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14141ING SH
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Page 63
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Hauliers in the Republic of Ireland have just one week left to enter the prestigious IRHA Road Transport Awards. Ann Marie Foley relives some past glories
This is hish hauliers last chance to enter and nominate for the RoadTransport awards 2004.The deadline is 14 November and entrants must be IRHA (Irish Road Haulage Association) members.
Winners from the past five years say the Awards bestow honour on themselves, their families, staff, and their companies and are recognition by the industry of their standards of service. Winning an award has raised their company status and profile and generated enquiries from potential clients and new business. Previous winners speak for themselves...
PREVIOUS WINNERS Haulier of the Year and National Haulier of the Year 2003: Cargocare
Liam Brewer feels that modern technology such as vehicle tracking and POD on the Web gave his company the edge in winning the award.The family business bought its first articulated truck this year and having had all rigids before expect it will save time with fewer return trips to the depot on Ireland's congested roads.The award gave both Brewer and his staff a boost.
"We have had a very good year in terms of recruitment of quality of staff. Maybe people want to be associated with a winning team, but that was a benefit we didn't foresee," says Hughes,"It was a tremendous morale boost at all levels of the company."
International Haulier of the Year 2003: Hughes Transport
The Dundalk company now runs 53 trucks between Ireland. the UK and Continental Europe,carrying mostly dry goods although at the time of winning Hughes had 34 trucks hauling meat to the Continent, backloading with fruit. Gerry Hughes places much emphasis on giving great customer service, for example, by manning the phone 18 hours a day. Training is also a key element of the business in which Hughes is personally involved.
He reports that winning the award has been a big boost to his business with enquiries from as far away as Spain.
"We got a lot of attention from international people because of it, we've got some new business from that. Certainly it was beneficial to us," says Hughes.
Special Services to the Industry 2003: Sheila McCabe
Ifs business as usual for Sheila McCabe who won the award last year for her commitment to the IRHA and her presidency of it from 1993-1995 which laid the groundwork for the introduction of the Consignor Liability law. She is currently involved in her annual activity of organising the IRHA conference.
Not one for the limelight she says:"The award was great. I got a 'well done' from the companies we work for in the business, and it was back to normal the next day."
National Haulier of the Year 2002: K&L deliveries
K&L deliveries won its award on the strength of its service to customers.The west Cork company has 1,400 customers, five of which have been with the company since it was founded 18 years ago.The awards were good for networking.
"We met Cargocare on the awards night and from last June my company has been doing its distribution in the South West, he trunks it down to us and we deliver it," says Gordon O'Keeffe.
He says the awards also gave confidence to customers in the service provided.
"It was very instrumental in securing contracts as well, when we were able to say we were National Haulier of the Year it definitely swung it in our direction," says O'Keeffe.
Haulier and International Haulier of the Year 2002: O'Donovan Transport, Cork
Pat O'Donovan says that after winning the award feedback from Irish customers was very small compared to the "massive" response from British and European customers who sent congratulations. They held it in as high esteem as IS09000.
"I was amazed that there was more of a feedback from abroad than at home," says O'Donovan."Obviously on the Continent they look at it as a status or quality mark." The status of the company was raised and there have been numerous invitations to join hauliers' associations abroad and to attend various conferences.
Council Member of the Year 2003: Frank Whitten
Heavy haulier Frank Whitten,based in Offally, has been active in the IRHA since it was set up in 1973 and has been on the Executive Council for 20 years. He says that the award was the first time his professional achievements were recognised in 40 years in haulage.
"The dayJohn Kennedy was shot in 1963, I bought my first lorry. It was a big surprise to win the award last year," says Whitten."I was also honoured later in the year on the 50th anniversary of the All Ireland Sheep Shearing. won the All Ireland a few times and I have a bronze medal for representing Ireland in the world championship." •