Caulfield is king in white goods distribution

Caulfield Transport Ltd., specialise in the distribution of white and brown goods in Cork, Kerry and Waterford. Established by husband and wife Fintan and Mary Caulfield, the company’s client list reads like a who’s who in domestic appliances. Fintan spoke with John Loughran.

Fintan has more than a decade of experience in the haulage industry. He became involved in the distribution of white goods in 1995. It is a decision he has never regretted. “We were always dabbling in it. We found it was the niche we wanted to go after. We started distributing white goods in 1995. Now we distribute 95% of the white goods in Cork, Kerry and Waterford. We work for the Electrolux Group, E.D.I., Beaver Distribution, Whirlpool, E.S.B., Dimpco, Shomar, Tefal, Siemens, and McManus Distribution,” Fintan enthused.

He explained how the company got started in white and brown goods distribution. “We got a good name out of doing house calls for the ESB. If you buy a washing machine from the ESB in Cork, Kerry or Waterford, we deliver it. That contract proved to be a stepping stone for us.” Securing a contract with the Electrolux Group proved to be another important landmark.

He explained the day to day logistics of running the business in what is now a 24 hour operation. “We trunk out of Dublin from the customers’ warehouses every day. The trucks get back here in the evening. All the deliveries are split up into Cork, Kerry and Waterford. They are then re-loaded on smaller trucks and the lads head off at 8.00am the next morning on their routes.”

Fintan was quick to see the benefits of specialising in this particular niche. “Before we came on the scene, there was a lot of damages and breakages because the white and brown goods were being carried with other freight. “I was the one who put my neck on the line and went out and bought specialised trucks and trailers. One of my rigids can carry 128 dryers. An ordinary 40 foot container can’t carry much more. We got the bodies especially built to carry three fridges high. We built them to our specifications when we started buying new trucks in 1997. We put in extra cargo rails to tie down the freight.”

Weight is not a determining factor because of the nature of the product. The specially adapted trailers allows the company to carry a bigger pay load which has a positive impact on profitability. “The trailers give us more volume which makes the work pay better. Weight is not a big factor. We would only be grossing eight or ten tonne on a run from Dublin,” Fintan explained.
It didn’t take long for the white goods industry to realise that Caulfield Transport were offering a viable and unique service. “Word got out that the company was carrying nothing only white goods and the other domestic appliance customers came on stream as a result. We were offering a service that nobody else was doing,” Fintan revealed.

The company’s success to date has been built on offering the customer a high level of service, utilising modern and specialised equipment and on the company’s pleasant and efficient staff. “I must say were are lucky that we have such a good staff. They put us where we are today. The same drivers go out on the same routes every day. They have a good relationship with all the shops on their routes, which is very important,” Fintan explained.

Business is booming for the affable haulier and earlier this year the company moved into a new 22,000 square feet office and warehousing facility at South Ring West Business Park, Tramore Road, Cork. The move will allow the business to grow even further. “We started growing in 1997. The business has grown considerably since then.

Setember, October and November would be our busiest time. The summer months would be our quiet time. However, the business is continually growing,” he added.

As business grew so to did the fleet and the company now runs 14 vehicles including artics and rigids. Fintan explained that it is company policy to replace the rigids every four years and the artics a year later.

Repairs and maintenance is carried out “in house” by the company mechanic. Fintan explained most of the work is carried out a night to avoid unnecessary down time. Pat O’Rordan who is responsible for routing, Fintan’s wife Colette who manages the accounts Norma Houlihan and Padraig Caulfield are other key members of the 20 strong staff.

Nowadays Fintan spends most of his time in the office keeping a watchful eye on proceedings. However, he readily admits that he still has the occasional hankering to get out on the road. “Sometimes it is good to get out on the road and away from the phones.”