Cullen the competition

Those operating in the haulage industry in this country have their problems but unlike their counterparts in France, they are generally happy with their lot. Stephen Cullen is pretty content with his lot.

Professionalism is no longer an added-on ingredient within the haulage industry - it is simply an integral part of what keeps those go-ahead firms ahead of the posse.

Where once slip-shod scheduling and erratic deliveries were the norm among a large percentage of Ireland’s hauliers, quality service and ultra-professional standards are now the norm.

Stephen Cullen of Stephen Cullen Transport has been in the game long enough to appreciate the changed times within the haulage industry. He has been more than happy to go with the flow over the years.

“Not so long ago, the industry suffered from a massive image problem what with cowboy operators and poor standards all-round.

“Things have changed greatly over the last five years or so. So much more competition has developed, new regulations have come in and those things combined with more enlightened attitudes from hauliers generally has meant that standards have risen right across the board.

“We are now operating in an industry which has a lot credibility about it and is given a lot more respect by other sectors of industry and government. And that’s only right.”

HIGHEST STANDARDS
Stephen established his Dublin-based company some 15 years ago and from a standing start, he has steered a fledgling, rookie firm to calmer, more profitable waters.

In the early, embryonic days of the company, Stephen Cullen Transport - like so many of its competitors - had to make do with ‘oftimes paltry rates and niggling cash flow problems.
However, in double-quick time, the Cullen-led operation got on its feet and built up a haughty reputation for professionalism, reliability and punctuality.

Any particular secret though behind the success of the company?
“There’s no big secret. In our game, only the fittest, leanest companies survive and we’ve had to work very hard to keep at least on a par with all the rest of the competition.

“We have learned that customers won’t tolerate sloppy work from us or anyone else in the business. They (customers) demand the very highest standards and we are committed to providing them with a top quality service at competitive rates.
“There is a lot more competition in the marketplace than there used to be but it has worked to our advantage because we have had to work harder and harder at achieving a consistently high level of service.

“We have, in turn, been able to give our drivers a better rate because of the added volume of business we have been able to attract,” Stephen enthuses.

GENERAL HAULAGE
Yes, indeed, you’ve got to take your hat off to the crew at Stephen Cullen Transport. The general haulage company has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1985.

Located at 44a Moyle Road, Glasnevin Industrial Estate, Dublin and specialising in delivering electronic control panels with high ab chucks or crane chucks, Stephen Cullen Transport is also favoured with business from companies dealing in steel, timber and printing material throughout the 32 Counties.

With half-yearly financial reports already well done and dusted, Stephen and the team are well satisfied with the way things continue to pan out.

“Thankfully business is excellent; probably the best we’ve experienced since we started out. Hopefully, things will continue to go well for us and if we continue to work hard at doing the things we do well, I’m confident we’ll be okay.

“There’s more work around but we probably have to work even harder to maintain our profit levels because margins have gotten smaller over the years, mainly because rates haven’t improved at all for a long time.

“Fortunately, hauliers who try to undercut the rest of us aren’t as prevalent now. Fewer and fewer hauliers are prepared to do work just to cover their costs.

“In this respect, it’s only fair to give some credit to the IRHA, and to the Gardai for their work in clamping down on hauliers who haven’t their insurance or tax in order. Also individual hauliers have played their part by working hard at raising their own standards.”

A company which is constantly seeking to enhance its own level of service, Stephen Cullen Transport achieved the ISO 9002 standard over six years ago which greatly helped streamline its own internal documentation processes.
The company does, of course, place great truck on seeing that its members of staff are particularly well tutored in seeking to fulfill the company’s mission statement.
In this regard, staff members take part in advanced training courses such as weight handling and customer care.

WINNING FORMULA
“The days of a driver simply turning up and getting into the cab of a lorry are gone.
“Drivers have to be au fait with what’s required by the company, while also being familiar with the various regulations as laid down by the government and the EU and all the new technology such as mobiles, two-way radios and so on that is now part and parcel of the haulage industry,” Stephen adds.

“The industry has evolved over the years and so has the type of business we’ve been handling. We may not be engaging in quite the same volume of work as in previous years but we’re dealing with a better class of customer and we’re working with a better standard and more appropriate type of fleet.

“The outlook is pretty good, as far as we’re concerned. We will strive to maintain our level of efficiency though. Becoming complacent is not on the cards,” Derek concludes.