One-mat Pays Nont 'olicy in Heavies ast Haulier
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by
C. Duncan Jew ell
AN expanding north-eastern haulage company, Cawthorn and Sinclair, Ltd., Binley, Co. Durham, the majority of whose 40-odd vehicles are heavies, have successfully standardized their fleet on Atkinson vehicles, built to their own specifications.
These include Gardner 6LX engines, with 2.F. six-speed gearboxes; double-reduction single-drive axles; and additional fuel tanks to cut out fuelling en route. The Atkinson eight-wheelers tramp all over the country and have proved excellent on fuel consumption, returning figures of up to 12 m.p.g.
In addition to general services, the company operate a Glasgow trunk run, with a changeover at Gretna Green; and nightly runs to Birmingham, London, South Wales, Manchester and Liverpool.
Apart from three Albions, all the fleet are heavies and include 30 on A licence. Seven eight-wheelers are kept as spare for maintenance and temporary substitution.
, Industry is booming in the area and sub-contracting was necessary at one period for nearly half the tonnage carried, but this has now been reduced to about 40-45 per cent, of that carried by the concern's own vehicles, Among the main traffics are the carriage of Medley's products into the London area; metal from local ship breakers; propellers from Myth and Glasgow; steel from Tees-side; tractors from Birmingham; ships' equipment generally; foodstuffs and canned goods.
Drivers are taken on young and trained to the job and are kept happy by being provided with first-class vehicles. Cabs are heated and the high-powered engines save time on hilly runs and give fuel economy. Servis recorders are fitted in each of the lorries.
Standard equipment for the fleet includes India tyres and C.A.V. electrical equipment.
Five mechanics are employed at Birtley on maintenance; vehicles receive weekly greasing and fortnightly checks. Spare Gardner engines are held in stock for emer gencies. .
Mr. Robert Cawthorn, the managing director, has been a haulier since 1921, when he formed Haulage, Ltd., in partnership with Mr. F. Herdrnan, operating model T Fords and Foden steam wagons. They were one of the first cattle carriers, using a steamer with high sides.
By 1927, when the partnership split up, there were seven vehicles, and Mr. Cawthorn then formed the County Transport Co., which was eventually taken over by Transport Services, Ltd. He became manager of Northumbrian Transport Services, and, after nationalization and a sixmonth period with British Road Services, went to Cockburn and Gunn, stevedores, as a director and manager. Twelve Bedford tippers were acquired from Paterson of Gosforth and Long Bros., Jarrow, six of which were replaced by eight-wheelers.
Companies Combined
After denationalization, a number of vehicles were purchased by Cawthorn and Sinclair, Ltd., in March, 1954, which was at that time being managed by Mt. Cawthorn's son, Allan. Mr. Cawthorn also purchased several units on behalf of Cockburn and Gunn and the tWo companies were combined in 1955. Several other special-A-licensed vehicles were purchased, but these were gradually replaced by Atkinsons. An important new side of the business is the storage and distribution of petroleum products for which a complete depot at North Dock, Sunderland, was taken over from the Power Petroleum Co., Ltd., the project having been approved by the River Wear Commissioners.
More than 100 tons of lubricating oils are distributed weekly for Power Petroleum by two B.M.C. vehicles on contract-A licence. These vehicles are fitted with a power lift for drums at the rear. Deliveries are made to ships, garages, hauliers and others throughout the north-east, the carrying capacity being supplemented when necessary by the A-licensed fleet. • .There are also three tankers of Atkinson make, on contract-A licence, each with six 600-gallon compartments and heavy duty pumps for heavy viscosity oils. They are also fitted with power take-offs and double drives. B.P. and Power products are carried from Jarrow to Cumberland, to Blyth Power Station and many other points in the north. The depot is modern, with up-to-date workshops and there is room for further development.
Oils are brought in from the Isle of Grain and Barton, Lanes, for distribution throughout Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire. Ships' oil may go to Hull, Glasgow or London if a particular brand is required and must arrive on time. Up to 200 ft. of hosing may be required for this type of work.
A new warehouse and buildings are in process of erectionat the company's headquarters, Durham Road, Birtley. which, with a car park, will cover about five acres of ground. A singlestorey brick-built office block has been completed with large traffic and general offices. Mechanized accounting has also been introduced.
The warehouse project has had to be extended because of increased business accruing following the renewal of the fleet. A London office has been opened at Enfield.
With a contented staff, and full employment for their fleet, the company have few, real problems, hut Mr. Cawthorn has strong views on "
pirate" operation which he believes considerable, particularly in the north-eastern, Birmingham, and Glasgow areas, where unlicensed eight-wheelers are frequently on the road. All sub-contractors' vehicles are checked to see they have the appropriate licences. He also has strong views on the question of clearing-house traffic and thinks some form of supervision should be instituted to stop such practices as giving drivers gratuities to accept traffic, particularly in London and South Wales.
The new depot and vehicles have added considerably to the company's prestige. A number of new customers have actually applied for their goods to be carried, following the, increased efficiency of the service. As a result the Birtley depot has had to be replanned to increase the parking and warehousing area to 10 acres.