Air Freight and groupage specialists October 2000

Fynes Transport Services was launched eight years ago. The company has navigated a successful upward flight path ever since. Derek Fynes, Managing Director of the Santry based air freight and groupage specialists took time out to speak with John Loughran.

Derek Fynes took the first first tentative steps on the road to running his own successful business eight years ago when he bought a Hiace van and began working for Securicor as an owner driver on their next day delivery service. That was light years ago.

Everywhere and Anywhere
By his own admission he “went everywhere and anywhere” wherever the work took him as he began to establish a reputation for reliability and quality of service. After three years working for Securicor on their next day delivery service he took the “plunge” and began to work for their same day despatch courier service. It proved to be a key decision for the affable Dubliner.
“We went from there really, we began to add extra vans and trucks and taking on extra staff as we got extra work.” Derek explained. The company now include a full time staff of 10 including Derek’s wife Debbie, who looks after accounts and administration.

At present the fleet contains four vans, 3 rigids and 4 articulated lorries and numerous trailers. He operates an over night line haul service for Securicor on the Dublin to Cork route which ties up one of his articulated lorries and a trailer, collecting parcels at the Dublin depot and delivering them to depot in Cork.

Big Break
Derek’s next big break came when he secured a contract with Federal Express, the world renowned air freight carrier. He has four vans with the company on a full time basis and carry the Federal Express corporate log. They operate a same day delivery and collection service in the Dublin area. One of his articulated lorries is also employed with Federal Express providing a same day nationwide delivery service. As with all his customers Derek has built up an excellent working relationship with Federal Express.

Three years ago Derek garnered a contract with a young up and coming airfreight company called C.M.C. based at Dublin airport. The knowledge he had gained with Federal Express stood him in good stead and helped to secure the contract. One of his articulated lorries is based full time with this progressive company and provides a nationwide groupage service for them.

Continued Growth
Having secured contracts with Securicor, Federal Expresss and C..M.C., Derek is confident that the business will continue to grow. “ I expect the business to double by this time next year, there is a lot of room for growth with Securicor, Federal Express and C.M.C.”. He added. At the time of writing Derek had just returned from the U.K. having bought a 1995 Mercedes 1834 tractor unit. This new addition to the fleet will allow for further expansion.

Air freight accounts for about 50% of his business. and ideally Derek would like to expand in this area. He has invested in a number of trailers and rigids fitted with “roller bed floors” which are specifically designed to deal with air freight “igloos” and he is anxious to capitalise on this investment. Derek predicts that 70% of his turnover will come from air freight in the future.

Automated Systems
“ It is where I want to go. All the Airport cargo handling systems are automated. The freight igloo goes directly off the plane, through the cargo terminal and eventually on to the truck for delivery ( without the use of forktrucks). The “roller beds” fit in with these systems and therefore you can command a higher rate. Generally air freight rates are that bit better”. Derek enthused.

He is continually on the look out for new business opportunities and he believes in knocking on doors to drum up business. “If you go in and tell somebody what you can do and what vehicles you can offer, you are in with a good chance. You have to be ready to go. There is no point in saying if I do this or I do that. You have to be ready to move”.

Celtic Tiger
He explained that his order books were full at present. “We are very busy at the moment, at a time when you would expect to be quiet. With factories closing for holidays and so on on this is normally a quiet time. I put it down to the Celtic Tiger”.
On the issue of stagnant rates Derek’s experience echoes most hauliers. “ Air freight rates are increasing but general mileage rates are poor. Overall the picture is slowly starting to come round”.

Derek’s experience of recruiting young drivers goes very much against the industry norm. He is not deterred by taking on young drivers and his is willing to pay the additional insurance premium for the right candidate. “I have taken on a couple of rookies who had just got their tests . If you get them in time and train them properly you can turn them into good artic drivers. I’ll pay the extra on the insurance. I see it as an investment”. He added that young drivers are keen to learn the trade and it is best to employ them before they pick up bad habits.

From humble beginnings in his Hiace van, Derek now has a thriving business which is on the up and up. He is hoping the Celtic Tiger still has plenty of air in his lungs.