Kane remains keen on cars despite backseat company role

He established Kane's Autos and presided over the business for almost half a century. Now that Alec Kane is in an advisory capacity, he can continue to take pride in his business in the knowledge that two of his sons are running a smooth operation.

In charge of sales at Kanes of Edgeworthstown - Peter Magan with Alec Kane and Pat Kane

Alec Kane was the initial brainchild behind Kane's autos, a family-run business in county Longford. He is now in the twilight of his career but despite a lifetime's service to his car sales firm, he remains involved in a consultancy position. When he speaks, there is a sense that he wants to turn back the clock and relive his earlier days.

His is an experienced voice and he is in a good position to give sound advice to those who continue working in the firm. Now he can afford to unwind but having worked in the company from the beginning, he ensures that the firm continues to be successful.

Years of service and experience in the transport arena - Alec and Helen Kane in earlier years and still going strong in Edgeworthstown

Over four and a half decades later, he has remained active within the company ranks, which, with two car dealers, is able to maintain a stronghold on light commercials in county Longford. The firm also has ownership of four petrol stations. His offspring are now the driving force behind the car sales and repair business. Kane's autos continue to provide people with superb service. Patrick and Frank Kane ensure that problems are minimised.

Pat Kane at the Edgeworthstown premises

At the other end of the sales business, though, is a team of hard-working administrators. Mary Kane has worked tirelessly over the years in this part of the business and looks after the company's accounts. She is employed in the company ten years.
Mary summed up the nature of her work, suggesting that there is a lack of time to complete her daily tasks. She is constantly kept busy in a hectic work environment.
"Fairly busy wouldn't be the word to use. There is loads of work to be done and not enough hours in the day to do it. It's always fairly hectic but it's a good complaint to have," she says.

Although Alec is now away from the "heavy work" for a number of years, he says he learned a great deal during his time in California, USA. He was just sixteen years old when he travelled to the United States. While with his uncle, who was then a field marshall in the army, Alec learnt a great deal about the American lifestyle. He returned energised and ready to launch his own business.

Alec Kane pictured with a selection of certificates

Living in the United States also provided him with an opportunity to sample American business ideas. He hopes to use some of those before he finishes his own career.
One of those was the idea of having an American-style petrol station with motels close at hand. His idea is to build this on his own farm at Camlisshouse, Longford and although the project is subject to planning permission, he is optimistic that some day the dream can be turned into reality. Rather than wait, his hopes are that things can happen for him by the end of the year.

Kanes of Edgesworthstown, Co Longford

Pat Kane currently runs the DOE test centre and looks after sales at Kane's autos in Edgeworthstown while his brother Frank mans the firm's other centre in Longford. Hauliers regularly come for tests with a total of twenty five tests done on a daily basis. The company also does tachographs for lorries and is now an approved digital analogue tachograph centre. What's more, the firm is also the Longford test centre for both light and heavy commercials.
Pat imports cars from Japan so has a great range of second-hand cars available for sale. With an agent based abroad, it is easy for him to import the jeeps and have them delivered to Ireland. His Edgeworthstown base is a spacious place to work, according to Alec.

The new Izuzu D Max 'Cobra' jeep, available at Kanes of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford

With another state-of-the-art test lane just started, the firm works six days a week and at the moment employs 85 people between part-timers and full-timers.
Mazda and Suzuki provide the backbone of the sales in Longford. Last year the Suzuki Swift, a 1.3 engine, was judged car of the year. The firm is also the main Isuzu and Iveco agent for the Longford and surrounding area.

Despite his long service, Alec is keen to continue his advisory role in the company. A company showroom is the firm's main project. It will, Alec feels, make things much easier for the company. Consisting of a two-storey building with high glass, all modern conveniences and a standard workshop, the project will cost around E1 million but he believes it will do his family the remainder of their lifetime.

Complete body spray boat facilities available at Kanes of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford

It does sound like a worthwhile investment. The company has come this far so there is little reason to believe that the workroom cannot stay in existence. The car-dealing business has been successful to date. Customers have maintained loyalty. Alec can now be content that a job has been well done.