Five generations of excellent haulage service
10/10/2024
With a legacy dating back nearly a century and now in the fifth generation, the McGrath family transport business based at, Clonfadda, Killaloe, Co Clare, is home to one of the most successful heavy haulage firms in the country.
The business comprising McGrath Heavy Transport Ltd and C McGrath Tranpsport Ltd. has established itself as a leading provider of transport services across Ireland. The company's roots trace back to the 1930s when the McGrath family began delivering Guinness from St James’s Gate in Dublin via canal barges. By the 1950s, the iconic Sandlark barge carried turf from the midlands and other goods such as slates, bricks, flour, meal, and coal to and from Limerick. The haulage then moved from water to land, transporting potatoes, coal, and many other items.
Business has been booming lately and Managing Director Michael McGrath, his nephew Chris McGrath (Director), and the rest of the team in Clonfadda, Killaloe, Co Clare hope to maintain this momentum into next year. Under Michael McGrath's leadership, the company has seen significant growth, expanding its fleet from 10 trucks to over 30 in a short period. This remarkable expansion reflects the company’s robust business model, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strong relationships with suppliers. McGrath’s take great care of their customers, ensuring timely deliveries and maintaining high standards of service. The company's success is deeply intertwined with the support and reliability of its suppliers, relationships essential for its operations.
Michael McGrath brings extensive experience in haulage stemming from his family background. With a professional background as a driver, he has cultivated a wealth of expertise over the years. Michael has built strong relationships with both individuals and companies, including continuous work with notable clients such as Office Public Works, Irish Cement, Dairygold and and Clare County Council to mention but a few. Having run the company himself for many years, Michael brought on his nephew Christopher to join the leadership team, ensuring the continuation of the family's legacy. Michael can be found daily in the office, sorting dockets, organizing work for the drivers, and driving a tipper. During peak season, Michael also delivers fertilizer in the rigid and drag.
Christopher McGrath serves as the Director of both McGrath Heavy Transport and C. McGrath Haulage Ltd. With a professional background as a driver and HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) mechanic, he brings a wealth of hands-on experience and expertise to the company. His extensive knowledge spans all facets of the haulage industry, making him a versatile and resourceful leader. As a professional driver, Christopher understands the practical challenges and demands of the road, ensuring that the company's transportation operations are conducted with precision and safety. His background as an HGV mechanic further enhances his ability to maintain a reliable and well-maintained fleet of vehicles, contributing to the company's reputation for dependability. Christopher's commitment to excellence and his comprehensive understanding of all areas of haulage make him an invaluable asset to the company.
“We are extremely satisfied with Scania, as they consistently meet all our work-related needs with exceptional efficacy and reliability,” says Christopher. “Our entire fleet consists of Scania vehicles, and throughout the years, they have predominantly been our choice. Their commitment to staying ahead of the curve and adapting to changing times is impressive. We deal with Westward Scania and are particularly pleased with their outstanding service and support.”
Operating with 30 full-time staff and as many trucks on the road, recent additions to the superb McGrath Heavy Transport fleet include a new Scania 660 S for low loader work and a G450 8x4 rigid. Chris McGrath explained that the company’s trucks are maintained in-house for the most part and serviced every 20,000 km.
“Trucks-wise, the fleet is all Scania. I’m a mechanic myself by trade, so if I wasn’t in the office or out on the road, I’d be doing repairs. As I said, my wife Roisin is in the office. Again, trucks-wise, we have between one and three lorries bought every year. They’d be on Scania contract for the first three years, and after that, we’d look after them. We service the trucks every 20,000 km, and very little of the work on them would be outsourced. We do the majority ourselves.”
McGrath’s specialize in providing top-quality haulage solutions while remaining open to diverse industries. Our commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of our operations, ensuring that our clients receive dependable and efficient transportation services. The business specializes in tipper work, heavy haulage, abnormal loads, and bulk transport, with a primary focus on the reliable and efficient transportation of bulk animal feeds. However, their extensive experience allows them to serve a wide range of industries and cargo types, adapting and expanding their services to meet diverse transportation needs. The company also has its own facility where it crushes concrete with three Komatsu excavators on site.
Here's what sets their services apart:
-Tipper Work: We offer specialized tipper services, ideal for transporting bulk materials such as soil, sand, gravel, and waste. Our tipper trucks are designed for efficiency and safety, ensuring that your materials are delivered where they need to be, on time and in perfect condition. Our business as been instrumental in significant infrastructure projects, including extensive work on the new bridge in Killaloe, a major undertaking that has kept the business exceptionally busy over the past 18 months.
- Heavy Haulage: Our heavy haulage services are tailored for transporting oversized and heavy loads, including machinery, construction equipment, and other large items. With our specialized equipment and experienced team, we ensure that even the most challenging loads are handled with precision and care.
- Abnormal Loads: We provide specialized haulage services for abnormal loads, requiring careful planning and execution. Our expertise in managing over-dimensional and heavy cargo ensures safe and compliant transportation. The company also excels in moving abnormal loads for regular clients and bulk haulage, particularly during peak seasons, meeting the demands of the agricultural sector.
- Bulk Transport: Our primary specialization is in the reliable and efficient transportation of bulk animal feeds, a field in which we excel. However, our extensive experience extends beyond this niche. We are open to serving a wide range of industries, leveraging our expertise to meet unique transportation needs.
- Diverse Fleet: Our well-maintained fleet is equipped to handle various types of cargo, ensuring the safe and secure transport of goods. With a wealth of experience across different haulage sectors, we're prepared to adapt and expand our services to accommodate diverse cargo requirements.
- Reliability: Our clients rely on us for timely deliveries, and reliability is at the core of our service. Whether it's bulk animal feed or topsoil, we are committed to being a trusted partner that consistently delivers on promises.
- Safety: Safety is our utmost priority. We adhere to strict safety protocols and industry best practices, ensuring that every haulage operation is conducted with the highest level of safety standards.
- Efficiency: Efficiency in logistics and transport is key to our success. We optimize routes, leverage advanced technology, and maintain a well-trained team to ensure that our services are not only reliable but also cost-effective, regardless of cargo variety.
- Client-Centric Approach: We listen to the specific needs of our clients and provide tailored solutions. Our client-centric approach allows us to adapt to evolving requirements and provide personalized service that consistently exceeds expectations, irrespective of the cargo type.
The secret behind McGrath Heavy Transport Ltd's success lies in its unwavering commitment to honesty, professional service, and building long-term relationships with clients. The company prides itself on its repeat business, often working with clients for over three decades. Most of the business has stemmed from recognition of the long-standing family haulage business.
Looking ahead, McGrath Heavy Transport Ltd aims to continue its trajectory of growth and success, maintaining its high standards of service and community involvement. With plans to expand their fleet further and continue serving their long-standing clients, the company is poised for a bright future.
“We are a proud registered member of the IRHA (Irish Road Haulage Association), demonstrating our commitment to industry excellence. While we haven't received formal awards, we take pride in our active involvement in supporting local charity events.
“At McGrath Heavy Transport Ltd, we believe in making a positive impact in our community through action. Our commitment extends beyond business as we participate in local charity events, including truck runs and other charitable initiatives. These events provide us with the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us over the years. We are deeply committed to contributing to local causes, making a difference where it matters most – right here in Killaloe, Co Clare,” said Chris.
“Our involvement in charity events reflects our values and our belief that success should be shared. While we may not have trophies on our shelves, the appreciation, gratitude, and support of our community are the recognition we value most. We are often seen taking part in local parade truck runs and helping out in any way that we can.”
Looking at the coming months for the business, Chris McGrath says they’re as optimistic as ever down in Clonfadda. “Business has been up the walls because of the work on the new bridge in Killaloe. There’s a new bypass and bridge being built in Killaloe, and it has just been manic for the past 18 months. It’s nearly finished now. So, the hopes are to just continue as we’re going here at the moment.” Looking ahead, McGrath Heavy Transport Ltd aims to continue its growth, maintain high standards of service and community involvement.
First published in Irish Trucker magazine September/October 2024, Vol 27-5
