A Soft Ride for Creams and Custards
Page 61
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
VAN bodies built to the width of the bakery packing boards enable Robinson's (Confectioners), Ltd., New Street. West Bromwich, to reduce handling when vehicles are loaded with confectionary from racks in the dispatch bay. The same size of board is used in the 17 shops owned by the concern, to which daily deliveries are made, and a great deal of time is saved by the avoidance of unnecessary_ transfers.
The boards arc 4 ft. 2 in. wide, and are carried in two rows on alloy runners. Up to 54 can be accommodated, but in practice the useful total is about 40, the loaves of bread and cakes requiring double spacing. The return of empties does not, therefore, present a problem.
The bodies were built by Messrs. C. E. Andrews, West Bromwich, and are mounted on Austin 16 h.p. taxi chassis supplied by Dartmouth Garage, West Bromwich. Good suspension is essential for the transport of this type of commodity, particularly when it is carried unpacked on large trays, and many post-war vehicles were tested in daily service before a final decision regarding the most suitable chassis was made.
The Austin chassis is considered ideal for the purpose, the only modification to the standard specification being the reinforcement of the rear springs with an extra leaf. This was necessary to prevent rolling on corners.
The delivery fleet comprises eight Austins, and each makes three or four runs a day with loads up to 15 cwt. within a radius of seven miles. A strict time table is necessary to meet the demands of customers, the first run with bread and malt loaves at 7 a.m, being followed by a delivery of custard and meat pies; creams must reach their destinations in time for tea. Loading occupies 30 minutes.
The total average mileage of the fleet is 7,000 a week. One vehicle is employed as a spare, but as most of the maintenance is done by the nearby agent after working hours, little vehicle time is lost and the extra van can be used for short runs. The average fuelconsumption rate is 16 m.p.g.—a creditable figure for 15 cwt. vehicles engaged on local deliveries.