Heffernan Tyres – the commercial vehicle tyre partner of choice
10/03/2025
Having opened a dedicated truck, coach and agri tyre centre to complement their thriving car tyre business, Heffernan Tyres in Kildare town are one of Ireland’s premier commercial vehicle tyre specialists. We touched base with hands-on proprietor Thomas Heffernan to explore the full suite of commercial fleet solutions delivered.
Commercial tyres have never been an afterthought to Heffernan Tyres, a customer-focused family business that has been consistently providing prompt and professional tyre repair and replacement solutions for more than six decades.
To the contrary, Heffernan Tyres’ unswerving commitment to delivering the best possible service when it comes to truck, trailer, coach and agri tyres is demonstrated by the fact that they operate a dedicated state-of-the-art commercial tyre depot – the only one of its kind in Ireland - stocking all leading brands of truck and bus tyres as well as adopting a proactive approach through the implementation of value-added, bespoke fleet tyre management plans, which ensure optimal performance and dependability at all times.
“Fleet operators are fully focused on their logistical abilities and they don’t want to be getting tied up in the day-to-day details of their tyres,” notes Thomas Heffernan. “They want specific management solutions for their truck and trailer tyres, which we provide, so they can get on with doing what they do best. We can manage all aspects of their tyres and can even provide software – we use a system called InfoRoute - so they can view their equipment online.”
It’s a very proactive and professional methodology compared to the now outdated approach of waiting for a puncture before acting… “Well, this is the way fleets have to be managed now,” says Thomas, who has been part of the family tyre business since 1986. “They simply can’t afford to be having downtime sitting at the side of the road.
“Of course, the unexpected is still going to happen from time to time where you have a puncture, etc., but trucks and fleets have to be shipshape every time they go on the road and it’s not like years ago where you check the tyres every month or so. To manage a fleet properly, you have to make sure that the wheels are properly aligned and that all the tyres are safe and fit for purpose.”
With dedicated car and truck tyre depots on separate sites in Kildare town as well as a number of fleet service vehicles manned by mobile fitters and tyre technicians, Heffernan Tyres have every base covered from regular fleet management to 24-7 nationwide and international roadside assistance.
The fact that this model family business has been trusted by customers for more than 70 years speaks for itself! “The business was established by my father Joe in 1953, so we aren’t running away anywhere, anyway,” Thomas confirms. “He was a blacksmith and started out making horseshoes. He did some welding and light engineering and built trailers. Through various changes in the business, he got into tyres. That’s where the demand was and we’ve been supplying tyres and tyre-related services since the early ‘60s.”
The business operated out of Silliot Hill in the early years before Thomas purchased new premises and opened a new tyre depot on Dublin Road, Kildare town in July, 2000. This is now the site of the car tyre depot.
“In 2022, we separated into two premises,” he continues. “Because of growth in both the car and tyre sides of the business, we opened the truck, bus and agri depot in Melitta. The move was so that we could develop both sides of the business and it was also for safety reasons, as we needed more space to work in.
“In the truck and bus centre, we supply and fit tyres and also do alloy wheels for trucks and buses, steel wheels, and also provide a truck and bus wheel alignment service. This is a state-of-the-art depot and there aren’t too many places in Ireland with a dedicated truck and bus tyre centre on this scale.
“We deal with large and small fleets, from the owner-driver with one truck to large companies with over 500 pieces on the road. We provide our customers with managed fleet solutions and through our network of tyre dealers we distribute Pirelli truck, bus and agri tyres nationwide. We also work with those partners to provide a 24-hour breakdown service all over Ireland.”
Heffernan Tyres is the sole agent and main distributor of Pirelli truck, bus and agri tyres for the 32 counties. They took on the truck / bus agency in 2021 and agri was added this year. “The truck, bus and agri tyres is a business on its own at this stage,” Thomas reaffirms. “There has been a lot of growth here since the next generation joined the business and they will provide the energy to keep driving the business forward.
“My son Joe, who has a Degree in Agri Business & Food Science, and my daughter Ellen, who has a Degree in HR Management, have both joined the business. Our staff are one of the main strengths of the business and we could not succeed without them.”
Full-time employment is generated for a skilled and experienced team of 24, all of whom contribute on a daily basis to the ongoing success of Heffernan Tyres.
Firmly established as one of the country’s leading fleet tyre supply and service specialists, Heffernan Tyres truly is a one-stop shop for all passenger car and commercial vehicle tyre needs. The company has an outstanding track record for delivering unbeatable customer care down through the decades and continues to move with the times.
“Both depots are going well,” Thomas concludes. “The car depot has fleet contracts with all the leading lease hire companies. We offer wheel alignment there, too, and stock a vast range of tyres to fit any need or budget, including tyres for electric vehicles. These are very specific tyres and you have to have the right equipment to lift – or even touch – electric vehicles.”
The transport industry is in a permanent state of change and Heffernan Tyres has survived the test of time to command a place at the forefront of the market by identifying and responding to these changes.
Heffernan Tyres
Unit C1,
Kildare Business Park,
Melitta Road,
Kildare Town,
County Kildare.
Tel: 045 521253
Email: [email protected]
Web: heffernantyres.com
First published in Irish Trucker magazine January/February 2025, Vol 28-1
