The World’s leading manufacturer/supplier of commercial vehicle refinishes
A Global force in commercial vehicles. Sikkens is a truly global brand. It has been leading the world of commercial vehicle and car refinishes for over 25 years and has helped make Akzo Nobel the world’s largest paint manufacturer.

Ascon you’ll receive
One of the most difficult and challenging areas of haulage is that of abnormal loads. Ascon is providing its own solution.
Ascon is Ireland’s largest civil engineering company. Because of the nature of its day-to-day operations, Ascon has had to become particularly proficient in the transportation of abnormal loads. The company has developed a specialist fleet to safely carry the oversized and awkward type of cargo/machinery associated with the construction industry.

A company with the x factor... and much more besides
Irish Trucker travelled to Ballymoney in a vain attempt to identify the secret ingredient that keeps R Barkley & Sons ahead of the chasing pack.

Moving with the times
Beamish & Crawford doesn't have an actual fleet of its own. But Distribution Manager Andrew O'Neill runs a tight ship, contracting out all the company's transport/distribution and ensuring that the pristine Beamish & Crawford image is reflected through a trusty team of sub contractors.

The Bin people
When Martin Sheehan established Mr. Bin Man in 1993, he did so with two second hand trucks and no customers. The Co. Limerick based waste disposal company has gone from strength to strength in the intervening years. The affable M.D. spoke with Irish Trucker. Based at Luddenmore Grange, five miles from Limerick City and with a sub office at John’s Square, Limerick the company can now boast an impressive customer base of 26,000 domestic and 1,500 commercial customers.

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.

It’s all about attitude
Michael Brannigan of Brannigans Warehousing and Distribution in Kilkenny is proof positive that with application, hard work and determination a business can thrive in spite of unfavourable factors.While conditions within the haulage sector are far from ideal at the moment, Michael Brannigan is overcoming the problems posed by running a tight ship. Brannigans Warehousing and Distribution in Kilkenny is an efficiently run business which continues to go from strength to strength.

Moving around the world
Shortly after the end of the First World War, Beverly Smyth & Sons, International Removals and Storage celebrated their 75th anniversary. A further 80 years later and this incredible entity is still growing. Niall Doris, CEO, gave us an insight.

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.

A cool, clean hero
CS Refrigeration Limited is one of the most renowned companies involved in this country’s transport refrigeration business yet Christy Swanick and his team are determined to consolidate even further the success they’ve achieved to date.

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.

A simple answer for the staffing crisis
Staff shortage getting you down? Contact Dalmac Language & Recruitment today. That the economy is performing well is old news now. What a lot of people aren’t aware of is that the Celtic Tiger would be roaring even more ferociously were it not for the crippling effects of both skilled and unskilled staff shortages.

Delivering on time, every time
D. Curran and Sons Ltd., was established in 1979 by husband and wife Dick and Denise Curran. From humble beginnings the company has grown and developed into a specialised transport, storage and distribution provider. Dick took time out from his busy schedule to speak to Irish Trucker.

Deliverance has been granted
Jim Rabbitt was the man who established Deliverance Ltd. 15 years ago. Had he seen the epic John Boorman survival film of the same name? The one with Burt Reynolds, John Voight, Ned Beatty and a couple of gay mountain men in it? Did the ‘squeal-like-a-pig’ scene live in his memory as it did in many others? Did he name his company after that unforgettable flick? I was sure he must have. I was surprised, therefore, to hear: “Actually, I hadn’t seen the film and I wasn’t even aware of it at the time - but a lot of people have asked me that question.”

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.

Opening up the east of Ireland
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Frank Fahey T.D., launched a new container shipping service from Drogheda Port to Rotterdam in early November.

‘Excellence through people award’ for Dublin Corporation
Effective training benefits everybody in an organisation. Greater production and profitability, improved team spirit and an increase in customer satisfaction are some of the obvious benefits which quality training programmes can bring to a business.
For training to be truly effective however, it needs to address the individual needs of employees as well as the overall objectives of the organisation involved. It must also be carried out in a planned, professional and systematic manner.

Straining at the leash
These may be busy times for hauliers countrywide but competition among the sector has never been as intense. Little wonder then that a combination of hard work and diligence is the name of the game down Banbridge way as Brendan Strain of Eagle Overseas in Co. Down informs us.

Eircom's logistics' operations
In a market of change Central Warehouse Manager, Michael Linnie talks of the tasks on hand at Eircom’s Clondalkin location.

De-centralising a transport operation
Pat Loughlin is Head Of Transport with Eircom and has responsibility for the largest fleet of vehicles in the country. Last year the company de-centralised the transport operation to a transport shared service centre in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Pat spoke about the move, and gave Irish Trucker an overview of operations.

A touch of Italian flair
Euro-Med Ireland Logistics Ltd., was established in December 1999 to operate a car distribution terminal in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork from where it imports and distributes Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars throughout Ireland. Transportation manager John Forde reviewed the company’s first year in business.

Planning for the future
Flancare, the Clonmel based warehousing and distribution company recently commenced construction of a 150,000 square feet facility in Longford Town. The development of this facility, which is part of Flancare’s five year strategic plan will have a significant effect on the commercial life of the town.

Nic(h)e one Tom
Tom Grealy has been in general haulage for more than 20 years. Based in Clarenbridge in Co. Galway, the affable haulier took time out from his busy schedule to speak to Irish Trucker.

When small can be beautiful
Gregory Transport Ltd., based in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, was established in 1993. Running a fleet of just four trucks and eight trailers, the company has proved that small can be beautiful in today’s ultra competitive transport sector. Co-founder Brendan Gregory spoke to Irish Trucker. .It was no surprise when Brendan and wife Tracey established Gregory Transport Ltd., eight years ago. It was in the blood - Brendan’s father had been a driver before him. Brendan revealed: “my father always drove trucks so I got it from there. I drove for a number of firms in the area. I got fed up working for others so I went out on my own. It was something I always wanted to do.”

A novel addition
The phrase ‘Jack-in-the-Box’ conjures up all sorts of images. Surprise packages, shock presentations, all kinds of novelties. Meanwhile, the company Jak-A-Box (Demountable Systems) has a novel piece of machinery in store for discerning customers too as Irish Trucker discovers.

Dedication, application and honesty
Killybegs Transport has come a long way in fifteen years. A long, successful future seems assured too.From modest beginnings, Paddy Diver and Frank O’Donnell have used a combination of hard work, integrity, foresight, determination, dedication to excellence and complete application to each and every job to build a successful medium-sized haulage operation.

Vanfleet goes for Kogel
When Tom Fitzsimons of Vanfleet went into the market last year for twelve new customised trailers, he could have gone to anybody. But he chose Kogel Ireland.

At the interface
Network Airline Services (NAS) are a Cargo General Sales agent based in Shannon Airport, NAS handle for a number of airlines including Delta Air Lines, DAS Air, Avianca, Yemenia, Air Gabon, Sudan Airways, Oman Air and will soon represent Thai Airways. We spoke with NAS sales manager in Ireland, Barbara Jordan.Based at Shannon Airport with sales representation in Dublin, NAS is a small but dynamic GSA. NAS acts as an interface between Airlines and Freight Forwarders. The function of the GSA is to take cargo reservations, provide post flight information, negotiate rates/transits etc and provide professional customer service to both airlines and freight forwarders.

Multi-agency checkpoints on the way
Inspector Con O’Donohue, of the National Traffic Bureau has warned transport operators that multi-agency checkpoints will be commonplace on Irish roads in 2001.

Distributing Pat’s bread
When dealing with perishable goods a fast, effective and efficient distribution system is of paramount importance. From its headquarters in Granard, Co. Longford, Pat The Baker, distributes fresh bread daily throughout the country. Transport Manager, Liam Macken described the distribution process to Irish Trucker.

Egging them on
Piggott Eggs operates a sizeable fleet in a very specialist corner of the haulage sector. Irish Trucker traces the Co. Galway-based company’s success story.

First port of call
The team at Portwest understand the value of hard work. In building up a successful pedigree in the cut and thrust of the safety wear market, all concerned have proven that they can identify with the sort of graft and work ethic which makes for a success story in a hugely competitive industry.

Your business is our business
PTL provides specific logistics, warehousing and distribution solutions.

The car transporters
Prior to the establishment of Rice’s Car Transport in1968, new cars were driven from the port of entry to the dealership. The company founded by Dick Rice and his brother in law Jim Boland broke the mould. Current Transport Manager Richard Rice spoke to Irish Trucker.

Road safety is an election issue
The bloody slaughter continued unabated on our roads in 2000 with 413 people losing their lives in fatal traffic accidents. Countless more were injured and maimed. With the exception of a few high profile accidents these tragedies largely went unnoticed by the general motoring public. However, behind every statistic there lies a tale of tragedy that only the families and friends of the victim can fully understand. It is time to stop the slaughter.

More choice, more value
A business arrangement which has been ongoing for many years between Tullamore-based plant and machinery merchant Joe Sheridan and Korean motor manufacturer Daewoo was officially cemented in February last. As a result, the consumer is in line for a better deal. Want to know more? Read on.

Fifty not out!
The family-run firm of L.W. Surphlis & Son has been affording a top class service to the farming and building industry sectors in Northern Ireland now for over 50 years and is still going strong. Irish Trucker speaks to the firm’s Colin Surphlis about the history of the company and its current state of health.Like many ambitious, progressive businesses, the firm of L.W. Surphlis & Son has come a long way since its humble beginnings when things manual, laboursome and costly hampered day-to-day progress for a small, family-run enterprise.

Servicing the "blue chips"
T.D.G. Contract Logistics is pan European organisation servicing the logistics requirements of major “blue chip” customers across the Continent. Globally, the company has a turnover of £470 million per annum, employs 7,500 staff and has a fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles. Paul O’Donnell, Operations Director gave an overview of Irish operations.

Strong as an ox
T.L.T. Logistics was formed in January last year to act as the distribution arm of T.L.T (International) Ltd., who specialise in the export of live Bovine, Ovine and Swine, Paolo Garavelli took time out from his busy schedule to speak with Irish Trucker.

Doing the rounds
The cost of tyre purchase, repair and maintenance represents a significant overhead to the transport operator. Industry analysts have estimated that tyre prices have soared by between 3% and 6% as a result of a weak euro and spiralling oil prices in the last six months alone. However price isn’t the determining factor in the buying decision. We spoke to a number of leading tyre retailers around the country and discovered that quality products and level of service are equally important.

Communication kings
Established five years ago, Hugo International Ireland Ltd. trading as Universal Radio and Data Communications are experts in the field of data communications. Based at St. Margarets in Co. Dublin the company offers a range of products ideally suited for the transport operator. Projects Development Manager, John Carey, spoke with Irish Trucker.

Around the world
DHL Worldwide Express is a world renowned international express air freight carrier. Ground Distribution Manager at Dublin Airport, Stephen Rowe gave John Loughran an overview of the company’s operations in Ireland.