Commitment is the key

Putting the customer first is the mantra that every business follows, but for some like Elsatrans Ltd, it endeavours to go that step further and ensure a top quality service that strives to improve on perfection.

The impressive fleet is well maintained

Elsatrans Ltd is based at Southern Link Business Park in Naas, Co Kildare and the company is owned and run by Aaron McAleenan, who spoke to Irish Trucker about the services provided by the business, while he also revealed their goals for the future.
Specialising in the distribution of frozen and chilled products as well as offering competitive groupage rates, Elsatrans Ltd supplies a 24hr seven day-a-week nationwide service.

Aaron formed the company in January 2007, which is borne out of sole trader company AMC Transport, which had been successfully operating since being established in 2004.
With customers in the retail, manufacturing and logistics industries, the company operate for a wide range of businesses meeting all requirements needed.
There are seven trucks on the roads constantly delivering goods and
Elsatrans operate on a multi driver system where more than one driver is assigned to a truck, meaning that all driving regulations are followed thoroughly, while delivery times are met with precision. The drivers are all highly trained and Aaron was keen to mention their contribution to the company's success.

The Elsatrans logo can be seen all over the country

"The drivers have been with me for a long time and they are all highly trained and very reliable, which is of the utmost importance in this business. We have a driver employed here that we sent to the UK to be trained by Volvo on their I-Shift gearboxes.
He ensures that all new drivers are trained in using them correctly and efficiently. Our full time DGSA is kept up to date with the latest changes in legislation, especially in our hazardous cargo department, which caters for all dangerous goods transportation," said Aaron.
"We cater for a number of areas in transport. The main one is refrigeration transport where we distribute frozen and chilled products. Through our dual temperature trailers, we are able to do groupage. Hazardous goods transport and freight forward are other areas that we have developed, while warehousing is the latest service that we provide, where we will have cold storage for all the goods that can be then trans-shipped if necessary."

Refirgeration is Elsatrans forte

In the last year and half, the haulage industry has suffered badly through the mammoth price increase in fuel to the current economic recession and Aaron admitted that they have had to adapt to the new environment.
"We have endeavoured to lower our carbon footprint, which we feel we have achieved through a number of situations. There is fleet fuel monitoring on all trucks and we can track how much fuel has been used on a journey and inform the driver of how to save fuel by driving at the right speed and avoiding idling the truck while fuelling and waiting to load/offload."
The company owner knows only too well that in these troubled times; customers need to be looked after even more stringently than in normal circumstances.

"For starters the rates have dropped from last year. We work closely with all our customers. We are involved with a lot of indigenous companies. Our customer base would be small enough, but we are happy with that and we have a great relationship with them. I believe you can offer the personal touch better when you have fewer companies to deal with."
Efficiency is high on the list of priorities for Aaron and his team and through this they have ensured that their customers are looked after in every detail.

"The fact of the matter is if we are late with a delivery for any reason, then our customers will bring the business elsewhere. Deadlines are made to be met in this business and if you can't guarantee that, then you won't last long."
To meet these deadlines with precision, a reliable fleet is important and Elsatrans Ltd prefers to use Volvo trucks, which are purchased from Irish Commercials.
"The trucks we have are changed every two years in order to keep them fresh and avoid any unnecessary maintenance. We have an excellent relationship with Irish Commercials and they have helped us out in every way possible.
"Fleet Presentation is of major importance to both us as company and the clients we represent on the road. Each vehicle/trailer is washed after every shift change. This ensures we keep up our professional image and the cargo areas of the trailers are free of debris and adhere to HACCP regulations for the transport of foodstuffs."

Aaron also takes great pride in his trailers and nothing but the best will do the company with such branded names as Krone and Schmitz are transporting their goods around the country and abroad.
"We are working with our customers to design a custom built lifting deck refrigeration trailer, which will enable an extra 30-40% of goods for every trailer movement."

The prestige of the company was lifted even higher when in November 2008 Elsatrans Ltd was awarded the Best New Business Award at the Naas Chamber Awards ceremony.