SURVIVING THE DOWNTURN
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Many operators told CM about the strategies they had employed to survive in tough economic circumstances.
• "We ioined the TPN pallet network," says Eoin Gavin, MD of Clare-based Eoin Gavin Transport. His 14-vehicle fleet has plugged into TPN's 23-depot Irish network, with access to a further 94 in the UK. "It's excellent, volumes are up 15% in the last year," he explains, adding that customers are moving smaller consignments. "As a result we were voted best logistics provider in Ireland," • Gordon O'Keeffe, MD of Cork-based K&L. Deliveries, has also noticed a trend to smaller consignments. "There's been an improvement in groupage and they are moving smaller shipments," he explains. He stresses the need to control cashf low. "The biggest task is credit control. You need to put proper procedures in place and keep on top of it."
• Mattis O'Shea, MD of Waterford-based, Waterford Transport, says the economy remains a battle. "More than ever costs are everything. You look at every angle to cut costs and maximise utilisation. We have had to park up some trucks."
• Eugene Drennan, MD of Spa Transport, Co Clare, says general haulage has been cut back. "The downturn has an innate spiralling effect — it catches everyone with lost business and quiet times, it comes around to bite you on the arse. We have had to become more inventive but I haven't let any drivers go. Some take a longer break in the summer — they are loyal to me and I am loyal to them."