I.R.T.E. Members See Bedfords Made
Page 49
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QNE of the most interesting visits paid this session by members of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers was that to the Luton Works of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., which took place last week. Well over 60 accepted the invi
tation of the company. They were received by Mr. A. J. Lemon of the public relations department, divided into small groups, and taken around different parts of the works, to avoid overlapping.
At luncheon as guests of the company, the chair was taken by the manager of the fleet sales division, Mr. C. Rust. He confessed not to have heard much concerning the Institute, and was agreeably surprised to find amongst those present so many fleet engineers concerned with important organizations. He hit the nail on the head when he said how much the company would welcome concerted expressions of views from the Institute regarding Bedford products, and suggestions as to how the company could help the maintenance engineer.
He mentioned that, at the moment, production was at a low ebb, owing to difficulties with materials etc., but that it should be possible to raise it considerably whilst employing the same number of workers. However, the policy now was to set aside large • reserves of cash for future increases in the size of the works and the number of vehicles produced, although they might be in fewer types.
The company had always maintained the principle of the open shop. Unionists and non-Unionists worked well side by side, and there were few labour troubles. Monthly meetings of the managernent advisory committee were held and attended by representatives of each division, who could afterwards explain to those concerned matters of policy, etc.
Some time ago we dealt with the Vauxhall Exhibition and a tour of the production lines. Therefore, now we will give only a few observations made to us by members.
They were particularly impressed by the cleanliness of the shops, the ado
quate spacing between the machines, the absence of disagreeable odours, and especially, in view of the fact that outside the temperature was extremely high. the definitely agreeable coolness and freshness of the air in the various departments—even in the test shop. where dozens of power-units were being run simultaneously, there wa'i no discomfort and extremely little noise.
One fact which appealed to many was that in the manufacture of a Bedford vehicle the maintenance of a line degree of accuracy is achieved by subjecting its units, components, and the complete machine to 11,000 separate checks. Some of the standard or specially made instruments to carry these out attracted much attention and aroused admiration.
People are still flocking to see this Exhibition and the receptionists have to deal with parties on practically every opening day. Many of the visitors also go through the works.
Recently the Vauxhall apprentices approached Mr. Lemon and asked if they could have facilities for making the complete tour, and these are being gladly accorded to them, A few years ago the finding of an apprentice in some parts of a works where he was not directly employed might well result in a clip on the ear or verbal admonishment. Even now there must, of course, be some measure of control, particularly where the number of workers concerned is so great, there being nearly 12,000 Vauxhall employees.