Operating one of Ireland’s most spectacular truck-and-trailer fleets, Wexford-headquartered O’Leary International is firmly established as a leading provider of exceptional haulage solutions across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Managing director Dwayne O’Leary is adamant that continued investment in the magnificent fleet is the best way to keep delivering efficiency and customer / driver satisfaction.
The breath-taking, high-performing O’Leary International fleet keeps getting better. Since taking the helm of this industry-leading family business, which covers all of Ireland, the UK and Europe from its New Ross base, MD Dwayne O’Leary has set about expanding, replenishing and upgrading the remarkable company fleet.
The investment is ongoing and is here to stay… “We’ve ordered 51 new Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks from Somers Commercials,” Dwayne confirms. “Thirteen of those are already in service with nine more registrated on July 1st.”
Typifying O’Leary International’s policy of investing aggressively in trucks, trailers, facilities and their team, the purchase of these state-of-the-art Actros L ProCabin models represents a real statement of intent. Recognised as market leaders in fuel efficiency, driver comfort safety, and innovation, the unparalleled Actros sets the benchmark for modern fleet performance.
These trucks are equipped with a secondary oil retarder, ProCabin / ExtraLine Pro cabin, Proximity Control Assist, integrated navigation system, premium sound system, axle load measuring device, LED main headlamps, wireless mobile charging, roller sunblind, co-driver table and dual refrigerators in drawers under the bed — delivering exceptional comfort, control and efficiency on every journey. This is more than a delivery of new lorries – it’s a long-term investment in reliability, performance and progress.
Dwayne places great emphasis on making sure that the spec on each lorry added to the fleet is high, so that they are much more than workhorses… “I’m not sure I’d use the term workhorse even though that’s obviously what lorries do – these are very highly-speced vehicles. One of the most important considerations for any haulier these days is to hold onto drivers. That’s easier to do when you give them trucks with a high spec.
“We’ve had Mercedes as our main truck for a long time now and that’s down to the reliability of the unit coupled with their excellent efficiency. When I did the specification form for these new trucks, I ticked every box that I could and that was done for the comfort of the drivers.
“The Mercedes ProCabin is averaging out at around 22 litres per 100km, which is unbelievable efficiency considering that we do a lot of hills in countries like Spain, Portugal and Italy.”
Right across the 180-strong fleet of lorries in the O’Leary International fleet (as well as up to 350 trailers), no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of optimal driver conditions: “It might be a large fleet, but they are all highly speced,” says Dwayne, who is a true trucker at heart.
“I do a good bit of driving myself so I know what it’s like to be in a truck driving. The easier you make the job for the lads who are working for you, the better that is for everybody, including of course your customers.”
In other recent purchases, 18 second-hand vehicles were added to the domestic haulage fleet last year as well as 40 new Chereau multi-temp and single-temp trailers with Thermo King A-500 fridge units. Twenty Schmitz Cargobull trailers have also been added, with ten more imminent in August.
“When your goal is to provide the best possible service, you have to be prepared to invest,” Dwayne continues. “We service a lot of pharmaceutical companies and also transport a lot of fresh produce, and I strongly believe you should have fresh equipment to do that. The customers we work for will hold you to a very high standard anyway, and that’s good for everybody. Anything that drives up the standards in haulage is a good thing.”
Established in Wexford by William O’Leary in 1989, O’Leary International offers a comprehensive full load service across Ireland, the UK and the continent, specialising in ambient and temperature-controlled transportation.
Running a precise and professional, 24/7 operation, 52 weeks of the year, their experienced multilingual team boasts invaluable experience and expertise in international transport, and are always available to answer questions, facilitate last-minute requests or address any in-movement modifications.
“I took over in January, 2024 and knew that investment in equipment was the route I wanted to take,” Dwayne continues. “I’ve started doing it and this is the way I want to continue. Keep the equipment fresh and the customers happy, keep doing what we are doing and keep the wheels moving.
“We’re so busy that we can’t afford downtime with equipment. You have to keep everything right and everybody gets the benefit of that – the drivers, the operational staff and the customer, whose precious product is being delivered in fresh and immaculate new gear. It’s great for transport planners, too, when they know the vehicles are so reliable. Makes everybody’s lives a whole lot easier…
“For me, it’s all about reliability – for staff and for customers. My goal with every consignment is to be on time and do the job professionally and efficiently, and, with a bit of luck they will then come back to you for the next job. With the best equipment, we can deliver services to the highest standards and it’s an approach that is serving us well.
“If you can add 20 to 30 lorries per year and keep upgrading and replenishing the fleet, you should eventually find yourself in a position where everything is between one to five years old – that’s my aim. You will get a bit longer out of trailers … I mostly buy Chereau and they are great quality, as are Thermo King units. You could always go cheaper on things but I prefer to keep everything running as smoothly as possible. For example, we run Michelin tyres on our trailers … they are not the cheapest option but they are the best.”
Investment in the workshop – which generates employment for eight mechanics as well as management, parts and admin personnel – will see a fifth pit added this year. “We’re making sure everything is in place to keep the fleet fresh, the trucks humming and our drivers and customers happy,” the forward-thinking proprietor of O’Leary International concludes.
O’Leary International,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross,
County Wexford.
Tel: 051 445300
Mobile: 097 3204765
Email: [email protected]
First published in Irish Trucker magazine November/December 2026, Vol 29-6
featured, O’Leary International
