You Call - We Haul

In just over a decade, Cork man Mark Dolphin has developed a strong multifaceted haulage firm through sheer hard work and perseverance. Today, Mark Dolphin Heavy & General Haulage & Low Loader stands as a prime example of what can be achieved by providing a quality service at all times. The company motto speaks volumes for the founder's outlook: ‘No Job Too Big or Too Small - You Call, We Haul’.

No job is too heavy for Mark Dolphin Heavy Haulage, General Haulage and Low Loader

Dolphin Haulage prides itself on providing a quality service to a growing base of satisfied customers. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, delivering peace of mind as well as the goods! Using state-of-the-art Scania tractor units, Dolphin Haulage operates many routes throughout Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. Distance or load have never been an object.
All trucks are fitted with mobile phones, thereby guaranteeing quick response times regarding any queries clients might have. With all drivers just a phone call away at any given time, Dolphin Haulage can also offer flexibility if unforeseen circumstances arise. And, remember, nothing is certain in the world we live in today!

In order to be as versatile as possible, Mark fits his trucks with a full range of trailers, including lowloaders, curtainsiders, flatbeds, aluminium tippers and flats with twist locks. This enables him to service the agricultural, construction, heavy, high-tech and pharmaceutical industries amongst others - providing each with the same exceptional high quality service and attention to detail.
The founder/proprietor established the business as Mark Dolphin Plant Hire Ltd. in 1996, when he purchased his first digger. Very much a self-made business man who built his company up through the traditional means of hard graft and determination, Mark kept his head down, re-investing profits, and was finally able to afford his first lorry – a Volvo FL10 – in 2002.

Mark Dolphin has built a versatile operation from humble beginnings

From there, things started to take off. “I gradually became more and more involved in the haulage,” he continues. “I made a few contacts and secured some low loader work before starting into the heavy haulage.” At the time of writing, the fleet comprised four lorries, three low loaders, one tipper and 26 curtainsiders.

Mark Dolphin Haulage specialises predominantly in heavy haulage and drawing recyclable rubbish, but he has the capacity to adapt to any type of work and is prepared to, quite literally, “work anywhere” – locally, nationally or internationally. The four tractor units in the fleet range from 580 to 450 horse power. One is a brand new 07 reg and two of them are 06s. Mark is constantly adding to his fleet and actually purchased a new SDC trailer the day Irish Trucker visited his yard in Midleton.
“Even though we’re fully booked up at the moment, we’re always on the look out for new contracts. We’ll consider any job and it if means adjusting the size of the fleet, so be it. My aim is to provide customers with a service they can depend on.”

For the time being, 90% of work is carried out in Ireland and – like most hauliers – Mark has some major gripes with the conditions Irish truckers are expected to survive in: “I suppose we’re all in the same boat with diesel prices, insurance, tolls, illegal operators and the state of the roads,” he shrugs. “We don’t have any control over the cost of the diesel but the Government has to do something about the tolls. They’re a disgrace. Especially bearing in mind the condition of roads in Ireland – not just the surface but also the hazard of overhanging limbs. These obscure drivers’ vision and also damage the trucks. Because the County Councils won’t cut these hedges back - up to the height of a truck cab - many lorries are forced to drive in the middle of the road. I’m forking out ten grand a year on road tax and I really don’t know what it’s for…

The prestine fleet ready for action

“The tolls and the cost of diesel are rising all the time but the rates aren’t. Fellas who aren’t doing things by the book are being allowed to come in and cut their rates at the expense of those who are trying to operate legitimate businesses. The authorities should be doing more to prevent this kind of illegal activity. Anybody who’s driving without the proper licence should not be allowed to compete against us. It can’t be that difficult to check the windscreen of trucks and make sure they all have the proper haulage licence.”

Not one to leave anything to chance, Mark does all his own servicing and day-to-day maintenance work. He oversees a fully kitted-out workshop, which he had built from scratch in 2002 specifically to service his own trucks and plant. Though he operates a sophisticated, computerised fleet, the company boss knows only too well that it is the drivers - and their happiness – which are key to the future prosperity of Mark Dolphin Haulage:

Mark Dolphin specialises in heavy haulage

“Keeping the drivers happy is paramount. Drivers are very hard to get, so it’s important to make sure they are happy at all times. That’s why I only purchase trucks that guarantee their comfort and safety.”
Mark Dolphin has been in business for 13 years, starting out when he was only 17. He is an example to anyone who wants to run their own business in the haulage sector. “I worked very hard from when I bought my first digger for 10,000 euro. I couldn’t get a loan for a lorry. So I saved every penny until I had enough to purchase my first truck. I paid 6,500 euro for my first insurance policy five years ago but haulage was always my ambition and I wasn’t going to let anything deter me.

“Haulage is at the heart of our economy but we don’t get the recognition or respect we deserve. The tolls are absolutely ridiculous and so are the tach’ hours that say a trip from Cork to Dublin is two days work. The haulage sector deserves more support. If we stopped for just one day, the entire country would grind to a halt. We need lorries – its as simple as that.”

Mark Dolphin
Heavy & General Haulage & Low Loaders
Knockasturkeen
Midleton
Co Cork
Ireland
Tel: 0(0353)21 4652888
Fax: 0(0353)21 4652888
Mob: 0(0353)87 2559560
email: info@dolphinhaulage.com
www.dolphinhaulage.com