Problems of the
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HAULIER and CARRIER IT seemed to me that it might be a good idea, in the course of this series of articles, to secure the views of some experienced furniture removers and pass them on to my readers. I asked Mr. F. C. Skinner, of Arding and Hobbs, Ltd., and president of the Furniture Warehousemen and Removers Association, what he thought of the tendency to make use of lighter types of vehicle than was at one time customary for this class of work.
He acknowledges the existence of that tendency and considers that it is due to several factors. Amongst these he places first the developments in design. A modern 2-ton or 3-ton chassis is capable of carrying a body of larger capacity than was formerly the case. This factor, in conjunction with the considerable economy in licence duty, and, in some cases especially, of fuel, has made this type of vehicle attractive.
Use of Large Vehicles Justified.
In the case, however, of larger concerns engaged In the industry, they still find plenty of justification for using the heavier type of vehicle, which, in addition to itself carrying a heavy load, is capable of hauling a trailer conveying as much again. So far as Arding and Hobbs, Ltd., is concerned, both types of vehicle are employed satisfactorily.
Having in mind that condition which I stipulated as essential—that a haulier who is considering entering the furniture-removal business should either himself have some experience of the work or engage expert men—I asked Mr. Skinner to tell me how long it takes to train a man of average ability to become expert in this business.
It all depends, he told me, on the capacity in which the man is to be employed and, of course, on the individual. Some men could never be trained to fulfil the position of foreman. Many can be made to acquire a certain standard of efficiency and be absolutely reliable as pdckers and stowers, but lack that power of supervision which is so essential in a man who is to take charge of an important removal operation.
In any ease, he states, each man would have to pass through a period of probation during which he would be initiated in the work of a porter and packer, but
at least eight, or, maybe, 10 years would be necessary to enable him to arrive at what could be termed the expert period of his activities.
It is, therefore, clear that, in Mr. Skinner's opinion, suitable men for furniture removing are not to be picked off the streets.
It seemed to me logical to pass from this question to another bearing on the same subject, namely, the qualifications that the Association, of which Mr. Skinner is president, stipulates as being essential in any furniture remover who would become a member. An applicant for membership must satisfy the Association that he is suitably equipped both in respect of vans and storage accommodation, and he is expected to maintain a certain standard of work, that being a matter upon which the Association is particularly strict.
Rail Not Favoured, Even for Long Distances.
There was another point on which I took Mr. Skinner's opinion, and I include it herd, although it is not quite germane to the particular aspects of . the subject with which I am dealing at the moment. It has occurred to me that there might be, amongst furniture removers generally, some tendency to prefer to limit their activities in point of distance and to take advantage of the facilities afforded by the railway comparfies for long-distance removals, and I raised this point with Mr. Skinner.
He tells me that, so far, he has failed to find, amongst any members of the Association, a tendency definitely to favour the rail at all, even for long-distance work. There are, he says, occasional exceptions, generally amongst concerns which have not acquired a big fleet and must, therefore, from time to time, fall back on rail. I gather that even this would be in the nature of emergency use. Generally speaking, most firms engaged in the furniture-removal business endeavour to do as much work as possible directly by road.
Speaking for himself, Mr. Skinner said that he had no definite bias and, in every case, used the most economic method. Naturally, each job had to be judged on its merits and having due regard to all the circumstances and attendant conditions, but, as a rough rule, Mr. Skinner feels that it is not economic to run beyond, say, 150 miles from the home town. A journey of this description, including time necessary for the return, involves two days' work for modern types of vehicle.
Mr. H. F. Marks, of the North London firm of Messrs. W. Jelks and Sons, is quite positive and definite in favouring the lighter type of vehicle. He is using Carrimore six-wheeler attachments in conjunction with Ford and Bedford chassis for furniture removing, and a machine employing the latter type of prime mover was illustrated in our issue dated July 12 last. He points out that the bodies have capacities of 1,200 cubic ft., which is almost as much as the combined capacity of the usual furniture van and trailer.
Owing to the design of the Carrimore chassis, these vehicles can be arranged so that the loading line is low, they are Inexpensive to buy, the petrol consumption is reasonable and, so far as his experience goes, the maintenance costs are low. He proposes to write them off in four years' time and, in those circumstances, it is not likely that he will find himself involved in any considerable expenditure on maintenance.
The Fleet of a North London Remover.
Messrs. Jelks have 24 motor vehicles, mostly Fords and Bedfords (or Chevrolets). Amongst these are four 'Carrimore outfits of 1,200-cubic ft. capacity, • several six-wheelers, two Thornycrofts and an A.E.C.
I raised the point with Mr. Marks that if, as appears to be his intention, he eventually concentrates on these lighter types of vehicle, a difficulty will arise in the case of a removal for abroad, where the use of a lift van would be necessary. In that case, he said it would be more economic to sub-let the work to someone having a lift van available.
Mr. F. W. Cox, of Bowes Park, comes of several generations of furniture removers. He is not altogether of one mind as regards this tendency for lighter types of vehicle. He is using them himself, having several Ford and Bedford, or Chevrolet, six-wheelers equipped with Luton-type bodies of upwards of 600cubic ft. capacity. He agrees that they are handier and speedier than the old-fashioned, heavier type of vehicle, although he admitted that his own personal experience of the heavier pattern was mainly in connection with solid-tyred chassis, so that a direct comparison was out of the question, at least on points of handiness and speed.
He is of the opinion that the newer vehicles are not likely to last so long as the old-fashioned ones and are likely to cost a little more for repairs and renewals. The net result, in point of total expenditure, may not show either type to advantage. He considers that it is still necessary to keep one or more of the heavier vehicles available for removals abroad, or where the furniture has to be packed into a portable container or lift van.
There is a certain amount of competition, according to Mr. Cox, on the part of inexpert furniture removers, but it is of little consequence. So soon as the layman in this business discovers, on investigation, that anything which is not quite straightforward haulage is required, such as the removal of a piano or the transference of a large piece of furniture which will involve taking out a window, he leaves the work to the more expert operator.
The Result of Careful Training.
Mr. Cox mentioned that two of his men would be quite likely to carry out a difficult job of removing a piano from an upstairs flat, conveying it along awkward passages and down two or more flights of stairs, finally depositing it in the van, hardly exchanging a couple of words in the process.
Messrs. Garners, of Wood Green, have one Gilford van. This replaced a vehicle which they had had in use for seven or eight years, so it is evident that this furniture remover does not regard it as essential that he should have frequent changes of rolling stock. The Gifford chassis, which is, of course, mounted on pneumatic tyres, is regarded by them with particular favour. It is light and economical, speedy, and the low level of the coach chassis makes it particularly suitable for furniture-removal work. S.T.R.
(To be continued.)