Still going strong after 25 years

Hauliers have been spoilt for choice when it comes to garages willing to do maintenance, service and repair work for their trucks as there are many businesses that specialise in this area.

However, not many provide the wide range of services as Clondalkin based Transway Trailers Ltd/Fleet Solutions do with the specialised area being trailer maintenance and repair.
It is a common known fact that every haulier owns a number of trailers and they are as important as the trucks that they have in order to ensure the smooth running of the business.
Nonetheless, when it comes to needing service and repair work on trailers, some garages frown upon this area and have no interest in doing such procedures.
This is where Transway Trailer Ltd/Fleet Solutions strives ahead of its competitors and Irish Trucker spoke to managing director Brian Balfe about his area of expertise.
Having worked in Naas manufacturing trailers for a number of years, Brian realised that there was a niche in the market for trailer maintenance and in 1984, he established his own business.
This year, the company celebrates its silver anniversary and this is a testament of the reliable and efficient service that the company supplies to a large customer base.
“We offer a unique service in that we specialise in fleet maintenance. Trailers have progressed a great deal over the years and there is a lot more work attached to them these days,” said Brian.
Trailer maintenance is just one of the specialised areas that Transway Trailers Ltd/Fleet Solutions operate. And Brian explained that they have three premises in total performing different tasks.
“Not too many garages specialise on trailers, but we do, although that is only one of the strings to our bow, so to speak. We also do shot blasting in Clonard, Co. Meath, while we manufacture uPVC curtainsiders for trailers.
“The most recent area we have started in is VTN testing and we have just begun to do that from the premises in Clondalkin and this has been going very well. This is called the M7 Vehicle Testing Centre. We test heaving and light commercials and have two testers working there full time.”
A 24hr breakdown service for trailer maintenance is also offered by Brian and his staff, while they also perform compliance checks on trailers anywhere in the country.
This means that the will check trailers before they are due a service and it is basically preventive maintenance, which cuts downtime for all owners, a pleasing factor for everyone involved in the haulage industry.
Brian revealed that during the current economic crisis, it was important to inform customers of how much they would be paying for the company’s service.
“There is a price list drawn up here illustrating to the customer how much they will be charged and there are no hidden charges that you often come across in some places.
“By this, we state that a call out will cost so much per hour, but we will say how many hours that the job will take and that’s the end fee, unlike some businesses that give the hourly price, but don’t say how long it will take.
“These days’ people want to know what they will be spending and this is another unique service that we provide. It is something that we have worked on for some time and the feedback that has been received back is very good.”
Brian has introduced a new approach to the business in that he is striving to save the customer money, and he feels it is fitting to bring something new to the business, given that they are a quarter of a century in business.
“We have a very large customer base and I just felt that it was important to bring in a new approach to the business and the pre-price list is just one of the things being implemented here.
“Basically, I want to freshen up the business while ensuring that our customers get the work done at very reasonable rates. All the maintenance work carried out by us is done by a highly trained staff. I’ve over 30 people working for me at the three different premises and they are very efficient at their jobs, so customers can feel assured that the job will be done right when they come to us.”
At a time when many businesses are focused on survival, Brian has placed his emphasis on ensuring that the customers come first and making sure that they feel safe in that they are receiving a top quality service at a reasonable price.
“I want to get across that we are introducing a fresh new approach to the business. Any new customers will be welcomed and if they want we can send them out a brochure with a full list of prices on it. To the best of my knowledge, this is something that no other business provides.”
Transway Trailers Ltd/Fleet Solutions are leading the way in customer satisfaction during a time when every cent counts. Having reached the quarter of a century mark, the company is looking forward to the next 25 years.