Service with a Kyle

Tipperary-headquartered Kyle International Transport Ltd. provides a truly modern and thoroughly professional logistics solution that clients can depend upon. Owner and founder Micheal Boyle boasts a vast knowledge of the haulage sector, which he uses to telling effect in fronting this model transport company.

Michaael Boyle provides a professional logistics solution via Kyle International Transport

Micheal Boyle established Kyle International Transport Ltd. in Tipperary’s county town of Thurles in May 1996. The founder had already amassed 13 years’ experience working within the haulage sector before spotting an opening to set up on his own.
Beginning from modest means, with just two trucks, Micheal developed his business steadily during the intervening years, through a winning combination of hard work, commitment and vision. He has never been afraid to embrace modern technology and Kyle International’s presence at the technological cutting edge has been integral to its ongoing vitality.

From his base at The Turnpike, Twomileborris, Thurles, the proprietor now oversees a fleet comprising twelve trucks and 40 trailers, with up to 80% of the work taking place to and from the UK. At present, Kyle International Transport’s two main clients are Irish Warehousing & Transport (IWT) in Dublin and DHL in Shannon. Micheal carries out UK and continental work for DHL, while the IWT contract also includes maintenance.

Using the latest sophisticated satellite tracking technology, Kyle International offers clients complete peace of mind

Make-wise, the Kyle International fleet of trucks consists of Volvos, DAFs and Ivecos. The owner always insists on purchasing brand new lorries, with a turnover of three-four years. Why has he opted for such a mix? “I ran all Scania in the early days but they became too expensive. I then purchased the Volvos on a maintenance contract and I bought the Iveco Stralises last year because of the price.”

All the trucks are purchased on a three-year hire purchase agreement and they are generally replaced thereafter in keeping with the founder’s policy of operating a new fleet.
A diverse range of trailers ensures total versatility and flexibility. “You have to be able to supply whatever the customer requires, so we carry a good surplus of trailers at any given time,” Micheal confirms. To this end, Kyle International runs a mixture of SDC, Schmidt and Chereau curtainsiders, boxes and fridges.

Michael says his drivers are �the most important aspect� of Kyle International Transport Ltd

For peace of mind, all equipment is fitted with the latest technological devices, including Minorplanet virtualised tracking systems from Monitcom and new Drivecam systems (which can assess the cause of any accidents that might occur).
As well as the sophisticated machinery, Kyle International Transport also owes a huge debt of gratitude to its reliable staff. As the driving force behind the company attests: “They represent you every time they go out on the road, so they are the most important aspect of the operation. We’re very happy with the crew and the contribution they have made to the company. At the moment, we have 14 drivers plus two in the office and two in the garage, looking after maintenance on trailers and also servicing trucks.

“As well as our own trailers, we also maintain a fleet of 60 trailers for IWT, providing servicing as well as DOE preparations. This means we have 100 trailers coming through the yard on a regular basis [though obviously only ten or 15 at any one time].”
Kyle International Transport Ltd. boasts a prime location, with a five-acre site convenient to the main Dublin/Cork Road on the outskirts of Thurles. This site has been central to the company’s recent progress: “I bought this base five years ago and have expanded and developed it,” Micheal notes. “At the moment, we’re very happy with the work we’re doing and the people we’re working with. We have always strived to provide a top-class service and I think it’s fair to say that we do this at all times.”

Though he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that customer needs are satisfied each and every time, the director of Kyle International Transport Ltd. admits that the current state of the Irish road haulage sector is far from ideal. The pressures being placed upon hauliers to sustain a profitable margin are intense and operators seem to be faced with nothing but a succession of raw deals from one end of the week to the next.
“Things are definitely going downhill for the industry in general. We seem to have very little support. Costs keep going up but rates are always the same. Trucks are more expensive, fuel is dearer and wages and insurance keep increasing. It’s certainly not an easy business these days.”

Providing a specialist delivery service, Kyle International guarantees its clients complete peace of mind by deploying tracking and monitoring systems that track all consignments from departure until arrival. “Everything we deliver is monitored all the time,” Micheal confirms. “This live tracking ensures peace of mind for both myself and also for Kyle International’s customers. We’re also a bit different from everybody else in that we are on call 24 hours a day to answer questions and deal with problems. The buck stops with me and I’m always contactable.”

In little over a decade, Kyle International has made remarkable progress by providing a quality, reliable and accountable service. But what does the future hold for the Tipperary-based company? “There is probably room for expansion but I would have to see that it’s definitely worthwhile before I decide to push it on. There’s no point being busier for the sake of it.
“At this point in time, the business is where I want it to be,” Micheal continues. “There is room to do more but I’m not considering that at the minute. We have grown gradually by providing a personal service to key clients and that’s what we’ll keep doing.”