hope to erect this summer, butapart from that we’ll do what we dobest and continue to provide a qualityservice across every aspect of thebusiness.”


LW Surphlis is in operationfor over 60 years

72

Wishing Continued Success To LW Surphlis

DERG COMMERCIALS LTD.KEEN RATES

GIVEN ON EUROSFINANCE DEALS AVAILABLE

THROUGH OUT IRELAND

SELECTION OF NEW VANS AVAILABLE AT COMPETITIVE RATES66 LEARMORE RD., KILLEN, CASTLEDERG, CO. TYRONE BT81 7SD TEL: (028) 8167 1289

“ALL MILES GUARANTEED” • www.dergcommercials.com • “ALL MILES GUARANTEED”



George Kincaid TyresAll Brands of Tyres Supplied & FittedCommercial & Agricultural Vehicles

Also Specialists InSales Of 4x4 Pick-Ups

All Clean Ex-Lease ( Always in Stock)

40 Cavandarragh Road, Castlederg, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

T: 028 81661317M: 077 15105024


Best Wishes To LW Surphlis From

Industrial & Commercial ContractingControl Panels & Automation

Maintenance & Breakdown • Testing & Inspection

347 Pomeroy Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone BT70 3DTTel: +44 (0) 28 8775 8923 • Fax: +44 (0) 28 8775 8937


www.axon-online.com

WWishhing Conttinued Success To LL.WW. Surphhlis From

AUTOSMART


OLIVER M LOUGHRAN

& CO LLPSOLICITORS

9 Holmview Terrace, Campsie Road, Omagh BT79 OAHEmail: [email protected]

T : 028 8224 1530 F: 028 8225 7897

Wishing Continued Success To L.W. Surphlis & Son

3rd Floor, Callaghan House,13-16 Dame St., Dublin 2

Tel: 01 6797866Email: [email protected]

Keepontruckingwith

www.irishtrucker.com

IRIS

H

&L

IGH

T C

OM

ME

RC

IAL

S

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

Time for acommercial break

www.pippen.co.uk - Airbrushartist to Scotts of Antrim

74

Things have never been tighter; margins never moreprecarious. These are troubled times for thehaulage sector as a whole, from fleet operators to

owner-drivers to tradesmen. The banks seem to haveclosed their doors and money is scarcer than in a Dickensnovel. Thus, hard-pressed operators need to be even moremeticulous and vigilant than usual when it comes toseeking out the right deal.

This is where Scotts of Antrim enters the equation. Forover four decades, this third-generation family businesshas been providing an unrivalled service, sourcing andsupplying the highest-quality commercial vehicles at anaffordable price. Scotts carry a superb range of usedcommercial vehicles – from box bodies and curtainsiders totippers, flat beds, cranes and mixers as well as fridgebodies and vans.

Prospective customers from north and south of the bordercould do a lot worse than pay a visit to Scotts of Antrim at2 Oldwood Road or telephone 028 94462035 to see what’scurrently available in the extensive stock of trucks or evento make a specific request. The directors boast thecontacts and experience of the trade to source practicallyany commercial vehicle.

Today, the business is overseen by Brian Scott, inconjunction with his wife Ann and son Jason and Paul.Brian has been in business for around 40 years and hislate father Robert worked with trucks for many years beforethat. Upon arriving at the company yard, it’s impossible notto be impressed by the generous array of vehicles –comprising around 40 superb trucks at the time of writing.

Recommended far and wide by word of mouth from asuccession of satisfied customers, the Scotts of Antrimservice is as popular today as ever it was – perhaps evenmore so as operators are forced to seek out bargains.Remember, bargains are what Scotts specialise in.

“We get a lot of customers up from the south and Brianalways gives them an excellent deal once they make thejourney up,” says Ann Scott. “Over the years, we have solda number of commercials to customers from the south, andwe’ve managed to sell some cars across the border too.

“Having said that, we specialise first and foremost insecond-hand trucks, which are always in mint condition.We deal only in high-quality, clean vehicles and wewouldn’t touch any truck or van that wasn’t in primecondition. All the vehicles are fully certified when they leavehere and we always allow customers to bring their ownmechanic to run their eye over the vehicles, if they so wish.Every vehicle is sitting here ready to drive off on the sameday, with no hassle whatsoever.

“We cover all types of commercials – all makes andmodels of vans and trucks – and we’re confident that wecan provide something to fit every need. There is a majoremphasis on value and quality and we have had decades

of satisfied customers, many of whom are repeatcustomers.”

Needless to say, the team at Scotts of Antrim are notinsensitive to the difficulties affecting the economy. Theyare only too painfully aware of the hard times we areexperiencing and vow to go that extra yard tohelp customers out in any way possible.As Ann says: “People in the south aredefinitely feeling the pinch. Werealise we’re not exactly on theirfront doorstep, but we’ll lookafter anybody who goes to thetrouble of dropping in to lookat our offers. We havevehicles of exceptionallyhigh quality here and weare prepared to strike afair deal on all of them.That’s how this businessworks. We’re getting bettervalue in the market thanwe did five years agoand we’re prepared topass those savingson.”

How is business?To what extent isScotts of Antrimfeeling the pinch?“We are ticking overnicely and we’rehappy enough withthe business wehave but, havingsaid that, we coulddo with a littlemore. We have awonderful producthere but peopleare scared tomake the decisionwhen it comes toparting withcash. They wantto get trucks ascheaply aspossible, andthis is perfectlyunderstandably,but I supposethe reality is thatthey have to

With finance harder to come by than at any other time in living memory, ithas never been more difficult to find a commercial vehicle at an affordableprice. However, with over 40 years’ experience in sourcing superb vehiclesand providing unrivalled deals, Scotts of Antrim have a solution to meetevery need. If you’re in the market for a quality pre-owned truck or van - ata sensible price - look no further.

Scotts of Antrim’sstunning livery

A truck that won’t beforgotten in a hurry

www.pippen.co.uk- Airbrush artist toScotts of Antrim

75

Scotts of Antrim isa third generationfamily business

www.pippen.co.uk - Airbrush

artist to Scottsof Antrim

spend something or the economy willcollapse.”

Scotts go so far as to provide anunconditional guarantee to customersthat they will provide a great deal. “Ifanyone from the south wants a lorry ora van, they can give us a ring and wewill sort them out. It’s really just amatter of giving us a call - and thereare no obligations. We haveunbelievable value here and theproducts have to be seen to bebelieved. They can also be viewed on

our website. I know it’s hard to raisemoney these days and that a lot ofpeople haven’t got it, but a qualitytruck at the right price could be a greatinvestment for any business. We’re abit further across the border thansome other dealers but it’s well worthmaking the extra journey. The lorriesare clean and in great nick and everycustomer who makes the effort ismore than happy.

“We have been in the transportbusiness for years and we use the

vehicles ourselves. We wouldn’t wantany rough stuff around the yard. Wedo all our own servicing and all thelorries are certified and are 100% safewhen leaving here.”

And what about the future? “We have

been doing this for 40 years and will

continue to do so. We work around the

demand at any given time. At the

moment, there’s huge demand for

vans and that’s one of the areas we’re

focusing on.”


www.pippen.co.uk0779 3564 954

Pippen McGrathOwner/Artist

AIRBRUSH ARTPLASTIC WELDING

Continued Best Wishes ToSCOTTS OF ANTRIM

0779 3564 954 www.pippen.co.uk

[email protected]

CLASSIFIED


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Cork: Ballincolly, Dublin Hill, CorkTelephone: (021) 4301742

Dublin: Unit 3B Red Cow Business Park,Ballymount Rd., Dublin 22. Tel: (01) 4640255

Belfast: Unit F, 9 Michelin Rd., Mullusk, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT36 4PTMobile: 0791 2631524 www.hipower.ie

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