Don't beggar your neighbour
Page 59
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IT WOULD BE difficult to find a better neighbour than DAF Trucks. The company gladly joins in the social and cultural activities of Marlow, and sponsors the flower displays that are such an attractive feature of the town. Who could be antagonistic towards the heavy lorries emanating from such a civilised source?
DAF Trucks promoted a competition for the design of a Christmas card by children at Spinfield County Combined School, where the young son of Vivienne Anderson', the company's Press officer, is a pupil. Prizes went to six children, and the company gave the school a sum of money which I gather will buy food for its miniature ZOO.
On average, DAF Trucks receives 150 letters a week from children and every one is answered individually. Some youngsters send Christmas cards and clearly have a personal relationship with the company.
Yet despite this excellent local spirit and a 22 per cent increase last year in DAF's share of its market, Phil Ives, managing director, is worried about the bad Press that the heavy lorry continues to get. He thinks the industry does not try hard enough to rebut well organised but misinformed criticism.