Celebrating 50 years in business
November 27, 2010Established 50 years ago by the late Sean Curran, Curran Commercials is one of country's best-known Renualt van and truck dealerships. It is also one of the busiest VTN vehicle test centres in the midlands and northeast.
Now run by Sean's son Joe, the garage has gone from strength to strength since relocating to a state-of-the-art premises on an eight-acre site on Oldcastle's Kells Road in January 2009, which is central to Navan with the recent opening of the new motorway. Curran Commercials boasts an enviable client list which includes Meath and Westmeath County Councils, Virginia Transport, BD Flood, Gaughran Bros, Henry Haulage, PF Dixon and Snow's Quarry.
"Over the years, we have built up a large customer base. Indeed, many of our best customers are involved with their local GAA clubs," Joe proudly explains.
"We've invested heavily in providing the best possible service for our customers, without whose support we would not have stayed in business this long. We've been in Oldcastle for the last 50 years and hopefully we'll be around for another 50," he adds.
Curran Commercials employs 16 staff, including John Mulvaney, who is involved with the Meath ladies football scene.
Curran Commercials stocks the full range of Renault commercial vans and trucks. And despite the economic downturn, sales of all new and used models have remained strong.
"Renault is making big inroads into the Irish van and truck market. The Master and Premium vans have been particularly good sellers for us. We offer an excellent warranty and generous scrappage allowance on all new commercials. We have supplied new vehicles to Meath and Westmeath County Councils and we have a lot of orders taken for the New Year.
"We are also working in conjunction with Virginia Transport on ways to reduce their carbon footprint. It's all about saving on fuel costs while also doing our bit for the environment."
If your commercial vehicle is due for its annual roadworthiness test, it's certainly worth giving Curran Commercials a call. Prior to becoming a VTN centre, the company had been a DOE centre for over 20 years. Currans' also offer a 24-hour breakdown service, M3 Recovery, and have the franchise to supply PZB hydraulic pumps and Ferrari truck-mounted cranes. In addition, the garage is a tachograph and tachometer centre.
Curran Commercials tests all commercial vehicles, ranging from vans, 4x4s to HGVs and trailers. Their three testing bays (one for light commercials and two for heavy vehicles) are fitted with the very latest in computerised testing equipment, which comply with the latest standards of the Department of Transport and recommendations of CITA.
The centre's technicians will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have before and after the test. Vehicle owners can relax in the waiting area while their test is being completed.
"We pride ourselves on being Meath's most convenient, comfortable and friendliest vehicle test and repair centre. We've been in this business since 1985 and we've built a team that's as enthusiastic about customer service as we are about the safety and professionalism in our work," Joe explains.
Open five days a week, Curran Commercials' rates (including VAT at 21%) range from EUR70.56 for light commercials to EUR165.38 for GVWs over 7.5 tons with four axles or more. The rates for each vehicle category have been set by the Road Safety Authority and not by the testing centres, which don't charge anything extra.
"The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us. Our priority is to ensure that they are safe on the road," he continues.
"Our aim is to be highly efficient at what we do. We know that any van or truck owner doesn't want to be off the road for too long and with this in mind, the staff make sure that any task done here is carried out quickly, but without cutting any corners."
Currans' have a fully-equipped workshop capable of coping with any type of vehicle or any type of job. The workshop is operated and manned by fully-trained technicians and service staff. The garage also boasts a large parts department to which covers all commercial vehicles and trailers.
Curran Commercials has undergone a major transformation in a bid to ensure that their large customer base continues to receive a reliable and efficient service.
Joe himself keeps a close eye on Meath's footballing fortunes and hopes that they will continue to improve under new manager Seamus McEnaney in 2011.
"There has been a lot of unrest in the county since the Leinster final and I think Eamonn O'Brien was unfortunate to lose his job as manager. But the clubs obviously wanted change and you have got to respect their views. Seamus McEnaney is the man in charge now and hopefully everyone will get behind him in the coming year.
"Some people weren't happy about appointing an 'outside' manager, but if he brings success, no-one will be complaining. He did a lot to raise the profile of Monaghan football and I wish him and his management team all the best." Tweet
