HomePress Releases
Thank you for visiting. We are currently adding past press content to our archives. We will also be updating our Press Section at the beginning of 2010 with recent company releases and announcements. Please re-visit this page soon to see the latest press releases from the Rockall Group, as they happen.
2006
+ Rockall Logistics wins hat-trick of awards (13-7-06)
+ Rockall Logistics Wins National Efficiency Award (29-3-06)
+ More Good News for Ballinasloe (23-1-06)
2005
+ Taoiseach Launches new Transport Service for Donegal (6-12-05)
+ Wind Power the Key to Unlocking Energy Crisis (18-10-05)
+ Killybegs Company Gains National Recognition (30-1-05)
+ Quality First at Glen Stone (30-1-05)
+ Killybegs Shipping Services (KSS) Launched by Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher (13-1-05)
2006
Rockall Logistics wins hat-trick of awards (13-7-06)
Rockall Logistics won the inaugural national Proof of Delivery (POD) Completeness Award from the Pallet Network of Ireland (PNI) at the end of 2005. PNI Managing Director Seamus McGowan presented Bill Jones of Rockall Logistics with the award at a recent ceremony in Dublin. The Killybegs-based transport company has gone on to pick up the award for the first two quarters of 2006, making it a clean sweep of three in a row. Rockall Logistics is the Donegal member of the Pallet Network of Ireland and provides a next day pallet collection and delivery service throughout Ireland and a 48-hour service to Britain.
Pauline Ellis, Manager, was overjoyed with the recognition of Rockall’s world-class service: “We are delighted that the Pallet Network of Ireland has recognised Rockall Logistics’ record in efficiency for three quarters running – we are totally committed to the ongoing delivery of this efficiency to our customers”. Seamus McGowan of the PNI congratulated the Killybegs company, saying: “Customers really value accurate and timely completion of POD [Proof of Delivery] documentation”. In a double celebration Rockall Logistics also scooped the PNI’s On-Time Delivery Performance Award for the first quarter of 2006.
The PNI , which has 96 members across Ireland and the UK, has recently consolidated its service into continental Europe with the entry of the major Dublin-based logistics company, ABX Logistics, into the network. For any enquiries contact Pauline Ellis at 074-9741000.
Photograph: Seamus McGowan, Managing Director of the Pallet Network of Ireland presenting the Proof of Delivery (POD) Completeness Award to Bill Jones, Managing Director of Rockall Logistics.
Rockall Logistics Wins National Efficiency Award (29-3-06)
The Killybegs-based transport company, Rockall Logistics, has been granted the national award for efficiency by the Pallet Network of Ireland (PNI). PNI Managing Director Seamus McGowan presented Bill Jones of Rockall Logistics with the inaugural award at a recent ceremony in Dublin. Rockall Logistics is the Donegal member of the Pallet Network of Ireland and provides a next day pallet collection and delivery service throughout Ireland and a 48-hour service to Britain.
Pauline Ellis, Manager, was overjoyed with the award: “We are delighted that the Pallet Network of Ireland has recognised Rockall Logistics’ record in efficiency – we are totally committed to the ongoing delivery of this efficiency to our customers” she said, adding that “we fully intend winning this award again and keeping it in Donegal!”. Seamus McGowan of the PNI congratulated the Killybegs company, saying: “Customers really value accurate and timely completion of POD [Proof of Delivery] documentation. Big congrats to Bill and Pauline for the excellent job being done”. The PNI , which has 96 members across Ireland and the UK, has recently consolidated its service into continental Europe with the entry of the major Dublin-based logistics company, ABX Logistics, into the network. For any enquiries contact Pauline Ellis at 074-9741000.
Photograph: Seamus McGowan, Managing Director of the Pallet Network of Ireland presenting the award for efficiency to Bill Jones, Managing Director of Rockall Logistics.
More Good News for Ballinasloe (23-1-06)
Ballinasloe’s landmark quarry – Top Quarries – has entered its final phase of production. The quarry which dates back to the early 1700s was sold recently by Stone Developments Ltd – a John Sisk subsidiary - to a Mr. Bill Jones. Ballinasloe limestone has been used in the construction of numerous prominent public buildings in cities throughout Ireland and Britain and as far away as New York. Small-scale blasting over the next two months will be used to remove a thin layer of surface rock in order to access the remaining quarry reserves. Quarry owner, Bill Jones, who resided during his childhood years in Brackernagh, currently owns and operates a large quarry in Killybegs, Co. Donegal. His late father, William, managed the quarry for Stone Developments Ltd from 1963 until the late 1970s. Bill was upbeat about the prospects for the quarry site: “We still have three or four years of commercially viable productive capacity left in the quarry and our plan then is to reinstate and redevelop this prime site in the heart of Ballinasloe town”.
Steady progress is already being made on initial reinstatement works for the quarry site and ambitious plans are afoot to transform it into a new village type development for mixed residential/retail use. The Top Quarries site, which falls within the 50 km/hr town zone, is earmarked for development in the Ballinasloe UDC Development Plan. Discussions with the UDC are ongoing and planning for this exciting project is expected to be lodged later this year. The disused part of the quarry has already been zoned residential and the new development has the potential to open up the surrounding land for much needed investment and development.
2005
Taoiseach Launches new Transport Service for Donegal (6-12-05)
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD, formally launched the Pallet Network of Ireland (PNI) at a recent event in Dublin. Killybegs-based Rockall Logistics was successful in securing the Donegal membership of the PNI. Speaking at the launch, Bill Jones, MD of Rockall Logistics, said “Rockall Logistics is proud to be part of the PNI, a network of over 90 member depots in Ireland and the UK, providing unparallelled transport services. Whereas in the past we could only offer a transport service between Donegal and Dublin, we can now offer overnight to or from all 32 counties of Ireland and 48 hours to or from all parts of the UK”.
Through the PNI, Rockall Logistics offers a very valuable service to businesses in Donegal wishing to transport pallet freight to or from the county, throughout Ireland and Britain. According to Bill Jones “The infrastructural challenges posed by the peripherality of the County are overcome by having one of the 14 Irish depots located in Killybegs.” Rockall Logistics collect and deliver pallets throughout the county, working through the PNI central hub in Dublin.
Pictured in Photograph (L to R): Bill Jones, MD Rockall Logistics, Yvonne Cotter, Rockall Logistics and An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD.
Wind Power the Key to Unlocking Energy Crisis (18-10-05)
With oil prices at record levels, the renewable sector has to be put at the forefront of Ireland’s energy policy, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) conference delegates were told at their conference in Letterkenny on Friday. In his opening address to the conference, Minister of State, Pat the Cope Gallagher, TD, stressed the importance of wind power in moving away from our dependence on costly fossil fuels. The Minister welcomed the economic benefits for local communities as well as the positive environmental impact of wind energy.
The Port of Killybegs has evolved into a central distribution hub for the wind sector in the North-West. Huge turbines for the windfarms dotted around Donegal and the surrounding counties have come through Killybegs. Getting the wind turbines from port to site involves a major logistical challenge, according to Bill Jones of The Rockall Group in Killybegs. Speaking at the IWEA Conference in Letterkenny he outlined the steps involved in project planning, port procedures, handling and storage and transportation.
County Donegal has over 6000 kilometres of various road classifications, the majority of which were not designed for transporting 40 metre long blades and 100 tonne wind turbine nacelles. Mr. Jones emphasised the importance of a properly planned route survey which looks at turning circles, acute bends, overhead obstruction, street furniture removal, etc. The Rockall Group brought the first of the new generation of giant wind turbines to Ireland in 2003, which were installed on Kingsmountain, Co. Sligo. This was the largest wind farm in Ireland at the time and involved getting 10 2.5MW wind turbines 130 kilometres from Killybegs to the installation site just south of Dromore West.
Mr Lawrence Staudt, Manager, Centre for Renewable Energy, Dundalk Institute of Technology told the IWEA delegates that a renewable energy-based electricity system would allow Ireland to be an area of low and stable electricity prices and have green electricity as a new export product. Renewable solutions would also allow Ireland to do its part in mitigating climate change and be on a path to energy sustainability.
Photograph (L to R) – Tony Ryan, Rockall Group, Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher, Bill Jones, Rockall Group
Killybegs Company Gains National Recognition (30-1-05)
Rockall Logistics Ltd, the Killybegs-based logistics company, has been blazing a trail on the logistics map since its inception in 2000. The company specialises in palletised freight and has found a niche in providing specialist freight solutions for the wind turbine and offshore oil and gas industries. Minister Mary Coughlan was on hand to present Pauline Ellis (Manager) with the prestigious DGSA (Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor) Certificate at a ceremony in Killybegs on Monday last. The qualification is essential for undertakings which transport or carry out related loading and unloading of dangerous goods in accordance with EC Directive 96/35/EC and Directive 2000/18/EC.
The DGSA Certificate was awarded to Pauline Ellis by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and the Health And Safety Authority following an intensive course of study and three separate exams held in Dublin. Pauline was congratulated on her exam success by local Minister Mary Coughlin. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Bill Jones, MD of the Rockall Group, said ‘This recent course of study undertaken by Pauline is part of our ongoing commitment to investment in our staff and our dedication to continuous quality improvements. Rockall logistics delivers overnight pallet freight nationwide has found a niche in servicing the unique needs of the oil and gas industry and in handling abnormal loads’.
Last year Rockall Logistics became the Donegal link in the Pallet Network of Ireland, working together with nearly 100 logistics companies in Ireland and Britain. Operating from a state of the art central hub in Blanchardstown, Rockall Logistics offers a nationwide 24-hour pallet collection/delivery service and a 48-hour pallet collection/delivery service to Britain.
Quality First at Glen Stone (30-1-05)
The Glen Stone Co. Ltd. in Killybegs became the first company in Ireland to achieve the new European Standard EN 206-1 for readymix concrete. Minister May Coughlin presented Joseph McCloskey, Manager of Glen Stone, with the Certificate at a ceremony in Killybegs on Monday last. The new European Standard relates to the specification performance, production, conformity and delivery of readymix concrete. For Glen Stone and its customers the specification offers greater clarity in regard to exposure class, strength class and consistency of mix, which are essential elements in improving product quality.
Joseph McCloskey, Manager, expressed delight at the achievement of the Standard, which replaced the BS5328 Standard that Glen Stone held since 1992. ‘The customer can be assured that they are receiving a quality assured concrete. In accordance with the Standard, test cubes of the concrete are taken randomly on a daily basis and sent for independent testing to ensure we are in full compliance with the Standard. The customer also has full traceability of any batch of concrete.’
Glen Stone came under new management in March 2002 and has embarked on a continuous investment and training programme to cater for the ever demanding and stringent requirements of the construction industry. At the end of 2003 the new European Standard, EN 206-1, was introduced under the quality management system ISO 9001:2000. Glen Stone has supplied concrete to a number of major construction projects, including the new Port in Killybegs, for which it supplied 6000 cubic metres of specialised concrete and half a million tonnes of stone fill.
Killybegs Shipping Services (KSS) Launched by Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher (13-1-05)
Minister for the Marine, Pat the Cope Gallagher today launched Killybegs Shipping Services at the Tara Hotel, Killybegs. Pat the Cope stated: “I understand that the company is seeking to bring a diverse range of specialist skills to the shipping, offshore oil and gas and fishing sectors through the provision of agency, forwarding, logistics and offshore services”.
The new company chairman and MD is Bill Lynch, a former chairman of Dublin Port Company and a founder member of the Irish Maritime Development Office Advisory Board. The Operations Manager is John Mitchell and the company will initially employ an additional two operations staff.
The shipping services sector is today the largest employer of all the Irish maritime industries, employing over 8,150 people, while also contributing the largest return of all the maritime industries to the tune of €1.75 billion per annum. In 2003, over €130 billion worth of our trade moved through the Irish Maritime supply chain, which as many are aware, represents 99% of all goods by volume moving to our from our ports via sea.
Minister Gallager concluded “as many people will be aware, my Department has appointed a consultancy to develop a marketing plan for Killybegs Harbour. It is our intention to ensure that the substantial recent investment is now marketed in an effective manner to attract new business to the Port, while at the same time protecting the interests of existing customers and indeed enhancing the service to them where possible. The existence of top quality services such as those now provided by Killybegs Shipping Services will certainly assist in achieving this goal".
Thank you for visiting. We are currently adding past press content to our archives. We will also be updating our Press Section at the beginning of 2010 with recent company releases and announcements. Please re-visit this page soon to see the latest press releases from the Rockall Group, as they happen.
2006
+ Rockall Logistics wins hat-trick of awards (13-7-06)
+ Rockall Logistics Wins National Efficiency Award (29-3-06)
+ More Good News for Ballinasloe (23-1-06)
2005
+ Taoiseach Launches new Transport Service for Donegal (6-12-05)
+ Wind Power the Key to Unlocking Energy Crisis (18-10-05)
+ Killybegs Company Gains National Recognition (30-1-05)
+ Quality First at Glen Stone (30-1-05)
+ Killybegs Shipping Services (KSS) Launched by Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher (13-1-05)
2006
Rockall Logistics wins hat-trick of awards (13-7-06)
Rockall Logistics won the inaugural national Proof of Delivery (POD) Completeness Award from the Pallet Network of Ireland (PNI) at the end of 2005. PNI Managing Director Seamus McGowan presented Bill Jones of Rockall Logistics with the award at a recent ceremony in Dublin. The Killybegs-based transport company has gone on to pick up the award for the first two quarters of 2006, making it a clean sweep of three in a row. Rockall Logistics is the Donegal member of the Pallet Network of Ireland and provides a next day pallet collection and delivery service throughout Ireland and a 48-hour service to Britain.
Pauline Ellis, Manager, was overjoyed with the recognition of Rockall’s world-class service: “We are delighted that the Pallet Network of Ireland has recognised Rockall Logistics’ record in efficiency for three quarters running – we are totally committed to the ongoing delivery of this efficiency to our customers”. Seamus McGowan of the PNI congratulated the Killybegs company, saying: “Customers really value accurate and timely completion of POD [Proof of Delivery] documentation”. In a double celebration Rockall Logistics also scooped the PNI’s On-Time Delivery Performance Award for the first quarter of 2006.
The PNI , which has 96 members across Ireland and the UK, has recently consolidated its service into continental Europe with the entry of the major Dublin-based logistics company, ABX Logistics, into the network. For any enquiries contact Pauline Ellis at 074-9741000.
Photograph: Seamus McGowan, Managing Director of the Pallet Network of Ireland presenting the Proof of Delivery (POD) Completeness Award to Bill Jones, Managing Director of Rockall Logistics.
Rockall Logistics Wins National Efficiency Award (29-3-06)
The Killybegs-based transport company, Rockall Logistics, has been granted the national award for efficiency by the Pallet Network of Ireland (PNI). PNI Managing Director Seamus McGowan presented Bill Jones of Rockall Logistics with the inaugural award at a recent ceremony in Dublin. Rockall Logistics is the Donegal member of the Pallet Network of Ireland and provides a next day pallet collection and delivery service throughout Ireland and a 48-hour service to Britain.
Pauline Ellis, Manager, was overjoyed with the award: “We are delighted that the Pallet Network of Ireland has recognised Rockall Logistics’ record in efficiency – we are totally committed to the ongoing delivery of this efficiency to our customers” she said, adding that “we fully intend winning this award again and keeping it in Donegal!”. Seamus McGowan of the PNI congratulated the Killybegs company, saying: “Customers really value accurate and timely completion of POD [Proof of Delivery] documentation. Big congrats to Bill and Pauline for the excellent job being done”. The PNI , which has 96 members across Ireland and the UK, has recently consolidated its service into continental Europe with the entry of the major Dublin-based logistics company, ABX Logistics, into the network. For any enquiries contact Pauline Ellis at 074-9741000.
Photograph: Seamus McGowan, Managing Director of the Pallet Network of Ireland presenting the award for efficiency to Bill Jones, Managing Director of Rockall Logistics.
More Good News for Ballinasloe (23-1-06)
Ballinasloe’s landmark quarry – Top Quarries – has entered its final phase of production. The quarry which dates back to the early 1700s was sold recently by Stone Developments Ltd – a John Sisk subsidiary - to a Mr. Bill Jones. Ballinasloe limestone has been used in the construction of numerous prominent public buildings in cities throughout Ireland and Britain and as far away as New York. Small-scale blasting over the next two months will be used to remove a thin layer of surface rock in order to access the remaining quarry reserves. Quarry owner, Bill Jones, who resided during his childhood years in Brackernagh, currently owns and operates a large quarry in Killybegs, Co. Donegal. His late father, William, managed the quarry for Stone Developments Ltd from 1963 until the late 1970s. Bill was upbeat about the prospects for the quarry site: “We still have three or four years of commercially viable productive capacity left in the quarry and our plan then is to reinstate and redevelop this prime site in the heart of Ballinasloe town”.
Steady progress is already being made on initial reinstatement works for the quarry site and ambitious plans are afoot to transform it into a new village type development for mixed residential/retail use. The Top Quarries site, which falls within the 50 km/hr town zone, is earmarked for development in the Ballinasloe UDC Development Plan. Discussions with the UDC are ongoing and planning for this exciting project is expected to be lodged later this year. The disused part of the quarry has already been zoned residential and the new development has the potential to open up the surrounding land for much needed investment and development.
2005
Taoiseach Launches new Transport Service for Donegal (6-12-05)
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD, formally launched the Pallet Network of Ireland (PNI) at a recent event in Dublin. Killybegs-based Rockall Logistics was successful in securing the Donegal membership of the PNI. Speaking at the launch, Bill Jones, MD of Rockall Logistics, said “Rockall Logistics is proud to be part of the PNI, a network of over 90 member depots in Ireland and the UK, providing unparallelled transport services. Whereas in the past we could only offer a transport service between Donegal and Dublin, we can now offer overnight to or from all 32 counties of Ireland and 48 hours to or from all parts of the UK”.
Through the PNI, Rockall Logistics offers a very valuable service to businesses in Donegal wishing to transport pallet freight to or from the county, throughout Ireland and Britain. According to Bill Jones “The infrastructural challenges posed by the peripherality of the County are overcome by having one of the 14 Irish depots located in Killybegs.” Rockall Logistics collect and deliver pallets throughout the county, working through the PNI central hub in Dublin.
Pictured in Photograph (L to R): Bill Jones, MD Rockall Logistics, Yvonne Cotter, Rockall Logistics and An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD.
Wind Power the Key to Unlocking Energy Crisis (18-10-05)
With oil prices at record levels, the renewable sector has to be put at the forefront of Ireland’s energy policy, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) conference delegates were told at their conference in Letterkenny on Friday. In his opening address to the conference, Minister of State, Pat the Cope Gallagher, TD, stressed the importance of wind power in moving away from our dependence on costly fossil fuels. The Minister welcomed the economic benefits for local communities as well as the positive environmental impact of wind energy.
The Port of Killybegs has evolved into a central distribution hub for the wind sector in the North-West. Huge turbines for the windfarms dotted around Donegal and the surrounding counties have come through Killybegs. Getting the wind turbines from port to site involves a major logistical challenge, according to Bill Jones of The Rockall Group in Killybegs. Speaking at the IWEA Conference in Letterkenny he outlined the steps involved in project planning, port procedures, handling and storage and transportation.
County Donegal has over 6000 kilometres of various road classifications, the majority of which were not designed for transporting 40 metre long blades and 100 tonne wind turbine nacelles. Mr. Jones emphasised the importance of a properly planned route survey which looks at turning circles, acute bends, overhead obstruction, street furniture removal, etc. The Rockall Group brought the first of the new generation of giant wind turbines to Ireland in 2003, which were installed on Kingsmountain, Co. Sligo. This was the largest wind farm in Ireland at the time and involved getting 10 2.5MW wind turbines 130 kilometres from Killybegs to the installation site just south of Dromore West.
Mr Lawrence Staudt, Manager, Centre for Renewable Energy, Dundalk Institute of Technology told the IWEA delegates that a renewable energy-based electricity system would allow Ireland to be an area of low and stable electricity prices and have green electricity as a new export product. Renewable solutions would also allow Ireland to do its part in mitigating climate change and be on a path to energy sustainability.
Photograph (L to R) – Tony Ryan, Rockall Group, Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher, Bill Jones, Rockall Group
Killybegs Company Gains National Recognition (30-1-05)
Rockall Logistics Ltd, the Killybegs-based logistics company, has been blazing a trail on the logistics map since its inception in 2000. The company specialises in palletised freight and has found a niche in providing specialist freight solutions for the wind turbine and offshore oil and gas industries. Minister Mary Coughlan was on hand to present Pauline Ellis (Manager) with the prestigious DGSA (Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor) Certificate at a ceremony in Killybegs on Monday last. The qualification is essential for undertakings which transport or carry out related loading and unloading of dangerous goods in accordance with EC Directive 96/35/EC and Directive 2000/18/EC.
The DGSA Certificate was awarded to Pauline Ellis by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and the Health And Safety Authority following an intensive course of study and three separate exams held in Dublin. Pauline was congratulated on her exam success by local Minister Mary Coughlin. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Bill Jones, MD of the Rockall Group, said ‘This recent course of study undertaken by Pauline is part of our ongoing commitment to investment in our staff and our dedication to continuous quality improvements. Rockall logistics delivers overnight pallet freight nationwide has found a niche in servicing the unique needs of the oil and gas industry and in handling abnormal loads’.
Last year Rockall Logistics became the Donegal link in the Pallet Network of Ireland, working together with nearly 100 logistics companies in Ireland and Britain. Operating from a state of the art central hub in Blanchardstown, Rockall Logistics offers a nationwide 24-hour pallet collection/delivery service and a 48-hour pallet collection/delivery service to Britain.
Quality First at Glen Stone (30-1-05)
The Glen Stone Co. Ltd. in Killybegs became the first company in Ireland to achieve the new European Standard EN 206-1 for readymix concrete. Minister May Coughlin presented Joseph McCloskey, Manager of Glen Stone, with the Certificate at a ceremony in Killybegs on Monday last. The new European Standard relates to the specification performance, production, conformity and delivery of readymix concrete. For Glen Stone and its customers the specification offers greater clarity in regard to exposure class, strength class and consistency of mix, which are essential elements in improving product quality.
Joseph McCloskey, Manager, expressed delight at the achievement of the Standard, which replaced the BS5328 Standard that Glen Stone held since 1992. ‘The customer can be assured that they are receiving a quality assured concrete. In accordance with the Standard, test cubes of the concrete are taken randomly on a daily basis and sent for independent testing to ensure we are in full compliance with the Standard. The customer also has full traceability of any batch of concrete.’
Glen Stone came under new management in March 2002 and has embarked on a continuous investment and training programme to cater for the ever demanding and stringent requirements of the construction industry. At the end of 2003 the new European Standard, EN 206-1, was introduced under the quality management system ISO 9001:2000. Glen Stone has supplied concrete to a number of major construction projects, including the new Port in Killybegs, for which it supplied 6000 cubic metres of specialised concrete and half a million tonnes of stone fill.
Killybegs Shipping Services (KSS) Launched by Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher (13-1-05)
Minister for the Marine, Pat the Cope Gallagher today launched Killybegs Shipping Services at the Tara Hotel, Killybegs. Pat the Cope stated: “I understand that the company is seeking to bring a diverse range of specialist skills to the shipping, offshore oil and gas and fishing sectors through the provision of agency, forwarding, logistics and offshore services”.
The new company chairman and MD is Bill Lynch, a former chairman of Dublin Port Company and a founder member of the Irish Maritime Development Office Advisory Board. The Operations Manager is John Mitchell and the company will initially employ an additional two operations staff.
The shipping services sector is today the largest employer of all the Irish maritime industries, employing over 8,150 people, while also contributing the largest return of all the maritime industries to the tune of €1.75 billion per annum. In 2003, over €130 billion worth of our trade moved through the Irish Maritime supply chain, which as many are aware, represents 99% of all goods by volume moving to our from our ports via sea.
Minister Gallager concluded “as many people will be aware, my Department has appointed a consultancy to develop a marketing plan for Killybegs Harbour. It is our intention to ensure that the substantial recent investment is now marketed in an effective manner to attract new business to the Port, while at the same time protecting the interests of existing customers and indeed enhancing the service to them where possible. The existence of top quality services such as those now provided by Killybegs Shipping Services will certainly assist in achieving this goal".