Bonner Transport makes its Mark 

13/11/2025

Established in 2017 by Mark Bonner, Bonner Transport is an exceptional haulage and logistics provider specialising in bulk animal feed, sand & gravel, fertiliser, coal and livestock transportation as well as abnormal loads, groupage and European palletised freight. 

Based in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Bonner Transport has grown to run a fleet of seven trucks and 20 trailers, and employ nine people, including seven truck drivers and an escort van driver for abnormal loads. The business evolved from Ross Consulting Agency Ltd, a civil construction hire company which Mark had previously focused on. 

“Terence Quinn of TC Quinn in Raphoe is my uncle-in-law, and that’s where my interest in haulage came from,” the Convoy native reveals. 

“He helped to get me going. I bought my first two trucks from Terence and also used his yard in the early days. I’ll always be grateful to him for that.” 

Currently operating from a premises in Rossbracken which boasts parking and storage facilities, Bonner Transport is in the process of relocating to a bigger and better base in nearby Newtowncunningham. The move reflects the company’s continued growth which can be attributed to its prompt service, reliability and value-for-money. 

“We pride ourselves on our unbeatable service, modern fleet and amazing team. When you have top-class, reliable drivers and are constantly investing in new equipment like we are, downtime is never an issue. We are always willing to go the extra mile for our valued customers,” Mark says. 

“I’m really blessed to have good drivers who are supported by a good lady in the office. My brother Ryan also helps out with low loader work.” 

Mark started off with a MAN TGX truck, tipping trailer and curtainsider before adding a Volvo Version 2 480 shortly afterwards. He is now running four Scanias – S770, S660 (left-hand drive), R580 and R450 – two Renault T High 520s and a Volvo FM Version 4 500. The Scania S770 and S660 were both purchased new this year from McElvaney Motors in Monaghan and a dealer in Holland. Both are magnificently turned-out with lots of extras. 

The trailers are a mix of flats, curtainsiders, tippers and low loaders, while Mark recently added a Pezzaioli cattle trailer for his fledgling live export business. He has also taken delivery of a new Nooteboom low loader and two new Muldoon tipping trailers in the last 12 months. 

“We have four low loaders – three Nooteboom and one Goldhofer,” the managing director explains. 

“We have a new Nooteboom MCOS 58-04v five-axle double extendable which was purchased from McMenamin Commercials in Letterkenny. We also bought our Renault T Highs from them. The Goldhofer is also a five-axle double extendable, while the other two Nooteboom’s are four-axle single extendables. 

“In addition, we purchased two new Muldoon tipping trailers and two nearly-new Schmidt and SDC curtainsiders from Sallybrook Commercials in Newtowncunningham. The trucks that are under warranty go back to the main dealers for servicing, while servicing and repairs on older models is carried out by McCrabbe Garage and Dennison Commercials. McCrabbe Garage, who are in Victoria Bridge near Strabane, are Scania specialists and Dennison Commercials are Volvo. Sallybrook Commercials and Harran Commercials in Killygordon look after our trailer maintenance.” 

No two days are the same for Mark and his team thanks to the variety of the work. 

“Our main work is low loader, tipper and curtainsider. We specialise in everything from transporting modular buildings and oversized equipment to hauling sand & gravel, animal feed, fertiliser, coal, straw, groupage and palletised European work and now live export to the Continent too. Whereas the low loader work is busy all-year round, the rest of the work is fairly seasonal. They all dovetail nicely,” he adds. 

As well as being a permit holder for abnormal loads, Bonner Transport operates a TASSC-approved bulk feed service tailored to its customers’ needs. The TASSC (Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops) code of practice aims to combine food / feed safety legal requirements with recognised industry good practice and specific customer requirements to provide confidence in the food / feed train. Mark’s drivers are TASCC trained and up-to-speed with all current legislation. 

“As a TASSC-approved haulier, all of our loads are fully traceable and transparent. We have a responsibility to ensure that our trucks and trailers are clean, and that cross-contamination doesn’t occur.” 

Bonner Transport has come a long way in the last eight years and Mark is eager to keep it on an upward trajectory. 

“We’re always busy so we can’t complain. We have some great customers who we enjoy an excellent working relationship with. Our goal is to provide them with a first-class, dependable, courteous and value-for-money service. Every load is precious and we have some of the best drivers in the business to deliver them safely and in a timely manner,” says the affable Donegal man, who is grateful for the support of his wife Ciara and young sons Harry (four) and Frankie (two). 

“I got a lucky break with this business and am making it work. I have no fear of failure; I’m only thinking about moving forward and how we can improve further.” 

As his company continues to go from strength to strength, Mark would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as his drivers for their hard work, dedication and skill. 

Bonner Transport / Ross Consulting Agency Ltd 

Ballymacool Woods, 

Letterkenny, 

Co. Donegal. 

Telephone: 087 717 6662 

First published in Irish Trucker magazine November/December 2025, Vol 28-6