Unlimited experience

Millions of movements of different food items every day keep this country nourished and energised. Cue, Denis J. Downey Ltd. Irish Trucker speaks to the company’s John Downey.

Transport costs are of huge significance to the haulage industry so when the IRHA recently called for the complete mobilisation of its members in protest at the escalating costs of diesel, the team at Denis J. Downey in County Cork weren’t long about getting on the road - literally.

To keep up with the posse internationally, those engaged in the haulage/transport industry must be afforded the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

In this respect, the present high cost of fuel in Ireland is impinging on the ability of hauliers nationwide to compete on level terms for business in what is an ultra-competitive field. John Downey, Operations Manager of Denis J. Downey Ltd, was only too willing to join in last October’s truckers’ protest:

“As a medium-sized company whose rising overheads have eaten into our profits more and more each year, we have been particularly crucified by the expense we’ve suffered with regard to fuel costs.

“We gladly took part in the protest which was held in Cork and we were very happy to see that the protest was well supported there and, indeed, all around the country,” John explains.

Grandson of the company founder, Peter Downey, John is very much a hands-on manager at the family-run firm.

Long History
Family-owned and managed, Denis J. Downey Ltd operates from a seven acre site at Donoughmore, Co. Cork and provides top specification food grade warehousing, open storage and both domestic and international transport services.

All things considered though, it’s difficult to see the Donoughmore-based company being bled dry by the albeit thorn in their side that is the high cost of fuel. The company has, after all, weathered many storms and crossed several hurdles over the course of its 70 year-plus history.

Established in 1929 by Peter Downey - father of the current managing director, Denis Downey - the company initially concentrated its efforts on providing a top-class haulage service to local concerns.

Like many another success story, the genesis of Denis J. Downey Ltd has its roots in humble beginnings. Hauling milk from creamery to creamery for the Ballyclough Co-op formed the core of its business during the company’s embryonic years. Significantly, Denis J. Downey still boasts Dairygold - Ballyclough’s successor - as one of its prized customers.

Regulations
“We’re proud of the fact that quite a number of the customers we did business with originally are still trading with us.
“Business is tough but it is a great help when you can establish the sort of track record which encourages valued customers to stick with you through thick and thin. Customer loyalty is very important to us as is repeat custom,” adds John, son of M.D. Denis.

Time has moved on though from the days of Ballyclough Co-op and, of course, regulations have changed - particularly in regard to those operating in the food industry - and standards have had to improve to meet the needs and requirements of discerning, demanding customers.

Denis J. Downey Ltd. hasn’t been found wanting in keeping up with the changing times. For instance, the company has always strived to uphold the highest standards in all respects and, in this regard, it was a source of great pride to everyone at the company when, in January 1994, it was awarded an ISO9002 certificate.

Quality
“We have always provided an excellent service and this has involved ensuring that the customers’ products arrive in perfect condition at their destination, on time and safely.

“The company places great emphasis on having in place all the equipment - such as taut liners - necessary to ensure that we can provide the sort of quality service that we are renowned for.

“Custom is hard-won but we’re doing okay. Providing a quality service is essential though if we want to continue to retain that custom to the same degree we have been doing all over the years.”

To John and the rest of the 24-strong crew at Denis J. Downey, the maintenance of high standards is everything. In specific terms, they know that in the food business, cleanliness is paramount and, as such, the company trucks - resplendent in their yellow and white livery - are washed on a weekly basis during the summer and every second day during the winter.

Conscious of the need to consolidate its premier position in the market and to cater for the growing volume of goods stored on site, the company’s management decided to greatly increase its warehousing space 18 months ago.

A purpose-built structure located on the company’s existing site at Donoughmore, the new 25,000 sq ft warehouse, has helped relieve the Denis J. Downey’s dependency on other companies’ warehousing capacity while also allowing the firm to enhance its ability to store specialist food items such as milk powder which is made during the summer and delivered in winter.

Scanias and Volvos
By adhering to very high standards and by its total commitment to customers it values, Denis J. Downey Ltd has seen its business mushroom over the years.

The growth in the size of its fleet is testimony to its success in giving the customer what he wants, when he wants it . . .and in mint condition. From three trucks back in the 50s, the company has seen its fleet grow to 11, comprising of Scanias and Volvos.

Considering that the company is now engaged in work nationally i.e. right throughout the 32 counties, and further afield in Holland, France and Germany (to name but a few EU countries), it’s no wonder that the firm has found it necessary to add new trucks to its stable.

“We feel it is essential that our trucks are looking their best at all times. Image is very important in the transport industry and having a dirty truck is not something which sits easily with the food industry.

“It is crucial too that we invest on an ongoing basis in new and modern trucks and trailers and so we make sure that new vehicles are added to the stock on a regular basis,” John informs us.

Significantly, all trucks are fitted with GSM mobile phones so as to ensure that all the company’s vehicles are contactable at all times. In addition, all loads delivered by Denis J. Downey Ltd are driver-accompanied.

In providing a compre-hensive transport, warehousing and logistics service, Denis J. Downe y Ltd has a lot going for itself. The twin ravages of fuel costs and poor roads does tend to bedevil the best efforts of the firm to make things as profitable as possible.

“With a bit of luck, the forthcoming Government budget will address these issues plus the overall high level of taxes which haulage companies have to endure. It’s time we got a break,” John concludes.
Watch this space!