Topcat Transport is up to the TASSC 

11/03/2024

Based in Legan, Co. Longford, Topcat Transport is a TASSC-approved haulage contractor specialising in bulk feed, sand & gravel and tarmacadam transportation. 

Topcat Transport was established in 2016 by Sean Clarke and his wife Margaret. Sean has over 20 years’ experience in the transport industry. It has grown to run a fleet of five Iveco Stralis artics and one Volvo FM rigid, and employs a small but dedicated crew of drivers. Margaret is also a valued member of the Topcat team. 

“Our people are our greatest asset. Our drivers are reliable, professional, friendly and safety-conscious. We all work as a team to ensure the business runs smoothly,” Sean says. 

In addition to its half-dozen trucks, Topcat Transport is running one Wilcox and two Fruehauf grain trailers, two Weightlifter insulated tar trailers and a curtain-sider. The fleet is maintained and upgraded on a regular basis to ensure there is no such thing as downtime. Maintenance, repairs and inspections are carried out by Billy Moran & Sons in Legan and by main Iveco dealers Longhaul Commercials in Tullamore. 

Topcat Transport’s main customers are Paul & Vincent Ltd, Hanly Quarries, Breedon (formerly Lagan) and Brian Fallon Hardware in Longford. It has three artics dedicated to the intake of raw materials to Paul & Vincent’s state-of-the-art animal feed mill in Edgeworthstown. Synonymous with quality and excellence, Paul & Vincent works tirelessly through its customer-oriented workforce to deliver cost-effective feeding solutions to the ruminant, pig and poultry sectors by innovation in feed milling and nutrition. 

“We draw raw materials such as soya, maize, corn gluten, wheat, barley and rape meal from the ports in Dublin, Drogheda and Greenore to Paul & Vincent for milling. It’s what we started out doing with a single Iveco Stralis and Fruehauf grain trailer. They’re a great company to work for,” Sean explains. 

Topcat Transport operates a TASSC-approved bulk feed service tailored to its customers’ needs. The TASSC (Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops) code of practice aims to combine food / feed safety legal requirements with recognised industry good practice and specific customer requirements to provide confidence in the food / feed train. Sean’s drivers are TASCC trained and up-to-speed with all current legislation. 

“As a TASSC-approved haulier, all of our loads are fully traceable and transparent. We have a responsibility to ensure that our trucks and trailers are clean, and that cross-contamination doesn’t occur,” adds Sean, whose grain trucks are decked out in Paul & Vincent's distinctive green and white colours. 

Sean’s animal feed stuff work dovetails nicely with his other service – stone, sand & gravel and tarmac transportation. From Hanly Quarries in Elphin, he draws road-making materials to various locations across the midlands and west for local authorities. “We draw tarmac, sand & gravel and high-PSV chips for road surfacing from Hanly’s. We concentrate on this work from March to October, while the grain work takes place all year round.” 

Hanly Quarries have a proven track record in delivering high-quality products and services in a timely manner. Continued investment in its production process ensures Hanly’s products meet the highest standards. The family business is the supplier of choice of all grades of aggregate, concrete and high PSV grey whacky-washed surface dressing aggregate to Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon County Councils. 

Topcat Transport has come a long way in the last seven years and Sean is eager to keep it on an upward trajectory. 

“We’re always busy so we can’t complain. We have some great customers who we enjoy an excellent working relationship with. Our goal is to provide them with a first-class, dependable, courteous and value-for-money service. We’re alway willing to go the extra mile for them,” says Sean, who is grateful for the support he receives from Margaret, who keeps the books in order, and his two daughters. 

As his company continues to go from strength to strength, the affable Longford man would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as his drivers for their hard work, dedication and skill. 

Topcat Transport 

Legan, 

Co. Longford. 

Telephone: 086 848 1911 

Email: [email protected] 

First published in Irish Trucker magazine March/April 2024, Vol 27-1