Truck Science | Integrated Software | Commercial Vehicle Industry

TruckScience

Jens and Sorcha Hellberg both worked in software development for a number of years in South Africa where Jens’ family have a transport consulting and engineering business. A desire to work and live in Westport, Co. Mayo, along with their experience of the software development industry led them to set up TruckScience, a unique, integrated software system developed specifically for the commercial vehicle industry.

Integrated Software System for the Commercial Vehicle Industry

TruckScience software makes it easy for the commercial vehicle industry to make the right truck choices for their business, helping them to configure vehicles correctly, benchmark vehicle performance and assess the true cost of vehicle ownership.

In sharing the TruckScience success story, Sorcha explained that it was around 2013 that the company seem to really take off. “There was a lot of work in the beginning to get the structures in place, a lot of legalities. We had to get our ducks in a row. Our breakthrough was when we started reaching the key decision makers at truck manufacturing companies.”

Sorcha’s advice for would-be entrepreneurs is that “If you love something, it is easy to work hard at it. You need to get your message across in a language your customers understand. Make sure they can identify with the language you use.”

Creating, building and running a new business will always bring its own challenges and Sorcha indicated that what surprised her most was “the length of a sale cycle. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and a sale might take time to convert. On a positive note, the support available to us when setting up in Ireland from State bodies such as Mayo County Enterprise Board, LEADER and Enterprise Ireland was great. When we knocked on doors, they were opened.”

TruckScience availed of a range of County Enterprise Board supports including availing of business development and marketing advice in the establishment and growth phases of the business. They found the experience very positive. “The help was of high quality. We completed a marketing course which was delivered in a very professional and knowledgeable manner. It brought the business on and had a really positive impact. For us, without the soft supports and grant assistance of the Enterprise Board in Mayo we would not have been able to get our message out there.”

Sorcha has learned a lot along the way. “Positive feedback is only words until there is a sale. People will tell you that your product is good, but it really only counts when the sale has been closed.” Her advice to someone considering setting up their own business is to “Get out to the customer as soon as possible. Break through to signing up for a sale. Identify what walls are in the way to them signing up. Chase down the early sales to the point of sale. After getting ducks in a row they should be released to hunt down the sales. Take the support and advice that is available from Mayo Local Enterprise Office and other support agencies.”

At Truckscience, customers are key and the focus is on giving clients information to make informed decisions about their business, and on making those decisions as easy as possible. The team are ready to help their customers in any way they can, ensuring every client gets the best service from TruckScience every step of the way.

www.truckscience.com