Fresh pastures point to positive future june 2006

O'Leary's Car Sales Garage in County Wexford opened another outlet at the end of 2005. The company has provided a superb service to people since 1952 and the new premises suggest the company is going from strength to strength.

Cormac O'Leary, Managing Director, O'Leary's garage

Since O'Leary's Garage began selling Volkswagen commercials over 52 years ago, it has served the population of Wexford and the surrounding areas very well. Drawing on a wide range of customers throughout the county from Gorey to New Ross, the company sells vehicles such as the Caddy Van, the Transporter Shuttle, the Transporter Van and the Transporter Pickup.
Liam O'Leary first established the firm in Bunclody in 1954. By 1977 O'Leary's Garage had the Volkswagen franchise for county Wexford. Over five decades later, Liam is still working with the company.

Liam's son Cormac is currently employed as managing director. When Cormac answered the phone, he was undergoing a hectic schedule. The interview was, after all, during the firm's annual commercial week. It's something which the company engages in every year.
The full range of Volkswagen vehicles was available for viewing during the period between February 27th and March 4th. Members of the public were able to come in and test-drive the firm's cars.

A front view of O'Leary's garage

As he spoke, he described what was happening outside. It was clear that the company's decision to take out a full-page advertisement in the Daily Mirror newspaper on the first day of the sale was an excellent initiative. Men were queuing outside Cormac's office to take their opportunity to drive the company's cars. Car orders then followed.

After finishing college, Cormac came to the company in 1994. Service and sales were his responsibilities for a number of years. After working solely in sales for the last twelve years, he has now moved into a management position.

A selection of O'Leary's vehicles at their Wexford premises

Wexford Town was chosen as a base because of its large population. Status was also a factor; Wexford Town is the county town and the company wanted to consolidate its position in a good catchment area.
The new branch was established in November 2005. It has taken hard work to develop this outlet. The only assets the company possessed at that time were a mobile phone and an electricity generator. Humble beginnings, you might think. Then again, the firm has, since 1954, stood the test of time very well.

The new job has been demanding but it has been worthwhile. He has had to "press the fast-forward button" since his new role started. Instead of working at the same pace, he has had to speed up to adjust to a wide range of things. Versatility is vital: he realises the need to be able to attempt a number of different things. Adaptability is also crucial; a new system and a new location meant that it took him time to adjust to things.

Working hard to maintain O'Leary's reputation

"Establishing the new company is a noticeable change. It has taken a while for us to get the new firm established - we didn't take things for granted," says Cormac.

Customer loyalty, though, has made things easier with many people remaining faithful to the company. The increase in sales staff also suggests the company's growth. Over the years, the number of people employed in sales has risen from two to three to six people. He agrees that this rise is an indication of success.
So where does the company draw most of its customers?
"Private contractors would often give us business. The majority of people we deal with though would be sole traders. There is a fairly good spread of workers involved with construction providing the backbone of our sales," he says.

O'Leary's opened another branch in Wexford town at the end of 2005

Volkswagen are, at the moment, bringing out a new version of the Tuoreg jeep. The jeep will have two passenger seats and a flatbed. At Eu42,760, he believes that the price for the vehicle is excellent. It provides his own firm with an investment opportunity.

"The model is likely to take off in the next while so we are looking at it as a good opportunity. In the last year we would've worked on models like this to have them ready for use. This time Volkswagen has agreed to have them prepped, meaning that they are ready-made for work. So we won't need to do any extra work on the cars," he explains.
"This type of model would be aimed primarily at working groups such as vets who would be able to put materials in the back of their vehicle."
Like all sales people, customer satisfaction is his primary concern. There is a need, he believes, to do everything possible to please a customer. Answering the needs of the public can be a difficult job but by dealing with people properly, he believes that you can be rewarded.

"When people buy a car, they expect reliability. If the customer is upset with something, we have to do our utmost to please him. The day that a customer rings with a problem is the day that you have to be at your very best. It works both ways but if you don't mess people around, you'll be fine," he says.
The county believes in its history and its importance. It can also be very proud of a very successful entrepreneurial family. The O'Leary's continue to provide a reliable and efficient car sales business. The new Wexford town premises suggests that it will continue to do so for some time to come.