TINIBER BRS lands its biggest-ever single contract
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BRS HAS won its largest single contract ever—from MacMillan Bloedel Meyer Ltd., timber importers—for the distribution of Canadian-packaged timber throughout the UK from Tilbury and New port.
This week the first cargo of timber from Vancouver was discharged from the MV Lady at Newport-22,000 tons. And a further 40,000 tons will be discharged by the end of September.
Mr. A. C. Edwards, BRS Newport depot manager, told me that he expects to handle 2,000 tons a week with his locally based fleet of six Leyland Beaver Tractive units, arid 10 Taskers, seven York and two Baden semi-trailers, all located at MBM's terminal. This fleet will deliver timber to customers within 100 miles of Newport and "foreign-based" trunk vehicles will handle loads beyond this radius.
To ensure smooth operation BRS has staff within MBM's terminal building. And there is a hot line linking BRS's Newport office and MBM's terminal manager Mr. D. C. Bradshaw.
Mr. Bradshaw told me that the operation was so organized that the introduction of any other type of haulage—private or ownaccount—would cause disruption.
"We have 19 trailers on this site which will be delivering goods or being loaded."
The six tractive units and 19 semi-trailers are to be used exclusively for MBM on outward traffic. They are A-licensed vehicles and BRS intends to carry return loads for other Newport customers. Mr. Edwards said that he is hoping for 100 per cent usage by MBM as the vehicles are being hired on a tonnage rate and idle time will lead to loss of revenue.
When the terminal is fully operational there will be 10 Hyster H 200 fork-lifts to discharge vessels, load trailers and transfer consignments between stockpiles. The Hysters have two-way radios. The terminal area has been illuminated for 24-hour working. But I understand that this is improbable. Estimated discharging time for a 22,000-ton cargo using eight fork-lifts is five working days on day shift only.
Timber will be in 4 ft. by 2 ft. packages of varying lengths and weighing 2.8 tons per standard, making approximately five standards per trailer. Annual throughput is expected to be about 300,000 standards.