lational Carriers eveal new slim look
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
kTIONAL CARRIERS is to re-organise its operations to .eamline its service and introduce a new specialist network for avy and awkward loads.
The plans, already being plemented, will mean that lima! Carriers slims down In its present 65 depots to 51 w style depots which will be id up of 19 main trunk dets 23 operational locations d seven Freight Special It Ts with two more bases. 3roup managing director an Hayward said last week it the cut to 19 main depots add mean that the new'le depots would need only berths at each depot to ye the trunk vehicles plying :e en them.
lc serve the new plan tional Carriers is to build w depots which will be mpletelyautomated and ..ii3ped with the latest in els handling equipment /eloped for the company's -1E emphasised that the inges were being made with complete co-operation of National Union of ilwaymen and the Transrt and Salaried Staffs scciation, who had been is &ed.
"he first of the new depots I be at Lawley Street, mingham, where work was ! to start this week on the conversion of the sheds to take the new equipment.
NC sees its high-roofed former rail sheds that have been regarded as expensive to repair and maintain as a newfound asset. Because of the high roofs, two levels of operation will be feasible using the new handling equipment.
The company is also shifting away from pure parcels operation to take in contract distribution for major customers.
Already National Carriers has 30 depots involved in distribution and the company hopes that its conversion work for the new-style depots will be done within its £10m a year investment budget by substituting the new depots for other work that might have been carried out.
Mr Hayward emphasised that the changes would not mean redundancies. He said that the programme was flexible and would allow employees to swop for new jobs.
If the Lawley Street operation is a success, then it will be followed by development at the Leeds depot in 1981 and the Manchester or Paddington depots. All 19 will be developed by 1983 if all goes according to plan.