When it comes to business, there is also a greater sense of trust when dealing with a family run business. Usually these are companies that have been established for a number of generations and their customer list is based on trust and dedication to providing a loyal and quality service.
And so for this month’s edition of Irish Tractor, we profile Cloyne, Co Cork based Cronin Trailers, which was established in 1983 by Joe Cronin. Two years later, his brother John came on board as the business started to expand as did their client list. Over the years, the brothers provided a number of different types of trailers from custom trailers to ones equipped for cattle, feeding and general purpose use.
In 2008, Joe’s son Anthony came on board, a few years after John had retired and these days Joe and Anthony have been joined by the latter’s brother Eugene as the next generation leave their mark on the business.
“In the past, we would have been manufacturing a wide range of trailers for dealers, but in the past seven years or so, we have been dealing direct with farmers and other private customers,” stated Anthony.
“We build our trailers to suit our customers’ needs. We specialise in Bale trailers which are available from 18ft to 35ft. These would be some of our biggest sellers.
“During the recession, that was one of the areas that kept us going. For the last six years, we have showcased are products at the renowned Millstreet Show and that has proven very beneficial for us as we have had a lot of interest coming from there.”
Cronin Trailers grew steadily to become the leading manufacturer of light trailers in the south of Ireland. This growth has accelerated in recent years as their trailers have become ever more popular.
“Our customer base would be mainly Cork and the Munster region and more recently in places like Carlow, Kilkenny, Galway and Mayo. Word of mouth is our best form of advertisement and if a customer is happy with their trailer then they will say it to someone else and it just builds from there.”
Cronin Trailers are committed to the manufacture and delivery of a quality service at all times. Working on the principle that the quality finish of each individual trailer must meet the final inspection criteria of their customer and end user, we strive to meet those requirements every time.
Cronin Trailers manufacture a comprehensive range of trailers which are constructed of the finest quality components, materials and fittings. These trailers have a proven record of reliability and durability and are generally recognised as amongst the strongest in the market place.
“We supply a wide range of trailer spares and trailer parts for all types of trailers. We stock a wide range of couplings, jockey wheels, trailer axles, trailer suspension units and much, much more.”
Anthony pointed out that the company’s reputation has been built on quality and that is something that they continue to produce to this day.
“Our product range comprises over seventy different trailer types. Their overriding characteristic is the build quality, durability being the operative word. The ability of our trailers to perform their tasks well year after year brings our customers back to add to their fleet. People are always willing to pass on the good news, an important factor that has always driven our development.”
All these developments are part of their continued commitment not only to improve production facilities to meet the ever increasing demand for their products but to support this with a well equipped and staffed trailer workshop. This will ensure that we continue to provide a high level of customer service, from the initial enquiry through to servicing and supply of parts and accessories.
The company looks forward to meeting the challenges of new markets, with both proven and new product lines. With their eyes fixed firmly on that future, they still remain a family firm with solid, old fashioned principles, and believe business is as much about people as the product.
“The plan is to hopefully expand the business next year. At present, there is a long waiting list for our trailers. We are well established and it now up to us to push on from here.”
Sourcing good quality materials at reasonable prices has seen Anthony ‘shop around’ in this respect and he revealed that he is not afraid to go far afield to get the product they want.
“In the last five or six years, we would be buying our materials on a more national level, whereas before that everything would have been bought locally. “We would deal with the likes of Genfitt in Mayo for a lot of our parts as well as Duggan Steel in Kilkenny. Both of who have excellent reputations and we are delighted to do business with such established companies.
“All in all, we would be pleased with the business, I suppose you always want more, but we know that we have to invest in the workshop to help with the expansion. So these are interesting times for us.”
Cronin Trailers
Churchtown,
Cloyne,
Co.Cork
Tel: 021 4 646124
Mob: 087 1249840
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 6 No 4, June/July 2018
