COLkar goes from strength to strength

Husband and wife Colm and Karen Mooney are steeped in the best traditions of the haulage industry. Their company, Colkar Transport Warehousing and Distribution continues to go from strength to strength despite the general malaise,
which pervades the sector.

Colm Mooney, Colkar Transport Warehousing and Distribution

Colkar Transport Warehousing and Distribution is one of Ireland’s leading specialist distribution and warehousing companies, offering high levels of customer service throughout the 32 counties.

Established in 1997 and based at Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 15, Nestle Ireland is one of Colkar’s core customers, handling its vending machine warehousing and distribution requirements as well replenishing these machines on a weekly basis.

“In the food and drink sector we also work for Shamrock Foods, O’Brien’s Fine Wines, Irish Biscuits, Tibbett and Britten, TDG Ireland and Stafford Lynch, delivering food products to supermarkets throughout the country,” Colm revealed.

Those magnificent men ...

He continued: “these are our core customers and we believe we give them an extremely good service. In that respect we are very grateful to them for their loyal support and custom.”

The company currently operates a modern 12 strong fleet of Isuzu and Iveco rigid trucks. “We purchase our vehicles from Joe Harris Commercials and Truck Dealers International on the Naas Road, we find these trucks to be competitively priced and very reliable, with a good maintenance and back-up service,” Colm added.

Colkar Transport Warehousing and Distribution is happy to sub-contract its maintenance requirements to the main dealers and local contractors such as Northroad Commercials, Tyrepro Bandag, Commercial Fleet and Express Hydraulic Services.

The fleet

Over the past four years the company has expanded at an impressive rate, adding five trucks in the process. Although spiralling fuel costs, practically stagnant haulage rates and swinging insurance premiums are the main impediments to further growth, according to the affable haulier. Therefore plans for future expansion have been put on the back-burner. “We have no plans to increase the fleet at this moment in time. The haulage industry is going through a tough time right across the board so we are looking at consolidation rather than expansion,” he commented.

Although he did upgrade one of his trucks this year to suit a customers specific requirements of a box body with a roller door. He was happy to oblige by upgrading one of his older vehicles.

Colm and his drivers

The company’s fleet are all fitted with tail lifts and carry the requisite tools to get the job done in an efficient and professional manner. “The fleet is split equally between box and curtainsiders bodies. We find that many customers prefer box bodies for security purposes, while others have a preference for the curtainsiders,” he revealed.

Colm’s recipe for future success boils down to giving the customer exceptionally high levels of customer service, by utilising modern trucks and equipment, manned by experienced and professional drivers.

To that end he is acutely aware of the role played by his drivers and indeed the whole staff. “We have a good crew of drivers and good office staff. They work extremely hard and we appreciate their efforts on our behalf. They play a hugely important part in the continues success of the company,” he continued. In a similar vein driver turnover isn’t an issue for the company as our staff remain very loyal to us.

While economists are staring to talk up the prospects of the economy in the short to medium term, Colm believes the haulage industry is still gripped with fear on the back of so many closures.
He elaborated: “Hauliers have seen so many companies closing.

They are a lot more cautious now. It will take time for the confidence to filter through to the haulage industry.”
Colm admits that there is new business in the market place, but refuses to get involved in a “Dutch Auction”. We are happy to stick with our existing customers and concentrate on giving them a first class service. We believe this is the best way forward.