You call we haul

Hauliers’ transport all sorts of products and materials thus ensuring that all types of equipment such as trucks, trailers and lifts are needed to complete the many various tasks associated with the industry.

PJ (third from left) along with some of the staff

McGoldrick Transport is one firm that can provide such a service and it has been doing so for the past sixteen years. Based at 43 Eden Road, Portglenone, Co Antrim, the haulage firm provide a wide range of services to a large customer base that includes some of the top companies in the North.
Company director PJ McGoldrick has seen a few changes in the industry during the intervening years, while he was not afraid to diversify the business into other areas of haulage. When the company was initially set up, Livestock haulage was the main form of work, but there are many more strings attached to its bow these days.

A selection of the McGoldrick Transport fleet

“My first truck was a TK Bedford and basically I was hauling livestock to various places. We had a background in farming and I suppose that’s where it all started from in 1991. Then about six months after, I bought a Scania 112, which was used to haul livestock, mostly pigs to Edenderry in Co. Offaly,” said PJ.
“Then two tippers were bought and I managed to get work with Creagh Concrete, hauling aggregate for them and I’m still doing that to this day. Also around the same time, we stared to transport Timber Frame housing kits for Younger Homes and that is another contract that we still have.”

All trucks are well maintained

PJ admitted that he was fortunate to get in with such reputable firms and is delighted to be still associated with two such noteworthy companies.
“I was grateful to get the business in the first place and both are very good to work for. They took a chance on giving me the work and I’m glad that we’ve been able to provide a continuous reliable service.”
McGoldrick Transport has an impressive client list these days and along with the aforementioned companies, BSG sheet Piling is another firm that relies on PJ and his team to transport its equipment and products.
“We have 27 trailers in total of various types. We have two low loaders with BSG at all times for moving its diggers, while we also transport sheet tiling for them.”

As well as supplying a service to a number of companies, McGoldrick Transport also do general haulage across the north and South of Ireland. PJ revealed that the firm used to be involved in cross-channel work, but that has now all stopped.
“We decided to stop the cross-channel haulage as it became too much hassle, especially during and after the foot and mouth crisis a few years back. There were too many hold-ups travelling over and back as the trucks had to be scrubbed clean going and coming from Britain, while all the paperwork had to be in order or there was no chance of making the crossing.
“Downtime is something that needs to be avoided at all costs in this business as it is no good for me or the customer to have the trucks and products sitting idle, you just don’t need those kinds of setbacks.”

The McGoldrick logo is well known throughout Ireland

PJ operates nine articulated trucks which are mainly Volvo and he prefers the Swedish supplier of commercial vehicles as do all his drivers.
“The drivers like the Volvo. They are spacious and reliable, which is very important in this game. I also have one Scania and DAF. They are good trucks too.”
The majority of maintenance work is carried out by themselves as PJ employs a full time mechanic to look after the servicing and repair work.
“Most of it is done here, but if there is a big job to be done, then we sub that out. The trucks are new or relatively new, which tends to keep breakdowns to a minimum. Customers want a reliable service or they will go elsewhere so that is our main aim.”
For the time being, PJ is happy with the amount of work that he has, but that does not mean that he is not open to increasing the company’s portfolio in the future.

“You never say never in this business. At the moment, we have enough to keep us going and that is grand, but who knows what the future holds, especially in this game.”
PJ has witnessed a slight slow down in the business due to the housing boom easing considerably and he admitted that it was easier to make money when he first started the business.
“Back then, there were not as many hauliers on the road, and in particular looking after the construction sector. However, when things really began to take off, more and more people went into the industry and now that things have slowed down, there is not enough work for everyone.

“In saying that we are still fairly busy. The haulage business is a very fickle industry and one that can change at a moments’ notice. The rise in fuel prices has had a considerable affect, but you just have to carry on regardless and try to make sacrifices in other areas if at all possible.”
McGoldrick Transport employs a staff of nine and PJ acknowledges the role that they have played in the success of the company over the years and is grateful for their hard work and commitment.

“It makes my job a lot easier when you can just send a driver out in the knowledge that he is going to do job effectively and on time, although we all know that unforeseen problems can crop up at any stage. There are seven drivers here and they are all very good, while I have a girl in the office looking after the paper work and a mechanic that maintains the trucks. All in all, the company is being run smoothly and hopefully we can continue that trend in the future and as a team we will go forward to reach our goals.”