A commitment to greatly reducing its carbon footprint has seen a rural-based Co. Laois haulage company awarded two quality accreditations for its notable strides towards environmental improvements and health and safety standards.
Kirwan Haulage Ltd in Kilbricken, underwent a series of improvements to its environmental policies, together with a stringent accreditation process to secure the coveted ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards for its environmental management strategy together with ISO 9001’ for quality control, health, and safety.
The firm transports in Ireland and occasionally in the UK which demands a high level of competency and expertise, according to the company.
The company is expanding all the time and now offers extensive storage facilities at its HQ in Kilbricken.
Its pallet delivery services cover the entire island of Ireland, all 32 counties, and the company also facilitates Saturday deliveries as well as next day before 10 am.
Founded 30 years ago, the firm employs 10 people and has developed into one of the leading haulage operators in the country, offering transportation solutions to a wide customer base including local Laois producers, construction companies, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing and engineering companies.
Kirwan Haulage Ltd
Managing director, Martin Kirwan says:
“We are delighted to have received this accreditation as it is a testimony to our ongoing commitment to the most exacting standards and recognition for the work we have put into bringing our company up the necessary level to comply with the ISO standards.”
The farm utilises low-emission vehicles and isexploring alternative fuels, such as biofuels to reduce emissions further.
Also, it has increased the use of renewables and use energy-saving lighting in our offices, yards, and warehouses. The newer vehicles in its fleet are all fuel-efficient with automatic stop-start systems which turn off the engine when the vehicle is stationary.
All vehicles are tracked with a monitoring system to reduce travel time for deliveries and collections.
He continued: “We have greatly reduced our transportation distances which is a huge step. We have done this by optimising routes and consolidating shipments to the same area of the country and collecting on a same-day basis.”
“It was a rigorous process to get this stamp of approval for the changes we have made to reduce our carbon footprint.”
“We had to provide verifiable documentation to demonstrate the systems we have in place and show that they are implemented and understood by all our colleagues here.”
“Also, we had to ensure a management system was in place and a risk assessment register was in place for everything we do.”
“Our hard-working staff regularly complete further training to help us remain ahead of the requirements necessary to be fully compliant and proactive around environmental changes.”
“It is the way forward; we now have documented policies, procedures and structures in place, a proven framework to develop an effective environmental management system.”
Ethos
Minimising its environmental impact forms part of its corporate social responsibility and is integral to its company ethos.
In addition, it has set environmental objectives for the next 12 months and a health and safety plan for the same time period.
Moreover, the firm will be audited every year to ensure it is maintaining practices to a high standard.
