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Providing bespoke TM Solutions
The professionalism and expertise of Swords Auto was called upon recently
to build a new state-of-the-art emergency ISU (Incident Support Unit)
for the M50. Irish Trucker contacted company managing director Brian O’Neill
to discuss the finer details of this bespoke vehicle and also to take
a look at Swords Auto’s vast range of Traffic Management solutions.
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Swords
Auto specialise in Traffic Management
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Swords Auto is Ireland’s premier supplier of traffic management
tools and materials. The Dublin company offers for sale or hire a range
of state-of-the-art, specially-equipped, self-drive vehicles designed
to cater for all aspects of Traffic Management. It also provides training
services for the use of this equipment and general Traffic Management
procedures.
As qualified auto electricians, they can supply and fit a variety of quality
products to any vehicle in accordance with a client’s express specifications.
Swords Auto boasts over 20 years’ auto electrical experience and
was the obvious choice when M50 Concession Limited (the company charged
with looking after the operation and maintenance of the M50 motorway)
was seeking a partner to design and build a brand-new, purpose-build motorway
Incident Support Unit.
The resultant Ford Transit – based on a 350 LWB 2.4 litre TDCi –
is the sole ISU patrolling the M50 and will be on call 24 hours a day
to provide emergency assistance to users of the country’s busiest
motorway. “We are delighted to be providing this service in our home
city,” said MD Brian O’Neill at the launch of the vehicle. “For
any incident – be that a breakdown or an accident – the ISU
will provide a first line of support ahead of the arrival of the emergency
services.
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Visability
is vital for Swords Auto
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Patrolling the M50 24/7, the new vehicle will clock up an annual mileage
of approximately 130,000km. Thus, the Ford Transit model was chosen due
to its versatility and reputation as a workhorse. The ISU is equipped
with emergency lighting, while on-board equipment includes First Aid supplies,
fire extinguishers and special tools. The ISU drivers are specially trained
and the vehicle can be contacted at the free phone number 1800 775050.
What were the criteria that had to be met when the vehicle was being designed
and built? “Visibility is very important – the vehicle has to
be seen,” says Brian. “The storage area is also vital. We need
somewhere to store all the gear like fire extinguishers, wet gear, brushes,
shovels etc, as well as an area for debris collection. We also had to
take into consideration the mileage this vehicle will be covering. As
this will be the only ISU on the M50, we designed it so that a new chassis
can be placed under it. The vehicle will be re-chassised in 18 months.
The whole concept has been carefully planned from the start. We started
with the chassis and cab and then purpose built the body.”
Swords Auto is the only crash cushion manufacturer in Ireland. The company
started out in 1987 as Swords Auto Electric, specialising in commercial
vehicle electrics. In 1992, sister company Swords Auto Truck & Van
Hire was established, specialising in the supply of commercial vehicles,
particularly municipal vehicles to local authorities. From there, the
company started to manufacture crash cushions and block vehicles. A depot
was opened in Wrexham, Wales to build, hire and lease these block vehicles
into the UK market.
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Ready
for any eventuality
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The company’s renowned expertise in electrics was crucial when it
came to securing this contract. As Swords Auto specialises 50/50 between
body building and electrics – and has a proven track record working
on vehicles that carry big loads and are heavy on power – they were
an automatic choice. Swords Auto was recommended to M50 Concessions by
Transroute, for whom they worked on the port tunnel.
Swords Auto can kit out any vehicle with everything from batteries and
alternators to audio sound systems, starters, car alarms and hands free
mobile kits. Swords Auto Truck & Van Hire hires out a range of 4x4
jeeps, transit vans, Isuzu tippers with tail lifts, box body trucks, car
vans, Dyna trucks, Isuzu single and crew cabs and flat body trucks.
Traffic Management vehicles and equipment are supplied, complying with
the highest standards of health and safety. Self-drive and meeting with
all requisite UK and Irish specifications, these include 100km crash cushions,
mobile information vehicles, advanced warning trailers, truck-mounted
warning signs, amber lights, cones & sleeves and dual-colour pictogram
signs.
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Customised Traffic Management vehicles are manufactured using off-the-shelf
components, providing fast turn-arounds and low cost repairs. Products
used are of the highest standards, ensuring long life and flexible solutions.
Swords Auto is the only company to use fully-galvanised bodies to guarantee
strength and long-life to vehicles. Using state-of-the-art design and
manufacturing techniques, Swords Auto can equip any vehicle to provide
TM solutions in mobile lane closures, urban Traffic Management, dual purpose
Traffic Management, swappable solutions and Incident Support Units (ISUs).
Swords Auto builds three types of vehicles: large block vehicles, advance-warning
vehicles and general ISU units. 90% of these are built to order. “There
are standard specifications to which a client can add or subtract as they
wish,” Brian notes. “Most clients will have the vehicle modified
to their own specific needs, depending on what exactly they want the vehicle
to do.”
Founded by Brian’s parents Brian Snr. and Kathleen, Swords Auto is
a family business with an emphasis on personal service and quality. They
can build Traffic Management and road maintenance vehicles ranging from
3.5 tonnes up to 26 tonnes. These are all available for contract and long-term
rental.
Having recently acquired Lantra-approved training status, Swords Auto
also provides customised Traffic Management related training courses,
with a training school up and running at the Wales depot.
Since its inception, the main objective of the company has been to provide
quality products and services to both private and commercial customers.
The staff commitment to fulfil this objective has earned the company the
trust of its many clients. The company specialises in providing clients
with an entire wiring and electrical service plus the supply and fitting
of quality products. Swords Auto is an authorised Hella service partner
and parts stockist and a Lucas-approved agent.
Swords Auto
Lawless Yard,
North Street,
Swords,
County Dublin.
Tel: 01 8404748
Fax: 01 8406230
Email: info@swordsauto.ie
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