Busy A.E.C.s on Co-operative Society's Service
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A LTHOUGH the majority of A.E.C. tAmachines in. the co-operative movement is employed by the manufacturing departments of the wholesale societies, quite a number is used by retail societies, the volume of trade of which is usually beyond the capacity of the 1-ton and 30-cwt. types of vehicle. The ;Watford Co-operative Society, with 22 branches and a total fleet of 105 vehicles, is an example of this kind. It has used motor vehicles for 25 years and A.E.C.s for nine years. The Southall-built units comprise five Mercury-s and two Monarchs. Three are engaged in coal deliveries, two are attached to the dairy department, one to 010bakery section, and one to the grocery and greengrocery department of the Society.
The dairy vehicles convey the milk, after pasteurising and bottling at Watford, to depots at Harrow, North Harrow, Weald stone and West Wat ford. Each vehicle carries, at a full load, 3,150 bottles and makes two or three round jourtleya each day. Both are in almost continuous service from 43 a.m. until 8 p.m. for seven days a week.
The bakery vehicle is used for the bulk delivery of bread and confectionery from the Watford bakery to depots in Wealdstone and North Harrow. The vehicle attached to the grocery and greengrocery departments travels daily to the Spitalfields Market for produce and occasionally collects potato loads in the country. This is another unit working seven days a week.
The three coal lorries are employed solely on retail deliveries throughout the Society's area.
Good service has been given by these A.E.C.s, the annual aggregate mileage of which is about 182,000. The first Mercury, for instance, purchased in 1931, is still going strong and looks like remaining on the road for a considerable time. The second Mercury,
purchased in 1932, has not yet had its brakes refaced.
All servicing of the fleet which, as well as the A.E.C.s, includes 10-cwt., 1-ton and 30-cwt. vans and 15 electrics, is undertaken at Watford, where the Society has a large garage and a staff of 13 comprising mechanics, coach builders and painters. Because the majority of the vehicles is employed upon food services, particular regard is paid to cleanliness.