O’Mahoney Commercials flying the Scania flag with distinction

05/12/2024

Since its inception in 1992, O’Mahoney Commercials has firmly established itself as a key player in promoting Scania across Tipperary and beyond. We recently visited their state-of-the-art Ballycahill workshop and spoke with co-founder and director, Siobhan O’Mahoney, to get an update on this industry-leading, family-run operation.

O’Mahoney Commercials, an official Scania service and parts dealership since 1992, is led by a husband and wife team, Paddy and Siobhan O’Mahoney, alongside their daughter Niamh. Over the past 32 years, they have delivered exceptional service and customer care to fleet operators from their modern, Scania-approved workshop and parts department. The company has grown, evolved, and invested heavily in its premises, equipment, and technicians to consistently offer unmatched maintenance, servicing, parts, and repair solutions with a prompt, professional, and personal touch.

Their sister business, Thurles Test Centre, located just off the Horse and Jockey junction (Exit 6) on the M8 motorway, is equally well-appointed. Both locations are busy throughout the week, providing a full range of services to ensure that customer’s vehicles perform at their best.

O’Mahoney Commercials' commitment to exceptional service has earned them a stellar reputation for customer satisfaction, leading to a significant amount of repeat business from loyal vehicle owners, from independent drivers to large fleet operators.

“We have strong customer retention rates and many long-serving staff members,” Siobhan notes. “Currently, we have four apprentices who are completing their college phases before returning to the workshop. We prefer to nurture our own talent and retain them, ensuring they are trained to meet our exact standards We have some employees here since the very start and others that have been with us for many years.

“Our apprentices receive training through Solas and also through Scania-specific modules. As new trucks and equipment are introduced, our technicians continuously upskill, and we continuously upgrade our systems, equipment, and facilities.”

Reflecting on the early days of O’Mahoney Commercials, Siobhan continues: “We identified a need for a Scania dealership here in Tipperary, so we approached Westward Scania. They allowed us join the network as Scania parts and service dealership. This was a major milestone for our business. Paddy had previously worked as a mechanic and driven on the continent, giving him a well-rounded view of the industry. From 1990 until 1992, we operated as an independent workshop, but our big break came when we became a Scania dealer.”

Since then, O’Mahoney Commercials has thrived, developing a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with Scania. “We started in a rented premises and eventually purchased our own site, which we’ve improved and modernized over the years,” says Siobhan. “We began with just one mechanic, and now we have a team of 20. Taking on young people straight out of school and starting them on apprenticeships has been key to our growth.”

As for the secret to their success, Siobhan explains, “It all comes down to how well you look after your customers. We offer a 24/7 breakdown service and do everything possible to provide the best service. We collaborate with other dealers around the country to ensure their customers in our area are well-served. Our customer base spans Tipperary, Limerick, North Cork, Kilkenny, and Waterford.

“As a family business with a personal touch, we’re fortunate to have a core group of long-term customers, but we’re always gaining new ones. When you work closely with people over the years, relationships become personal, and you often develop friendships with customers.”

O’Mahoney Commercials has made significant technological advancements, including increased Wi-Fi hotspots on-site and a recent shift towards using tablets rather than laptops. “We are also continuously upgrading the building itself, with significant work carried out over the past few years, including new signage and the refurbishment at the front of the building. All of this aligns with Scania dealer operating standards, which we closely adhere to.”

Why Scania? “While many years ago Paddy worked for Liam Carroll Transport—based in this very building—he became familiar with Scania and was impressed with every aspect of their trucks. His loyalty to Scania has remained strong since then.”

Since 2008, Paddy O’Mahoney has also been joint-MD of Thurles Test Centre in partnership with Paul Dempsey of Keyline Transport. “We opened a purpose-built testing facility in 2008 and received a ten-year license extension in 2013, which was further extended to 2024 due to Covid. This year, we received another ten-year license, extending our operation until March 2034.

“The centre’s success is due in part to its purpose-built design. We started with two testers and now have three full-time and one part-time tester, making us the largest we’ve ever been. We have built a loyal customer base in there with many customers now conducting routine 13 week checks and pre-tests thus continuously monitoring their trucks. This is important for safety on the roads for our customers, keeps us busy in the workshop and ensures that there are no issues when it comes to their test. So it’s a win for everyone.”

Looking ahead, Siobhan says O’Mahoney Commercials will “continue to look after our loyal customers and strive to provide them with our best service into the future,” ensuring that this impressive, customer-focused, family business will continue to thrive.

O’Mahoney Commercials
The Rock,
Ballycahill
Thurles,
County Tipperary

Tel: 0504 24290
Breakdown: 087 2597801
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.omahoneys.ie

First published in Irish Trucker magazine November/December 2024, Vol 27-6