Irish Trucker magazine May 2012

McHugh Fuels arejust a phone callawayMcHugh Fuels has been helping to keep the people of Fermanagh andTyrone warm and cosy for over 30 years. We found out more about thehighly-regarded family-run fuels and lubricants business.

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS40

McHugh Fuels has beenin business for 33 years

Founded by Eugene McHugh 33 years ago, McHughFuels has established itself as one of the North’sforemost suppliers of fuels and lubricants.

Based in Ederney, Co. Fermanagh, the family-run companyhas built up a strong reputation for delivering high-qualityproducts to many homes and businesses in Fermanagh andTyrone, and neighbouring counties. This, coupled with a

reliable and friendly service, enables McHugh Fuels to meetall of their customers’ needs and requirements.

McHugh Fuels supply domestic household, agricultural andcommercial users with quality products at the mostcompetitive prices. They have built up a strong client-base,particularly in the large urban areas of Enniskillen and Omagh,and pride themselves on offering the complete package when

it comes to delivery and service.In the event of an emergency and you run out of home

heating oil, it’s reassuring to know that McHugh Fuels are justa phone call away and will endeavour to get to you as soonas possible. They offer a six-day delivery service (8.30am to5.30pm Monday toSaturday) as well asemergency and top-upservices. An Oil savingscheme through thestanding order bankfacility is also available tocustomers. This helpsthe customer to saveregularly for their oilwhich removes thepressure of paying outlarge sums of money atonce.

In addition, McHughFuels provides a five-daydoor-to-door coal run in anumber of designatedareas throughoutFermanagh and Tyrone.Customers can alsopurchase a wide range ofcash and carry products,

ranging from coal and gas to diesel and lubricants, from theMcHugh Fuels depot in Ederney, which is 15 miles fromEnniskillen and Omagh.

“We are a family-owned and managed company with over30 years’ experience supplying oil, coal, lubricants and otherrelated products to customers in our area,” explains officemanager Dearbhaile McHugh, who is Eugene’s daughter.

“We have a large customer-base which has been built upover many years through our commitment to service, deliveryand value-for-money. We only sell products that are of thehighest quality.”

Home heating oil followed by gas oil, is McHugh Fuels’biggest selling product. Many customers drop into their cashand carry to avail of their excellent range of products whichare significantly cheaper than garages and supermarkets.Owners of diesel cars, vans, trucks and tractors can fill up attheir fuel pumps, while varying quantities from a 20litre drumto a 205litre barrel are also available.

McHugh Fuels are leading stockists of smokeless andbituminous coal. Their smokeless coal products, which aresuitable for glass fronted fires, include phurnacite, redflame,calco and cozy flame. Their bituminous coal products, whichare suitable for open fires, include Columbian coal anddoubles and domestic slack. Turf, peat briquettes, logs andfirelogs are among the other products also stocked. All solidfuels are bought in bulk quantities as to pass on the mostcompetitive prices to customers.

McHugh Fuels are renowned for stocking a large range oflubricants products, including fully synthetic engine oils, semi-synthetic engine oils, greases, heavy duty diesel engine oil,mineral-based oils, gear oils, metal working fluids, automatictransmission fluids, process oils, transformer oils andpassenger car engine oils.

A wide selection of top-quality oil tanks and coal bunkerscan also be purchased from McHugh Fuels. Among the oiltanks they stock are Titan Environmental (produced byKingspan Environmental), Harlequin and PC Roto.

McHugh Fuels operate a modern fleet of radio controlledtankers which are fitted with electronic meters that areregularly calibrated and tested by Trading Standards weightsand measures.

“We are running three oil tankers and one coal lorry at the

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS 41

McHugh Fuels drivers (l/r): Michael Maguire, Charles McHugh, DamienMaguire and Ryan Walsh. Missing: Ken Irvine and Emmet McHugh

moment,” Dearbhaile explains.All of our oil tankers are MAN. We

have stuck with MAN over the yearsbecause they are a reliable,economical and comfortable truck. Wehave five drivers who are highly skilled,experienced and courteous. They areCharles McHugh, Michael Maguire,Damien Maguire and Ken Irvine alongwith my brother Emmett.”

Managing director Eugene McHughset up the company in 1979 afterworking as a mechanic in England andfor Michelin in Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

He started off with aman coal run beforeextending into oildistribution in 1989.Eugene’s wifeColette is alsoinvolved in thebusiness along withtheir childrenEmmett andDearbhaile, whileextended family

members Charlie McHugh, driver,Anne-Marie McVeigh, sales, and RyanWalsh, yard man, are also employed.

Dearbhaile admits that business wasdown slightly last winter due to theunseasonably mild weather, high oilprices and on-going economicrecession.

“Compared to the previous winter, lastwinter was very mild and that obviouslyhad an impact on sales,” she says.

“You’ve also got to factor in the cost ofoil at the moment. It’s $122 a barrel atthe moment, which is very high. It’s not

far off the record high of $148 in 2008.But despite this and the fact that there’snot a lot of money around, people stillhave to keep warm and that’s where wecome in. We have an oil saving schemewhere customers can pay into anaccount over a period of time, and thishas proven to be very successful alongwith the acceptance of the SVDP Oilsaving stamps.

“We will continue to offer a low-costfuel, lubricant and cash and carryservice to our customers, whosebusiness we greatly appreciate.”


CONTACT DETAILS

McHugh FuelsMoneyvriece,Ederney,Enniskillen,Co. FermanaghBT93 0ES

Telephone: 028 68 632 053

McHugh Fuels’ Cash & Carry isextremely popular with customers

These trucks are a familiar sight on theroads of Fermanagh and Tyrone

McHugh Fuels stock everythingfrom lubricants to moss peat


Best Wishes To McHugh FuelsFrom

Kelly FuelsL’Derry

Tel: 02871 360330

www.kellyfuels.co.uk

Fyfin Road, Strabane, Co. Tyrone Tel: (028) 81658287 • Mobile: 0776 810 8251

Specialist in Sale, Service & Repair ofHigh Quality Used MANCommercial Vehicles

Best Wishes ToMcHugh Fuels

Continued Best Wishes To McHugh Fuels From

ENNISKILLEN

FOR EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE IN NORTHERN IRELANDAND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELANDwww.murnaghanfee.com

Tel: 028 66322819 Fax: 028 66323073Email:[email protected]

Best Wishes To McHugh Fuels, From

Don’t forget we buy and sell trucks through www.justtankers.comand can supply all your tanker spares at www.justtankerspares.com

Continued Best Wishes To McHugh Fuels

Happy 21st,Eurocoach!Eurocoach NI Ltd is celebrating 21 years in business and what better timeto profile the successful Dungannon, Co. Tyrone-based company and itsaffable owner Sam Sinnamon.


Pictured with staff at EurocoachNI are, front, l/r: Nigel Sinnamon,

Leanne Sinnamon, LornaSinnamon, Sam Sinnamon

2012 is a special year for one of Ulster’s best-knownprivate coach and minibus hire companies, EurocoachNI Ltd, which celebrates its 21st birthday.

Starting out with a single bus in 1991, Sam Sinnamon andhis family have grown the business to such an extent that theynow operate a fleet of 25 coaches and minibuses from the tinyvillage of Bush, which situated a short distance from

Dugannon in Co. Tyrone. Sam runs the business along withhis wife Lorna and son Nigel, who are fellow directors. Sam isan engineer by trade, while Nigel is an expert in coachpainting and bodybuilding.

The Sinnamon family pride themselves on the excellentreputation they have built up, which is based on customerservice and reliability. When it comes to friendly service,

comfort, reliability, value-for-moneyand excellence, they have fewequals.

“We’ve come a long way sincestarting out with a 49-seater Ford RSeries coach 21 years ago,” Samproudly states.

“We started out doing runs for localfootball teams. We then bought asecond coach – a 19-seaterMercedes – and we’ve been addingto our fleet ever since. Our coachesrange in size from 16 to 70-seater.We have a wide and loyal customer-base which is the envy of many ofour competitors.”

Eurocoach work for customersacross Northern Ireland who requiregroup travel and transport for daytrips, group outings, church outings,tours in the UK and Ireland, schooltrips and airport transfers. A memberof the Federation of PassengerTransport (NI), Eurocoach operatesa modern fleet of coaches which areDOE approved, fully insured, arefitted with seat belts and aremanned by experienced, highly-skilled, courteous and uniformeddrivers.

The newer coaches come with airconditioning, toilets and DVDplayers, while some havewheelchair access and are suitablefor persons with special needs.

While the Eurocoach fleet isdominated by Volvo and Mercedes,one of the company’s two 70-seaters is a DAF. Their largercoaches are red and orange incolour, while the minibuses are

white.“The main reason why we buy Volvo

and Mercedes is because they are thenearest dealerships to us,” Samexplains.

“Dennison Commercials are mainVolvo dealers and they are only acouple of miles away from us. As wellas providing an excellent service, theyare very good when it comes tooffering technical advice. Also, if youorder a part from them, you can beguaranteed to have it the next day.

“Mercedes Truck & Van, who are thelocal Mercedes dealership, are evencloser to us. They are only half-a-mileaway. They provide a very efficientservice and next-day delivery servicealso.

“Whereas our larger coaches arepredominantly Volvo, our minibusesare predominantly Mercedes. We haveeight large B10 and B12 Volvo


Eurocoach operates a fleetof 25 coaches and minibuses

Sam Sinnamon receiving the Judge’sSpecial Award on behalf of Eurocoach NI atthe FPTNI awards night in Ballymeana onFebruary 25 last, l/r: Rob Orchard; KarenMcGill, CEO FPT; Sam Sinnamon; Alex

Attwood, NI Transport Minister

A Volvo B12M53 seater

coaches and one 70-seater. Our 51,53, 55 and 57-seater executivecoaches are always in big demand withschool and sports groups.”

One of Eurocoach’s big selling pointsis its location close to the M1 motorway,which is a central position to serve theirNorthern Ireland customers.

“Not only is Dungannon in the heart ofUlster, but it’s also just a few miles from

the border with the Republic. Wecouldn’t ask for a better location,” Samenthuses.

The family-run business employs 20staff, which comprises 15 drivers, threebus escorts and two mechanics. Allservicing, maintenance and repairs arecarried out at the company’s state-of-the-art workshop. All driver training alsotakes place in-house and complies with

Federation of Passenger Transport (NI)guidelines.

Before obtaining his bus operator’slicence and setting up Eurocoach, Samworked as an engineer with Ulster Busand was sales manager for Wright’sCoach Works in Ballymena for threeyears. He also spent 11 years workingin Dublin where he was Farm Hand’s

sales manager for Northern Ireland.Nigel, whose wife Leanne is also

involved in the business, served histime as a coach painter andbodybuilder with Gary O’Neill,whose company G-Com inToomebridge, Co. Antrimspecialises in paint spraying.Eurocoach is now benefiting fromhis skills and expertise.

Sam is full of praise for the role hiswife Lorna has played in thesuccess of his company.

“Eurocoach wouldn’t be thebusiness it is without Lorna. Herhands-on approach has played ahuge part in its success. I would liketo take this opportunity to thank herfor all her support andencouragement over the years.”

Sam is always looking at ways toexpand and improve his business,though he admits it’s all about


Showcasing some of the large coachesare l/r; Nigel, Lorna and Sam Sinnamon

We sell parts for

DAF • VOLVO • IVECO • MAN • RENAULT • MERCEDES • SCANIAStation Road Industrial Estate, Loughgall Road, Armagh, N. Ireland BT61 7NP

Tel: 028-3752 5427Fax: 028-3752 7781 • Email: [email protected]

NOW STOCKING A LARGE RANGE OF PARTS FOR IVECO DAILY VANS

Best Wishes To Eurocoach NI Ltd, From

survival in the currenteconomic climate.

“The recession is hittingevery business hard, butthankfully we’ve coped okayso far. What we have found isthat people are moreconscious about what they’respending their money on,and you won’t get anybusiness if you don’t givethem value-for-money.Rising fuel costs have hit usbadly, and we’re having torun a tight ship as a result.But we’re getting by alright.”

Sam continues: “We’re notoperating any service runs atthe moment and that issomething we’d like to do inthe future. We would love to

be able to give customers analternative to Ulster Bus, whohave a monopoly on it. It’svery difficult for a privateoperator to get a licence forservice runs, but that won’tstopping us from trying.”


CONTACT DETAILS

For further information aboutEurocoach NI Ltd, telephone

028 8772 3031, [email protected] orwhy not call into their depot at

Cornwallis House, 47Mullaghteige Road, Bush,Dungannon, Co. Tyrone,

BT71 6QU.

Nigel and Sam Sinnamon witha Volvo B12M fresh from the

inhouse paint shop

Best Wishes To Eurocoach NI Ltd, From

L.M.C.Trade SalesSpecialise in the supply of high quality, pre-owned light

commercial vehicles to the motor trade & the public.

68 Legilly Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone BT70 1PETEL: 028 8772 3399 Fax: 028 8775 0473

Mobile: 07748 112 820 email: [email protected]

www.lmctradesales.com

Products • Services • Skip Hire • Waste Management

81-83 Belfast Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin BT29 4TL

T: (028) 90825362 F: (028) 90825696Email: [email protected]

www.mckinstryskiphire.co.ukBest Wishes To Eurocoach NI Ltd

Wishing Eurocoach NI Ltd continued success.....

Dickson & Co are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Best Wishes To Eurocoach NI Ltd From

Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI)Dungannon, 104 Bush Road

Tel: 0845 1287371

www.mbtvni.co.uk

Continued Best Wishes To Eurocoach NI Ltd From

A.A. Hydraulics & Oils

For All Your Lubricants, Hydraulic Pipes & Couplings- Powerwash Hoses

REPAIR & REPLACEMENT OF HYDRAULIC HOSES HUGE SELECTION AVAILABLE

Unit 5, Ballysaggart Business Complex, Ballygawley Rd., Dungannon, Co. Tyrone BT71 7DF

Tel: 028 8772 9272 Mobile: 07818 094914

ChampioningIreland’s ‘Architectsof Transport’The Irish International Freight Association (IIFA) is celebrating its 50thanniversary this year. To coincide with this landmark date, Irish Trucker metup with CEO Colm Walsh to take a closer look at this stellar representativebody, which provides a vital service to Ireland’s freight forwarders.


Mr. Terry Allen (Director - Hawthorn Logistics),Mr. Philip Kane (Geodis - IIFA President), Ms.

Silvia Valles Barrera (Young International FreightForwarder of the Year 2011 Winner), Mr. MartinCunningham (Director - Hawthorn Logistics)

and Colm Walsh (CEO IIFA)

The Irish International Freight Association (IIFA) is thesole representative body and official voice of freightforwarding in Ireland. Established in 1962, it has over

one hundred (trading and affiliated) members who betweenthem employ more than 3,000 people, handling some 90% ofIreland's €148 billion international merchandise trade.

To understand the role of the IIFA, it is first of all importantto realise exactly what a freight forwarder is: according to theAssociation, freight forwarding – separate from haulage - isthe business of deciding the best modes and methods formoving specific goods according to a specific requirement, ona worldwide scale. The freight forwarder has often beendescribed as a travel agent for cargo; however, they are morewidely known as ‘architects of transport’.

The freight forwarder acts as professional intermediarybetween the client and the transportation services utilised,and boasts the specialist knowledge and expertise needed forthe consolidation, storage, handling, packing, and distributionof physical merchandise. He / she will also service the client'sancillary requirements, including customs clearance (forimports and exports), duty payment, and documentary creditarrangements.

Through its membership of the Customs ConsultativeCommittee (CCC) and Trade Facilitation Ireland (TFI), theIIFA participates in discussions on local issues affectinginternational trade, while representation at international levelis conducted through membership of FIATA - InternationalFederation of Freight Forwarders' Associations.

As well as ensuring that the concerns of members and their


Mr. Aedan Archer (left) who was present at thefirst meeting of the association in 1962 alongsideIIFA President in 2003 and 2004 Michael Connolly

At the IIFA 50th Anniversary celebrations outside Blooms Hotel are, front l/r: SimonTobin, IIFA President Philip Kane, Aedan Archer, Mary O'Sullivan, Pearl Cumiskey and

IIFA CEO Colm Walsh. Middle: Bob Rainsford, Sean McCool, Finbarr Cleary andMichael Connolly. Back: Peter Maybury, Bernard Jones, Tony Kiernan, Owen O'Brien,

IIFA Honourary Treasurer Paddy Kenny and Vincent Brennan

clients are heard and acted upon, thusensuring that the flow of physical tradebetween Ireland and the rest of theworld is as efficient and cost-effectiveas possible, the IIFA also offers theopportunity to professionals employedin various aspects of Supply ChainManagement, to achieve a FIATADiploma in Freight Forwarding – aninternationally recognized qualificationthat can be achieved within ten months.The course went online for the firsttime, last year. The next course startsin September and finishesthe following June.

The FIATA Diploma courseis ideal for those currentlyemployed either directly infreight forwarding or anyother area of supply chainmanagement. Itencompasses all aspects offreight forwardingencountered on a daily basisin the various operationalareas such as Air Freight,Sea Freight, InternationalTransport by Road, CustomsClearance, Logistics andWarehousing, DangerousGoods, Marine Insurance,Computer and InformationTechnology and of courseFreight Forwarding itself. Anoption for undertakingindividual modules is alsoavailable to participants.

CEO of the Association

since 2005, and a previous President,Colm Walsh is only too well aware ofthe significance of the IIFA’s 50thanniversary. “The initial meeting tookplace in Jury’s Hotel on March 14th,1962,” he notes. “We held a smallcelebration to mark that occasion onthe same day this year. There were tencompanies represented at that firstmeeting. We now have 107 full tradingmembers as well as 13 affiliatedmembers, which is a good reflection ofhow Ireland has performed in the line of

international trade over the last 50years. 60% of our members would beIrish-owned and –managedcompanies; the remainder aremultinationals.”

“We see the forwarder as the architectof transport, who possesses theknowledge to set things up for hisclient. Our Association was set to up torepresent the interests of freightforwarders and to assist them withdifferent areas of governance as newlegislation and matters arise. We also


IIFA Council member Finbarr Cleary, IIFACEO Colm Walsh and IIFA Council memberPearl Cumiskey as the association’s 50th

Anniversary Celebrations

FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding Graduates 2011, front l/r: Matt Flint (Indep. Express Cargo), Leanne Farnan (Indep. Express cargo), JohnO’Hanrahan (DHL/IIFA Vice President), Amy Wang, Adrian Byrne (Nippon Express). Back: Andrew Marron (East West Express), Seamus McGowan

(The Pallet Network), Brendan Morgan (Tuckmill Transport), Lisa Hughes (Campion Freight), Sonia FitzPatrick (Phoenix International), Gabriel Gergely, Glen Warnock (Emerald Freight), Colm Walsh (CEO IIFA)


SHIPPING SERVICES

93A Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.T: 01 8300208 F: 01 8308914E: [email protected]

Congratulations & Continued Success To The IIFA

Wishing Continued Success To IIFA

From The Management & Staff At

Transmec Ireland Ltd

Freight Forwarding TransportLogistics & Services

Orion Business Campus, North West Business Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin15

Tel: +353 1 5290360/ 361 or 362Fax: +353 1 5290369

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Delighted to be associated with the IIFA

Relocation Made Easy

DUBLIN- SHANNON - CORK - UK - BELFASTHead Office: +353 (0) 1 8608570

Email: [email protected] www.ras-group.ie

Best Wishes & Continued Success To IIFA From

TUCKMILL TRANSPORT LTDEnniscorthy

Tel: 053 92 32548 Fax: 053 92 39567Mobile: 087 6645827

Contact: Brendan MorganWeb: www.tuckmill.ie

Email: [email protected]/ Next Day Nationwide

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www.eastwestexpress.ieEast West ExpressCharlestown, Co. Mayo.

T: 094-9254502F: 094-9254970E:[email protected]

Continued Best Wishes To IIFA, From


Delighted To Be Associated With IIFA

Garland McDonald & Co.

181 Howth Road, Killester, Dublin 3.Tel: 01 8335637 Fax: 01 8335629Email: [email protected]

Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors

Wishing Continued Success To IIFA From

DeliveringFreight | Compliance | Results

Celtic House, 30 Marlborough Street. Dublin 1Tel : +353 (0) 1 865 6000 Fax : +353 (0) 1 874 6745

[email protected]

www.celticfwd.ie


Unit 24, The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Business Park, New Nangor Road, Dublin 22.T. 00 353 1 4030001 F. 00 353 1 4576626E. [email protected]


Dublin OfficeDocklands Innovation Park, 128-130 East

Wall Road, Dublin 3Tel: 01 8875140 Fax: 01 8875187

www.dfdslogistics.com

Continued Best Wishes To All At IIFA

Thyme-IT provide web-based Revenue-compliant solutions for all electronic Customs andExcise requirements in Ireland including AEP (SAD), CAP, NCTS, EMCS and Intrastat

Call Thyme-IT at +353 (0)1 206 0010E-mail us at [email protected] our website at www.thyme-it.ie

Block 6, Richview Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14, Ireland

Thyme-ITwww.thyme-it.ie

Best wishes toIIFA on their

50th anniversary

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALSlog on to

www.irishtrucker.com

have a Code of Conduct, to which allour members must adhere. At themoment, we have around 90% offreight forwarders in Ireland on boardand this figure has remainedconsistent, even during the recession.”

What are the challenges facing theIrish International Freight Association?“In recent years, one of the bigchallenges has arisen wheremanufacturing companies have movedabroad, which means the cake has gotsmaller and the number of shipmentsbeing exported is down. But, havingsaid that, freight forwarding is as muchconcerned with imports as it is withexports. As a result of the drop inshipments, many of our members havedecided to focus on other areas, suchas warehousing and other logisticsservices.

“Freight is now much more of acommodity than it used to be andmargins have been getting tighter andtighter over the past ten - fifteen years.Factors like shipping rates and fuelprices will affect the whole area ofsupply chain management, and theseare changing constantly. Shipping ratesare falling dramatically – you can nowbring in a 20-foot container from the FarEast for the same price as a first classairplane ticket.

“Also, with ongoing changes intechnology, freight forwarding isevolving rapidly all the time and SME’shave much better access to technologythan ever before.”

Indeed, as the IIFA website points out,freight forwarding in recent years hasundergone a massive transformation in

response to the demands andopportunities presented by technologyand globalisation. Logistical services,modern information andcommunications technologies - andtotal supply chain management - areintegral to a modern service sector nowvery far removed from its traditionalimage of warehouses and docks.

Considering that members are indirect competition with one another,how difficult is it to represent each oftheir needs without stepping onanybody’s toes? “It’s very easy,” Colmreplies. “Of course, our memberscompete with one another but werepresent the needs of freightforwarding as a whole, which meanseverybody. We offer our members useof the trading conditions of the IIFA,which have been reviewed in detail bypeople in the industry over many yearsand are very highly respected. Theseterms have credibility and are used byall our members. In itself, this is a verygood reason whyviable companieswould want tobecome members.”

The ten-monthFIATA Diplomacourse wasintroduced in 2008and runs fromSeptember untilJune. There areapproximately 7,000FIATA Diplomaholders around theworld and the IIFAhas so far had

around 70 graduates. Since the coursebecame available to online applicants,it is much more feasible for freightforwarders from outside the capital toparticipate. Mr. Walsh concluded “ Bythe end of June this year another groupof successful course participants will beawarded the Diploma and we lookforward to welcoming new participantsin the 2012/13 course. ”

IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS

IIFA Council members John O'Halloran, Philip Kane(IIFA President), Bob Rainsford and Simon Tobin

53

CONTACT DETAILS

Irish International Freight AssociationStrand House,Strand Street,Malahide,County Dublin Phone: 01 8455411Fax: 01 8455534Email: [email protected]: www.iifa.ie

Servisair Cargo Dublin OnlineT+353 (0)1 8125610 F+353 (0)1 844 5020


Servisair Cargo Dublin OfflineT+353 (0)1 8080700 F+353 (0)1 8446163


Servisair Cargo ShannonT+353 (0)61 472300 F+353 (0)61 472347

Email:[email protected]

Servisair Cargo CorkT+353 (0)21 4310987 F+353 (0)21 4310837

Email:[email protected]

Delighted to be associated with the IIFA

Road safety a toppriority for LaoisCounty CouncilLaois County Council is committed to improving road safety as SeniorEngineer for Roads and Environment John O’Donoghue explains.


Like every other local authority, Laois County Council isfeeling the effects of reduced funding and staff levelscaused by the recession. In spite of this, the Council

remains committed to providing the best service it possiblycan and to improving road safety by, among other things,carrying out low cost safety improvement works.

Overseeing some of the busiest routes in the country, LaoisCounty Council staff work hard to ensure their roads aremaintained and repaired at all times. Allocations are providedfor schemes on non-national roads by the Department of theEnvironment, Heritage and Local Government, while theNational Roads Authority (NRA) provides funding for similarschemes on national roads. Works carried out to date includethe provision of signs, lines and turning lanes at junctions onmain roads, the provision of chevrons signs and road edge

delineation along entire routes, and the improvement ofsightlines and junction layouts at substandard locations.

In certain circumstances, low cost safety improvementmeasures may not be suitable, and more comprehensiveimprovement works are required. In these cases, specificallocations must be made available. Traffic calming schemesform another part of the overall approach to improve roadsafety in the county. Traffic calming measures have been usedin many locations throughout the county, including Ballinakill,Portlaoise and Mountrath.

“Road safety is one of our main priorities,” says Laois CountyCouncil Senior Engineer for Roads and Environment JohnO’Donoghue.

“But it’s proving to be a big challenge in the current economicclimate. We are trying to be more efficient and more prudent

Part of the LaoisCounty Council fleet

with our spending. How we spend our budget is the big issueat the moment. Our budget for 2012 is €13.2 million, which isdown 10 per cent on last year. To compound matters, staffwho are retiring aren’t being replaced. It’s a tough time, butwe are determined not to allow our standards slip.”

The road section of Laois County Council employs about100 staff, 30 of whom are administrative. A native of WestCork but now living in Mullingar, John O’Donoghue has awide remit that includes traffic and parking,road works, road safety, community schemes,proposal for new routes under roads section,environmental awareness, communityinitiatives, public amenity parks,environmental protection, street care andcleaning, waste management and littermanagement under environment.

The county is divided into three operationalareas for the purposes of maintaining andimproving its road network. The Central Areacomprises the towns of Portlaoise andMountmellick and environs, the Eastern Areacomprise the towns of Stradbally,Graiguecullen and Portarlington and environs,while the Western Area comprises the townsof Abbeyleix, Durrow, Mountrath,Rathdowney, Borris-in-Ossory and environs.

Laois County Council’s road maintenancestaff experienced a quiet winter compared toprevious years when frost, snow and icemade driving conditions extremelydangerous. Between the months of Octoberand April, ground and air temperatures aremonitored by Council staff and, whenappropriate, salting and gritting crews arecalled out. The winter salting programmeresults in safer roads with an average annual

spreading of over 2,100 tonnes of salt on national andregional roads in Laois.

The Council’s winter maintenance policy for roads is toendeavour within the limited resources available to maintaintraffic routes in a passable condition in the interest ofmaintaining road communication. However, the primaryresponsibility for road safety remains at all times with driversof vehicles and while the Council endeavors to maintain the


This winter was quieterthan usual for the

Council’s gritting team

The Council’s road patching unit

main routes in a passable condition, each driver mustexercise sufficient caution to take account of the prevailingroad conditions.

“Our winter gritting season starts in October and runs toApril. By Christmas 2011, we had only 22 callouts comparedto over 50 at the same stage in 2010. We ended up with over100 callouts last year which put a huge strain on our gritsupplies. We had no such problems this year thanks to themild winter.”

A staff of 30 is employed in Laois County Council’senvironmental section. The Council operates a landfill siteand recycling centre at Kyletalesha, on the Portlaoise toMountmellick Road, which has had an EnvironmentalProtection Agency Waste Licence since May 2000. Thelandfill, which is the only one in Laois, accepts non-hazardousmunicipal, commercial and industrial waste from householdsthroughout the county at a rate of up to a maximum of 47,100tonnes per year.

Kyletalesha’s state-of-the-art recycling centre accepts awide variety of materials for recycling, including: aluminiumcans, beverage cartons, car batteries, cardboard,clothes/textiles, engine oil, fluorescent tubes and light bulbs,gas cylinders glass, household batteries, householdhazardous waste, metal paper sheet glass, newspapers andmagazines, plastic containers, steel food cans and wasteelectronic and electrical goods.

Laois County Council conducts many anti-litter campaignsand educational programmes. The purpose of thesecampaigns are to make Laois a cleaner and better place tolive in and to highlight the fact that a litter offence is subjectto an on-the-spot fine of €150 which may increase if a litteroffence goes to Court.

Anti litter projects include: Portlaoise Against Litter,


These trucks are a familiarsight on Laois roads

Best Wishes To Laois County Council

Continued Best Wishes To Laois County Council, From

PORTLAOISE AUTOELECTRICAL

New Road, Portlaoise, Co. LaoisTel: 057 866 2900 Mobile: 087 2590431

Fax: 057 8663022

CONTACT DICK LALORNEW & REPAIRED

STARTERS • ALTERNATORS • BATTERIES


COLLECTION SERVICE OF USED TYRES THROUGHOUT

ALL OF IRELAND

Also Recyclers of Ferrous& Non Ferrous Metals

BAY ROAD BUSINESS PARK, MOUNTMELLICK, CO. LAOIS

Tel: 057 862 4086 Fax: 057 862 4088After Hours: 087 141 8100


CALL US NOW ON 057 862 4086To Arrange Collection

LAOIS TYRERECYCLING LTD.


Best Wishes & Continued Success To Laois County Council From

JOYCE STEEL SUPPLIES

(MOUNTMELLICK)Derrydavey, Mountmellick, Co. Laois

Tel/Fax: 057 8624910

Best Wishes To Laois County Council From

CampionsQuarry Ltd

Suppliers of all Limestone Quarry Products

Lisduff, Errill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Tel: 0505 44123 /44143Fax: 0505 44123

Mobile: 086 2554471/087 2795410


BERGIN PLANTHIRE SERVICES

GENERAL BUILDING & PLANT HIRE CONTRACTORDOMESTIC - COMMERCIALNew Houses - ExtensionsSunrooms - Renovations

C2 Reg - Fully InsuredBallinakill Road, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

M: 087-2425377 E: [email protected]


LAOIS JET WASH SERVICESCommercial- Industrial - Domestic

Clear Blockages In Pipes • Drains • Sinks • Toilets &

Showers Etc.C.C.T.V. Drain Inspection

C2 Registered

PORTLAOISE, CO. LAOIST: 057 8681720 M: 087 7749519

E: [email protected]

THE LAOIS LIMECOMPANY LTD

“ Suppliers of Quality Crushed Limestone Products”

STRADBALLY CO. LAOIS

Tel: +353 5786 46823/4 Fax: +353 5786 46825Email: [email protected]

Best Wishes To Laois County Council

Continued Best Wishes To Laois County Council From

DUNKEEN TYRES

• Computer Wheel Alignment • Wheel Balancing • Puncture Repairs • Light Car & Van Servicing • Light Focusing • All Brands Of Tyres Including Firestone, Bridgestone, Dunlop• Car Washing ( Attended Service)• Car & Van Batteries

Located beside the N.C.T. Centre on the

Timahoe Road, Portlaoise.

Tel:057 8662778Email: [email protected]

DUNKEEN OIL - TEL: 057 8662777

Continued Best Wishes To Laois County CouncilFrom

Irish Tar & Bitumen SuppliersAlexandra Road, Dublin 1.

Tel: +353 1 8555117 Fax: +353 1 8554262Email: [email protected]

www.irishtar.ie

Responsible Dog Ownership,Gum Litter Campaign andClean-Up Laois Week. TheCouncil also work with manysectors, including local primaryand secondary schools, bypromoting the internationallyrecognised Green Schoolscampaign. Laois CountyCouncil’s annual LitterChallenge and CommunityAction Programmes have alsoproven to be a great successand have seen many areasdesignated as litter free duringthe course of the competitions.Another success story isPortlaoise Against Litter whichis a joint initiative between localbusinesses in the county town,the Gardai, Vintners’Association, Portlaoise TidyTowns and Laois Tourism.


Laois County Council’s roadsmachinery yard in Clonkeen

Laois County Council staff work hard toensure their roads are maintained and

repaired at all times

59

Continued Best Wishes To Laois County Council From

JCB’s •HedgecuttingTrack Machines

No 3 The Vessi Hill, Abbeyleix, Co. LaoisEmail: [email protected]

CONTACT US ON

085 1194471

Michael Kavanagh Plant HireBest Wishes To Laois County Council From

Killeaney, Kilbricken, Mountrath, Co Laois

Telephone: 057 8739603Fax: 057 8739600

E:[email protected]

Suppliers of Quality Crushed Stone


IFOR WILLIAMS HUNTER DOUBLE HORSE BOX Deluxe or basic models available

IFOR WILLIAMS BV 105GBox van trailer, 8x5x6, 2700kggross capacity, available withroller shutter or ramp and doorcombo

IFOR WILLIAMS LM105G 10’x5’6Low loading trailer, 2600kggross capacity

IFOR WILLIAMS TA5 10G 12’X 5’ 10X6 Full range of sizes available

IFOR WILLIAMS GD 85GTWINAXLE8X5 general duty trailer, 2700kg grosscapacity, optional ladder rack as shown,full range of accessories can be added

ASK FOR OUR TRAILER CATALOGUE AND OUR PHOTOGRAPHED LIST OF USED TRAILERSNaas, Co.Kildare. Tel: 045 876053 www.westwoodtrailers.com

Continued Best Wishes To HSS Hire

IFOR WILLIAMS TT105G10’x5’6’ tipping trailer 3500kggross capacity, electric model,fitted with alloy floor and ladderrack as standard on this model

Best Wishes To HSS Hire From

Best Wishes To HSS Hire From

Continued Best Wishes To HSS Hire From

“ Your Height Hire Specialist”

Phone: 061 405017

www.irishtrucker.com

Wishing Continued Success To HSS Hire From

SPECIALISTS IN PLANT & MACHINERY HAULAGE

181 The Grove, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Contact Barry Scanlan On086 3848 461

Tel. +353 (0)41 9821312 Fax. +353 (0)41 9821512email: [email protected] www.boles-hire.ie

SALES & HIRE Nationwide / International : Colin Boles +353 (0)87 2524559

HIRECork and Munster Region : Billy 086 8951119

BEST WISHES & CONTINUED SUCCESS TO HSS HIRE

HSS: More than justa hire companyThere are a number of hire centres strewn across Ireland and the majorityoffer the same services as their competitors, but there is one chain ofoutlets that offer much more and that is HSS Hire.


A heavy duty breakeravailable from HSS Hire

For over 50 years HSS has been working closely withtheir massive customer base to ensure that the bestservice possible is provided as they supply tools and

equipment for hire as well as other related services and this iswhat makes them different from the rest.

HSS Hire has an extensive range of tools, equipment, plantand specialist kit across approximately 1,800 core productlines. We have a programme of continuous investment toensure that our equipment is always robust, well-maintained,fully compliant and ready to use.

For this month's edition of Irish Trucker, we profile HSS Hire

and speak to Declan Culliton, who is General Manager of theRepublic of Ireland's chain of outlets.

First let's take a brief look at the history of HSS and to do thatwe have to go all the way back to 1957 when Bert Tayloropened Britain's first dedicated tool and equipment hire shopunder the name of The Hire Services Company. Following amerger a few years later, HSS Hire was born and branchesbegin to open up all over the UK, reaching Northern Ireland inthe mid 90's and this was soon followed by the opening of itsDublin headquarters.

“We are dedicated to keeping businesses working and

making it easy for our customers to work safely and efficientlywhilst helping them to drive down costs. To do this, we offerequipment management, training and sales as well astraditional tool and equipment hire.

“Focused on safety, availability, value and support, we workwith our customers to help keep their businesses workingsafely and efficiently whilst driving down theircosts,” said Declan when asked as to what thecompany's ethos was.

Since opening its doors in GreenogueBusiness Park on January 1st 1995, a furthernine branches have been opened in the southof Ireland such is the success of this longestablished business.

Declan revealed that the are so much morethan just a hire shop as the range of products attheir disposal reaches no bounds.

“HSS deliver and collect the majority of toolsand equipment on hire, but if a customer wantsto pick up equipment from one of our centresand drop it off at another, they can do. Throughour OneCall service, HSS Hire also offers tosource anything that is not part of the standardrange. It's all about keeping businessesworking.

“HSS OneCall works with a network of best of

breed partners to source non-core, large plant or unusualequipment requirements around the world. A dedicated teamprovides advice and handles orders placed online, via ourbranches or via the contact centre always ensuring a singlecontract and single invoice.

“Last October when the heavy rain hit Dublin and causedmillions of euros worth of damage to businesses and homes


Grade Laser Pipe layingwith HSS Hire equipment

A site dumperready for hire


Best Wishes To HSS Hire

Best Wishes to HSS Hire from

KKiillll HHaauullaaggee

TRUCK & CRANE HIREPorterstown, Kill, Co. Kildare. Tel: 045-877131

Fax: 045-878162 Mobile: 087-8626527 Email: [email protected]

Best Wishes &Continued Success

To HSS Hire

One of Ireland's leading suppliers ofIndustrial Work wear, ConstructionTools, Tool Accessories, Electrical,Safety and Garden Heating products.Unit 531 Grants Crescent, GreenogueBusiness Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin

Tel: 01 4586700 www.bbdist.com

BOOM & PLATFORM HIRE LTD

PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH HSS HIRE

WICKLOW OFFICETel: 045 900932Fax: 045 900933

CORK OFFICETel: 021 463 5600Fax: 021 463 5602

Best Wishes & Continued Success To HSS Hire From

Brian O’BrienSolicitors

DEBT COLLECTION SPECIALISTS129 Capel Building, Mary’s Abbey, Dublin 7.

Tel: 01 8788 649 Fax: 01 8788 650Email: [email protected]

www.brianobrien.ie

www.bphire.ie


COMBITRAIN LTD.Agents For Tracon Trailers Covering Ireland / UK

COMBITRAIN LTD.Agents For Tracon Trailers Covering Ireland / UK

54% Greater Capacity,Up to 20% reducation on costs.www.combitrain.ie Tel: 01 8645304/ 087 7665250Unit 103 Bishopswood Lane, The Ward, Co. Dublin Continued Best Wishes To HSS Hire

COMPREHENSIVE REPAIR & SERVICE FACILITY

Our BestWishes To

HSS Hire

Tel: 01 401 9630/ 401 9631 Fax: 01 401 8486Greenogue Business Park, Block 409 N+P. Rathcoole, Co. Dublin

www.pallettrucksales.comEmail: [email protected]

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

TRAILER REPAIRS SALES & SERVICE

SPECIALISTS IN SHOT BLASTING & PAINTING

Baltracey, Donadea, Naas, Co. Kildare

Office: 01 – 651 9334 Fax: 01 651 9335 E-Mail: [email protected]

Wishing Continued Success To HSS Hire

O’S

hea Commercials Ltd.

WOULD YOULIKE YOUR COMPANYFEATURED

IN

Call BARRY nowon 00353

(0) 46 9241923

IRISH TRUCKER &LIGHT COMMERCIALS

MAGAZINE

Continued Best Wishes To HSS Hire From

www.atlascopco.ie

we supplied 500 humidifiers andaround 300 to 400 fans to companies inorder to dry out their premises. Noother hire company would offer thosesort of products, so we are unique inthat respect.”

Training courses are another string tothe HSS bow as highly trained staffensures that employees are trained tothe highest standard. “We also operatea leading training company to ensureyou and your workforces are alwaysfully compliant and always safe.”

Over the years, HSS have beenforced to change their strategy due tothe decline of the construction industry,and although the majority of their workstill centres around the building trade,there is now more of a focus onretaining their customer base andgiving a quality product and service.

“Our main aim is to retain thecustomer base. We realise that price iseverything in the current economicclimate and we strive to give the rightdeal without losing the quality ofservice that we have becomeaccustomed too.

“Over the last couple of years wehave seen growth in the company herein Ireland and we would be hoping tocontinue that trend over the next fewyears also. There is a demand for our


A hand heldscabbler

Best WishesTo HSS HIRE

products whether it be inIreland and or anywhere inthe world, customers canbe guaranteed that we willlook after them.”

HSS has a strong serviceethos driven by the breadthof their network, depth oftheir fleet and the quality ofour people and equipment.The company works withcustomers to reduce thetime and cost involved inmanaging tools andequipment.

“We support a customer'srequirements to build,maintain and operate itsbuilt environment - only asmall proportion of ourbusiness relates to ground-up construction. We alsohave the best practice inthe hire industry; we are apioneer in innovativeservices and networkefficiency and have a best

in class reputation forsafety.

“Our client base isdiverse, protecting HSSfrom the influences of anyone sector. A quarter ofHSS's revenues arederived from key nationalaccounts, providing clearvisibility of earnings. Morethan 90% of businessactivity is B2B with lessthan 10% of revenuederived from 'domestic'customers.”


CONTACT DETAILS

Unit 504-1, GreenogueBusiness Pk

Rathcoole, DublinTelephone: 01 2572242

Fax: 01 4018678Website www.hss.com

A bunded diesel tank

A mini excavator onoffer from HSS Hire

IRISH

& LIGHT COMMERCIALS

SUBSCRIPTIONSUBSCRIPTION

By Post Fill out the attached application form and send it by post accompanied with acheque or postal order (made payable to Lynn Group) for the correct amount to IrishTrucker Magazine, DG Press Ltd., Kells Business Park, Kells, Co. Meath

By Email Enclose your postal address and credit card details (Card type, number andexpiry date) to [email protected] A receipt will be enclosed with your firstmagazine.

Any further inquiries can be made to [email protected]

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I enclose a cheque/postal order for €/Stg£ _______ made payable to DG Press Ltd.

Send to: Martina Clarke, DG Press Ltd., Kells Business Park, Kells, Co. Meath. Tel: 00353 (0)46-9241923

ONLY

INCLUDING P&P

FOR 12ISSUES

or

The recoveryspecialists“We’re there when you need us” is the slogan of Recovery Ireland, whichprovides a 24-hour recovery and breakdown service for the entire country.Company director Andrew McCarthy explains more.


Recovery Ireland is registeredwith AVRO (Association of

Vehicle Recovery Operators)

Established 14 yearsago by brothers Royand Andrew McCarthy,

Recovery Ireland has earned areputation as one of Ireland’sforemost vehicle recoveryoperators.

Based in Waterford city,Recovery Ireland provides a24-hour recovery servicethroughout Ireland, attending tobreakdowns for HGV, LGV,cars, motor homes, caravansand motorcycles. The companyis registered with AVRO(Association of VehicleRecovery Operators), and

This 4x4’s part of theRecovery Ireland fleet

specialises in the repatriation ofbroken-down vehicles from allEuropean countries.

With a recovery service to and fromthe UK every week, Recovery Irelandcan organise the collection of broken-down vehicles and transport them tothe location of your choice in a matterof days. When it comes to reliability,value-for-money and friendly service,they have few equals.

For the discerning car owner,Recovery Ireland also provides aspecial covered service where theytransport the vehicle under canvasand away from prying eyes. This isespecially popular with owners ofluxury cars such as Mercedes, Ferrari,Aston Martin and Lamborghini whosometimes prefer a more discreet formof transportation.

Such has been the success ofRecovery Ireland that it has outgrownthe existing family business, PatMcCarthy Car Sales, Roy and Andrewrun along with their father Pat.

“The recovery service was just asideline to the car sales businesswhen we started it in 1998,” Andrewremembers.

“We never expected it to grow to theextent it has. We still have the carsales business, of course, whichoperates from the same premises asour recovery service. We now have afleet of nine recovery vehicles andemploy 12 staff between the twobusinesses.”

Recovery Ireland is recognised bythe leading breakdown service andinsurance companies, including AA,AXA and Ireland Assist. Their state-of-the-art fleet includes two 10-tonne tiltand slides, one 12-tonne title and slideone medium heavy lift unit for trucksand a four-wheel drive responsevehicle. They also operate a dedicatedmotorcycle recovery unit.

“No job is too big or too small, whiledistance isn’t an issue either.Wherever there is a broken-downvehicle, we will collect it and transportit to required location,” Andrew adds.

Recovery Ireland’s location on thesouth-east coast of Ireland means it is ideally placed for themajor ferry ports of Rosslare, Cork, Dublin and Belfast,making transportation of vehicles in and out of the countryquick and easy. Rosslare and Cork are both only an houraway, Dublin two hours and Belfast four hours.

Another string to Recovery Ireland’s bow is that itencompasses a VTN test centre. Since opening a few yearsago, the test centre has built up a large customer base,

primarily in the haulage, construction and courier sectors. Inaddition, they operate a full service and repair workshop forall makes of cars and trucks.

“We’re very happy with the support we have received fromcommercial vehicle owners in Waterford city and county,”Andrew says.

“We’ve invested heavily in providing the best possiblefacilities for our customers, whose business we value and


A broken-down carfaces the ramp

Recovery Ireland provides a special coveredservice where they transport luxury carsunder canvas and away from prying eyes

One of the company’s specialisedmotorcycle recovery units

appreciate very much. The safety of ourcustomers is of paramount importanceto us. Our priority is to ensure that theyare safe on the road. We cater for allcommercial vehicles, ranging fromvans and 4x4s to HGVs and trailers.Each of the testing bays are fitted withthe very latest in computerised testingequipment, which comply with thelatest EU regulations.”

The centre’s technicians will be morethan happy to answer any questionsyou may have before and after the test.Vehicle owners can relax in the waitingarea while their test is being completed.The rates for each vehicle categoryhave been set by the Road SafetyAuthority and not by the test centre who


Recovery Ireland staff attend to a breakdown

Another recovery underway

Continued Best Wishes To Recovery Ireland From

DEREK BEAHAN LTD

Rear 90-98 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 9Telephone: 01 4534567/4549626/4549627

Fax: 01 4549628 Mobile: 086 2559188Email:[email protected]

24 Hour Emergency Towing & Repair Service

Best Wishes To Recovery Ireland From

Clyde House, The Quay, WaterfordTel: 051 876 750Fax: 051 853 644


don’t charge anything extra.As the owner of a certified and fully

approved recovery service, Andrew isfrustrated at the lack of regulation in thesector.

“We would have a serious gripe withfellas who use substandard equipmentto recover broken-down vehicles andwho are still get paid the same moneyas us. Of course, there is nothing tostop them from attending to abreakdown because you don’t need apermit for this line of work. There’s verylittle regulation.

“When we started out in this business,we decided to do things properly andour customers recognise that. Amongother things, we’re members of SIMI,have a full haulage licence and alsohave a waster collection permit.”

Pat McCarthy Car Sales is one ofWaterford’s best-known car andcommercial dealerships in Co.

Waterford. As well as being main Ivecodealers, the garage stocks anextensive range of used cars and vansin stock at all time. At their St. John’sPark premises, they use the most up-to-date technology and equipment.Their technicians are trained to thehighest standard and regularly attendup-date training courses. The staff at

Pat McCarthy’s maintain this level ofexperience and professionalism tomeet the demands of today’s motorist.


A car is recovered

71

CONTACT DETAILS

Recovery Ireland (Roy & Andrew McCarthy Ltd)Killure Road, St. John's Park,Waterford.

Telephone: 0035351 872 219Mobile: 0035386 2509 238Fax: 0035351 853 184Email: [email protected]

Best Wishes To Recovery Ireland

Best Wishes to Recovery Ireland

SPECIALISTS IN 24 Hour Heavy Recovery ServiceVan & Truck Sales & RentalService & Maintenance

DOE Testing- HGV LGV ADRTacho Calibration Centre

24 Hour Tyre Service

CP Commercials, Unit 42 Baldoyle Ind Est., Dublin 13T: (01) 832 1316 F: (01) 839 1470

Daytime 087 255 4462 or 087 207763324 Hour Towing & Recovery : 087 277 3969

Professionals Doing A Professional Job!

VEHICLE TESTING NETWORK

Best Wishes To Recovery Ireland


Founded 24 years ago by Tommy Leahy, West AutoElectrics Ltd has established itself as the number oneVTN vehicle test centre in West Limerick.

Based in Gortboy, Newcastle West, the garage waspreviously a DOE test centre before joining the VTN networksix years ago. West Auto Electrics has been testing vehiclesfor the past 20 years and has built up a large customer basein that time, primarily in the haulage, construction andagricultural sectors.

“We’ve been in this business since 1992 and have got great

support from owners of vans, buses and trucks in WestLimerick, North Cork and North Kerry,” Tommy explains.

“We’ve invested heavily in providing the best possiblefacilities for our customers, whose business we value andappreciate very much. When the changeover from DOE toVTN happened, we extended our premises and introduced ahost of new testing facilities. We have two light testing baysand one heavy. Everything is computerised and state-of-the-art now.

“The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to

Book your test atWest Auto ElectricsBook your test atWest Auto Electrics

us. Our priority is to ensure that they are safe on the road. Wework closely with the Road Safety Authority and LimerickCounty Council on safety issues.”

Open six days a week, West Auto Electrics’ test centrecaters for all commercial vehicles, ranging from vans, 4x4s tobuses, HGVs and trailers. Each of the testing bays are fittedwith the very latest in computerised testing equipment, whichcomply with the latest EU regulations.

The centre’s technicians will be more than happy to answerany questions you may have before and after the test. Vehicle

owners can relax in the waiting area while their test is beingcompleted.

“Matt Behan, Francis Gaire and John McNamara are ourdedicated testers,” Tommy says.

“They have many years of experience in that field. Theyregularly attend courses to keep up to speed with the latestdevelopments and changes in vehicle testing.”

The rates for each vehicle category have been set by theRoad Safety Authority and not by the testing centres, whichdon’t charge anything extra. They are as follows, (plus VAT):


Is your truck or van due for its annual roadworthiness test? If so, why notgive West Auto Electrics in Newcastle West a call today to book your test.

West Auto Electrics has been nearly aquarter of a century in business

light commercial - €70.86; ambulance -€94.52; truck trailer - €106.30; HGV(3.5 to 7.5 tonnes) - €94.53; HGV (7.5tonne with twin axle) – €118.16; HGV(7.5 tonne with three axles) - €147.67;HGV (7.5 tonne with four or moreaxles) - €147.67; bus - €147.67;camper van (twin axle) - €70.86;camper van (three axles) - €88.58.

Customers are advised to book earlyto avoid disappointment. Tommyelaborates: “Our objective is to cater foreveryone as quickly as possible. Wedon’t want to keep them waiting.”

The VTN (Vehicle Tests Network) is anetwork of test centres appointed ineach county by the relevant localauthority and is regulated by the RoadSafety Authority. It is mandatory forcommercial vehicles to be testedyearly. There are two classifications ofvehicles – LGVs and HGVs. Thepurpose of the network is to provide astrong and vibrant network of testcentres, which are required to operateto the highest international standards.

Each VTN centre uses the VTM(Vehicle Test Manager) softwareapplication which has been developedto satisfy the requirements set out bythe Department of Transport for vehicleroadworthiness testing of both light andheavy commercial vehicles. Theapplication was approved on January23 2004 after a thorough testingprocess.

VTM is user friendly and designed toeasily incorporate futureenhancements and future Staterequirements and regulations. BecauseVTM was developed in conjunction withauthorised test centres, testers and

mechanics, the application not onlysatisfies the testers’ requirements,it supersedes them.

While best known as a VTNcentre, West Auto Electrics alsospecialises in the servicing of carsand light commercials, truckplating, tachograph and speedlimiter calibration as well aselectrical and fuel injection repairs.In addition, the garage stocksagricultural, truck and car oils,batteries, antifreeze and filters toname but a few.

“We’re a one-stop shop for allyour light commercial and truckingneeds. We pride ourselves on ourfriendly service, reliability, value-for-money and excellence,” addsthe affable managing director whoemploys eight staff betweentesters, mechanics and officepersonnel.

“We service all makes of cars andlight commercials. We are muchmore than a testcentre.”

West AutoElectrics has thedistinction of beingthe sole Irish agentfor Swd Lubricants.A German-basedcompany, Swd havebeen developing,producing anddistributing high-quality lubricants tooil companies, steelworks, trans-portation services,agriculture, forestry


West Auto Electrics has been part ofthe VTN Network for six years

Tuogh, Adare, Co. Limerick

Tel: 061 396313Fax: 061 396540

Email: [email protected]: 087-7719111

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT

Best Wishes to West Auto Electrics, From

Best Wishes & Continued Success ToWEST AUTO ELECTRICS

From All At

Unit 37, Baldoyle Ind Estate., Baldoyle, Dublin 13.

Tel: (01) 832 0900 • Fax: (01) 806 3261E: [email protected] • www.brhoward.ie


Continued Best Wishes To West Auto Electrics From

Old Barna, Newcastle West, Co. LimerickTelephone: 069 62755 Fax: 069 77220


Wishing West Auto Electrics AllThe Best For The Future

O’CallaghanTransport Ltd

Est 1985Curtainsider | Tipper | Flat Trailer & Moffet Mounty

Specialising In Temperature Controlled Haulage Serving The 32 County’s

Feenagh, Co. LimerickTelephone: 087 2589036 or 087 6307454

Wishing Continued Success To West Auto Electrics From

REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES OFLIGHT AND HEAVY COMMERCIALSCork Rd., Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick

Tel: 069 62654/ 086 8243278

NEWCASTLEWESTCOMMERCIALS LTD

MAHA Ireland Ltd. Unit Q, Block 409, Greenogue Ind Est.,

Rathcoole, Co. Dublin Tel: (01) 4587548 • Fax: (01) 4587552

Email: [email protected] Wishes To West Auto Electrics From Maha Ireland

Continued Best Wishes To WEST AUTO ELECTRICS

From

Unit 1 Castlemorris, Desmond Business Park,Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

Tel: 069 62793 Fax: 069 61730

Best Wishes To West Auto Electrics , From

ELECTRO MAINTENANCE

Specialising in the distributionof rotating electrics and

ancillary components

58A Baldoyle Industrial Estate,Baldoyle, Dublin 13.T: 01 8394875 F: 01 8394879 E: [email protected]

www.electromaintenance.ie

Best Wishes To West Auto Electrics, From

Shanahan BrothersAgricultural Contractors Ltd

Agricultural Contractors &Suppliers of CrushedStone , Sand & Gravel

Telephone: 069 62493Contact Tim on 087 2591745

Fax: 069 78301 | Email: [email protected]

GEM OILS LTD.

Lubrication Solutions For Every Market SectorOur brand is a commitment to your business

GEM OILS LTD., REGASKIN, CAVANTel: (049) 4378116 • Fax: (049) 4368329


Continued Best Wishes To West Auto Electrics

and building sectors for the past 40years. Their products meet nationaland international standards, and arecarefully monitored in their own qualitylaboratory in Duisburg, which is thelargest inland port in Europe.

Swd Lubricants’ products range insize from a one-litre bottles to 1,000-litre containers.

Recalling how West Auto Electricsbecame a Swd Lubricants partner,Tommy explains: “I got talking to anagent of theirs at a trade show in Parisa few years ago and he asked me if I’dbe interested in selling their product inIreland. I said I would be delighted toand we haven’t looked back since.”


The leading test centre in West Limerick

The Newcastle West basedcompany is the sole Irishagent for SWD Lubricants

76

CONTACT DETAILS

For more information about WestAuto Electrics Ltd or to book yournext vehicle test, telephone 069-61874, fax 069-61181 or email:[email protected]

CLASSIFIED


Specialist Training Provider to the Road Transport Industry.

COURSES AVAILABLE• ADR Initial Basic (packages) • ADR Initial Tanker Specialisation• ADR Refresher Courses• Occupational First Aid• Load Securing

For all enquiries, please contact us at:

email: [email protected]: 087 3225605

155 Deel Manor, Askeaton Co. Limerick

www.transtrain.ie

Cork Dublin BelfastMob (087) 2835044 (087) 2597102 (0791) 2631524

www.hipower.ieHi Power for Quality Products & Service

G.T.E. Heavy DutyAutomatic Greasing forTruck, Trailer, Off Road

P.T.O. Systemsfor All Applications

Heavy Duty Axial PistonPumps for Crane and High

Pressure Applications

Superwinch Electric & HydraulicWinches

• Also Top Speed Limiters • Reverse in Safety Devices

Full Range of Hydraulic Power Packs, Pumps, Motors,Control Valves, Oil Coolers, Filters

Documents

Irish Trucker magazine May 2012