
O’Toole Transport accelerates Ireland’s food logistics with modern fleet and European reach
Family-owned O’Toole Transport, with a fleet of over 190 trucks and a BRC-accredited network, drives Ireland’s food and seafood logistics across Europe, combining traditional values with advanced temperature-controlled distribution and Brexit-era customs expertise.
O’Toole Transport Ltd stands as a prominent figure in Ireland’s food logistics sector, proudly embodying the resilience and innovation characteristic of a family-owned business with deep roots. Established in 1996 in Moycullen, County Galway, the company has evolved remarkably over nearly three decades. Its trajectory, originating from a modest agricultural delivery service initiated by John Patrick O’Toole in the 1940s, underscores a legacy marked by dedication and community trust. Today, O’Toole Transport operates a significant fleet and infrastructure that underscores its crucial role in the distribution of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
The company’s foundational ethos, reliability, trust, and close-knit family values, remains evident, even as it has grown into one of Ireland’s leading food logistics providers. From a single truck at its rebirth in 1996, O’Toole Transport has expanded to a fleet of over 190 trucks and 250 trailers, with an impressively young average vehicle age of just four years. This modern fleet comprises refrigerated, ambient, multi-temperature trailers, walking floor trailers, skeletal trailers for containerised goods, tank trailers, and rigid vehicles designed for efficient multi-drop deliveries. Such diversity enables them to transport a wide array of food products safely and efficiently, tailored to meet demanding sector needs.
Strategically positioned depots in Galway, Dublin, and Glasgow, including a 60,000 square foot warehouse in Dublin with advanced loading and vehicle maintenance facilities, support O’Toole’s extensive national and international distribution network. The company offers daily scheduled collections throughout Ireland and the UK, emphasising seamless service to food and retail brands. Their expertise extends to customs clearance, a vital capability in the post-Brexit environment, ensuring that logistics operations face fewer hurdles in cross-border trade.
O’Toole Transport’s specialty lies in managing temperature-controlled logistics for food and drink products, demonstrating consistent excellence through blue-chip partnerships with companies such as Coca-Cola, Glenpatrick Spring Water, and Musgrave Wholesale Partners. Its strong presence in supermarket regional distribution centres (RDCs) across Ireland and the UK is anchored by a BRC accreditation secured in 2012—the first logistics firm in Ireland to achieve this. This certification affirms their commitment to the highest standards of food safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, particularly in the cross-docking and distribution of chilled, frozen, and ambient foodstuffs.
A particularly notable aspect of O’Toole’s service portfolio is its dedication to the seafood sector, one of Ireland’s vital export markets. Their BRC-accredited distribution centres and specialist multi-temperature fleet enable daily collections and consolidation of orders from Ireland and Scotland, facilitating efficient export to major European markets. This capability highlights O’Toole Transport’s adaptability and significant role in supporting Ireland’s seafood supply chain at a global scale.
Ultimately, O’Toole Transport Ltd exemplifies a successful blend of traditional family values and modern logistical innovation. Their motto, “Equipment you can rely on, people you can trust,” encapsulates a philosophy that has driven growth from a regional agricultural delivery service to a sophisticated European food logistics provider. The company’s strategic investments, customer-centric services, and adherence to quality standards continue to propel it forward, reinforcing its position as a critical player in Ireland’s food supply chain.