Variety is the spice

Specialising in readymix concrete, washed sand aggregates, all types of stone, drainage chippings, tipper truck hire and topsoil, Mangan Concrete & Haulage Ltd. in Crossmolina is a flexible and well-managed operation. Irish Trucker popped into the Glenmore quarry for a closer look.

The company was established in Crossmolina by Patrick Mangan in 1999. The founder had worked as a mechanic for many years prior to that, before spotting an opening for his own concrete/haulage operation.
Identifying that niche, Patrick started out with just one small self-loading concrete mixer and gradually built the business up from there, investing much hard work and determination to develop Mangan Concrete & Haulage as a viable going concern.
Today, Mangan Concrete & Haulage boasts a fleet of 14 units. This fleet is comprised mainly of 8x4s, though there are a few 6x4s strategically thrown into the mix as well. Manufacturer-wise, the proprietor predominantly operates Scania and Volvo trucks, as reliability is key in his area of expertise.

Patrick oversees a family business with a strong emphasis on family values and the personal touch. He is joined in the family business by his wife Ann and son Niall, so it’s clear that Mangan Concrete & Haulage is here for the long haul.
Readymix concrete represents the core of the business. Headquartered at his own quarry site, Patrick produces and delivers his own concrete produce to a strong customer base within a 20-mile radius of Crossmolina. This catchment area incorporates large parts of County Mayo but also spills over the Sligo border.

As the concrete end of the business has encountered early signs of recession in recent months, Patrick has cleverly manoeuvred the business to ensure survival through diversification. The proprietor explains: “There has been a slowdown in the concrete industry but we don’t limit ourselves to just the readymix concrete. If we did, we’d be in trouble. We’re kept busy with the tipper truck hire and quarry stone end of things. We’ve had to let a few lads go unfortunately, but we’re keeping it going and we offer a good range of services.

“We supply course and fine sand and this is extremely popular at the moment and we’re also shifting a good bit of topsoil, so certain aspects of the business are performing well while others are quieter than usual. We produce four grades of washed stone, which can be used for drainage etc. and we also sell pipe-bedding material.”

Mangan Concrete & Haulage currently provides gainful employment to a crew of 17. Patrick is determined to ensure that he keeps these employees in work, even though margins are tight and overheads are rising all the time. “We’ve just done up the books for the year-ending June 2007 and profits are well back on the previous year, but that’s the nature of the construction market now and we saw that coming. We have to look at ways to make sure we’re kept busy. At the moment, we’re in the process of getting EN206 certified. We’re hoping that when we reach that level we’ll pick up a lot more business in the concrete market as well,” says the company founder.

Like everybody involved in the plant/haulage sector, Patrick has seen his business placed under unprecedented pressure by soaring fuel and insurance costs, which continue to rise all the time while rates remain frustratingly constant. “Costs are very high,” he agrees. “Fuel in particular is going up all the time and it’s a problem because concrete is a competitive business around here compared to other parts of the country. There are also another couple of quarries coming on stream so it’s not getting any easier, but we have no intention of throwing in the towel.”

Mangan Concrete & Haulage started the new year in considerable style when, on January 1, they took possession of a brand new ’08 Volvo demountable mixer/tipper from Des Murphy, the main Volvo dealer in Galway. This is the first ever brand new truck Patrick has purchased and it shows that he is fully focused on bringing the company forward. “We’ve always strived to keep out fleet in top shape and the new truck is a sign of our commitment in this regard,” he notes.

Putting the director’s background as a mechanic to good use, Mangan Concrete & Haulage carries out all its own repairs in-house, from a self-contained workshop which employs two full-time mechanics. Patrick also has the capacity to carry out maintenance and repairs for other fleets, which is an option he may consider somewhere down the line depending on market conditions.
Flexibility is key to the survival of Mangan Concrete & Haulage. Not prepared to place all his eggs in one basket, Patrick Mangan has developed a multi-dimensional company operating within a number of closely-related specialist areas. He has developed the company premises over the eight-nine years since inception and has plenty of space available to expand if such a move is required. There is a distinct possibility that a second workshop will be built in the not-too-distant future.

So, is he glad he decided to set up his own business or does he yearn for the relative security of working for someone else? Does the pressure ever seem too much? “There is certainly added pressure to running your own business but at the same time it’s rewarding. This is a big challenge and I enjoy it. But the industry needs more support because fuel and tax prices place an enormous strain on all of us.

“Fuel in particular is a major gripe and if the cost continues to rise it could bring the whole industry to its knees. A lot of jobs would be lost and it would be bad for the whole economy. It’s very difficult to pay all the fuel bills every week. But we’re not giving up just yet. We have a new sales rep on the road to drum up new business and I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
Mangan Concrete & Haulage will continue to thrive for a number of reasons. The company provides good products, offers exceptional service levels, operates from a well-appointed site and has forged an unrivalled reputation for excellence since its genesis towards the end of the last millennium.

Mangan Concrete & Haulage Ltd.
Glenmore, Crossmolina,
County Mayo
Tel: 096 31198
Mobile: 087 2506882
or 086 0830919
Fax: 096 30827