Sharp minds, strong bodies

Since its genesis in 1999, Jimmy Kelly Truck & Trailer Bodies Ltd. has blossomed into a phenomenal success story. Maintaining a strict adherence to excellence and a dictum of moving ahead of the times rather than with them, the Kildare-based bodybuilder continues to go from strength to strength.

Dedicated to excellence (l/r): Tom Byrne, Merril Kelly, Jimmy Kelly, Neil Duane, Paul Kelly

With the imminent launch of its latest innovation - an ingenious demountable system - the company continues to provide a service that is genuinely second to none.

Spotting a niche in the bodybuilding market, Jimmy Kelly took the decision to go out on his own four years ago. The result was Jimmy Kelly Truck & Trailer Bodies Ltd, a wholly independent concern.

Boasting a thorough knowledge of the bodybuilding craft, Jimmy was nothing if not determined to make a go of the company, which was just as well, seeing as he had to start out literally from scratch with no outside help whatsoever, (the beginnings defined humble.) All Jimmy had was a brain laden with in-depth knowledge and exceptional ideas (the company founder boasts a keen perception of the growing needs of hauliers), a skeletal staff, and a shed on O'Brien Road in Carlow.

Reflecting on those early days for the thriving commercial bodybuilder, Financial Controller Neil Duane notes: "Jimmy worked for a company in Castledermot prior to 1999 and has been in the truck and trailer body manufacturing business since 1970. However, he decided to go out on his own in ‘99.

The ultra talented and dependable Jimmy Kelly workforce

He set up a small workshop from a shed in Carlow and from there the company has taken off, mainly as a result of hard graft, application and determination."
The workload and capacity increased rapidly as demand for Jimmy's unique style of bodybuilding increased. One of the strengths of the company was that bespoke bodies could be designed and built to exact customer specifications.

Accordingly, the attention to detail was absolute.Setting out to meet the individual needs of all customers, the company quickly established a growing reputation for quality and demand for its products went through the roof. The need for additional space (Remember, we're talking about trailers of up to 45-ft here!) was such that a decision was taken to relocate to Castledermot in May 2002. Jimmy Kelly Truck & Trailer Bodies has never looked back!

The company builds a full range of bodies, including literally everything from articulated tipping trailers to bodies for rigid trucks, excepting horseboxes and agricultural work (which is referred to nearby Thorpe Trailers). Serving such a wide range of customers ensures that the team at Jimmy Kelly TTB is kept busy around the clock.

Jimmy Kelly can meet the individual needs of all customers

All orders are filled to exact requirements and to an exceptionally high level of workmanship. The finish on every trailer is tidy, neat and eye-catching. "It's an art form to Jimmy," Neil reveals. "Even though the performance is paramount, as much attention to detail goes into how the body looks.
Jimmy's bodies are renowned for their unique, attractive appearance as well as quality performance."

Jimmy Kelly not only mass-produces for larger customers but also meets the requirement of individual hauliers, depending on their exact need and the load being carried. The key is to provide a body that is as lightweight and flexible as possible without compromising performance or safety.
As Jimmy has been in the industry for 30 years, he is also in the ideal position to supply unrivalled expertise. To this end, he offers all customers a free advice service.

At present, 35 people are employed (as well as maybe another 20 indirectly), up to 30 of whom are active in the painstaking manufacturing process. It's a close-knit operation . various members of Jimmy's family are involved as well as many men who have been working alongside him for 25 years!

The key is to provide a body that is lightweight, flexible and non-compromising on quality

Jimmy Kelly Truck & Trailer Bodies prides itself on innovative thinking and has forged strong links with many of the industry's major manufacturers.
The company deploys a combination of materials to produce cost-effective and practical products to suit all loads - standard steel bodies, aluminium bodies, insulated tar bodies, lightweight hardox bodies, alloy articulated trailers etc.

Well aware of stringent legislative requirements governing the industry in relation to load weight, the company is dedicated to reducing the weight of its bodies to maximise payload - without compromising quality or performance!
Weight (or lack thereof!) is obviously a critical factor: "There are weight restrictions in place, so in order to maximise payload it's important to minimise the weight of the trailers to do this. We use a combination of heavy steel, lightweight hardox steel and aluminium."

Foreman Tom Byrne has been with the company since its inception. In his opinion, what is the secret of Jimmy Kelly's success? "Quality. The one thing Jimmy decided when he went out on his own was that he would do it once and do it right.

He didn't want anything coming back. Of course, this meant it took longer to get the whole thing up and running, but it has been worth it.
"We started with nothing, just a borrowed welder and some gas bottles. Jimmy quickly saw that weight was going to be a crucial issue, so he designed and launched a new body two years ago and the company has taken off on the strength of that.

With 30 plus years of experience, Jimmy Kelly inspects his new demountable system

He imported hardox to decrease the weight and the end product was every bit as dependable as any other trailer. Jimmy's design helps hauliers increase their payload, so we're onto a winner."

It's an innovative idea, from the mind of a true entrepreneur. Says Tom: "It's Jimmy's own design and he has developed it himself from start to finish. He has been doing this for over 30 years and has an insight into the industry and the needs of hauliers. If a customer comes in looking for ABC, Jimmy will be able to tell him straight away that what he actually needs is BCA! Depending on the line of work a customer is involved in, Jimmy will design the body that suits them best."

Jimmy Kelly leaves nothing to chance - he even uses his own custom-built jigs, which were constructed by his own team of engineers as a matter of priority shortly after the company was set up.
Tom continues: "The staff has been instrumental in our success. We pride ourselves on the quality of workers we employ and they are without doubt one of the reasons we have done so well. They're all vastly experienced and self-disciplined. They know exactly what has to be done each day and go about their tasks accordingly."

Financial Controller Neil Duane

Jimmy Kelly Truck & Trailer Bodies produces up to 15 units per week. Except for the aluminium bodies going to Dennison Trailers, the rest are contracted out for painting (Jimmy uses two different painting contractors).
Neil comments on the company’s burgeoning customer base. “We are very lucky at Kelly Truck & Trailer Bodies Ltd and we have been able to establish very good working relationships with our customers. A large amount of our sales are through dealerships and we realise that this relationship is beneficial in developing the best possible product for the end user.”

“Because of this we receive repeat business from dealerships such as the Harris Group, Dennisons and Jennings Truck Centre, in Tullamore Co Offaly. Other regular notable customers include Irish Commercials in Naas (Volvo), McCarthy Commercials in Cork (Volvo), McElvaney Motors in Dublin and Monaghan (Scania) and Westward Garages in Strokestown (Scania), Kilkenny Truck Centre (Hino), Clive Getting (Hino), Cawley Commercials (Scania dealer), McDonald Commercials (Volvo dealer), Dennehys of Cork and Dennehys of Limerick and Foulksrath Developments in Ballyragget. A lot of private trailer work is also carried out for smaller individuals. We look forward to strengthening these relationships in the future and would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their continuing business.”

Tom concludes: "Engineering and Power Tools Ltd have been very good to us when we started out and a lot of people looked out for us. We're now getting the rewards we deserve. Jimmy is extremely popular within the industry.
He's a very straight person to work with and that's why so many people are loyal to him. He treats his staff and customers alike - with nothing but the utmost respect."

Keeping on top of things in the office (l/r): Lindsay Kelly, Roseanna Slattery, Pauline Kelly

Working with Dennison has opened a slight gateway into the UK market . an avenue Jimmy Kelly may explore in the future. New product development is also an important part of future plans. Jimmy has just launched a new product - a demountable system for rigid trailers comprising a tipping body and a cement bottle. This is ingenious - instead of having to purchase two trucks, customers get one truck with two interchangeable bodies, with the chassis modified to accommodate both, thereby reducing capital cost significantly.

Another new product currently in R & D is the composite body, which Jimmy hopes to launch by February. Consisting of a lightweight hardox floor and aluminium sides, this will lead to a further increase in payload.
For this innovation, Jimmy is finalising a novel system that will join both metals together for the first time, offering a product that is both light and durable.

Neil Duane enthuses: "Jimmy has his ear to the ground. He speaks to hauliers all the time and, more importantly, listens to them. He is aware of their needs. We're a growing company and all the signs are that we'll continue to grow in the future."

The company is open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm.
Telephone: 059 9144644.
Fax: 059 9144681.
Email:
nduane@jimmykellytruckbodies.com.