McGuckian Oils – delivering value locally since 1987
19/12/2023
McGuckian Oils Ltd in Carrigtwohill is one of the largest independent oil distributors in Co. Cork, being a one-stop shop for all your oil and lubricating requirements.
Established in 1987 by Killeagh man Tom McGuckian, the company originally traded as McGuckian Lubricating Oils. Having initially specialised in lubricating oils and grease, Tom branched into oil distribution in 1999. Due to continued expansion, he relocated the business to a purpose-built premises in Carrigtwohill Industrial Estate, which is strategically located between the urban centres of Cork city, Midleton and Fermoy, and where 10 staff are based.
Over the past three-and-a-half decades, McGuckian Oils has acquired a detailed knowledge of its customers’ requirements in terms of products and services. The company offers an efficient, friendly and reliable service throughout Cork on a daily basis. It will deliver within 50 miles of Carrigtwohill six days a week, and within 24 hours of receiving your order.
McGuckian Oils provides a range of fuel products to the domestic and commercial market, supplying home heating oil, DERV (white diesel), agricultural diesel, HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) as well as lubricants, greases, additives and oil tanks. It enjoys a close working relationship with Certa Ireland and many other companies. Only quality products are sold at the most competitive prices. A variety of payment methods are available, while customers also have the option of placing their order online.
In addition, there is a forecourt onsite where customers can fill up their white diesel, green diesel, kerosene, AdBlue and HVO products. The forecourt and pumps can be accessed 24/7 by McGuckian Oils fuel card holders, while all Master cards are also accepted. A full range of Castrol, Maxol and Motul lubricants from five-litre cans to 208-litre drums are in stock, while Tom is also a supplier of AdBlue and Kingspan and Carbery Plastics oil tanks.
HVO is an increasingly popular fuel which is available from the forecourt or by distribution. Manufactured from 100% renewable plant waste matter, HVO is a paraffinic drop-in fuel designed as a direct replacement for diesel. It has a wide range of OEM approvals, meaning it can be used without needing any engine and machinery modification or retrofitting.
Unlike conventional biodiesel, hydrogen (rather than methanol) is used as a catalyst, making it cleaner than any other fossil fuel alternative currently available. HVO provides full lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings of up to 90% when compared to conventional diesel. Direct emissions from burning HVO are considered to be zero, or carbon neutral. HVO is ideal for on and off-road vehicles across a range of industries, including construction, agriculture, road and rail transport, haulage, marine and the public sector.
“HVO is more expensive than diesel, but it has 92% less emissions and runs very well. Despite the big push towards electric, liquid fuels will be around for a long time to come,” Tom says matter-of-factly.
“The oil industry never sleeps and that’s why it’s so important to keep pace with all the changes. In March 2022, fuel doubled in price and did have an impact on us. While it has settled since then, the ongoing war in Ukraine will lead to continued uncertainty.”
A dedicated sales team is employed to work with you, making sure that you benefit from price updates, latest product information and that deliveries are arranged to suit your particular needs. They can also offer advice on any issues that may affect your tanks, pumps or health and safety regulations.
In the event of an emergency and you run out of home heating oil, it’s reassuring to know that McGuckian Oils is just a phone call away and will endeavour to get to you as soon as possible. The company offers a daily delivery service (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays) as well as emergency and top-up services.
The McGuckian fleet is a familiar sight on Cork roads. Tom runs six trucks and two artics - a DAF (2019-reg) and Scania (2018-reg) - four Scania rigids and two DAF mini-tankers. He also operates three large oil tankers that are used for collections from Whitegate, Co. Cork, which is Ireland’s only oil refinery, and Foynes, Co. Limerick. Needless to say, the company has held a fuel haulage licence for many years.
“The two artics are dedicated to that work,” the affable managing director explains.
“The two Scania rigids have 13,000-litre tanks and are used for domestic deliveries. The newest of the DAF mini-tankers, which was bought new in 2021 from DAF Truck Services in Cork, has a 12kg chassis and three compartment tanks which have a combined capacity of 8,500 litres. The other mini-tanker, which is a 2011-reg, has a 10kg chassis and two 2,500-litre compartment tanks.
“Scania are an expensive truck, but you get the years and mileage out of them, especially when you go to the expense of building a tanker body on them.”
The trucks, with their striking white and green livery, are always immaculately turned out. Servicing and maintenance are carried out by Scania dealers AOC Commercials in Carrigtwohill, DAF Truck Services in Cork and O’Donovan Transport in Carrigtwohill, while Fitzgerald Commercials look after tanker repairs, servicing and testing.
“We are very lucky to have good providers on our doorstep who offer a top-class service and who we enjoy an excellent working relationship with,” adds Tom, who is also full of praise for his staff, which includes highly-skilled, courteous and professional drivers, and office staff.
As a distributor to the domestic, commercial, farming and retail sectors, McGuckian Oils fully understands the oil distribution business and how best to reach customers. Tom concludes by saying: “We will continue to offer a low-cost fuel, lubricant and grease service to our customers in the greater Cork area, whose business we greatly appreciate.”
McGuckian Oils Ltd
Carrigtwohill Industrial Estate,
Carrigtwowhill,
Co. Cork,
T45 H958.
Telephone: 021 4881190
Email: [email protected]
First published in Irish Trucker magazine Vol 26 No 6, October/November 2023
