Passing Comments
Page 30
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Salesman Training by Films
ENERGETIC salesmanship is certainly a vitally important part of the road transport industry, whether it be applied to products from its factories or service given by operators of goods or passenger vehicles. In the export market it is, if anything, more important so far as commercial vehicles and their equipment are concerned. Our salesmen have their own methods, but there is little doubt that many could learn much from those in the U.S.A., where this class of work has been developed almost to a fine art. A few days ago there was a preview of two new 16-mm. salesman-training films now included in the G.B. Film Library owned by Rank Precision Industries (B.A.F.),
Ltd., Aintree Road, Perivale, Greenford, Middx. Both were produced by the Dartnell Corporation of Chicago. "Opening the Sale," which lasts 30 min., shows how the physical and mental barriers facing the salesman can be overcome, and demonstrates five proved opening techniques. "The Power of Enthusiasm in Selling," occupying 24 min., dramatizes a typical sales situation and explains how a sales manager inspires a flagging employee and proves how enthusiasm, abundant energy, sincerity and knowledge of the prospective customer's business bring success.
Each film can be bought for £50, or hired at £3 for one day and £1 10s. for each following day.
He Did It Almost Alone
THERE is no doubt that much credit must be given to the tyres on the tractors used so successfully by Sir Edmund Hillary in his dash to the South Pole.
All tyres except some heavily lugged were built at Wolverhampton by one man, George Ankers, of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd. It was only after long consultation that a decision was arrived at as to the types to be employed. These were Super-Sure-Grip tractor tyres 10 x 28 4-ply rating for the rear wheels, and for the front wheels alternatives of 600-16 and 500-15 4-ply triple rib.
The Norwegian Goodyear concern also participated and A28 supplied 600-21 Super-Sure-Grip. These had lugs 9+ in. long and about 2 in. thick. All the tyres were guaranteed to withstand the extremely low temperatures which they encountered.
It is interesting to note that Mr. Ankers, who has been making tyres for nearly 16 years, took about 20 minutes to build each of the 10 x 28 type, which weighs, with its tube, some 88 lb.
Thrust Washers Made Like Coins
IN automatic transmissions and other forms of mechanism, A application is being found for precision-made thrust washers of a special type. These Can be produced in various forms, such as flat or spherical, and are of bronze or bronze with one or both faces clad with steel.
To save costly machine operations, lubrication grooves are "coined" and holes, nibs or scallops can be incorporated, as required. Cold rolling gives exceptional hardness for heavy-duty operation. These washers are available with outer diameters of 1-6 in. from an American concern, Federal Mogul Bower Bearings, Inc., Detroit.
Marking 12,500 Years of Service LONG service with an employer presumably indicates that each side is satisfied with the other. Such satisfaction must be fairly general in the case of The Skefko Ball Bearing Co., Ltd., Luton, for no fewer than 500 of their employees have completed 25 years of service. The 500th to achieve this period of service is Mr. C. H. Peddar, who now works in the automatic-turning department. He recently received frOm the hands of the Mayor of Luton, Aid. S. C. Hayne, an inscribed fountain pen and a number of savings certificates, whilst the Mayor received a cheque from Mr. C. U. Magnusson, the managing director, for the purchase of a trophy or piece of civic plate to mark the company's long association with the borough.
Skefko arrived in Luton in 1910, and even today there remain 350 employees with at least 25 years' service.
Machine Analyses Cornering Forces
A N interesting new machine, which has been designed and 1Th constructed by Durtlops, measures "cornering force." This means the ultimate power which guides a vehicle around a corner, or keeps it straight when some other force is endeavouring to push it sideways.
The instrument is a precision one built to obtain fundamental data on the mechanical characteristics of tyres. It will help to show how tyres can be made to deal with these forces by various methods of construction, choice of materials, and even different steering mechanisms.
The Minister's Part
THE expression mulium in parvo might well describe I the short speech made by Mr. Harold Watkinson, Minister of Transport, guest of honour at the Ferodo reception at which the Ferodo gold trophy was presented to Mr. G. A. Vandervell as the builder of Vanwall racing cars.
These vehicles do not come within the province of this journal, but the remarks of the Minister were largely asociated with commercial road transport. He said that this country was engaged on the biggest road programme we have had in our history. This was to go ahead as quickly as could be managed, because he knew that it would make a huge contribution to the reduction of our industrial costs, lower those of transport and indeed help the general life of the country and movement therein. His contribution was to make better roads, and although they would cost a great deal more money they would be worth it.
Useful Booklets to Promote Safe Driving
N excellent contribution to the cause of safety on the 1—kA roads has been made by the India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., P.O. Box No. 5, Inchinnan, Renfrew, in the form of 10 neat booklets under the generic title of "Safe Driving." Each covers a particular phase of vehicle control such as skid prevention, braking, town and night driving, acceleration and steering.
The source of the subject matter was " Roadcraft," the instruction manual used by the motoring section of the Metropolitan Police.
Even drivers of long experience will undoubtedly find much of interest and value in these publications, which are available without charge, from this company, who are to be congratulated on their enterprise in this good work.
Incidentally, " Roadcraft " is available from H.M. Stationery Office or booksellers, at 3s. 6d. net, and postage " is 41d.