New Fleet for Multiple Tailors
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THE first units of an articulated fleet, which will comprise 12 trailers and four prime movers, have been delivered to the John Collier Organization, formerly known as the Fifty Shilling Tailors. The articulated vehicles will each carry 2,000 suits on hangers; the body employed is 24 ft. in length, 7 ft. 6 in. in width, and of sufficient height to accommodate two rows " of tubular hanging bars on which the items making up the load will be suspended.
The interior is panelled in plywood and has beep lined in cloth throughout so as to minimize the risk of damage should rubbing occur in transit. Interior illumination is by six lights which are actuated by opening the doors. At the outset the new vehicles will be run between the Leeds headquarters of the organization and the John Collier factories at South Shields, West Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. Later it is intended that they shall transport suits and other clothing from Yorkshire to a central London depot in readiness for redistribution to branches by smaller vans. Carriage in the hanging position will not only eliminate the labour involved in packing and unpacking but will also assist in preserving the suits in good condition. The users anticipate that the vehicles will bring about new economies in transport costs.
The chassis employed comprise Austin 5-ton forward-control models with oil engines and Carrimore semitrailers. The body has a two-tone grey colour scheme with alloy moulding, large panels on both sides bearing the name of the organization in distinctive script with raised black letters. The rear aperture is closed by a roller shutter. A feature of the driver's cab.is a Perspex panel at floor level which provides a view of smaller vehicles that might be drawn up alongside; it is also intended to facilitate manceuvring in congested places. The special coachwork has been carried out by Robert B. Massey and Co., Ltd., Market Weighton.
To deal with distribution from factory or depot to retail branches, a smaller type of vehicle, incorporating many of the same features, has been introduced. An Austin 2-ton extended wheelbase chassis is employed and provision is made for the carriage of 1,000 suits. In this case the bodybuilding has been carried out by Central Garage, Ltd., Bradford and Leeds, this latter company being the supplier of both designs.