A SCOTTISH MAKER'S LONDON SERVICE.
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Some Details of the Facilities Provided for Albion Users.
MOST of the important British commercial motor manufacturers realize the need for an after-sales organization, through the medium of which users' requirements in the mattor of service can receive attention. Many of them give direct facilities of this kind through their headquarters depot and area branches, whilSt others either
deal with users' needs from the main works or appoint agents in different localities to look after their interests. Whatever method is employed, however, it is quite certain that a wellequipped service organization constitutes a strong link in the relations between maker and user or potential buyer. It is obvious that even the best vehicles covering up to 20,000 miles annually must require expert attention at some time or other, and, however, stringent be the care given to mechanical conditions, worn-out Parts will require replacement frem time to time. It makes all the difference to the amount of expenditure involved in this work and to the length of time in which a vehicle is again available for its regular duties if prompt attention, skilled service and spare parts at a reasonable price are quickly available.
The Albion Motor Car Co.. Ltd., which has its works at Scotstoun, near Glasgow, has for many years realized the importance of these factors, and some years ago it established a service depot at Willesden for the 'benefit of users of itg products in London and the south-eastern counties.
The depot at Willesden was erected Immediately after the war to take the place of an old and much smaller service depot in Upper Rathbone Place, London, W. It ia built on a 61-aere site in BrentfieId Road and has been in operation since May, 1921, in which month the sales offices of the company were transferred to Kingsway, London, W.C. Some idea of the size of the building can be obtained from one of the accompanying pictures, whilst the extensive nature of. the repair-shop equipment and of the spare-parts organization can be obtained from the other illustrations. The main servicedepot building covers a floor area of 3,300 sq. ft., two-thirds of which are occupied by the repair shop itself, the remaining portion being taken up by waiting-rooms, offices and spare-part stalls. The equipment includes a 100-ton tyre press, Reed lathe, Churchill cylinder grinder, a vertical drill and a test bed which is suitable for dealing with all types of Albion engine. There is a pair of 2-ton travelling cranes in each bay. In addition to the main building, there is an ex-W.D. shell store, 60 ft. by 40 ft., in which hat-water and sodawashing tanks are installed, as well as an inclined wash which is large enough to accommodate any, class of vehicle. All stripping for overhaul purposes is carried out in this shed and this offers the advantage that the door in the main shop is kept in a clean condition. A vehicle store, 100 ft. long, is located outside the main building.
The repair shop is particularly well equipped and is One of the best of its kind in the country. A breakdown lorry is at all times available for bringing in damaged vehicles, and units for temporary-replacement purposes are available, so that owners are not compelled to keep their vehicles idle during the time that any particular component is under repair.
The spares department carries a full stock of spare parts for the different Albion models, not only for those figuring in the present manufacturing schedule, but also for old models.
It might be mentioned that Albion service depots are also in existence at Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham, 'Whilst there is a number of agents throughout the country, many of which carry large stocks of spares and employ staffs which are quite competent to undertake almost all classes of repair to Albion vehicles.