John Maher Transport boosts fleet with new Scania G500 XT
17/08/2026
Based in Cullohill, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, John Maher Transport Ltd has grown from modest beginnings into a highly respected name in Ireland’s haulage sector. Specialising in bulk liquid transport and quarry-related works, including bitumen, the family-run company continues to evolve while staying true to the core values of reliability, personal service, and operational excellence that have defined it for more than four decades.
Established in 1983 by John Maher, the business began as a sole trader operation at a time when the construction industry was facing significant challenges. Originally working as a building contractor, John made the strategic decision to invest in a tipper truck to deliver sand and gravel from a local quarry. It was a pivotal move that laid the foundation for what would become a thriving transport enterprise.
Alongside his wife Anne, John gradually expanded the fleet and customer base, building the business step by step. The company’s growth accelerated further when their son Sean joined full-time in 1997 at just 19 years of age.
Today, the business remains firmly rooted in family leadership, with John and Anne serving as directors alongside Sean, and supported by a loyal team of 12 employees.
From those early days with a single tipper truck, John Maher Transport Ltd now operates a fleet of approximately 12 trucks on a daily basis, with additional vehicles held as spares or undergoing refurbishment.
The company offers a wide range of services across the haulage sector, including bulk liquid transport, quarry-related works such as bitumen haulage, and dry freight operations throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
A key element of the company’s operations is its long-standing relationships with major clients, as Sean Maher himself told Irish Trucker.
“We’d have three trucks at milk collection for ArraTipp,” he explained. “So we’d have three trucks on farm-to-farm collection with them and we also do farm deliveries for the same company as well. That’d be fertiliser and feeds stuff.”
In addition to its agricultural work, John Maher Transport maintains a strong presence in the construction and quarrying sectors.
“For Arkil (Ireland) there beside us, we’d have three tippers going in there and we haul the bitumen into the tar plant and we do the low loader work for them,” said Sean.
“We now have the block truck and we do a bit of ready-mix concrete for them as well. After that, we’d have some smaller clients that we do general haulage for as well.”
This diverse portfolio of services ensures a steady stream of work while allowing the company to remain adaptable in a competitive and often unpredictable industry. Much of its success can be attributed to its commitment to building strong, personal relationships with clients.
“We tend to build personal relationships with all of our clients,” said Sean. “They can ring me directly at all times – morning, noon or night – and we’ll do everything in our power to make sure the job is done and done well.”
Central to delivering this level of service is a dependable and well-maintained fleet. John Maher Transport has long favoured Scania vehicles, with the majority of its trucks coming from the renowned manufacturer.
This loyalty is driven not only by the quality and performance of the vehicles but also by the exceptional support provided by local dealer O’Mahony Commercials.
“It’s the back-up service that we get from O’Mahony Commercials, which is only 10 minutes away from us,” Sean explained. “We have trucks passing their premises on a regular basis, so even for spare parts and maintenance, it’s kind of a no-brainer really.”
The company recently strengthened its fleet with the addition of a new Scania G500 XT, a robust, heavy-duty construction-spec vehicle designed to handle demanding workloads in challenging environments.
Ordered through O’Mahony Commercials nearly 12 months in advance, the G500 XT represents a significant investment in both efficiency and capability.
The new addition to the fleet is well suited to the type of work undertaken by John Maher Transport, particularly in quarry and construction settings where durability, power, and reliability are essential.
Its addition enhances the company’s ability to service clients like Arkil while also supporting the expansion of its ready-mix concrete and block transport operations.
While the business continues to invest in modern equipment and expand its service offering, it is not immune to the wider challenges facing the haulage industry. Rising fuel costs remain a significant concern, placing pressure on margins in an already competitive market.
“Last year was okay for us, but, as I’m sure everybody is aware, the current fuel prices are making a massive difference in a business like ours where the margins are small,” Sean noted.
“Fuel is a major factor in the business and it’s looking quite daunting at the minute unless the government give us some sort of relief. It’s not looking anyway positive. Worrying times.”
Despite these challenges, the company remains cautiously optimistic about the future. Much of its work is based on long-term contracts and repeat business, providing a degree of stability in uncertain times.
Developments within the local quarry sector, particularly with Arkil’s involvement in the nearby Kellys of Fantane site, could also influence the company’s workload in the months ahead.
“A lot of the work that we do is regular work that we know is ahead of us, so it’s a case of hoping that everything runs according to plan,” Sean stated. “Arkil are a new company that have bought into the Kellys of Fantane quarry beside us and they are making gradual changes to how they operate their business, so that will influence whether we’re busier or quieter. Time will tell on that.”
For now, John Maher Transport continues to focus on what it does best: delivering a reliable, high-quality service backed by a dedicated team and a modern, efficient fleet.
With over 40 years of experience behind it and a strong reputation built on trust and performance, the company is well positioned to navigate the challenges ahead.
As the new Scania G500 XT gets to work alongside the rest of the fleet, it stands as a symbol of the company’s ongoing commitment to progress, ensuring that John Maher Transport remains a key player in Ireland’s haulage industry for years to come.
John Maher Transport Ltd.,
Cullohill,
Borrisoleigh,
Thurles,
Co Tipperary
Phone: 0504 51194
John: 087 250 7000
Sean: 087 221 0124
Email: [email protected]
First published in Irish Trucker magazine July/August 2026, Vol 29-4