PSG Group sets news standards
The PSG Group comprising Portlaoise Springs, PSG Garage and PSG Motor Factors is setting new standards for HGV / LCV maintenance, repairs and parts supply in the midlands, John Loughran reports.
At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that the PSG Group is a new entrant to the world of HGV / LCV maintenance and repairs. However, on closer inspection it becomes apparent that this business is no stranger to the sector and has a well established track record stretching back many years.
The Group comprises three business divisions, the best known of which is Portlaoise Springs, the leaf spring specialists, with a proud tradition in business stretching back to 1984.
Representing leading OE Manufacturers such as Celikyay, Weweler and Schomacker, Portlaoise Springs is recognised as one of the country’s leading suppliers of multi-leaf and parabolic springs to the haulage industry.
The company is also highly regarded for repairing and reconditioning multi-leaf and parabolic springs, at its premises in Clonminam Industrial Estate, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Portlaoise Springs is the founding stone on which the PSG Group story has been built. The genesis of the PSG Group came about last year, when a premises adjacent to Portlaoise Springs became available. Formerly known as Cassidy’s Garage, the premises was purchased and refurbished and now is the home to two other PSG Group businesses.
Business partners John Duff and Martin Holohan also owned another business in the bustling Midlands town, Condell & Ryan Motor Factors, which the pair acquired in 2020.
Condell & Ryan, was well-known and respected for selling car parts in the town for half a century. When the business was acquired by Portlaoise Springs, Commercial Vehicle (CV) parts were added the company’s portfolio. In the intervening years, the motor factor built up a steady CV parts business across the Midlands.
PSG Motor Factors
Following the acquisition of Cassidy’s Garage, Condell & Ryan was relocated to Clonminam Industrial Estate and rebranded as PSG Motor Factors.
PSG Motor Factors has four vans on the road, serving the Midlands working Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm and 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday.
John Duff exlained: “All five staff and the stock were relocated to a totally refurbished premises, including mezzanine floor offices and shop adjacent to Portlaoise Springs.
“It made sense to bring the business in under the PSG umbrella. CV parts now represents 30 per cent of the business and we are looking to grow this in the future, while retaining car parts as an important part of the overall offering.”
PSG Garage
The establishment of PSG Garage happened at the same time as PSG Motor Factors. In many respects the establishment of PSG Garage was customer driven and demand led.
John explained: “Portlaoise Springs was well known for repairing and reconditioning springs, which represented a significant part of the business.”
Much of that business was DOE test related.
“We had situations were trucks came into us with a list of faults, having failed the DOE test. We fixed all the Spring related issues and the truck then went to another service provider to x the rest of the issues.
“Customers were looking for an expanded service covering all aspects of repair and maintenance,” John noted.
PSG Garage was established to offer operators a full service offering and now carries out the full spectrum of repairs and maintenance for HGVs and LCVs. The service offering includes RSA 13 week inspections and pre-DOE tests as well as regular fleet maintenance and repairs.
To facilitate the establishment of a fully edged CV garage, the PSG Group had to invest in additional equipment including floor jacks, air guns and diagnostic equipment to name a few.
This investment has given PSG Garage all the tools needed to compete in the fast paced HGV / LCV repairs and maintenance sector. The establishment of the PSG Group see three businesses come together to form a “one-stop-shop” for the HGV / LCV maintenance and repairs sector.
“We can get a vehicle back on the road quickly, because we have the parts, the staff and the right equipment onsite to carry out the repair,” John elaborated.
“We have an advantage over other repairers in this respect. We have a good reputation for carrying out quality repairs, with fast turn- around times, and that is critical in the haulage sector, because when a truck is off the road it isn’t making money.”
Coming under the over-arching umbrella of the PSG Group Portlaoise Springs, PSG Motor Factors and PSG Garage now has a staff of 23.
John is fulsome in his praise of the staff who “play a very important part in the overall success of the business. We have a very settled team, who all work together and set very high standards”.
In a broader context, the establishment of the PSG Group has brought uniformity to the three businesses. John believes this uniformity will bear fruit in the future.
The good will that Portlaoise Springs has built up over the years, is already transferring to the other business units in the group. Similarly, the striking black/yellow colour combination that has long been associated with Portlaoise Springs, and has now been adopted by all three divisions.
It’s a dynamic colour combination, much like the three business units it promotes. Watch this space for future developments!