Family run businesses make up a lot of the companies in Ireland and this goes for every industry imaginable.
However, the haulage sector is built on the hard work of a lot of families that have passed their business down from generation to generation.
There is no doubt that operating as a haulier is one of the most fickle businesses, but it is also no coincidence that many of the more successful haulage companies are family run.
The latest recession to hit the island of Ireland resulted in many hauliers being forced to switch off the engines for good as bigger overheads and lowering rates made it impossible for some to continue.
Nonetheless, there were those who came through and are still providing a loyal and efficient service to their customers. A lot of these are family run businesses and for this month’s edition of Irish Trucker, we profile such a firm that is now in its third generation of business.
McLean Transport is based at 8 Lurgangoose Road, Knockloughrim, Magherafelt, Co Derry and these days is run by Andrew McLean.
McLean Transport has been operation for an astounding 63 years and without doubt is one of the longest serving haulage services in Northern Ireland.
The company was established by Andrew’s grandfather Sam McLean who started from humble beginnings with just one truck drawing potatoes and grain from the docks to the mills.
Amazingly, not too much has changed over the years as the lion’s share of the work sees McLean Transport haul goods from the docks to various mills around the province.
Sam worked hard to build the business and he passed it on to his son Desmond who had the same work ethic as his father; to deliver a quality service to their customers.
Around 30 years ago, McLean’s started providing some tipper work for McLarnon’s and it is a contract that they still have today.
Eight years ago, Andrew took over the day to day running of the business from his father and he has continued with the McLean work ethic.
“My father would still drop in the odd day, but I look after the everyday running of the business. We have many years’ experience in the haulage industry and we have learned a lot over the years that has stood us in good stead,” said Andrew.
The company director revealed that the fact that they never got too big has stood them in good stead, particularly during the bad times in the industry.
“We have three lorries on the road and we never had many more. We always liked to keep a tight rein on the overheads and I think that has helped us greatly at different times down through the years.
“Most of our customers who include McLarnon’s, Thompson Mills and Chestnut Foods to name a few have been with us for many years and we have a very good working relationship with them.
“We know what they want and they know what they will get from us. If we have to provide that bit extra to get the job done efficiently and on time, then we will do so.”
Andrew added that keeping the trucks and trailers well maintained was one of their top priorities. “The trucks would be checked regularly. Downtime is something that we strive to avoid and we would do all our own maintenance.
“We have a Volvo, Merc and MAN trucks and they are the makes we have always preferred. We try to upgrade the fleet every few years and the same would go for the trailers.”
Working from the docks, McLean Transport haul a lot of cereals to and from mills and Andrew admitted that the winter months can be pretty hectic.
“Winter time would definitely be our busiest period. We haul all types of cereals to the mills from the docks. When we are at our peak times, we would sub contract some of the work to local hauliers.
“We are members of TASCC which is the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops.”
TASCC was developed because farmers and end users wanted to be sure that crops of grain, oilseeds and pulses were treated responsibly once they left the farm. That includes wheat processed by flour millers and malting barley for the brewers and distillers in the drinks industry. It provides independent verification that the trade is meeting food safety laws.
The scheme is audited and certified by an independent certification body, in accordance with the internationally recognised standard EN45011. This means that the certification body is itself independently assessed every year to ensure that the standard is implemented and administered consistently and fairly.
The scheme dovetails with UFAS and with the UK livestock assurance (Red Tractor) schemes which the major supermarkets make a requirement for the home-produced livestock products they buy.
TASCC is also recognised within the food industry as being essential to maintaining traceability of assured combinable crops after they have left the farm.
“There is a lot of paperwork involved, but there is full traceability and since coming into effect in February last year, it has helped the industry.”
McLean Transport have three drivers of their own, all of who have a wealth of experience in the job. “The three lads are good, experienced drivers and you can guarantee they will get the job done to the customers’ satisfaction.
“One of them, Paddy Scullion is with us 44 years now, since my grandfather was running the business and he is well known to all our customers.”
The summer months see a slack in the hauling of cereals and potatoes. During this period, the company generally haul sand and other building materials.
“The building trade is picking up and so we have a bit more on during the summer now.”
Andrew admits that they have no plans to expand, but he also stressed that they would not turn down any work that came their way.
“We’re happy enough with the direction that the business is going. We have no plans to add to the fleet or expand in anyway, although if we get offered the work, you never know what might happen.
The next generation of the McLean family is well on his way to becoming involved in the business as Andrew’s son Lee is in the process of obtaining his HGV licence.
McLean Transport
334 Hillhead Road
Knockloughrim
Magherafelt
Co. Londonderry
BT45 8QT
Tel: +44 28 7964 2310
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 3, April 2015
