One of Ireland’s leading crane hire companies has significantly boosted its operational efficiency and real-time visibility, using the flexible and durable Eureka MoveIT Transport Management Software (TMS).
One of Ireland’s leading crane hire companies has significantly boosted its operational efficiency and real-time visibility, using the flexible and durable Eureka MoveIT Transport Management Software (TMS).
Kavanagh Crane Hire, headquartered in Gorey, County Wexford, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The company was founded by Paddy Kavanagh, and is now led by his sons, Pat, Paul & Aidan Kavanagh, who continue the legacy of delivering high-quality service to their clients. With a fleet of over 140 cranes and vehicles spread across five depots nationwide, the company plays a vital role in Ireland’s construction industry.
Like many businesses, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought unexpected challenges. To adapt and overcome these, Kavanagh Crane Hire sought out a robust and scalable transport management solution. Their search led them to the Eureka MovelT TMS, a platform that has since become central to their operations.
We spoke with Managing Director Pat Kavanagh and Eugene Cox of the Crane Hire Desk department about their journey, the implementation process, and how Eureka MovelT has transformed their approach to managing crane and personnel logistics in real time.
From Paper to Precision: Evolving the Booking System
The original job booking process at Kavanagh Crane Hire was entirely manual, beginning with an A3 sheet of paper where jobs were handwritten each day. At the end of the day, drivers would receive job details via text message – but the information was limited, often lacking crucial details, including details like site contacts or precise locations.
When Eugene Cox joined the company, he saw an opportunity to update the system. He introduced a detailed Excel-based booking sheet hosted on Google Drive, significantly improving shared visibility and efficiency across the team.
The new system included essential job details such as:
· Customer name
· Site address
· Contact details for the on-site foreman
· A Google Maps “pin drop” (which drivers could access directly from their phones)
This simple yet powerful addition, of linking jobs to accurate GPS coordinates, was quickly embraced by the drivers. The “pin drop” feature made navigation to job sites far easier, reducing errors, delays, and time spent on the phone seeking directions.
This intermediate step between paper and full digitalisation laid the foundation for the seamless integration of MoveIT, enabling even greater efficiency and control across their operations.
“We were already looking at ways to become more efficient, but COVID definitely pushed us along,” explains Pat Kavanagh, reflecting on the challenges that accelerated their digital transformation.
Before implementing Eureka MovelT, the Kavanagh Crane Hire team relied on paper diaries and later Google Sheets to manage their operations. While spreadsheets offered a big improvement, managing five depots during a global pandemic quickly exposed the limitations of their manual systems.
“Running a business across five locations, trying to get job details to drivers, then waiting for signed dockets to come back…it was just a nightmare,” Pat recalls. “We were juggling six or seven different spreadsheets alongside paper documents. It was physically impossible to have full visibility over everything at once.”
A Tailored TMS That Works: How Kavanagh Crane Hire Found the Perfect Fit with MoveIT
The turning point for Kavanagh Crane Hire came in 2019 when Eugene Cox joined the business and introduced the idea of using MoveIT, a transport management system (TMS) he had successfully implemented at two previous companies. Thanks to an already strong working relationship with the Eureka team, Eugene saw an opportunity to bring in a system that could be customised specifically for crane hire operations.
“I rang Mark, and we sat down to discuss building a bespoke version of MovelT tailored for crane hire,” Eugene explains. “After several months of designing, planning, and refining ideas, we came up with the system we have today-and it works brilliantly for us now.”
While the team did explore various other TMS options across Ireland and the UK, none could meet their operational needs.
“We looked at several systems,” adds Pat. “But they were too rigid. If your processes didn’t fit their structure, you were stuck. That’s why MoveIT stood out.“
The key differentiator? Flexibility.
“With MovelT, the flexibility is built in,” Pat continues. “Columns and fields can be customised to suit how we work. The Eureka team laid the groundwork, then fine-tuned the platform to match our day-to-day needs.”
The result is a tailored solution that addresses the unique challenges of crane hire – distinct from standard haulage operations. The collaboration between Kavanagh and Eureka has led to a robust, adaptable system that not only meets current demands but also allows for future growth and continuous improvement.
“We’re all very happy with it,” Pat concludes.
Learn more about how the Eureka MoveIT TMS is set up for Crane Hire operators here
“The Eureka team laid the groundwork, then fine-tuned the platform to match our day-to-day needs.”
Enhanced Visibility Across Operations
“Going from A3 paper sheets to Google Sheets, and now to MoveIT, we feel we’ve made huge progress,” says Eugene Cox. “Everyone has much clearer visibility across the business now.”
The benefits of Eureka MovelT were apparent from day one. Real-time updates across the system mean that any changes made by one team member are instantly visible to others. That level of visibility is critical in a fast-moving, multi-depot operation like Kavanagh Crane Hire.
“When creating a job, for example, if a driver or crane is already assigned elsewhere, their name flashes red,” Eugene explains. “It immediately alerts you that they’re unavailable. It eliminates those kinds of mistakes and helps guide you through the scheduling process.”
Pat Kavanagh agrees, “I’ve never used a system like this before. Without Eugene, we might not have brought it in, but I’m so glad we did! It’s incredibly user-friendly and shows each team exactly what they need to see.”
“The accounts team has different views to mine, and mine are different to Eugene’s,” Pat continues. “That ability to customise the interface means we’re not overwhelmed with unnecessary information-we just see what’s relevant, which makes our jobs easier and quicker to do.”
MovelT’s flexible interface is powered by customisable workflows and widgets, allowing users to tailor the system to their role. With hundreds of widgets available, teams only see the areas of the operation relevant to their function. This targeted visibility ensures individuals stay focused, efficient, and aligned with the bigger picture.
“That ability to customise the interface means we’re not overwhelmed with unnecessary information-we just see what’s relevant, which makes our jobs easier and quicker to do.”
Streamlined Communication with Telegram Integration
Operating in the construction industry means reliable, real-time communication with drivers and field staff is essential, not only for job instructions but also for sharing critical health and safety documentation.
With the Telegram integration built into Eureka Move IT, Pat and Eugene now have a fast, secure, and efficient way to stay connected with their teams, right from within the platform.
“We were using WhatsApp before,” Pat recalls. “But the team at Eureka explained that Telegram offers stronger security. Once we got the settings configured, the group messaging functionality became a really powerful tool for us to share updates with exactly the right people.“
The integration enables Kavanagh Crane Hire to send important documents, such as health and safety statements, and instantly see who has received and acknowledged them, ensuring full traceability and compliance.
“It helps us keep tabs on everything that goes out,” says Pat. “We know who has read it and when. That level of visibility is a big win for us.”
But the Telegram integration goes far beyond compliance. It provides a full two-way communication channel between the office and staff on the road.
“The driver receives all the information they need,” explains Eugene. “Pin drop locations, contact details, start times, durations – the full job brief. Once the job is complete, they sign it off, we’re instantly notified, and we can invoice the job straight away.”
Previously, invoicing could be delayed for days. Now, it’s almost instant.
Digitising their processes has also significantly reduced the risk of lost or damaged paperwork. “Everything comes back safely and securely,” adds Pat. “It’s a huge improvement.”
The team has also embraced the mobile admin portal, which gives them full control even when away from the office.
“Say a driver calls in sick or someone can’t make it in, no problem,” says Eugene. “We can reassign the job straight from our phones, without needing to log into the desktop system. It’s fast and convenient.”
Even in unforeseen situations, the system helps keep things running. “If I’m unavailable, the drivers themselves can share job details with colleagues directly to make sure the job still gets done,” he adds. “It’s all pretty seamless.”
“The driver receives all the information they need. Pin drop locations, contact details, start times, durations – the full job brief. Once the job is complete, they sign it off, we’re instantly notified, and we can invoice the job straight away.”
Using the Portal to Support Compliance and Safety Monitoring
In the construction and crane hire industry, maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations isn’t just good practice; it’s a legal necessity. At Kavanagh Crane Hire, the team has fully embraced the MovelT Driver Portal to streamline and strengthen these vital compliance processes.
A key part of their daily operations is the completion of the GA2 form, a statutory record of lifting equipment inspections, widely used across construction sites in Ireland.
“The minute our guys get on site, they complete the GA2 form to carry out their checks and hand it over to the site manager,” explains Eugene. “Through the MovelT driver portal, the customer receives these completed forms directly to their email address, which allows them to review and sign off the site quickly and efficiently.”
The digital portal ensures these forms are easily accessible, filled out accurately, and returned promptly, eliminating delays, reducing paperwork, and ensuring essential compliance documentation is always on file.
But compliance doesn’t stop with paperwork. MoveIT also monitors critical employee certifications and documentation, such as CSCS cards and safety passes. The system automatically flags documents nearing expiration and alerts relevant staff, helping the team avoid lapses in certification.
“It’s all built into the system,” says Pat. “If something’s coming up for renewal-whether it’s a safety cert or a driver’s card-it pops up. It’s a brilliant way of keeping everyone informed and staying on top of compliance.”
By centralising and automating compliance workflows through MovelT, Kavanagh Crane Hire has significantly reduced administrative burden, minimised compliance risks, and ensured that every team member remains qualified, safe, and ready to work.
Keeping Their Fleet Roadworthy with MaintainIT
Maintaining a large and diverse fleet is no small task-especially when it includes cranes, trucks, vans, and jeeps, each requiring regular inspections, servicing, and up-to-date certifications. To stay on top of it all, Kavanagh Crane Hire uses MaintainlT, Eureka’s dedicated garage and fleet maintenance software.
“It has all our vehicles on there for monitoring-cranes, trucks, vans, jeeps-everything that needs maintenance,” explains Eugene.
MaintainlT gives the Kavanagh team complete visibility and control over their fleet. The software tracks maintenance schedules, enables parts ordering, and keeps tabs on legal compliance, including vehicle licensing and DOE (Department of Environment) test requirements.
“It gives us visibility for the vehicle’s DOE and everything-it’s all on there and easy to access,” Eugene adds.
By centralising fleet management through Maintain IT, Kavanagh Crane Hire ensures that every vehicle is serviced on time, kept in peak condition, and fully compliant with road safety regulations.
The result is reduced downtime, improved operational efficiency, and greater peace of mind, knowing that their fleet is always ready for the road.
We are delighted to support Kavanagh Crane Hire with their unwavering support through their crane hire services to businesses across Ireland, and we are excited to continue our collaboration for years to come.
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More about Kavanagh Crane Hire here: |
| https://kavanaghcranehire.ie/ | |
| More about Eureka here: | |
| https://www.eureka.ie/ |
Eureka Contact:
 |
🗣️ Phil Newton |
| 🏢 Head of Sales & CSM (Eureka) | |
| 📞 M: +44 (0) 7791 074 636 | |
| ✉️ pnewton@eureka.ie |
Marketing Contact:
 |
🗣️ Jack Hall |
| 🏢 Marketing (Mandata & Eureka) | |
| 📞 P: 0191 250 2220 | |
| ✉️ marketing@eureka.ie |
Eureka is Ireland’s leading provider of transport management systems, with over 4,000 daily users of its software. The Co. Wexford-based company has been successfully developing TMS solutions for the transport and logistics industry for over 25 years.
For further details, and to see the Eureka software solutions live, click here to request your free demo.