Fourfold capacity boost for bulk-haul company
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TWO additional 8-ton pressurized tankers were authorized to Brown Bros. (Bulk Haulage) Congleton Ltd., by deputy North Western LA Mr. A. H. Jolliffe in Manchester on Tuesday. This represents a capacity increase of almost four times that granted to the firm in January, 1966, under its first twovehicle open A licence.
The firm was applying to carry sand (silica dry), lime and limestone products, salt, soda ash, bicarbonate of soda, animal foods and fertilizers within 150 miles, but agreed to the final two items being deleted as it had yet to carry these commodities. The application was opposed by Pickfords Ltd.
A Brown Bros. director, Mr. W. Brown, said his firm concentrated on sand and lime, which kept its vehicles fully occupied: between March and June last year it operated night shifts and the position had only been eased by the substitution of a 325 cu. ft. tank by one of 650 Cu. ft. capacity last January and the addition of another large-capacity tanker in February.
Sub-contracts
In July his three vehicles had earned £1,700 and an additional £490 had been sub-contracted. The firm had been passing work out since the beginning of May, he said.
Mr. G. M. Wood, sales manager, Archibald Bathgate and Sons Ltd., said since the introduction of a new drying and cooling plant, sand production had increased by 30 per cent at its Sandbach quarry. It had disposed of its own tipper fleet and relied on tankers—today's general trend.
One foundry-customer had had to cancel a night shift recently because Brown had been unable to deliver a load. This had made him particularly annoyed, said Mr. Wood, as he knew Brown had a new unlicensed tanker in the yard. It led to the granting of a short-term licence pending this application.
Challenged by Mr. A. C. Jolly, for Pickfords, Mr. Wood said he had tried Pickfords two and a half years ago but its tankers had been too big, and rates uncompetitive. A fourto five-day delay was unacceptable—he wanted delivery within 24 hours with vehicles giving 11ft clearance.
-Mr. Brown has given me very good service and I don't want to change horses in mid-stream," said Mr. Wood, who added he would require guarantees from Pickfords. "I have to guarantee deliveries or I lose customers."
On behalf of Brown, Mr. G. H. P. Beames, said it felt that Pickfords was unsuitable as it was on the other side of Manchester to Congleton and the Sandbach quarry.
The present Brown vehicle could not be accommodated at the Hillhead quarry, said Mr. J. A. Moss, assistant to group transport manager, Hughes Bros. But the new vehicles would have sufficient clearance.
Granting the two additional tankers, Mr. Jolliffe, said if existing customers wanted help they should have it from their existing hauliers,