The container specialists

Is your company looking for a less expensive alternative to Dublin Port to store your goods? If so, Midlands Container Depot in Portlaoise is just the place for you. Company founder Martin Kealey explains more.

Established three years ago by local haulier Martin Kealey, Midlands Container Depot is a unique modern storage depot which is ideal for use by the Irish haulage and transport industries as an inland port located in Portlaoise.
Midlands Container Depot is a state-of-the-art facility, finished to the highest standards, and it is both central and secure. Specialising in Irish and international container handling and storage, it is fast making a name for itself and among its users are such reputable companies as Eucon Transport, Enva Ireland, McCormack & Naughton and Greco.
“Things have going well for us since we set up the depot three years ago,” says Martin, who also owns a transport company called Martin Kealey Haulage Ltd.

“I’d been in the transport business for more than 10 years before that and I felt there was a need for such a facility in the midlands. When a company now does a delivery down the country, they can bring the empty container back to the yard, rather than running back to Dublin with it. It cuts down on running with empty containers, so there are considerable savings to be made.”
He adds: “A lot of transport companies are aware of us now and what they find most appealing is our self storage rates. Compared to Dublin Port, we are a lot cheaper.”
Martin invested over EUR2 million in making Midlands Container Depot become a reality. It is a most impressive facility, spanning over four acres and with a storage capacity for 4,000 containers at Clonminam Business Park in Portlaoise. Plans are at an advanced stage to develop a further two acres of storage space adjacent to the existing site.
Given its central location, Midlands Container Depot is well placed to act as a container distribution hub for the whole country. “Our location in the heart of the country is a big advantage. And since the Port Tunnel was opened, we’re just an hour away from Dublin Port.”

Self storage rates at Midlands Container Depot are considerably cheaper than Dublin Port. For as little as EUR15 per day, customers can store their goods, safe in the knowledge that they will secure. “You could pay up to EUR75 per day for the same storage facility in Dublin Port,” Martin points out.
At Midlands Container Depot, state-of-art equipment is provided to lift laden and unladen units. In this regard, an excellent range of services are available, including container handling, heavy lifts, transshipments, washing facility and equipment parking.
The company rents out containers and has a large stock of containers units for sale. Martin also offers ground rental which is particularly suited to shipping companies who require a one-stop shop in the midlands to maxmise their transport services.
Midlands Container Depot offers four types of container units to suit your particular requirements for all residential, commercial and industrial use. The sizes available are 10 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft and 45 ft.

Access to the depot is between normal business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. An exterior door allows you to drive right up to your own unit and you can choose to buy a lock for the container yourself or buy on site for EUR50. All containers are waterproof and a depot forklift is available for your use.
Midlands Container Depot is ideally located just a few minutes from Portlaoise and next to the M7 motorway. If you require yard or office space rather than containers, up to two acres is available to rent. Rates are negotiable.
A parking facility, which is ideal for overnight parking of all types of trucks, heavy machinery and trailers, is also available. The depot has an asphalt surface and has underground interceptors which meet with current regulations required for the storage/parking of machinery carrying/containing fuels.

Additional services include an on-site washing facility and container handler. Tokens for the power washer cost EUR25 per lorry, while the rate per container lift is EUR50.
Midlands Container Depot is a family-run business with Martin’s wife Carmel-Anne and son Diarmuid also employed as office manager and machine operative respectively. The Midlands Container Depot team is completed by Estonian native Tina Luus.
Martin Kealey Haulage Ltd has been in business for the past 15 years and services throughout Ireland. The company offers general road haulage services, including haulage for timber and glass. Its clients include Pilkington Glass and Kanalf Insulation.
Martin Kealey Haulage services the diverse needs of customers in the general haulage and food chain utilising its modern fleet of Scania, Volvo and Dennison trucks that are supplied, supporters and maintained to the highest standards. In addition to this, the company operates specialised equipment for the conference, music and exhibition market.
The company can also arrange air, sea freight and customs documentation.

Martin’s father, Paddy, operated his own transport company before setting up Laois Tarmacadam a number of years ago.
For further information about Midlands Container Depot, Clonminam Business Park, Portlaoise and its range of services, telephone: 057 8665005 or 057 8665006. Mobile: 086 2579653. Fax: 057 8665007. Email: mkealey@eircom.net