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15th April 2004, Page 68
15th April 2004
Page 68
Page 69
Page 68, 15th April 2004 — Spring Daft.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Some companies need bespoke specialist vehides to c.o their work, and they are turning to the used market, where it's all about quality, rather than quantity

There are plenty of reasons for shopping in the used market: instant deliveries; lower cost; ready-made specialist bodies — and the personal touch from dealing directly with body conversion experts.

Dealers and bodybuilders involved in niche sectors of the used truck trade thrive by producing something specific, to meet market and individual demands, rather by clipping margins on mainstream products.

But this is hardly a new phenomenon, as we soon learned when we dropped in on used truck dealership specialist James Hart (Chorley). It dates back some 30 years but grew from the general haulage company that was founded by James Hart in 1918.

Today the business employs a total of 18 staff and is run by the founder's grandson and namesake James with his two sons, another James and Phil.

As the company has diversified into selling second-hand trucks, and body building the site has been developed to house workshops, two spray shops, and a parts delivery service for new and used Daf products. The company's most significant move took it into truck conversions. Last year it produced

40 specially built vehicles among the 350 vehicles it sold. Phil Hart reports that there's always something on the go with all conversions done to order: "Last year was very busy —we did a lot of work. We can do anything with vehicles to customers' orders but we don't build for stock, only to order." The used truck operation is at the back of the complex; there are generally about 50 vehicles in stock from 7.5-tonne chassis-cabs to tractive units.The badges are predominantly Daf with a few Ivecos and MANs thrown in

but all marques are handled if the price is right.

Stock comes direct from operators and from dealers; the firm also picks up contract and exlease vehicles."Buy-backs are drying up as the buy-back companies have got wise to the silly prices, but we find that the vehicles are coming in from different places," says Phil."Companies have had the option with buy-backs — if they don't get enough money, they would sell direct to the market." Although the company is based in the North-West, its specialist conversions attract

customers from all over the country "When you deal in specialised stock, like crane wagons and tippers, people will travel to buy," he adds. Current stock

The dealership tries to keep stock as fresh as possible; all vehicles on show are between two and six years old, all with at least six months' MoT.They are serviced and come with a threemonth driveline warranty. We normally check out a couple of vehicles but couldn't resist a hat-trick of Dafs that

sum up the range of James Hart's stock. First up was a 7.5-tonne Daf 45LF 170hp day cab, registered 2002 with an 02 plate.

It's fitted with a double dropside tipper body, has clocked up 47,000km and could be yours for £18,750 (ex-VAT).

Then we took a look at a 26-tonne 6x4 Daf 75CF rigid with a day cab,290hp engine and 105,0031cm behind it. It has a steel tipper body and an Atlas 90.1 crane with dual stand-up controls and clamshell bucket. Yours for £29,500 (ex-VAT).

Completing the Daf line up was a 6x2 95XF Space Cab with 430hp on tap which has done 290,000km since being registered in 1999 on an S-plate. Features include a mid-lift steering axle, full air management kit and sliding fifth wheel. It's plated for 44 tormes.The asking price is £22,500 (ex-VAT). • CONTACTS

For more information about these vehicles or the company ring 01257 279414.


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