Longevity the key for Coynes

M&J Coyne Fuel Merchant and Transport Company have been serving West Kildare for the past four generations. Managing Director Martin Coyne spoke to Irish Trucker about why the business has been so successful during that period.

RIM 219 has seen many years of loyal service

It is a well known fact that the haulage industry is a fickle business and one wrong move could see a company go bust. Over the years, this has unfortunately occurred to many haulage firms, but Allenwood based M&J Coyne have stood the test of time and are currently going from strength to strength.

"Thankfully, we are busy enough at present. We specialise in supplying the full range of solid fuels including coal, briquettes, logs and turf to the general public in Naas and surrounding areas," said Martin.
"We are also available to transport general haulage anywhere in the country, while we have been delivering building materials for McCarthy’s' builder providers for the past 13 years."

Coyne Fuel Merchants first began operating back in 1932 when Martin and James great grandfather Pat Coyne cut his own turf to sell to the public. In those days Pat delivered the turf by horse and cart.
The business then passed through each generation as Martin and James’ grandfather Jimmy and father Seamus were both at the helm down through the years before Martin and James took control and established M&J Coyne Fuel Merchants incorporating M&J Coyne Transport.

Coynes, Ford and that load of turf. A great partnership for well over half a century

Martin and James' father is still actively involved in the business, while their brother Brian is also an integral part of the company, together with Shane Coyne who is an extra hand at the weekend while not in school.

M&J Coyne Transport have built up a steady fleet of trucks that keeps the business motoring at all times in their specialised areas.

"We now have five trucks on the road, 2x4 tonne, 2x10 tonne and a eight-wheel tipper. We don't deal in any particular make of truck, but do have two Isuzu's and find them very reliable indeed," added Martin.

Seamus with some memories of the early days of transport

"One of the 4 tonne trucks is with McCarthy's full time, while we also have trucks and plant with the local council. The transport end of the business has seen us get involved with clearance and delivery of site materials for the construction industry and we can collect and deliver loads of topsoil, sand and general waste materials."

M&J Coyne have not forgotten where their roots have come from and are very grateful to the many customers that they supply on a weekly basis as part of their fuel merchants.

Staff at Coyne's from left: Brian Whelan (driver), Seamus Coyne, Martin and Edel Coyne

"We have many of the same customers for years and years now. We have a regular route in Naas on Fridays, Saturdays, where we deliver solid fuels to our customers' houses in either small loads or bags, depending on the customers' desire. All our coal is imported and we supply Polish, Columbian and smokeless brands of coal," revealed Martin.
Since completing the relevant courses to obtain firstly a haulage licence and then an international haulage licence at Carlow IT, M&J Coyne have now the resources to bring the company a step further in the industry.
The company also have in their possession, a track machine for small private jobs, which is another source of income and highlights the fact of how far they have come since the turf was delivered by horse and cart all those years ago.
Martin revealed that as one of their hobbies, both he and James restore old trucks to their original condition and enter them in shows and parades around the country on a regular basis.

Rolling back the years, Seamus with James and Fiona

"One of the first trucks that my grandfather had was a Fordson E83 and we bought one a few years ago. It is now in showroom condition and I bring it to various parades and shows. James has a Bedford TK, which has also been restored to its original condition."

M&J Coyne's policy for customer care has seen their business stand the test of time and indeed they have moved with the times to keep ahead of their rivals in the haulage industry.
Their fleet is kept in pristine condition so to avoid unnecessary breakdowns, while delivering or collecting goods. All maintenance work is carried out in-house and the trucks are kept well serviced.
The Coyne dynasty has seen many changes in the business down through the years. Not many businesses have survived for nearly 75 years, but the Allenwood based haulage firm are an exception to the cause.

Established in 1932 Seamus Coyne with one of the restored trucks

Over the last year, haulage firms all over the country have been hit by the escalating price of diesel, which has affected many companies' profits, although Martin revealed that M&J Coyne Transport have not suffered too badly.
"The fact that we operate in or around the Kildare area means that we don't have too much trouble with the fuel prices. Our smaller trucks are least affected, but I'm sure we will see the difference with the '8 wheel tipper'".

M&J Coyne continue to provide an efficient and reliable service to their customers and with the company expanding into general haulage, the future looks very bright indeed.