Shrewd commercial dealer and truck dismantler

With a network of contacts in Northern Ireland and England, Roy Hamilton has proven his ability in selling mixers and tippers. His business has also been prompt in ensuring a swift recovery service for truckers.

Johnny Armstrong with Roy and Jason Hamilton in the yard

Anyone in possession of a vehicle will be aware of the need to repair your trucker van. For people who drive for a living, the need is even more pressing. If, as a haulier, you ever encounter trouble in either north or south of Ireland, look no further than Roy Hamilton commercial recovery and truck breakers for a comprehensive service. The company has a 24-hour recovery service as well as selling DAF, Volvo and Iveco vehicles. The recovery service is constant with designated drivers on call to offer a 365-day year service to look after its customers in the surrounding Londonderry area. The service is reliable and with a committed team behind him, Roy Hamilton can guarantee an efficient and prompt service.

In addition to their sales and recovery service, the company also reconditions gearboxes and engines

The company has been established for a number of years. Originally from Kildoag, outside Claudy, Roy Hamilton registered the company in 1982 and remains the managing director. His son Jason works as another director in the business while Ian McCombe is the manager of the commercial parts side of the business.

The company's sales connects them to a number of other businesses in Northern Ireland.
"We are involved in the buying and selling of mixers and tippers to sand and gravel companies. We sell to places like Robinson's sand and gravel, Gillespie Concrete, Gwedore, Donegal, Ready Mix, Letterkenny, Patrick Bradley quarries, Kilrea," he says.

A selection of Roy Hamilton's recovery vehicles

The company also sells new body panels, bumpers and mudguards for trucks and vans.
Rather than limit themselves to Ireland, Roy Hamilton has, over the years, looked abroad to try and do business.
England has been an excellent avenue for them and Jason travels regularly to England, making contacts and importing trucks and vans. Having shipped them over from the UK, they are then sold all over Northern Ireland and in the Republic.

Jason also caters for the windscreen supplies for all vehicles and plant.
"We go across the water buying products and selling them here. There is a big demand here. Trucks would be my main line whereas my son would be specific in selling transit vans.
"He'd be over in England every week and then selling all over the country to places like Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Belfast and Ballymena," says Roy.
The company also sells new and second hand parts as well as the body panels for trucks to places such as TBF Thompson and Eakin brothers.

On view is one of Roy Hamilton's recovery vehicles

Jonathan Armstrong heads the 24-hour recovery service. There is an ever-present need to deal with any difficulties encountered by trucks and all employees are kept busy on the roads. There are constant issues to deal with and, on occasion, Jonathan is needed to go out in the early morning. But Roy stresses that Jonathan is happy to work in the industry he is in. Despite working unsociable hours, the work has been rewarding.

"He's all over the place, dealing with things like lorries getting smashed. A couple of times he has gone out at 2am in the morning but he enjoys it. It's a nice game to be in.
"There are a lot of skills in lifting heavy vehicles. He gets them done well and has a lot of contacts - he is very friendly towards any customer he works for," Roy says.

Roy Hamilton provides a 24-hour recovery service

The Irish Ferries dispute received nationwide attention during the latter part of 2005. It was a difficult time for some businesses. For Roy, the dispute had an impact on his company with people having to buy and sell from across the water. There may have been an uncertainty about the result but as he points out, any public anger was aimed at the shipping company rather than businesses such as his own.
"It hurt us a wee bit; it did hold us back. It was a bit of an issue up here with us. It was difficult but people were more mad with the ships than us," he says.

Their 110-acre site is also used for the breaking and selling of lorries. Gearboxes are reconditioned in the company. Engines are also reconditioned with the lorries then going to Belfast to be recycled. His business is growing. Before Christmas, Roy acquired seven acres of land on top of the 110 acres of land in the area between Claudy and Londonderry to sell vehicles in the near future.

A lot of Roy's customers come from places such as Letterkenny, Belfast though the majority are from Londonderry and Donegal. He is grateful to all his customers for their support who have repaid his loyalty and dedication over the years.
"Customers who have started with us have come back year after year without fail," he says.
So what is the most hectic side of his job?

"Maintaining the lorries, getting them ready for servicing and dismantling them," he adds.
Over the last number of years, however, Roy Hamilton has proven that he is more than capable of doing just that. With his recently-acquired new land, there is every reason to suggest that the company can prove their reliability to truckers in years to come.