Aztec celebrating 30th in style
08/10/2024
Constantly improving and progressing in order to provide the best level of service possible, Galway-headquartered Aztec Logistics have marked three decades in business by purchasing a stunning new 30th-aniversary edition S Series Scania with all the bells and whistles – one of three magnificent new additions to the family-run operation’s sensational fleet.
Thirty years in business this year and synonymous with the tagline ‘dedicated to improving logistics’, Aztec Logistics have commemorated their landmark anniversary in considerable style with the purchase from McElvaney Motors of three incredible new Scania trucks – two striking black Scania G320s and one wonderful white flagship Scania 410S.
All three come complete with Lifford Coachworks bodies while the 410S has an under-mounted Thermo King fridge unit supplied by Ballinlough Refrigeration. A host of extras have been fitted, with eye-catching graphics supplied by Coyle Complete.
Killian Lalor, son of company founders and directors Fintan and Edel, pilots the breath-taking 30th-anniversary edition Scania 410S and took time out from his busy schedule to provide Irish Trucker with his assessment of this dream machine:
“I’m absolutely delighted with it. They are three brilliant lorries, in fairness, and we couldn’t be happier with them. We renew the fleet regularly to make sure we keep up to date with all the specs required for pharmaceutical transportation. We like to replenish the fleet and refresh it – one of our mottos is ‘repairs or repayments.”
Specialising in warehousing and the transportation of pharmaceuticals and air freight, Aztec Logistics / Aztec Pharmacare currently operate a modern, state-of-the-art fleet of eight temperature-controlled rigids, three Insulated dry box Rigids, as well as a pair of Mercedes Sprinter vans.
A modern fleet of vehicles is maintained, offering both temperature-controlled and standard options to suit clients’ diverse needs. Equipped with state-of-the-art real-time tracking and monitoring systems, all vehicles undergo regular inspections and maintenance to ensure peak performance.
An advanced fleet monitoring system enables tracking of temperature and route journeys in real-time, with instant alerts to the transport office in the unlikely event of any temperature fluctuations. Detailed temperature profiles for each delivery are stored on the transport management system for easy access by customers.
Integrated into the drivers’ mobile devices, the transport management system facilitates seamless communication of customer job details. Each customer request is promptly updated on the driver’s device, with live tracking sent to the transport office as pickups and deliveries are completed.
“We run a mix of Volvo and Scania, and we have one Volvo electric rigid which we added to the fleet in May, 2023,” Killian notes. “We use it for local work and it’s very efficient on the service it’s used for. A very good addition to the fleet and so far, so good with that one.”
Operating nationwide as well as providing a specialised UK service when required, Aztec Logistics is the very embodiment of a fully-owned and –operated Irish family business that has been built from the ground up by owners Fintan and Edel, who are now joined in the day-to-day running of the industry-leading logistics provider by son, Killian, who as well as driving the new Scania 410S also oversees fleet management and maintenance.
“My father started out in business 30 years ago and we became a limited company a few years later,” says the latter. “He bought his first vehicle in 1994 and we decided to mark that with the new S Series. It’s finished to the highest spec and is a nice job all around. Lifford Coachworks went above and beyond on this one, it’s great to work with another family business who share the same eye for detail and perfection as we do.”
Exceptional machinery is of little or no use without good operatives and Aztec Logistics are lucky to count some fantastic drivers amongst their team of 25 direct full-time employees. “Warehousing is a huge part of the business and the transport goes hand-in-hand with that.”
Boasting state-of-the-art warehousing spanning 100,000 square feet, including 20,000 square feet HPRA Approved temperature controlled warehouse, Aztec Logistics offer a complete array of 3PL and warehousing logistics solutions. Their facility is safeguarded by 24-hour monitored alarm systems, CCTV surveillance and secure fob-controlled access, ensuring the utmost security.
Aztec Pharmacare is a specialised network tailored specifically to pharmaceutical logistics, featuring dedicated vehicles equipped with pharmaceutical-grade capabilities. Highly trained drivers undergo regular training to ensure the safe handling and transportation of every product within the required secure and temperature-controlled environment.
The longevity and continued growth of Aztec Logistics reflects the determination and work ethic of founder Fintan Lalor, who started from humble beginnings as a one-man, one-van operation three decades ago but has painstakingly developed a progressive and well-established family business by consistently providing clients with unbeatable levels of service and customer care.
“There’s no doubt about it, providing a personal touch has been key,” Killian concedes. “Our ethos since Day One has been that we always go above and beyond to look after customers and the fact that it’s family-owned means we’re not afraid to get stuck in ourselves when we have to.
“My father is very particular about everything, including the upkeep of the vehicles, which have to be looking and performing at their peak all the time. His insistence on everything being perfect shines through in everything we do and that’s where the motto ‘dedicated to improving logistics’ comes from.”
While the Lalor family are the main driving force behind Aztec Logistics, they have surrounded themselves with a good team to ensure that the family business continues to move not with the times but ahead of them. This includes a transport and logistics co-ordinator, a quality manager to look after compliance and an outstanding admin team.
The three new Scanias take pride of place in the fleet at present but everything about Aztec Logistics is highly impressive. Thus, the new trucks represent a powerful statement or symbol not just for the superb 30-year history of the business to date but of the non-negotiable high standards consistently adhered to and achieved.
“In a lot of respects, it all boils down to having a really good team and we are lucky to have a great team here – people who are not just experienced and highly skilled but who also take a genuine interest in the business and who care about professionalism and maintaining strong customer relationships,” Killian concludes.
“As for the future, well, as the saying goes ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, but we will continue to target slow and steady growth. We are always improving and moving forward and our goal is to continue doing so.
“We try to do something every year to keep things moving in the right direction. The electric truck was our big project last year and the new S Series was our big one this year – let’s see what 2025 brings! You can’t stay stagnant, that’s for sure. Our objective going forward is to keep refreshing the fleet, maintain good relationships with our customers and to keep improving all aspects of the business.”
Aztec Logistics Ltd.,
Unit 2 Railway Line,
Deerpark Industrial Estate,
Oranmore,
County Galway.
Tel: 091 792000
Mobile: 087 251 3648
Email: [email protected]
Web: azteclogistics.ie
First published in Irish Trucker magazine September/October 2024, Vol 27-5
