The impressive MRDL fleet just got even better!

16/08/2017

In January, McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution embellished their exceptional fleet with the addition of a stunning new Scania V8 from Road Trucks Ltd. We visited their depot in Ballymoney, County Antrim and met Gavin McConaghy to find out more.

The latest addition to the outstanding McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution Ltd. (MRDL) fleet is a striking new R580LA 6x4 2MNA Topline Scania, which will operate from the company’s purpose-built distribution centre at Dervock near Ballymoney in County Antrim.

McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution Limited’s impressive fleet of trucks consists of mainly Scania and Volvos in addition to one DAF. The fleet comprises the entire Scania R Series V8 range; the R730, R620, R580 and R520 as well as FH Series Volvos, a Scania P270, a Volvo FM440 I-Shift and a DAFXF105. All trucks in the fleet have been chosen primarily for their driveability, reliability and quality, with the different engine output levels of each truck reflecting the work undertaken and ensuring that drivers always have plenty of lugging power at their feet.

As one of the superior distributors of chilled, frozen and ambient products operating in Ireland and the UK, McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution Ltd. delivery both full and part load solutions, ensuring that the highest possible standards of hygiene, compliance and customer service are met throughout the operation.

Remotely monitored tracking systems fitted to the modern vehicle fleet ensure full traceability of consignments from collection to delivery. The 14-strong fleet of multi-temperature-controlled vehicles are regularly updated as part of a continuous renewal programme, enabling the exceptional family-run operation to provide a truly dependable, professional and fully-compliant service.

The company was established 20 years ago and currently runs 14 tractor units plus some 22 trailers. Gavin McConaghy joined the family business four years ago, after leaving school. “We try to keep the fleet as fresh as we can in order to provide customers with a premium service,”he notes. “We do a lot of work for Marks & Spencer and we also move a good bit of butter and swinging beef as well. We have a lot of long-term customers in the local area who we’ve been working for since we started out.”

The key to the longevity and continued success of McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution Ltd.? “Giving a good quality of transport and running the fleet as fresh and modern as we possibly can. We keep the fleet in excellent running order. Scania do the six-week checks and Alvin Haye in A.I.R. Commercial Services in Ballymena does the trailer maintenance for us. We keep the fleet perfect at all times and also have state-of-the-art chilled warehousing and cross-docking facilities to ensure optimal service levels across the board.”

Critically, all of the lorries are owned, bar two on contract hire, and all of the trailers are owned. Operating a fresh fleet keeps overheads down further.

“I bought a 212-reg, second-hand R620 from A&M Commercials in Monaghan last year and I drive that one myself,”Gavin continues. “Neil Reid is driving the new one, which is a top-of-the-range unit with all light bars, leather seats, microwave, French freezer etc. It looks the part.

“We try to do as many truck shows as we can. We bring a couple to the Peterborough Show in England every year and I’d say we’ll definitely bring the new R580 over this year.”

Looking to the future, Gavin says there’s no chance of McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution Ltd. letting their renowned standards drop: “We’ll keep providing a good service and moving on,”he concludes. “We’re going to keep at it, keep our heads down and concentrate on providing our customers with excellent levels of service.”

When it comes to realising this objective, the striking new Scania will be a major asset.

McConaghy Refrigerated Distribution Ltd.,

218 Castlecat Road,

Derrykeighan,

County Antrim,

Northern Ireland.

BT53 8AT

Tel: 028 207 42977

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.mcconaghys.co.uk

Taken from Irish Trucker & Light Commercials magazine, Vol 20 No 2, March/April 2017