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Light Vans for the Small Trader.

12th October 1916
Page 11
Page 11, 12th October 1916 — Light Vans for the Small Trader.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Lighter motorvans have at last come into their own and found their rightful place in the scheme of coinmercial motorism. There are no trades from which examples of successful use cannot be culled. This week we record below those of a butcher and baker ; in later issues we shall deal with other trades as opportunity offers.

"1 Wouldn't Return to Horses."

We think we can safely say that a greater percentage of light vans is used in the bakery trade than in most other trades. This, remark, of course, does not imply that the usefulness of this class of machine is confined to any one particular trade—on the contrary, the milkman and coal-dealer, the grocer and butcher, each finds it of use—but simply that it

is eminently suitable for this class of work. At least, that is the opinion of Mr. R. Strawbridge, a North London baker and confectioner, who has shops situated in Wood Green and Harringay. This tradesman uses a Ford van, and its work chiefly consists in transporting bread and confectionery from the bakehouse at Wood Green to the branch shop.

"Do you use the van for house-to-house delivery at all?" we asked Mr. Strawbridge. "No, not as a general rule. Sometimes, however, I employ it for executing urgent orders from regular customers, but. this is not very frequently.

"My reason for buying a light van? Well, it was simply that I needed better and quicker means for conveying bread from the bakehouse to the branch shop, and I decided that I could not do better than purchase a light van, with a carrying capacity up to about 7 cwt., and my choice fell on a Ford."

"What mileage do you cover a week?" Do you use petrol for the machine and what mileage do you obtain to the gallon of spirit consumed? " we asked.

"I should think about 130 miles a week, but, of course, it depends on the number of journeys made to the branch shop. I use petrol ; incidentally, I am getting all I require, and I obtain up to 25 miles to the gallon with the Ford. I have had a Master vibrator fitted to the van, and I'm certain by the use of this fitting I save a gallon of spirit a week—a big consideration in these times."

"What are the chief advantages you attribute to the use of the Ford?" we queried. "Speed is without doubt the outstanding and most important factor. I can take a load of bread direct from the bakehouse in the Ford to the branch shop and unload all in half-an-hour. Previously, with a horse-van, this would take three hours." "We presume, then, that you are satisfied with the service you obtain from your light van?"

"I'm perfectly satisfied and I wouldn't return to horses for this class of work under any consideration. The cost for operating one or the other is about the same, I find the Ford very simple to understand, quite easy to manipulate and economical to run, and for these good and sufficient reasons I would not hesitate for one moment to recommend the light van, and particularly the Ford, to the small trader."

Meat by a Converted Ford.

Mr. W. Gayes, a Stroud Green butcher, uses a Ford van in connection with his business. tip to three months ago the machine waa used as a touring car, but it was then fitted with a van betty, and since thal, period it has done much useful work. In a short interview which we had with one of Mr. Gayes's assistants we were informed that the van is now used for house-to-house delivery work.

We run round to many of our regular customers, booking orders the first thing in the morning, return to the shop to execute the order, and then deliver the goods very often well within half-an-hour. The van is used in the mornings only ; on Monday, which is our half-closing day, it is not used at all. "Is the van used for house-to-house delivery only?" we asked our informant.

"No. Sometimes we journey to Smithfield and

collect meat direct, but not very often, because we find it more convenient to have it, sent by carrier." "flow many miles does the van cover a week?" "On an average about 100." "Yes, we use petrol, about five gallons a week, and we get 20 miles to the gallon of spirit consumed ; I know of many light-van users who get more than 20 m.p.g., but I consider it a good figure." " How do you find the cost of running a light van as compared with delivery by horse "

" Candidly, there is not a lot in it one way or the other, but looking at it from a business standpoint we get a far better return for our money by using a light van. Even if it costs a trifle more to operate a van, and I don't say it does, the advantages which must inevitably accrue as a direct result of its use fully compensate any additional expenses which are incurred. Oh, yes, the light van is streets ahead of the horse for delivery purposes."

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Locations: London

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