The right mix march 2007

Mid Cork Mixers is a thriving family-run business specialising in the manufacture of truck-mounted and trailer-mounted concrete mixers. The Crookstown-based company has grown significantly since its formation six years ago as managing director Jim O’Sullivan explains.

“The customer always comes first.” So says Jim O’Sullivan of Mid Cork Mixers, a company that clearly prides itself on satisfying the needs of its customers.
“With us, customer satisfaction is the big thing. We are committed to providing the best service possible and we always keep our word when it comes to looking after our customers’ needs,” he adds.
Established in 2000, Mid Cork Mixers is a family-run business which specialises in the manufacture of truck-mounted and trailer-mounted concrete mixers. The company also manufactures and supplies replacement drums for any type of mixer, provides a blade and capping repair service and stocks an extensive range of parts, including hydraulic pumps and motors, gear boxes, rollers, water pumps and nylon couplings, water metres, cable and control boxes, and oil coolers.

Another high-quality finish from
Mid-Cork Mixers

Unsurprisingly, many of the company’s leading customers are involved in sand and gravel production and concrete manufacturing, and these include Keohane Readymix, Roadstone, Cronin Concrete and John A Woods.
“We have built up a loyal customer-base over the last six years and appreciate all the work that comes our way. We have some very good customers throughout Co. Cork and further afield who keep coming back to us time and time again.
“We’re the only company manufacturing mixer drums in Ireland so there’s obviously a good demand for our service. As well as that, we supply parts and components for all makes of truck mixers,” Jim adds.
O’Sullivan has many years of experience in the industry. Before setting up Mid Cork Mixers along with his sister Hazel who remains involved as a director, he had served his time as a mechanic with local firm Castlemore Quarries.

Mid Cork Mixers specialise in the manufacture of truck-mounted and trailer-mounted concrete mixers

“I learned a lot from my time working in the quarry, and it made me realise that there was an opening for the type of service I now provide. I served my time servicing trucks, concrete mixers and heavy quarry machinery and that has stood me in good stead.”
Mid Cork Mixers operates from a spacious premises at Unit 1, The Mills Commercial Park, Crookstown, which is situated just off the busy N22 Cork-Macroom Road. Such has been the company’s growth that Jim plans to increase the size of his workshop in the near future. His yard is approximately the same size as the existing workshop.
“We started selling mixer parts and the business has progressed from there,” he explains.
“We now manufacture new and second hand mixer parts as well as replacement drums. The biggest end of our business is manufacturing and parts.

Over the years, Jim has invested heavily in the most modern of equipment, including elaborate lifting equipment and overhead cranes. But even allowing for this investment, the business remains very labour intensive.
“We have the best of equipment, but there’s still a lot of physical work involved.
Jim buys his steel from Corus, who provide a delivery service from their Cork warehouse. Corus is an international company, providing steel and aluminium products and services to customers worldwide.

Based in the UK, the company is comprised four divisions – strip products; long products; distribution; building supplies and aluminium. It has a global network of sales offices and service centres.
Combining global expertise with local customer service, Corus offers value, reliability and innovation. The Corus brand represents a mark of quality, loyalty and strength.

The affable Cork man acknowledges that the Celtic Tiger has been a big factor in his company’s success.
“The housing boom has definitely been a big help to us. The sand and gravel, and concrete suppliers have been kept very busy over the past few years and obviously this has created a lot of work for us. Hopefully, the boom will last another few years.”
Looking to the future, Jim hopes to expand the business further and keep his existing customers satisfied.
“We’ve worked hard to earn a reputation for efficiency, reliability and customer satisfaction, and we intend to keep it that way. The business has come a long way in its first six years and hopefully the next six years will be just as successful,” he concludes.
For more information about Mid Cork Mixers, phone Jim on 021-7335890 or fax 021-7335888.