Stephen Rice Commercials receives prestigious award
05/05/2022
Stephen Rice Commercials Ltd is a one-stop shop for all your truck, coach and trailer, ABS / EBS repairs, tachograph, pre-CVRT check, testing and breakdown recovery needs.
The Tuam, Co. Galway-based garage was delighted to receive the WABCO Service Partner of the Year 2021 Regional Ireland Award at a ceremony in Leeds on Friday, November 19 last. Recently acquired by ZF, WABCO is a global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles.
“We’ve been an agent for WABCO since 2008 and are audited by them annually,” Stephen Rice explains.
“The award recognises our high standards and the excellent relationship and interaction we enjoy with their technical team in the UK. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it because we’re a small service partner in the West of Ireland. But it’s lovely to be honoured like that. It reflects well on our whole team and on the service we provide.”
Since 2007, Stephen Rice Commercials has been providing complete truck, bus, trailer service and repairs, including full service and inspections (12 and 16-week), computer diagnostics, CVRT repairs and pre-checks, ABS / EBS brake repairs, steering, suspensions and fleet maintenance. In addition, the garage is an approved tachograph, speed limiter and vehicle plating centre, and has three vehicles dedicated to its 24-hour breakdown recovery service.
The garage’s experienced team of technicians have a wide range of knowledge and expertise in the servicing and maintenance of all makes of truck and trailer, bus and commercial vehicles. The state-of-the-art four-bay workshop is equipped to undertake minor or major mechanical and structural repairs at a competitive price.
“About 70% of our work these days is trailers, testing and tachographs,” Stephen says.
“We look after all our customers’ testing requirements. We prepare, organise and hand back their vehicles after they’re tested at our local CVRT test centre, Burke Bros. We fully understand the importance of getting your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible and avoiding any downtime. As an approved tachograph centre, we install, calibrate and inspect tachographs and weight plates. We also issue two-year tachograph calibration and speed limiter certs.
“We service and repair all makes of trailers too. There’s a big push towards original diagnostics and warranty, and we’re above board for all of those things. But we pride ourselves on being able to offer the full maintenance and repair package for your truck, trailer or coach.”
As well as WABCO, the award-winning company is an agent for Cargo Floor, Mega, Haldex, STAS, WIELTON, Hino, Stoneridge, Higer, Siemens VDO, Knorr-Bremse, BPW, Kassbohrer and Higer. Stephen Rice Commercials works closely with the Harris Group, which is one Ireland’s longest-established commercial vehicles import and assembly companies, and is synonymous with Hino trucks and Higer premium and electric buses.
“We are proud to represent brands such as Haldex air brakes, Knorr-Bremse braking systems, Stoneridge tachographs and Cargo Floor moving sliding floors. We’re also agents for BPW axles who are Europe’s leading axle and suspension manufacturer.”
The Tuam operation specialises in the recovery of heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. To this end, Stephen runs a recovery truck, low loader and two fully-equipped mobile units. Regardless of size, weight or location in the West, the recovery division can fulfil all of its customer’s heavy towing requirements.
“We’ve gone into heavy recovery in a big way since 2018,” the affable managing director continues.
“We’ve invested in a heavy-duty Renault recovery truck and a purpose-built Dennison recovery trailer which is capable of carrying a three-axle coach or artic. We also have two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans which are equipped to carry out roadside repairs and assistance.
“We offer a fast, reliable, friendly and value-for-money service. Our recovery team is here to help with taking the stress and hassle out of having a breakdown or accident.”
Providing complete customer satisfaction is a prerequisite for Stephen whose client-base continues to grow. He believes that if he carries out all jobs professionally, efficiently and with the minimum of fuss and downtime, the rest will take care of itself. So far, this philosophy has served the Galway man well.
“We don’t advertise as such. A lot of our business is secured through word of mouth and referrals. We will always go out of our way to look after our customers. We offer an around-the-clock service seven days a week.”
Stephen employs eight staff, including his son Oisín, who came on board as an apprentice technician two-and-a-half years ago. Needless to say, he’s hoping Oisín will take over the reins in years to come.
“It would be nice to keep the family tradition going!” he smiles.
“We have a top-class team of people working for us in the workshop and office. Everyone has a job to do and we work well as a team.”
As Stephen Rice Commercials continues to go from strength to strength, Stephen would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients, suppliers and staff for their continued loyalty and support.
Stephen Rice Commercials Ltd
Ballymote Road,
Tuam,
Co. Galway,
H54 XH61
Telephone: 093 42890
Mobile: 087 9335211 (Stephen) / 087 7775525 (workshop) / 087 3624491 (office)
Email: [email protected]
Published in Irish Trucker & Light Commercials magazine, April/May 2022, Vol 25 No 2
