Local businessman Noel Flanagan was announced as the Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2009 for the Owner –Driver (4+Trucks) on Monday 6th October last at a Gala Event held in Marriott Johnstown House Hotel in Enfield, County Meath.

This unique occasion was hosted by RTE presenter Marty Whelan and the guest of honour on the night was Mr. Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority. Noels daughter Deirdre accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the Flanagan Haulage Ltd.

With over 25 years experience in the road haulage business, Noel Flanagan Ltd. has grown and diversified from its initial role as a furniture haulier into the food industry. Primarily Noel started hauling for a local furniture factory into the UK on a weekly bases and to this day still does showing his long term commitment and professionalism in this area.

In the early 80s Noel branched into Holland supplying Continental Furniture Stores Nationwide in Ireland and a new niche in the furniture haulage was formed.

In seeking to develop and expand the Company, some years ago they identified Refrigerated Logistics as an area in which there high operating standards and attention to detail would provide significant advantages to both their clients and them selves. As a result we trained and equipped ourselves accordingly and now successfully distribute frozen and chilled goods throughout Ireland.

In 1996, this fresh faced company was born from simple beginnings delivering for a major multiple seven days a week, but as time passed its customer base grew expanding throughout Ireland and as the multiple grew Noel Flanagan grew. The wealth of experience from their managers and staff created a firm foundation upon which has built Noel Flanagan Refrigeration.

Noel Flanagan Refrigeration is based upon a simple strategy of providing both a hands on and customer orientated level of personal and professional service. Once the first major contract was established it was necessary to upgrade our vehicles which provided the efficiency they needed to satisfy their customer demands. Towards the end of 2007, they increased their fleet once again and expanded with another major multiple, proving that Noel Flanagan Refrigeration services are continuing to expand and offer a first class service to existing and new clients.

The initial 5 years of this small, independent company forms the basis of a remarkable story of success and continuous achievement in this highly competitive industry. Noel and all of his staff are immensely proud of what they achieved in such a short space of time and are looking forward to the future. Noel has attributed the success of his company to a simply philosophy which he has not changed since he first set out on his own which is Delivering, Quality, Value and Service.

Noel Flanagan Ltd is located on Muckno Street Castleblayney you can log onto to their website www.flanaganhaulage.com for more information.

Our main photo shows Deirdre, Noels daughter being presented the Award for Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year Award 2009 by event master of ceremonies for the night Marty Whelan.

Our front photo shows (l-r) Marty Whelan, Event Master of Ceremonies; Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Transport Magazine, John Byrne, Dennison Trailers, Deirdre Flanagan, Noel Flanagan Ltd accepting the Award from and Noel Ahern, Minister for State at the Department of Transport