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A "Capital" War-time Service for Bedfords

11th June 1943, Page 28
11th June 1943
Page 28
Page 29
Page 28, 11th June 1943 — A "Capital" War-time Service for Bedfords
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

be able to give practically full rservice facilities to Bedford operators and to meet most demands for spare parts are claims which can be substantiated by the Capital Motor Co., Ltd.. Remington Street, London, Ni. This concern, which was inaugurated in 1909 as the Capital Screen and Haled Co., was turned into a limited company in 1923, and in 1927 took up the distributorship for Bedford vehicles.

Situated ina residential area, as the works is, the acquiring of land for extension purposes has been something of a problem, but, to-day, the premises pccupy some 25,000 sq. ft. of floor space, with the possibility of still

• further expansion when condition's become more normal.

At the present time _the concern employs between 50 and 60 hands, who are engaged entirely on Bedford repair and supply work, of which a proportion is on behalf of the Ministry of Supply, a certain amount for the Admiralty and the balance for civilian operators. The concern is, of course; covered by the Essential Works Order.

In addition to its extensive spares service which, naturally, is attended these days with many difficulties, this concern possesses facilities for the carrying out of complete overhauls, with the one exception of crankshaft grinding.

Apart from such components as may be in short supply, we were impressed by the comprehensive nature of the spares carried, the value of which, on the estimation of Mr. A. F. Durdin, the managing director of the concern, is about £10,000. In order to make this service as complete as possible a 6i-in. Herbert centre lathe, with a 6-ft. 6-in, bed, is shortly to be installed for the purpose of making, or reconditioning, such components as are not readily obtainable. Worn parts would be built up in the welding section and then machined to original size.

A supplementary store has been formed, as far removed as possible from the main store, so that, in the event of the premises suffering damage from enemy action, there is a fair chance of one section or the other escaping.

A few women are employed, their duties including the remetalling of bearings and their subsequent boring on a line borer and the reconditioning of valves and of radiators. In the case of the borer the operative takes her own "mike " readings of the journal and sets her own cutter for the particular diameter, which gives some indication of the skill attained by women in an unusual sphere of activity.

Each reconditioned engine is subjected to a four hours' bench test under its own power, the complete vehicle, following a preliminary road trial, being tested finally by the Ministry of Supply's.own inspector. The Bedford engine-replacement scheme is carried out, a stock of engines of all models being available to enable a quick exchange to be effected.

A special shop is set aside for electrical repairs and general reconditioning, which gives some idea of the self-contained nature of this Bedford service depot. Two operatives in this shopto whom we spoke have been with the concern for 24 and 25 years respectively—testimony, we think, which speaks far itself.

Two interesting features which we noted were the capacious air-raid shelter, in-built into the premises, and the works heating system, which derives its energy from waste oil such as must eventually be of no use for its designed purpose. The Capital Motor Co.; Ltd., as mentioned in our issue dated May 21, has extended its distributorship to include the Scammell mechanical horse and the Bedford-Scarnmell . tractortrailer and equipment. A-large area in North London, the whole of Essex and . most of Hertfordshire, is being covered. The roncern will be in a good position to Frovideservice facilities for its new distributorship.

It may be mentioned that Mr. Durdin Is the President of the Institute of the Motor Trade, and for nearly 25 years has served on varimiS cornmittees of the Motor and Cycle. Trades • Benevolent Fund.He is the Transport Officer -for the botoUghs of Islington ' and Finsbury under the L.C.C-. Air

Raid Feeding Scheme. '


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