Bodybuilding on Modern Lines Pays
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With a Factory in the New Team Valley Estate, Holland Coachcrcrft, Ltd., Standardizes Production Without Sacrifice of Individuality
ARE conditions on "ideal '" trading estates always ideal? A hintof possible disadvantages from the employees viewpoint \vas apparent recently, when a radio feature concerning the great Team Valley (Gateshead) enterprise was broadcast. In view of the interest created by the description of this development it is worthy of note that one of the earliest supporters of the plan was Holland Coa.chcraft, Ltd., a company that is working on advanced lines in connection with staff relations. Fierce controversy has raged locally as a result of allegations with regard to working conditions on the Team Valley Estate, but all along the Holland workers, acting entirely on their own initiative, have made their position quite clear.
Addressing the public through the columns of the local Press, the Trade Union Shop Committee (National Union of Vehicle Builders) pointed out that sweeping statements which had been made were unfair to the company. Not one employee, the council said, is paid less than the scale, and, in fact, the employees strike an average of lid. per hour above the normal rate of union wages.
The Team Valley Trading Estate had its roots in the problems relating to thousands of workers who had lost their employment in the heavy industries of the north-east. Starting two years ago, those responsible for the scheme drew up plans for an industrial estate, over a square mile in extent, laid out on the most modern lines.
World-wide interest has been created by this modern commercial " garden city," in which every possible industrial facility has been provided and over 11 miles of roads have already been laid out Holland Coachcraft, Ltd., commenced operations on the Team Valley Estate over a year ago, instituting a standardized process without standardizing the finished products. That is to say, the sections are manufactured n20
on a production basis but -the actual building of the body is to the individual design of each customer. In the beginning, each body is the subject of study by technical experts, who determine the stresses and strains before developing the design. The work is distributed to the various specialized production sections, afterwards being closely checked before assembly and finishing.
The works policy has resulted in a tendency for remuneration to increase, so that the ordinary workers have averaged moire than the accepted trade union rates of pay.
Among recent special work executed in the factory has been the construction of a fire tender for Gosforth Urban District Council and a dental trailer for Northumberland County Council. In the former case the body is mounted on a Bedford 2-ton chassis, is streamlined and carries a crew of 10. As the seating is arranged transversely, the locker capacity of the body is greatly increased.
The dental trailer is designed for towing, by a Ford 30 h.p. V8 coupe, and is fully equipped as a surgery. It travels around the county schools, staying sufficiently long foithe dentist and nurse to examine and treat the teeth of every child in the school.
Holland products are distributed entirely through the trade, but further details of the service provided are obtainable from the company at Princes Way, Team Valley Estate, Gateshead-on-Tyne, 11.