PROMOTING THE R&M ADVANTAGE
Page 49
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
In 1981 Brendan Horan and Jim Kelleher acquired the dealership via a management buyout, and in 2007 Brendan passed over the day-to-day operations to his sons Conor, who became sales director, and Barry, managinc director. Today the company employs 85 people. Twenty-five of the technician, work at Naas and Galway, with 15 working at customers' workshops. Trucks g 13-week inspection in Ireland, compared to six-week inspections in the UK, ar many hauliers traditionally look after their own vehicles.
"There is not a huge culture of repair and maintenance [R&M] in Ireland, but growing. We have been pushing very hard and customers are starting to see advantages of R&M, especially in the current climate, they are encouraged by idea of fixed costs every month," Barry says.
R&M reduces conflict over invoices and cuts outstanding debts as is paid by direct debit. "Preventative maintenance can also reduce the costs of the vehicle because you can monitor [its condition] more closely," he says.
Operators are beginning to question the cost-effectiveness of their in-housE technicians because of utilisation, cost and technology, with many interested i getting Irish Commercials to take over their workshop."With the workshop yot getting labour as well, so you are able to offer the customer a more complete solution, you are offering the expertise of your technician and the extra year's warranty to have equipment fitted in the workshop," he says.