Hauliers, Be Prepared.
Page 40
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FROM time to time we make a point of reminding haulier readers of the importance of keeping themselves well informed of trade fluctuations, so that they may order their activities in such a way as to be able to take full advantage of whatever haulage business may result. They should bear in mind that the principal asset of road transport is its mobility, the ease with which its personnel and equipment can he moved to any centre where the need for it arises, and they should be prepared to take advantage of that asset at any time.
The necessity of maintaining touch with trade activities was never so great as to-day or so likely to persist. If only some of our present hopes be realized the trade of this country is going to receive encouragement such as it has not experienced since the war. Moreover, it is about to undergo a considerable change in its characteristics, a change of especial interest to hauliers.
Already evidences of the nature of the change which is coming are apparent. There is a certain liveliness in many industrial centres which for many months have been little more than stag. nant. Nottingham with its lace, Northampton with its boots, Leicester with its clothes and hose, Macclesfield with its silks, and Staffordshire with its pots and pans, all report that trade is expanding. These are but the first fruits : later on—yet soon—we may look to hear of new industries being established, of new factories being opened and of old industries taking on new leases of life. All these things involve new work for hauliers as well as a change of venue in their activities.
The last flicker of the dying flame of the old order of things, a spurt in the flow of imports, Is at the moment engaging the attention of all our readers who have vehicles to spare. They, however, should recognize the evanescent nature of that business, and realize that the character of haulage work at the docks is about to undergo a radical change. This change cannot yet be forecast with any degree of accuracy, but one thing seems certain, And that is there will be an increase in the outward Dow so that a better proportion of return loads is likely to be available. That, however, is merely a detail. There can be no doubt that extensive developments of direct interest to hauliers are in prospect and for those developments they should be prepared.