Vincent Cannon & Co Ltd are fully committed to providing the highest quality quarry products. We dropped into the company base at Masonbrook, Loughrea, County Galway to get an insight into the long and illustrious history and current activities of the successful family business through the eyes of one of the company directors Padraig Cannon.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Vincent Cannon & Co Ltd boasts a wealth of experience that is second to none. The name has been synonymous with quarrying in the west of Ireland for close on seventy years and, in agricultural terms, they’re widely recognised as suppliers of premium lime.
Agricultural lime is a basic requirement for good grassland, boosting the performance of slurry and chemical fertilisers. A large proportion of Irish soils are naturally acidic, making lime application essential to provide optimum growing conditions.
And that’s where the Loughrea-based company comes in. They can point to a long list of satisfied farmers in their catchment area who can testify to the quality of their product.
Ever since the company’s inception in 1947, they have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the local agricultural sector. The late Vincent set up the quarry business sixty-eight years ago and today his sons Padraig, Martin, John and Liam are continuing on the proud family tradition.
With a large, modern fleet of trucks and machinery at their disposal, they currently have 12 loyal employees on their payroll, all of whom have worked for them for the past number of years. They are experienced and very familiar with the business, as well as being capable of fulfilling any customer needs.
“The lime trade has been brisk of late,” said Padraig. “Our agricultural lime is very much in demand and it is selling well at the moment. The weather conditions have been favourable and grass growth is right at the minute.”
NSAI approved, Vincent Cannon & Co are also suppliers of quarry products, readymix concrete, sand, decorative and land drainage chips.
Servicing a 40km radius area that incorporates their native county Galway along with neighbouring counties such as Tipperary and Offaly, they have developed an excellent reputation for their products.
They understand the importance of good customer service. For example, they understand that it is essential for a healthy business in creating new customers, keeping loyal customers and developing referrals for future customers.
“What separates us from our competitors is the fact that we have been in this business for a long time, collectively we have experience that can’t be matched,” Padraig added.
“We’re well-known and respected for the quality of our products and our customer service and, as a result, we are in the fortunate position of having a lot of loyal customers. We’re NSAI approved and all of our product range, including our agricultural lime, is tested regularly.”
Vincent Cannon & Co Ltd’s weren’t immune to the negative repercussions of the economic downturn.
But, on a positive note, the construction sector is beginning to bounce back after a period of systemic decline.
The volume of output in Ireland’s construction sector was 11.2 percent higher in the final quarter of 2014 when compared with the same period 12 months earlier.
Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) also show that the value of production in the period was 6.6 percent higher than in 2013.
A growing confidence about the prospects for the industry are emerging and Padraig has seen evidence of green shoots of recovery in their company’s line of work.
“Overall business is improving, there’s no doubt about that. There are challenges out there such as competition and of course continuing to produce our product to the highest standard as efficiently as possible.
“We’ve come through tough times, it was hard going but we’d be optimistic about what the future holds. As I have said, we pride ourselves on the quality of our product and customer services, and by continuing to do that we can look forward to the years ahead.”
Vincent Cannon & Co Ltd’s attention to detail, dedicated staff, excellent equipment coupled with years of experience make them a leader in the market. They boast the knowledge, expertise and resources necessary to satisfy their customers’ requirements.
Vincent Cannon & Co. Ltd
Masonbrook
Loughrea
Co Galway
Tel: 091-842455
Mob: 086 2506702
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 6, July 2015
