Murphy’s motors - for all your isuzu needs

Since securing its Isuzu dealership in 1996, Murphy’s Motors in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny has become known as one of the most successful suppliers of commercial vehicles in the South-East. Now plans are afoot to double the size of the company’s existing premises as managing director Richard Murphy explains.

Managing Director Richard Murphy outside the Glenmore premises

Not so long ago, Murphy’s Motors in Glenmore was known throughout the South-East as the foremost supplier of agricultural machinery. And while this hasn’t changed, it could be argued that it has become better known for being one of the leading Isuzu dealerships in the country.
Exactly 10 years ago, the burgeoning company took its first tentative steps into the 4x4 and commercial vehicles market when securing the Isuzu franchise. After a sluggish start, this end of the business has really taken off in recent years and now accounts for over half of the company’s sales.

“It’s become the biggest part of our business,” explains Murphy’s Motors managing director Richard Murphy.
“Back in 1996, we wanted to diversify our activities into a related area. Our core business had been farm machinery and the move into light commercials didn’t represent a big transition for us.
“Things were slow to take off in the beginning but our sales have dramatically improved, especially in the last two or three years. We’ve customers coming to us from all over the South-East and further afield and a lot of those have been with us for a good few years now.”
Richard attributes the recent surge in sales to the quality and reliability of the Isuzu range and the fact that Murphy’s Motors is now a well-established Isuzu dealer.

A selection of Isuzu commercial vehicles

“People are getting to know us and they also know that they are getting a top class vehicle when they buy Isuzu. The entire range is performing extremely well for us. The Isuzu is super little truck, is very reliable and gives little or no trouble. It’s also very economical and that is something that appeals greatly to people,” he says.
Initially, Murphy’s Motors only sold Isuzu 4x4s, but since 1999 it has stocked the entire Isuzu portfolio, including the award-winning N series of light trucks. The N series range in size from 3-and-a-half tonne up to 7-and-a-half-tonne.
Recently, the N series underwent design and engineering improvements in response to the needs of its customers worldwide. The design enhancements of the N series is part of Isuzu’s ceaseless effort to produce the ultimate transporter in today’s ever-changing market.

Bernadette Murphy (Financial Director)

Isuzu’s commitment to supplying top-quality commercial vehicles takes into account not only demand and trends in each country, but also changes in the working environment in the 21st century. The upgraded cab offers better access, superb seating support, more headroom and a spacious wide feeling.
The easily scanned instrument panel, handy combination switches and larger windshield gives a true sense of luxury behind the wheel. The N series range now also features power windows and central locking as standard across the range.
Murphy’s Motors boasts a wide-ranging customer base, from kitchen manufacturers to construction personnel. “A lot of our customers are involved in the construction trade which, as everyone knows, has been going very well over the past number of years. Most of the builders that buy from us prefer flat bodies or detachable bodies. But we have something to suit everybody’s needs,” Richard explains.

Betty Kenny (sales administrator)

Murphy’s Motors is a family-run business which was established in 1960 at a time when mechanised farming began to take hold in Ireland. The company’s founder, Michael Murphy, sadly passed away a few years ago and since then it has been run by his son and daughter, Richard and Bernadette Murphy.

Murphy’s Motors was awarded the Fordson tractor franchise in 1960, selling the extremely popular Fordson Dexta and Fordson Major ranges. When Ford rationalized their worldwide tractor operations in the 1960s, the brand name was changed to Ford and a new range of tractors, the 2000-5000 series, was introduced in 1965.

Kieran Mernagh (parts manager)

This range of tractors was the most technically advanced available at the time, and Murphy’s Motors business grew rapidly as a result of the combination of a world-class product and an unrivalled reputation for service to its customers. The supply of 25 tractors to CIE in 1969 was a key moment in the growth of the company, and a demonstration of the capabilities of Murphy’s Motors.
Today, Murphy’s Motors holds over 20 franchises from some of the largest manufacturers in the world. These include New Holland, JF, Farmhand, Krone, Tanco, Abbey, Amazone, Alo-Maskiner and, of course, Isuzu. It also holds the Irish Quality Association’s coveted Q Mark and has won numerous dealer and service awards from Ford-New Holland, demonstrating the progressive nature of the management team and their readiness to accept the challenges of the 21st century.
The 20-strong team at Murphy’s Motors are very strongly focused on providing industry leading levels of customer service. This commitment is evident in the continuing investment in staff and management training and the introduction of new technology across the business.

Murphy’s Motors also stocks a wide range of used commercials, tractors and farm machinery. The company’s service team is fully trained in the maintenance of a wide range of commercial and agricultural vehicles and equipment. It’s fully equipped workshop and field service vehicles utilize the very latest in diagnostic and calibration equipment so that you vehicle is serviced or repaired and back on the road in the shortest possible time.

A fully stocked parts department is provided. In the unlikely event that a part is not available, the company has a 24-hour ‘vehicle off-road’ service. A range of light trucks are also available to hire from Murphy’s Motors.
Due to continued expansion, the Murphy’s Motors premises on the busy N25 between Waterford and New Ross will shortly be increased in size from 15,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft. When completed, the new state-of-the-art premises will incorporate a new showroom, workshop and outside display area.

“We want to provide the best service possible for our customers and this, combined with our continued growth, are the main reasons why we are doubling the size of our premises,” Richard concludes.
For further information on the full Isuzu range, contact Richard Murphy on 051-880144.