O’Toole Refrigerated Transport’s attention to detail in a complex business such as seafood distribution was rewarded by winning the Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2015 award, in association with Rosslare Europort. 

The Moycullen, County Galway headquartered company was applauded by the 820 attendees at the Fleet Transport Awards Gala Dinner held at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on Thursday 2 October.

In winning the International Haulier of the Year Award 2015 category, O’Tooles went on to take the coveted overall Irish Haulier of the Year 2015 title.  The expert judging panel acknowledged O’Toole’s progress from humble beginnings to confidence in the future of its business with major investment in new facilities and updates to its vehicle fleet. The fact that it is contracted to some of the world’s biggest food companies throughout Europe was noted too.

Laurence O’Toole, Company Managing Director was delighted to receive the top prize at the Gala Dinner attended by leading representatives from the road transport and commercial vehicle industries.  “This award means so much to us and is dedicated to all our staff that have helped us to reach this high level and join an elite group of past winners,” he said.

Comperes for the evening Bob Conway (Today FM) and Brenda Donoghue (RTE Radio 1) also announced National Vehicle Distribution (NVD) Ltd, Dublin as winners of the National Haulier of the Year Award 2015 with DPD Galway winning the inaugural Best Van Fleet title. Personnel working behind the scenes were honoured with Rose Dixon presented with the Women in Transport Award and her colleague at Dixon International Logistics, the well deserved holder of the Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year 2015.

Special guest speaker Dr. Eva Orsmond of RTE TV’s Operation Transformation fame entertained the audience with some interesting and humourous antidotes on how to eat healthily, deal with stress and above all, live longer. Other awards presented on the evening were Irish Truck of the Year 2015 in association with RSA Insurance which went to the new Renault Trucks’ Range T and to DAF Trucks’ PACCAR MX-11 Euro 6 engine (Truck Innovation) and to Knorr-Bremse/TIP Trailers for their jointly developed Trailer Innovation award winning iTAP FleetRemote system.

In his welcome address, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Publications, said, “Tonight we celebrate champions – leaders in the road transport and commercial vehicle industries and applaud all of the finalists.  Congratulations to O’Toole Transport, which has been knocking on the door for the main prize for a few years now. Best wishes to them and all of the award winners.”

Listed below are the category winners of the Fleet Transport Awards 2015:

Irish Haulier of the Year 2015: O’Toole Transport Ltd (Galway)

National Haulier of the Year 2015: National Vehicle Distribution (Dublin)

International Haulier of the Year 2015: O’Toole Transport Ltd (Galway)    

Own Account Transport Operator of the Year 2015: Food Surplus Management (Meath)

Owner Driver Haulier of the Year 2015: Sherlock Transport (Meath) 

Regional Transport Operator of the Year 2015: Hyland Express Cargo (Laois)      

Best Ban Fleet Award: Deavey Transport t/a DPD Galway

Livery of the Year: The Dolly Group (Kildare)    

Safety Award: Prime Transport Solutions Ltd (Dublin)  

Innovation Award: Colfix (Dublin) Ltd

Environmental Award: Virginia Transport Logistics (Cavan)

Customer Service Excellence Award: Hireco Dublin Ltd (Dublin)

Women in Transport Award: Rose Dixon (Dixon International Logistics – Dublin)

Pallet Network Member of the Year 2015: Roche Logistics Group (Wexford)

Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year 2015: Glen Morgan (Dixon International Logistics- Dublin)

Technician of the Year 2015: Glen Guildea (M50 Truck & Van Centre – Dublin)

For further details contact:  Orla Sweeney, Fleet Publications, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, County Mayo.