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DAF Trucks enjoys triple success at Fleet Transport Awards 2016

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  • DAF Trucks picks up Fleet Transport Innovation Award for CF Silent
  • DAF operator Macroom Haulage scoops prestigious Irish Haulier of the Year
  • Gerard Cruise from DAF Distributors Ireland takes Technician of the Year prize
  • “…but what pleases me more is seeing so many members of the Irish operating community together…” Gay Farnan, Service Manager, DAF Distributors Ireland

“It was a good day at the office,” said DAF Distributors Ireland’s Service Manager, Gay Farnan, following DAF Trucks’ showing at the Fleet Transport Awards – the truck industry’s leading rewards programme in the Republic of Ireland. For the second year in succession, DAF Trucks was presented with the Fleet Transport Innovation Award for its latest CF Silent model, following up on the same award last year for the PACCAR MX-11 engine.

The gala awards ceremony and dinner, attended by DAF Distributors Ireland (DDI) alongside other leading names in the Irish transport industry, was staged on 3rdSeptember, at Citywest Hotel, Dublin. And DDI found themselves in the spotlight as Gerard Cruise was named as Technician of the Year. The evening’s top award, Irish Haulier of the Year, went to DDI’s customer Macroom Haulage – a predominantly DAF operator with 40 DAF tractor Units.

“We thoroughly enjoyed picking up some trophies at the Fleet Transport Awards,” added Gay Farnan, “but what pleased me more was seeing so many members of the Irish operating community together – all the leading players were at the Awards – proof, if it was ever needed, that the Irish haulage industry is in excellent health.”

DAF Trucks’ CF Silent model is part of the DAF Transport Efficiency programme. ‘Silent Mode’ is available on DAF CF and XF models powered by the Euro-6 PACCAR MX-11 engine. Debuted in the UK at this year’s CV Show, and introduced principally for urban night-time deliveries, Silent Mode is engaged by the driver by simple activation of a dash-mounted ‘Silent’ button. Beneath the cab, engine software alters performance characteristics to reduce noise levels to less than 72 dB(A).

And Gay Farnan was in ebullient mood following Gerard Cruise’s announcement as Technician of the Year, “We’re absolutely chuffed for Gerard,” he said, “and it’s payback for us too, as a result of our huge investment into training and developing young talent. Sure, today’s technicians need to be proficient ‘on the spanners’, but, with vehicle technology such that it is, there is much, much more to learn besides, and Gerard is a fantastic example of a young man equipped with all the workshop and IT-related skills.”

It was a double success for Macroom Haulage who picked up both the National Haulier of the Year and Irish Haulier of the Year titles, backing up its success at the 2013 Awards, and at which it also secured a victory in the National Haulier of the Year category. The Cork-based operator runs 40 DAF vehicles, making up almost 100% of its fleet, specialising in bulk and general haulage alongside warehouse and distribution services.

ENDS

For further details please contact:

Paul O’Malley, Torque Agency Group                                      
020 7952 1070
pomalley@torqueagencygroup.com

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