Moving into a niche market

Boherduff Truck Bodies Ltd., based at Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow began trading in mid October. Managing Director Eddie Nolan and Financial Controller Majella Browne were happy to report that business is booming.

Construction
Eddie Nolan started out in construction more than 30 years ago working in the domestic market. Quality work soon became his trade mark, and the business began to expand. Ever the entrepreneur, he always had an eye to the future and was always on the look out for the opportunity to diversify.

The company branched into the construction of agricultural and industrial buildings and once again developed a reputation for quality workmanship. One of the key materials in agricultural and industrial buildings is fabricated steel. The hard working M.D., was acutely aware of this fact and made the decision to set a company specialising in structural steel fabrication.

Side By Side
He has successfully run the two businesses, Boherduff Construction and Boherduff Engineering side by side for many years. The construction company now works predominantly the industrial market place while maintaining a presence in the agricultural market. The engineering company produces structural steel to a very high quality to order.

The affable Carlow businessman recognised the similarities in structural steel fabrication and truck body building. In fact the move into truck body building was a natural progression. “There is very little difference between structural steel fabrication and steel body building. The skills required and the equipment needed are very similar. We did the research and we knew there was a market there.”

Research
Eddie had been working on the idea for a year before his efforts bore fruit. “He came up with the idea last Christmas (1999). We did a lot of research on it and we discovered that there was a shortage of body builders nationwide.” Majela revealed.
Once he decided to go ahead with the venture he never looked back. He set about the task with confidence and a single minded will to succeed. “We needed to purchase additional equipment. We needed to take on extra staff and we were fortunate to recruit workers with experience in this area. We also had to adapt our premises here.”

Initial Orders
The company had no problems securing initial orders, in fact the reverse was the case. Truck retailers were willing to give Boherduff Truck Bodies Ltd., an initial order for one body. On the strength of the finished product subsequent orders flooded in. “There is a huge demand for body builders and we have an excellent sales representative working for us with years of experience in the business so getting orders wasn’t a problem. Once we built the first body it took off from there,” he explained.

Steel bodies (predominantly for eight wheelers) is just the first step along the road for the company. Eddie has plans to diversify further into trailer manufacture and already has to the equipment and expertise in place to do so. Further modifications to the premises at Bagenalstown, will be required but Eddie explained “we have the land here and we have the plans in place to go ahead.”

Export Market
Boherduff Truck Bodies Ltd., has targeted both the home and the export market for its trailers which will be built to order in steel or aluminium. A number of trailer retailers have already expressed an interest in placing orders with the company once the facility is up and running, Majella explained.

“The orders are there. Our sales representative has been in the business for many years and has a world of contacts. He is well known in the business. Getting the work won’t be a problem,” Eddie explained.

Quality Workmanship
Since the early days, quality workmanship has always been the cornerstone of the company’s success. This permeates right through the construction, engineering and most recently the truck body building company.

In the recent past Boherduff Construction and Boherduff Engineering completed a 24,000 square feet project at the new Arboretum Garden Centre in Leighlinbridge and are currently working on a project at Leinster Marts in Carlow. Projects of this magnitude require an abundance of dedication and technical expertise. Without doubt the team will bring the same level of dedication and expertise to Boherduff Truck Bodies Ltd..

Boherduff Truck Bodies Ltd., might very well be a new name in the truck body and trailer manufacture market but early indications suggest that the have the pedigree and expertise to carve out a profitable niche for themselves. Watch this space !