Stephen Nolan Transport

Stephen Nolan Transport has been involved in hire for reward haulage since 1963. Established by his late father Stephen, James Nolan carries on the proud family tradition. He spoke with John Loughran.

James Nolan has spent almost 20 years in hire for reward haulage. It that time he has seen many changes in the industry. With a fleet of 27 articulated lorries and 104 trailers, business is very brisk for the container specialist company. However, there is a huge difference between being busy and making a decent return on investment as James explained. “We are extremely busy, but we are making no money. Its a combination of things really - the traffic in Dublin port, traffic in Dublin, diesel prices going through the roof and the escalating costs of drivers’ wages are the main reasons.”

Rate Increase
Based at Bond Road Extension in Dublin Port, James explained that rate increases were not keeping pace with increased overheads and added that hauliers were largely responsible for the state of the industry. “If we were getting 4% or 5% every year we wouldn’t be looking for big jumps of 20% now. The whole industry has a lot to answer for where rates are concerned.”

Spiralling Costs
James will be forced to put up his rates before the end of the year because of spiralling costs. “I’ll be putting up the price of my haulage before long. If they don’t want to pay the haulage, fair enough. They can moan about inflation and transport costs are going through the roof, but for me to exist for the next 30 years as I have done for the last 30, something has to be done. We are an old established firm. If it lasts any longer we won’t be in the business. Thats how tight it is.”

Scaling Down
He would consider scaling down his operation rather running some of the trucks at a loss. “If people pay me proper money, I’ll stay working for them. They’ll either pay the price or they don’t. Some of the shipping companies have put up the rates by 20% but it still isn’t enough”.

He explained that the situation is being exacerbated by the poor access to and from Dublin port and by worsening gridlock in the capital. “Our biggest problem is getting in and out of Dublin port. That last mile or two is our biggest problem. It could take us an hour to get from Heuston station to the port. We have one way in and one way out.”

Longer Opening Hours
He pointed out that longer opening hours at the port would hugely facilitate hauliers and would allow them to operate at off peak traffic times. He explained that in the vast majority of cases, business at the port was conducted between 8.00am and 6.00pm. Operating during these hours Nolan’s would be lucky to average two or three loads per truck per day. That is in stark contrast to years ago when they could deliver twice that amount. Hauliers are in discussions with the various parties at the port and it is hoped that extended opening times will become a reality sooner rather than later.

He is looking forward to the day that the Dublin port tunnel finally gets underway but in the short term he is looking to extended opening hours at the port to give the business a boost. 24 hour opening at the port would represent a dream come true for the affable haulier as he explained, “We could cut our trailer requirements in half, and you can imagine the difference that would make to our business. We could haul the containers out of the city at off peak travel times, which would increase the productivity and efficiency of our fleet.”

Quality Drivers
The recruitment of quality drivers also poses headaches for the long established company. James uses word of mouth to get “good drivers” but admitted they were scarce on the ground. He was fullsome in his praise for his existing crew and said they were all “top class lads”.

Sad Loss
He lost one of his most experienced drivers earlier in the year in tragic circumstances. Martin Doherty died at the wheel of his truck when he suffered a heart attack. “He was a very hard working and loyal man and we all miss him very much” James added. Another driver William Moore recently underwent serious surgery and James wished him a full and speedy recovery.

Oldest Driver
The company’s oldest employee is ever green Tom Mc Assay (75). James enthused “He drives an old ‘92 Hino. He doesn’t want a new truck. We get young lads coming in here looking new Iveco 420’s and every thing. He does more work than any of them.”

James has ongoing contracts with Mearsk, Andrew Weir (Ire), Container Ships, Irish Rail, Derek Horner Agencies, Jenkinson Shipping, Hapag Lloyd and recently completed an eight month contract with Bord Gais hauling gas pipes from Drogheda to the capital. The contract also included hauling the pipes to London and Edinburgh and back where they underwent specialist welding.

James like many other hauliers is fast becoming disillusioned with the business and will readily admit that the company has had happier and more profitable years. Better access to and from Dublin port, extended opening hours, and rate increases and a fall in fuel prices will be needed to lift this air of pessimism.