Michael McManamon
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INTERNATIONAL HAULIER 2-10 VEHICLES LOCATION: Castlebar, Co Mayo FOUNDED: 1987 CONTACT: Michael McManamon FLEET SIZE: NIne vehicles including tour artIcs, three 17-tonners and two vans CONTRACT: Plant and construction, international removals
Plant specialist Michael McManamon is currently transporting 12m pipes for the Italian construction company Sicim. It handles crane loading and provides employees known as "slingers" on site for unloading equipment.
The firm is involved with the controversial Corrib gas pipeline project, which has attracted environmental protests-some protesters have been jailed for contempt of court.
Despite the protests the company has pressed on with the contract and is currently exceeding service requirements. "We have actually caught up on the people working ahead to receive the pipes -we'll have to slow down," says Michael
MeManamona daughter Linda. "Feedback from customers a good. They're very happy with what we're dd rig."
Because of the nature of its work the company does not buy new vehicles. "It doesn't warrant brand new trucks," Linda explains. 'They're going on sites, down fields and into trenches."
The fleet includes three rigids and two vans -a Mercedes Sprinter and a Peugeot Boxer.
Looking to the future, she says: "It's such a volatile market. It's hard to live with fuel prices on the increase all the time. We try to negate the effects by implementing fuel surcharges, but customers are not always willing to accept increases.'
The company also takes on international removals, which offsets quiet periods in the construction industry.
Everyone of McManamon's drivers carry the SAFE PASS certificate: some have also completed advanced driver training. 'With pipeline projects the health and safety training of drivers is paramount," Linda concludes.