Dempsey of Cork Ltd. makes it mark

Family-owned refrigerated transport company Dempsey of Cork Ltd. has become equally well known for the striking appearance of its fleet as for its commitment to service and value. Irish Trucker finds out more.

Since its establishment in 1991, Dempsey of Cork has become a recognisable force on Irish roads, despite the company’s relatively modest proportions.
Managing director Barry Dempsey hasn’t had to spend a fortune to put his company on the map. Instead, his company has achieved a relative degree of fame through providing a top class service to its customers and through its livery, and its impressive levels of modification and airbrushing on each of its four-strong fleet.

Such has been the success of the Glanmire-based company that it was nominated for two awards at the Irish Haulier of the Year Awards night which took place at Marriott Johnstown House Hotel in Enfield, Co. Meath on October 8 last. And despite losing out to Dublin firms Reynolds Logistics and Keelings Transport in the respective National Haulier and Livery of the Year Award categories, it was still a fine achievement for Dempsey of Cork Ltd. to be short-listed for such prestigious awards.
“We were delighted to be in the running for two awards,” enthuses 18-year-old Daniel Dempsey, who has followed his father Barry into the business.

“We filled out the entry form, sent it away and the next thing we knew we were up for two awards. It was our first time to enter so we were obviously very pleased to be in the final shake-up. For a company of our size, it was a great achievement to be up for two of the main awards.”

Working exclusively on refrigerated transport throughout Ireland, Dempsey of Cork Ltd. has an extensive client list which includes such reputable companies as Horgans Deli Supplies Ltd., Irish Bacon Slicers, Clonakilty Food Company, Swissco Manufacturing and Hodgins Sausages, Noel Zwecker Transport along with many others. It is essentially a family-run concern with Barry’s wife Aileen and son Daniel involved in the business, while younger sons Darren and Damien are also showing plenty of interest. Barry also employs highly experienced and reliable drivers in Francis O’Riordan, Michael Doyle, Milosz Legowy and part-time driver John Flynn.
Barry started out with an eight-year-old Volvo F6, and has gradually built up the operation since then. He recalls: “When I started out, you could get by with an older truck, but things have changed since then.
“It all comes down to efficiency now, and if you haven’t got the best equipment available to do the job and aren’t willing to give the best possible service, you are finished before you ever start.”

From the Volvo, Barry moved on to a Scania 92 rigid which came with a sleeper cab. He subsequently purchased a Mercedes 1735, a Volvo FL10 and a Scania 113 before coming to a decision to buy new trucks only in the interest of greater performance and vehicle standards.
He explains: “Once we had the business on a firm footing, we decided to go for new trucks. You have to put in the investment if you’re to be able to deliver on your promises and keep up with your work.
“Drivers will not stay with a company that doesn’t offer trucks of a decent standard either, and for these two reasons we have been buying new ever since.”

Having had plenty of experience of driving Mercedes over the years, Barry decided that a Mercedes Actros 1840 would be his first new buy in January 1998. “I had driven a lot of different Mercedes models when I worked as a driver, including the 1633 and 1644, and always thought they had a lot to offer. This still holds today and in my opinion, the Actros has one of the best cabs from a comfort and space point of view,” he says.
The Dempsey of Cork fleet currently consists of a 2005-registered Mercedes 1850 Actros, a Scania R500 Topline and a 450 Renault Premium. Barry decided to purchase the Premium, which is known to offer good fuel economy, in light of the increased diesel costs. Barry also runs a refrigerated Mercedes Sprinter van.

The affable Cork man takes enormous pride in the appearance of his trucks and has invested heavily in airbrushing and modification. But unlike many other transport companies who utilise a dazzling array of colours, those selected by Barry are based on each truck’s individual colour scheme, and consequently blend into the background perfectly.
The artwork on the Mercedes and Scania was carried out by Daran Hollywood from Warrenpoint, Co. Down, while the Renault - which is the newest addition to the fleet bears the signature of well-known local artist Ger Conlon.
All three models are striking in appearance and have helped to raise the profile of the fleet to the point where the trucks are instantly recognisable all over Ireland. Envious glances from fellow truckers and awestruck looks from the general public are part and parcel of everyday life for Barry’s drivers.

The Mercedes bears a Marilyn Monroe theme, while the Scania depicts images of Irish wildlife. The Renaults theme is based on champion boxers including Jack Dempsey, Jake LaMotto, Muhammad Ali, Barry McGuigan and others.

“The images on the trucks have created a lot of interest and means that they stand out from the rest. No matter where they go, they are commented upon. Every week they are washed and polished. We decided to have the trucks, which all have a red background (Cork colour), airbrushed after seeing Daran Hollywood’s stand at the Limerick Truck Show a few years ago,” Daniel explains.
Even though the Mercedes and Renault units are impressively eye-catching, the Scania is arguably the fleet’s flagship. This is based on a number of factors, not least because of its Gray & Adams twin-deck refrigerated trailer which is the only one of its kind in the Republic of Ireland.

“The trailer is nearly 16-foot high and does a double shift from Mitchelstown to Dublin. It has a moveable floor which gives it an increased capacity without making any difference to fuel consumption,” Daniel adds.
Barry is happy with the scale of the operation at present, and has no plans for expansion. Indeed, his primary objective is to continue living up to the company’s motto: ‘Dedicated to Service’.