Generations of quarrying excellence

Kereen Quarries Ltd. is a well-run family business that is going stronger than ever half a century down the line. Proprietor Michael Cummins has overseen a period of considerable growth for the past decade or so and intends to consolidate the Dungarvan company�s status in the greater scheme of things. Irish Trucker met up with the personable director to retrace Kereen�s history and, naturally, we decided to check out the impressive fleet while we were there�

Kereen has been operating out of this quarry since the 1950s

Down Dungarvan way, Kereen Quarries Ltd. is certainly standing the test of time. The company has forged a stellar reputation for itself as a leading supplier of crushed stone and there’s every reason to believe that Kereen will continue to go from strength to strength.
Deploying the finest equipment available and a state-of-the-art, modern fleet in all aspects of its operation, Kereen got to where it is today by placing a keen emphasis on quality at all times. This will continue as managing director Michael Cummins strives to sustain his position at the front of the marketplace.
Kereen Quarries was initially established by Michael’s late father, James Cummins. When James passed away in 1985, Michael assumed control of the family business. It was a modest operation back in the mid-eighties but, gradually, the founder’s son has built the business up over the past 21 years.

Kereen Quarries takes possession of a new Volvo from McCarthy Commercials

A great deal of time and effort was invested and it wasn’t always easy but, eventually, Michael’s labours and persistence began to pay dividends. “We have really arrived on the scene in the past ten years,” he says, with a justifiable trace of pride in his voice.
Kereen has been operating out of the same quarry since the 1950s – a 60-acre quarry in Aglish which now bears the company name. Blasting takes place at the site every second week and the stone is then crushed and graded. Michael explains: “We supply all types of crushed stone, which is used in the construction industry – roads, buildings, farm road-making etc.”
Regular customers include most of the major local building contractors as well as local authorities, with Waterford County Council being a major client. The crushed stone is sold within a 25-mile radius of the quarry, covering a large portion of County Waterford as well as parts of neighbouring Cork, as far afield as Youghal.

New Volvos are purchased from McCarthy Commercials in Watergrasshill

Kereen Quarries has eight trucks on the road full time, delivering stone. All of these are Volvo eight-wheelers – a 91 FL10; two 00 FM10 360s; two 01 FM12 380s, two FM460s; and an 02 FM9 340. “We’ve also just taken delivery of a brand new FM13 480 horse-power eight-wheeler from McCarthy Commercials in Watergrasshill, which is where we buy all our trucks. Volvo is a very reliable truck and they are also very comfortable and driver-friendly. I see no reason to use anything else. Also, McCarthys of Watergrasshill give the best back-up service in the country as far as I’m concerned.”

In addition to his own hands-on contributions behind the wheel, Michael employs seven drivers full time. The small turnaround of staff helps maintain continuity and is an important factor in Kereen’s ongoing success. John Mansfield has been driving for Kereen Quarries for over 30 years, while most of the other drivers are also long-serving employees. Billy Walsh has been on the books for over 20 years, while Pat Dunne, Johnny Barry, Stephen Ronan, Pat Nugent and Mike Nugent also make valuable contributions to the day-to-day existence of this Waterford company.

Volvo diggers are included in the large fleet of plant and machinery in use at Kereen Quarries

Three of Michael’s sons – James, Maurice and Michael Jnr. – are also involved in the family business, as is his wife Helena, who works in the office alongside Ann Crowley (another long-time member of staff).
In the actual quarry itself, Kereen operates a large fleet of plant and machinery. There are two Volvo diggers (a 460 excavator and a 240 excavator) as well as a CAT 330 excavator, three Volvo loading shovels (150C; 40 600; and 180D) and two Pegson 1100 650 crushers. The crushers are sourced through Powerscreen, while Doyle Equipment supplies the screeners.
The overall fleet is completed by a couple of Mitsubishi Pajero jeeps, which have a variety of uses and are extremely handy in the daily running of the quarry.

Michael is pleased to report that business is ticking over rather nicely these days: “We’re very busy at the moment,” he confirms. “There’s plenty of stone in the quarry and it won’t run out in my lifetime anyway. Demand for the product is very strong, so we can’t complain. We have a good track record and are happy with the customers we have at present. We’re not seeking to grow any further. I think we’re okay as we are.”
The ideal is to retain Kereen Quarries as a modest family business: “My attitude has always been that if you’re going to do something then you might as well do it right. That approach has served us well so we’ll continue in that way. As long as things remain busy, we’re happy enough to keep running the quarry as it is. There’s plenty of local demand for materials due to the construction boom.

“Fuel is by far and away our biggest concern and the spiralling prices are an obvious concern. Apart from that, though, we’re doing well at the moment and will be happy if things continue as they are.”