40 years and the clock still ticking at Angretia
24/03/2025
As Angretia celebrated 40 years in business in 2024, unassuming managing director Martin Hughes took the opportunity to pay tribute to all of those individuals past and present who have contributed to the success thus far of this industry-leading County Cavan headquartered refrigerated haulage specialist.
Twenty-twenty-four was a landmark year for Angretia Co. Ltd. - the exceptional family-run haulage business that has been delivering the goods in style from its well-appointed HQ on the outskirts of Shercock, County Cavan since 1984.
Synonymous with the consistent provision of exceptional refrigerated food distribution services across the 32 counties, seven days a week, Angretia runs an immaculate, eye-catching, modern fleet and deploys a magnificent team of dedicated, experienced personnel to ensure that every delivery is completed to the exacting standards that have been the bedrock of the business since visionary, hardworking husband-and-wife founders Andy and Greta McCann got the wheels rolling four decades ago.
To mark the 40th-anniversary milestone that arrived in 2024, managing director Martin Hughes took possession of a spectacular new commemorative DAF XG 530 6x2 tractor unit from DAF Trucks Ireland. Complete with all the bells and whistles and decked out in Angretia’s trademark blue and white livery, the anniversary model DAF includes a poignant clock on the back of the cab with the years 1984 and 2024 etched onto the face of the clock and the words ‘40 years and the clock still ticking’ emblazoned beneath.
The stunning specs on the new truck are too numerous to list but some of these include: Exclusive Pack with Swivel Drivers Seat; Exclusive NGD Interior; LED Sky Lights; Integrated LED Lights; Laminated Glass with Solar Control Foil; Exclusive Interior LED Lighting; Exclusive Touch Screen DAF Infotainment Media System, Subwoofer and Full Apps Store Connectivity; LED Integrated Bumper Mounted Fog Lights; Colour Coded Bumper, Stepwells & Mirror Covers; Full Leather Super Air Suspended Driver Seat; Full Leather Co-Driver Cinema Seat with Table; NGD DAF Relax Bed & Extra Comfort Mattress with Touch Button Bed Functions; Refrigerator & Under Bunk Storage.
Final and full finishing, all light bars and headboard were supplied by DAF Distributors Ireland. Livery and paintwork supplied by Tierney Graphics, Emyvale and extended sun visor, bumper extension and side skirts courtesy of Steen Commercials.
“We got the keys to the new DAF in the third week of October,” Martin reflects. “We like to keep the fleet fresh and this is particularly important when you are dealing with fresh food. When you have a trailer of fresh food to deliver, you can’t afford to be on the side of the road, so you need a dependable fleet of trucks and trailers that can deliver. You’d always be upgrading, moving one on and taking in a new one. The fleet is up to date, well maintained and we tend to stick with DAF.”
Gerry O’Reilly is the man who has been entrusted with driving the new flagship 40th-anniversary truck and the miles have been clocking up quickly, such is the fast-moving nature of Angretia’s role as nationwide haulage provider for local poultry firm Carton Bros, who produce the renowned Manor Farm chicken range.
“We’re delighted with the lorry – it turned out really well and is a fitting way of marking our 40th anniversary,” says Martin, who runs the business alongside his wife Madeline (daughter of founders Andy and Greta McCann, whose names are forever immortalised in the company name). Gerry is on long-haul duty, driving up and down to Cork and Limerick and the feedback from the public has been brilliant.
“It’s great that the lorry has got such a positive reaction on the road and also on social media because it represents and reflects what we are all about. You are making a statement with a truck like this. That’s important when you are handling a product as time-sensitive as fresh food. When you go into a depot for any of the big multiples, the likes of Tesco or Super Valu, a nice lorry creates the right impression and we like to think we achieve this all the time.”
As one who lives close to the Angretia hub and who regularly sees the lorries and trailers from the fleet both at work and parked up, this writer can state without any fear of contradiction that Angretia trucks always look superb. The fleet currently comprises 26 trucks between tractor units and rigids alongside 31 trailers and is surely one of the most impressive in the country in terms of both performance and aesthetics.
How is it that they always look so fantastic? “That’s down to the drivers,” says Martin. “Each man has his own truck and when they come back to the yard, they always make sure they clean it. All the lorries are always clean and it would stick out like a sore thumb if it wasn’t washed. In fairness, the drivers are great in that respect. They don’t have to be asked.
“There is a great bunch of lads there and, like any company, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the great team keeping it going and keeping the wheels in motion.”
The company is a lasting legacy to its founders and it is them that Martin thinks of and acknowledges first and foremost when acknowledging Angretia’s big anniversary: “Andy and the late Greta built a very good foundation and it wasn’t too hard for me to follow on from that and keep the company going from strength to strength. Everything we have here is down to them, the vision they had, the work they invested and the risks they took.
“This is a big landmark and it’s a good excuse to take stock, look at where we are and honour those who are no longer with us. A lot of people past and present have contributed to the company. When you get on in years yourself, you start to realise how much a lot of people who aren’t here anymore have done for you.
“My own dad [Jimmy] was a big part of it, too. The years go by so fast. When I think back to when I used to get into the passenger seat of the cab beside him as a young lad every opportunity I got … and now I have a son who does the exact same with me. It’s amazing how time moves and the years fly by. When you are at school, you think you won’t ever see Friday. It’s important to step back and take time and realise where you are in life.
“I think everybody needs to take stock and make time for themselves. Your health is everything, too, and is more important than anything else. Andy gave me one bit of advice when he was handing the reins over to me and it was this: don’t get bogged down with the business; don’t forget your family or leave them behind. Great advice.
“I’d like to acknowledge all the support we’ve got over the years and to thank the people who are no longer with us and who are still inspiring us today, as well as those who are still here,” Martin concludes. “Only for Andy and Greta starting out on the first day, this company wouldn’t exist. He took a big gamble, it was a big investment to buy a truck in 1984 and start out on your own. They are the real inspirations behind this business and the new lorry is a tribute to them.”
Angretia Co. Ltd.,
Lecks,
Shercock,
County Cavan.
Tel: 042 9669398
Email: [email protected]
First published in Irish Trucker magazine January/February 2025, Vol 28-1
