Allports also runs Deker Trailers. "We started it four or
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five years ago and it specialises in the sort of double-deck trailers that are used by the pallet networks," Sanders says. "They're built for us by Wilson Trailers to our specifications and we can supply them under leasing, contract hire and rental agreements, as well as simply selling them.
"We used to be involved in pallet distribution as an operator under the Weaver Pallet Express banner and double-decks were a key part of our business," he continues. "As a result, we gained an in-depth knowledge of what customers require from them."
At its peak, Deker was supplying more than 80 annually, but sales have halved over the past year in line with the economic downturn. Weaver was sold to Business Post in 2003.
While continuing to concentrate primarily on double-decks, Deker has added to its line-up with the introduction of an 18-pallet-capacity, 9m single-deck curtainsider trailer with an under-slung tail-lift.
Marketed under the Urban City banner, it is designed for delivery work in congested built-up areas where access to premises may be awkward. "It's proving to be particularly successful in London," he says.
A demonstrator was about to go on the road at the time of writing. Using the CV Rental branding, the Allports rental and contract hire fleet is over 300-strong.
"Contract hire dominates this side of our activities and we're seeing customers looking to extend their leases," he says. 'We're also seeing a lot of customers who used to purchase their vehicles looking at contract hire as an option instead.
"It's tax-efficient, the impact on their cashf low isn't as great, and it fixes a big slice of their costs," he says. "That's no bad thing in an uncertain economic climate."