Rathcoole Commercial wins again! 

05/06/2025

The awards keep coming for Rathcoole Commercial, which was named Independent Aftersales Operation of the Year at the SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) Awards 2025 in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin. 

This recognition follows their previous wins, including SIMI Commercial Vehicle Operation of the Year in 2023 and CV Independent Workshop of the Year at the 2025 Irish CV Workshop Awards & Auto Trade Awards presented last October. 

As one of Ireland's leading CVRT Centres, Rathcoole Commercial has significantly increased its testing capacity by 50%, expanded its workforce, and enhanced its parts stock to ensure fast-moving parts are always available, reducing vehicle downtime. These improvements are part of a broader strategy to provide unparalleled service to their customers. The company has also invested heavily in facilities and training to ensure top-notch service. 

General Manager Barry Martin underscores the company's dedication to customer excellence: "We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for all LGV and HGV testing, service repairs, crash repairs, and rental needs. We ensure streamlined operations and superior service by doubling our testing capacity and hiring skilled technical Foremen to run the workshop department. Our focus on customer satisfaction and retention is evident in our proactive maintenance approach and flexibility. We help our customers optimise their operations by offering fleet management maintenance options, demonstrating our commitment to their success.” 

Recognising the importance of staff in driving the business forward, Barry adds: "At Rathcoole Commercial, we firmly believe that our staff is the cornerstone of our success. The dedication and expertise of our team drive the business forward, and whatever we invest in them, we see returned tenfold. 

"Recognising the evolving challenges of the motor industry, we have adopted innovative recruitment strategies to attract and retain top talent. As the industry shifts towards EVs and other alternatives to ICE vehicles, the traditional mechanic role is changing, and we are committed to making the motor industry more appealing and forward-thinking. By implementing various initiatives, we ensure our staff is equipped to meet customer needs and deliver exceptional service." 

Rathcoole Commercial has expanded its parts department, invested in equipment upgrades, and adopted advanced technology such as the latest 3D wheel alignment from Manatec and advanced diagnostic equipment. Partnering with the UCD Training Professional Academy, they provide staff with the necessary tools and training to excel in their roles. Additionally, the company has invested in developing its 2-acre site to create additional parking spaces for customer vehicles and is pursuing ISO 14001 accreditation to comply with environmental standards. 

Established by Paul Cooke in 2013, Rathcoole Commercial has grown to employ a 50-strong team at its state-of-the-art premises, open from 7 am to 11 pm on weekdays. 

"We have longer opening hours than most to cater to our customer base. Our first shift is from 7 am to 4 pm, and the second is from 2 pm to 11 pm. The two-hour overlap is important as it helps us to speed up the test or repair process. You have to be agile and flexible in this business," stresses Barry, who was previously fleet maintenance manager with NVD. 

Rathcoole Commercial's award-winning workshop services cater to all makes of LGV & HGV commercial vehicles and are strategically located close to the M50 and N7 in Greenogue industrial estate. It is also ISO 9001-certified and features a wide range of cutting-edge tools and diagnostic equipment. The CVRT Test Center is one of the busiest in the country, testing everything from the largest fleets to single vehicle owners. 

Vastly experienced and professional testers operate Rathcoole Commercial's testing facility with the capacity to perform tests on all types of commercial vehicles, including vans, trucks, trailers, buses, coaches, mini-buses, ambulances, campervans, tractors, and motorhomes. "When a vehicle is dropped in, it's all about downtime, and we try to keep this to a minimum. The long-standing relationships we have built with many customers are key to our success," Barry explains. 

In addition, Rathcoole Commercial has an extensive rental fleet, which includes everything from small vans to large refrigerated trucks. "We provide top-quality service and various makes and models of vehicles to suit your needs." 

Looking to the future, Barry concludes, "We're ambitious and want to keep growing. We see potential in our newer services, such as 3D wheel alignment, fleet management, and crash repairs." 

Rathcoole Commercial thanks its customers, suppliers, and staff for their continued support and dedication. The company's success is a testament to its team's hard work and expertise, and they remain committed to delivering exceptional service and innovation in the motor industry. 

Rathcoole Commercial 

Unit 200 Grants Lane, 

Greenogue, 

Dublin 24, 

D24 NH96. 

Telephone: (01) 401 6840 

Email: [email protected] 

Web: www.rathcoolecommercial.ie 

First published in Irish Trucker magazine March/April 2025, Vol 28-2