Dixon International celebrates 10th anniversary june 2008

Michael Dixon International Transport celebrated 10 years in business recently and Irish Trucker wasnÕt going to let the occasion pass without speaking to the Meath-based companyÕs affable managing director about what is now firmly established as one of the leading international haulage firms operating out of Ireland.

Since its establishment in March 1998, Michael Dixon International Transport has experienced the type of growth most companies could only dream of.
Spearheading the company’s massive expansion is 33-year-old Michael Dixon, who re-launched the family business which had lapsed following the untimely passing of his father, also Michael, in 1988.

“My late father ran his own company before his death at the age of just 36,” Michael explains.
“I was only 13 at the time so I was too young to carry on from him. But my uncles Tony Dixon and Michael McGuinness were also in the business and that kept me interested until I was able to revive my father’s business in 1998. It was originally called Michael Dixon Transport before we renamed it Michael Dixon International Transport three years ago.”

Michael Dixon International Transport is a family-run operation with Michael’s brother Brendan, sisters Lisa and Pauline, and mother Monica also holding key roles within the business. Based in Rathfeigh, Tara, Co. Meath – which is just 20km from Dublin - the company has been remarkably successful, doubling in size year-on-year since its inception to become one of Ireland’s foremost international haulage firms.

Michael with his wife Eileen and kids Aimee, Molly and Michael Jnr

“We’ve grown from having one or two trucks to having a current fleet of 45,” he says.
“Our business has grown with our customers. A lot of the growth has happened since we re-branded the company three years ago and changed direction slightly. Whereas we had 13 trucks and 25 trailers back then, we now have 45 trucks and about 90 trailers. Our staff has also grown accordingly and we now employ 60 between drivers and office personnel.”
Michael’s philosophy from the beginning has been to give the customer high levels of services by utilising modern plant and equipment, manned by only the most capable and experienced drivers.
“A big part of our success has been down to the quality of driver we employ. All our drivers are English-speaking which can be an advantage point of view.”

The company’s growth has coincided with its decision to specialise in refrigerated transport. It now operates 50 refrigerated trailers, which is more than its curtainsiders and box units combined.
“We got into the refrigerated transport in a big way. The business has changed a lot since five years ago when it was mainly curtainsider work that we specialised in. We offer both a national and international service, and have sent trucks as far as Finland and the Ukraine,” Michael adds.

Clockwise: Patrick Dockery, Michael Dixon, Greg Browne and John Keogh. Missing: Paddy Mooney

Dixon International delivers dry and perishable goods to all parts of Europe. The company offers a daily delivery service to the UK and Germany, while each of its vehicles are fitted with mobile phones and satellite tracking.
“We have built up a very loyal customer-base over the years and are committed to providing them with a quality, reliable service at the best possible rate.”

Michael has invested heavily in recent years to develop the company’s services to meet its customers’ expectations with the objective of making Michael Dixon International Transport one of the leading logistics and distribution companies in Ireland. The company prides itself on running a very clean and modern fleet of trucks and trailers. The fleet consists of various makes and models, including the mega euroliners for added extra capacity. The company also provides temperature-controlled trailers, ensuring that the fleet is the most modern and up-to-date in the country.
Last September, Dixon International opened a new 14,000sq ft European hub in Antwerp, Belgium to service its ever increasing customer base in Europe.

Scania, Volvo and DAF are the preferred marquees of Dixon International, whose distinctive blue and white colours are a familiar sight on Irish and European Roads. “Personally, I’d be a big fan of Scania because of their exceptional second hand value,” Michael says.
The company’s fleet of trailers are made up of euroliners and mega euroliners, double deckers, sliding container trailers, fridge trailers and tanks. All fridge trailers are equipped with Thermo King units. Some are split and some are rear-evaporator so they can carry frozen/fresh products at the same time. Most of the trailers are SDC, while Thermo King, Chereau and Krone are the preferred combination for the company’s refrigerated trailer needs.

DixonÕs impressive trucks are a familiar sight on Irish and European roads

Dixon International offers trucks to customers with either its own colour scheme or the colours and logos of the companies it works for. The company provides scheduled transport services collecting and delivering all types of goods and produce throughout Ireland. The company is fully licensed and has full Goods in Transit insurance and liability cover, with all policies available for inspection on request.
Given the demands of international haulage, it’s no surprise to hear that the company buys new every two-to-three years. “We change our trucks and trailers on a regular basis. Most of our trucks would be under three years old.”
Ideally, Michael would opt to replace a truck after three years, but in some instances the time frame can be shorter. The truck’s performance dictates when the time is right to replace it.

He revealed: “We keep a very close eye on fuel costs. If we find that a truck is hard on fuel in comparison to another, we’ll change it. Our trucks would be averaging about 250,000km a year so it doesn’t pay to keep a truck that is hard on fuel.”
Dixon International is acutely aware that fuel is one of the company’s biggest single outlays. Consequently, it has put a management information system in place to monitor the fuel performance of each vehicle.
“Along with insurance, which has come down a lot in the last few years, it is the biggest area where we can save money. We have a key controlled Fueltek system here in the yard. We know exactly how every truck is doing on an ongoing basis. We monitor the fuel history of every truck from when we buy it until we trade it in.”

Office staff Monica Dixon, Eileen Dixon and Lisa Dixon. Missing from photo were : Pauline Keogh, Sandra Reddy and Suzanne Durnin

The company places huge emphasis on the appearance of the fleet, which is always immaculately presented.
“I was a driver for five or six years before I went out on my own. I always liked a clean truck and trailer. We have carried that on with Dixon International. The fact that the fleet is very modern makes it all the easier,” Michael notes.
Looking ahead, Michael feels a customer-driven focus will continue to reap benefits for the company. Complimented by top class plant and equipment and a highly motivated, professional and friendly staff, he is confident he has a winning formula.
“If the next 10 years are as a successful as the last 10, then I’ll be very happy,” he concludes.

For more information about Michael Dixon International Transport, telephone: 041-9825244; mobile: 086-2303043; fax: 041-9825240; email: info@dixontransport.com