Operating a stunning fleet of vehicles and consistently delivering industry–leading services, Sexton Haulage in Mallow, County Cork creates the right impression every time. Irish Trucker touched base with Transport Manager Samantha Sexton, who runs this fantastic family business alongside Niall.
Fresh and immaculately maintained, the striking Sexton Haulage fleet never fails to catch the eye when working the roads of Cork and beyond. As well as always looking the part, Niall and Samantha’s exquisite units invariably deliver a level of service that simply cannot be beaten.
“We can see the cost of running old equipment and it just doesn’t make financial sense,” Samantha points out. “With the newer lorries and trailers that we have bought, there is no downtime and – even though there might be repayments to be made on some of the more expensive purchases – it’s going to save you money in the long run.
“Old equipment just swallows time and money. When we weigh it all up, we find that there is a clear benefit to running newer gear. As well the inconvenience and the cost of repairs, the drivers are happier too because they have no downtime and they get to drive fresh lorries.”
At the time of writing, there are nine trucks in the Sexton Haulage fleet – five Scanias, three Volvos and one DAF. The fleet was replenished with the addition of a new Scania 650S in 2025, a Volvo FH540 in 2024 and a magnificent Scania R500, 6×2 in 2023.
Purchased from AOC Commercials, the latter-mentioned truck looks resplendent in factory painted John Deere Green and fitted with Bragan top and bottom bars. With signwriting by ACE Signs, the truck boasts Durabright alloys, front air suspension, gearbox retarder, leather interior and fridge as well as a host of other features.
Meanwhile, the trailer fleet was bolstered this year with the arrival of a new skelly trailer from Dennison and a couple of used Fruehauf tippers, one a mint condition 2020 rib-sided bathtub tipper.
Niall bought his first lorry when he was only 20 years old and gradually expanded from sole trader status in response to growing demand for outstanding transportation services, incorporating Sexton Haulage as a limited company in the summer of 2018. The business has grown naturally and organically on the back of excellent customer service…
“Dairygold is our biggest customer and we are very proud to say that,” Samantha notes. “We’ve been with them a long time, drawing animal feeds out of their mill here beside us in Lombardstown, and raw materials from the ports and various stores back into the mill for production. Niall initially started off hauling for the sugar beet factory on our doorstep in Mallow, it’s a real shame that closed down and a big loss to the town.”
Trailer-wise, Sextons run four bulk feed blowers and five tippers. They’ve also diversified into containers. “We started with one skelly and now have four and a fifth one is imminent,” Samantha states. “The container work is mostly with Samskip and we also do work for Halls, Doyle Shipping, Gouldings and Grassland Agro.
“We also have a 4-axle Faymonville low loader and curtainsiders. It’s important to be as versatile as you can and to offer a broad range of services. With the low loader, for example, it’s nice to be able to go out and do a bit of heavy haulage every now and then, moving all sorts of machinery and equipment, because in this line of work, a change is as good as a rest, as they say…”
Of course, there are two considerably-sized elephants hanging out in the yard of all Irish haulage operations at present and it would be remiss of us to publish a feature without touching on both: firstly, the difficulty of sourcing and holding onto drivers; and secondly, the perpetually soaring price of diesel.
“It can be hard to get drivers,” Samantha agrees. “We have a good team at the moment thank goodness and we try to have a bit of craic whilst getting the work done. The bulk feed drivers – Niall, Robert and Donal – have it all fine-tuned … they know the routes, the schedules, loading and unloading, they know the drill and have it all running like clockwork.
“General haulage is a little bit more hectic and varied and the drivers take on the role of tipper-driver and containers and whatever else is required of them. Graham and Mick and the rest of the general haulage guys are always ready to switch from a container to a tipper at short notice as can be the case sometimes! We pay our drivers well and in return they mind their trucks and take pride in their work.”
The ongoing fuel crisis is a major concern for everybody in transport and has the potential to bring the haulage sector to its knees. “Our future depends on the cost of diesel and that’s the reality of it,” Samantha concludes. “There’s no point burying our heads in the sand – this is a massive worry.
“A lot of hauliers have their backs to the wall at present because of the price of diesel and it’s a problem that has recently been very stressful. The cost is already unsustainable and that, along with the increasing cost of tyres is taking a big amount out of our turnover every month.
“It’s a good thing that we have such a fresh fleet because, with the way things are, we need to keep all of what we have on the road full-time to maximise profits. We want to continue to expand and look forward to many more years trucking or until we are too old! (or electric lorries arrive properly)!” Samantha jokes.
With a proven track record for delivering the goods, one gets the distinct impression that Sexton Haulage – a fabulous, transparent customer-focused family business that has established itself as a market leader through professionalism, service, dedication, expertise and sheer hard graft – will weather the storm and keep tipping away!
Sexton Haulage,
Newberry,
Mallow,
County Cork.
Tel: 086 3680208
First published in Irish Trucker magazine September/October 2026, Vol 29-5
