HANNON Transport Welcomes Irish Exporters Association to Dublin Depot

We were delighted to host Simon McKeever, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), and Steve Breen, Operations Director of Thyme-IT, at our Dublin depot today.

Their visit celebrated the HANNON Transport Group’s recent achievement in winning the prestigious IEA Irish Export Industry Award for Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year 2024.  This award recognises our ongoing commitment to innovation, reliability, and efficiency within the logistics and supply chain sectors.

Key to our success and relationship with our customers, is a highly experienced team with a long track record of delivering innovative, reliable, and scalable transport solutions.

Simon McKeever, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, and Steve Breen, Operations Director of Thyme-IT, were keen to visit HANNON’s Dublin depot, following the company’s recent award for Logistics & Supply Chain Company of the Year and to see our operations on the ground.

Simon and and Steve took a keen interest in experiencing HANNON’s day-to-day operations first-hand, delving into the logistics and supply chain processes that make our Dublin depot such a vital hub.  They were especially keen to learn more about the role of our cross-docking and consolidation facilities in supporting Irish SME exporters of fresh produce.  By leveraging these facilities, HANNON delivers efficient groupage (LTL) services that allow smaller shipments to be combined, reducing costs and ensuring a seamless journey from Ireland to key European markets.  Both Simon and Steve emphasised the importance of this service in helping Irish exporters reach a broader range of clients while maintaining the speed and quality needed for fresh produce.

Aodh Hannon (Owner & Managing Director) talks to Simon McKeever, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), and Steve Breen, Operations Director of Thyme-IT, about expansion of HANNON Logistics Dublin Administration, Driver Facilities, and Cross-Docking / Consolidation Hub in Lusk, Dublin.

The pair were able to see the early work with S&E Contracts Ltd. on a significant development at our Blakescross facility, which includes:

• Warehouse Enhancements: Five additional loading bays to streamline logistics and enhance efficiency.
• Upgraded Office Spaces: Dedicated areas for load planning, driver training, and enhanced employee amenities.
• Modern Facilities: A gym, canteen, shower rooms, and meeting areas, supporting employee well-being and our commitment to operational excellence.

During the visit, Simon and Steve also acknowledged the collaborative efforts between HANNON and our building contractors, S&E Contracts Ltd.  They were able to see first-hand how, even in the early stages of the expansion project, we’re keeping the site fully operational, ensuring no disruption to our logistics services while the Dublin facilities grow to meet increasing demand.  This balance between operational continuity and development impressed them, as it exemplifies HANNON’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure in ways that actively benefit our clients while ensuring consistent, reliable service throughout the expansion journey.

With over 30 years of experience, strategically located hubs in Ireland, the Netherlands, and France, and a focus on sustainability and innovation, HANNON Transport remains dedicated to serving the Irish export community with fast, reliable, efficient, and customer-centred logistics solutions.

Our thanks to the IEA for this recognition and to S&E Contracts Ltd for partnering with us to bring this vision to life.

Judges Praise HANNON’s Key Achievements in International Expansion

The judges were highly impressed with the key challenges HANNON has successfully navigated in expanding its business internationally. Our submission highlighted not only our ability to adapt to cultural differences in communication styles, business practices, and credit management for new customers, but also our efforts in building teams and infrastructure in new markets like the Netherlands, France, and other European countries. Among these, regulatory compliance emerged as the most significant challenge.

Our proactive Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Strategy, along with our Fleet Management, Digital Transformation, and Infrastructure programs, showcased our commitment to continuous reinvestment in our people, equipment, facilities, and systems. A standout for the export judges was our strategic Cross-Docking & Consolidation facility in Arras, northern France.  Ideally situated, Arras serves as a vital logistics hub, connecting businesses to Northern Europe and Ireland through seamless access to major transportation networks, including Calais and Cherbourg Ports, and Rungis International Market, the largest wholesale food market in Europe.

For many Irish businesses, navigating customs clearance is now a new reality in post-Brexit trade with Europe, especially in the fresh produce sector. The judges recognized that HANNON has effectively mitigated this challenge by establishing specialist Customs Clearance Teams for the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.  These teams stay current with regulations, compliance requirements, and industry standards, ensuring smooth operations and legal adherence. Despite the additional paperwork, charges, and new checks post-Brexit, the UK landbridge remains a crucial route for Irish fresh produce exporters, and HANNON is committed to ensuring smooth transportation along this route.

To keep customers informed of evolving post-Brexit requirements, HANNON Group has implemented a Customer Communication Program, which provides real-time updates on regulatory changes and the solutions we’ve developed to address these challenges. Our strong relationships with industry associations and government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), have been instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of transport and food product health certificate regulations for European shipments.

In January 2024, HANNON launched an innovative Health Certificates Service, allowing groupage customers to have their Health Certificates completed at our Dublin facility by a DAFM veterinary inspector. This service addresses the critical issue of limited availability of DAFM inspectors, a key hurdle for Irish SME exporters.

Irish meat and dairy exporters are now comfortable post-Brexit, trusting HANNON to deliver a responsive mix of direct ferry and UK landbridge routes, while also providing integrated customs clearance solutions that ensure cross-border shipments move without delay.

Key Reasons to Choose HANNON Transport:

1. Extensive Experience: With over 30 years in the industry, HANNON Transport has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by Irish exporters, particularly when exporting to European markets.
2. Strategic Locations: HANNON has hubs in Ireland, the Netherlands, and France, all within 75 minutes of key ports such as Dublin, Rotterdam, and Calais.  These hubs offer full cross-docking and consolidation services, optimizing access to Europe’s largest fresh produce markets.
3. Reliability and Consistency: HANNON is known for its compliance and dependability, consistently delivering goods to UK and EU markets on time and in optimal condition. Our reputation is backed by a customer satisfaction rate of 99.5% OTIF (On Time in Full).
4. Comprehensive Services: We provide a one-stop solution for logistics, including transportation, warehousing, customs clearance, and supply chain management. We offer 24/7 collection and delivery across Ireland.
5. Modern Fleet and Infrastructure: Our fleet is equipped with cutting-edge technology, ensuring safe, efficient transportation, including for temperature-sensitive goods.
6. End-to-End Visibility: HANNON offers full supply chain visibility by using our own fleet and facilities. This control ensures greater reliability, transparency, and accountability, so exporters can trust that their shipments will arrive in perfect condition.
7. Customer-Centric Approach: We prioritize the needs of our clients, offering tailored solutions, dedicated customer support, and transparent communication from collection to delivery.
8. Adaptability and Innovation: HANNON continually adapts to changing market dynamics, post-Brexit customs requirements, and regulatory challenges. We invest in technology, infrastructure, and staff training to ensure smooth operations for our customers.
9. Sustainability: Our ESG Strategy aligns with the sustainability goals of our customers and partners. We’re committed to fuel-efficient fleets and eco-friendly practices to ensure a greener future for the planet and Irish exporters.
10. Can-Do Attitude: HANNON is known for its solution-oriented approach, going the extra mile to meet customer needs. Whether it’s tackling complex logistics challenges or providing exceptional service, our teams are committed to exceeding expectations