N.A.F.W.R. Autumn Conference
Page 71
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Pallets No Use to Removers
Preferable to Train Staff to Higher Standards and Use Better Equipment, Says Mr. F. F. Babb
I CONTEND palletization would not be an economic proposition in our trade." This was the opinion expressed by Mr. F. F. Babb, senior vice-president of the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers, at the Association's autumn conference in London last week.
The nature of the remover's work, and the great variety in size, shape, quality and material of household goods, made the use of pallets extravagant and impracticable. Where it had attracted the attention of some members, Mr. Babb suggested, it might be "the fascination and magic of strange new words." It was important to examine and test them for commonsense.
Admittedly, pallets were used to a greater extent in America, but public psychology was very different there and Americans were• sometimes " over-sold" on an idea.
British removers delivering goods from America had been surprised at the continued use of barrels for china or glassware at the demand of American customers, despite the costly waste when travelling at a rate of freight by measurement. Although this was now realized in America, the customer had been so much " sold " on the idea of barrels that in introducing a new type of square packing for china and glassware it had been found desirable to term it a "square barrel."
Public " Sold " on Pallets The American public had also been persuaded of the merits of pallets for removals and storage—to the chagrin of removers, Mr. Babb believed. Although Americans almost demanded pallet storage, the higher capital expenditure required for special buildings, pallets and fork-lift trucks made it uneconomic. Three kinds of pallet—soft pile, hard pile and residence loading—were used in the U.S.A. in addition to the heavy expenditure both for pallets and fork trucks, special flat vehicles would be required to take full advantage of them, particularly in the case of the residence pallet.
If the warehouse had wooden floors, exposure to a concentrated wheel load would necessitate special precautions to be taken. No significant reduction in the amounts paid in settlement of damage followed the adoption of pallets, and a loss of space was noted in storage because of the difference between the inside and outside measurements of the pallet. There was a further loss through the need for working space between pallets. Pallets were worth using only for certain homes of great value, where need for exceptional care exceeded the need "for economy, was Mr. Babb's conclusion. Removers should concentrate on persuading customers to realize real cost, with the object of striving for better prices. Staff should 'be trained to higher standards and more supervision should be given. Wrappers, equipment and all working materials should be of better quality. Moreover, the practice of two charges into store should be adopted. During subsequent discussions, it was doubted whether, in the case of residence pallets, the initial cost could he recovered even in America, and still less in the United Kingdom, as they might not be disturbed for two to three years. Six new American depositories had been geared to the use of pallets, three pallets being carried per vehicle, with a track down the centre to provide virtually press-button loading. Yet the total capacity per vehicle was only around 750 Cu. ft., thus limiting it to short-haul work.
Space Lost By comparison, most of the depositories in the United Kingdom were in older buildings, few having been built since the war. If a warehouse had at present a loading height of 10 ft., the adoption of a system of 7-ft. pallets would result in a loss of 3 ft. of storage space.
Referring to estimated costs of £2,920 to convert a 35,000-cu.-ft. depository to pallet storage, it was considered that it would take at least four years to recover the initial investment, by way of reduced labour costs. Moreover, as compared with conditions in the United Kingdom, the conversion or rebuilding of depositories in America was to some extent coupled to tax relief.
"Win the Customer's Confidence"
nISCUSSING the standard of service in the removing industry, Mr. G. E. Pearson, junior vice-president, asked whether it was deteriorating, or could be improved, or was remaining static. In his view, the public were receiving as fine a service as was provided by any other industry, considering the outlay which had to be provided. It paid to spend a little more time with customers than might be strictly necessary on business grounds, so as to gain their confidence. Many reception offices and their staffs could he improved. Faded photographs of a 1908 job did not impress modern customers. The receptionist must show a personal interest in their particular problems and nowhere was this more important than over the telephone, which was often the first source of contact.
Similarly, when the order was being
booked, the staff should be impressed with the necessity of getting full details of the way to the customer's premises. Incomplete information could result in a late start, with bad repercussions on both the customer and the workmen.
Reference was made to the American practice of submitting alternative charges for various services such as the packing of glass, china and objets d'art, when each item was packed separately in new material in front of the customer. Folding wardrobes were also supplied for the conveyance of clothes, Although this meant additional outlay of capital, revenue could be achieved by careful selling to the better class of customer. Some members doubted, however, whether it was reasonable, or advisable, to expect staff to vary their standards according to the rate of payment for the job. It would be better, they considered, to concentrate on the better class of removal and include the cost of the higher service in the price.
Employer-Worker Relations More Cordial
I N reviewing wage and labour relations, Mr. A. P. Godfrey, a member of the executive council, made a _comparison of wages and conditions applying to a foreman in the removal industry during this century. In 1900 the rate was £1 8s. per week, with no holiday. By 1938 it had risen to E3 6s. with a seven-day holiday, and to £5 7s. by 1948:Today the rate was £8 7s., whilst the actual earnings ,could be £12 or more.
Mr.. Godfrey claimed that the relationship between the employer and the worker was now much closer and more cordial. Bonuses were commonly paid and pension schemes widely introduced. It was now possible for a manual worker or lorry driver to gain promotion through the office and so to management. Commenting on the trend of wage negotiations, Mr. Godfrey suggested that the preSsure from the union might become less as commodity prices and wages became more stable. Moreover, public reaction to wage claims was hardening, as was shown in the recent London bus strike.
Off-street Loading Facilities Needed
ARLIER Mr. A. Samuels, chairman of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, commenting on the introduction of the Mayfair parking-meter scheme, claimed that if meters were not being used, it supported the committee's contention that the long-term parker was not prepared to park in the street if he had to pay for it. Both new buildings and modifications to existing premises must provide facilities for off-street loading and unloading. To solve the parking problem any responsible government must take their courage in both hands and provide money from central funds, as they were now doing for new motorways and roadimprovement schemes.