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COMMERCIAL
MOTOR
VOLUME 121 No. 3122 JUNE 18, 1965
THC Results
-IT is sometimes hard to remember that the Transport Holding 1Company is only in its third year. Even under the old British Transport Commission it was obvious that the State road transport undertakings were bringing in regular, respectable, profits. But these profits were engulfed in rail losses. Now the road undertakings stand on their own and early, slight, misgivings about their " monopoly " position have proved unfounded under the commercially aggressive leadership of Sir Philip Wailer' and Sir Reginald Wilson.
The results of the second year's trading are summarized in this issue and show an enviable position for which all credit is due to the THC. The overall profit has increased from £13-8 m. to £.17:5 m. Particularly pleasing is the doubling of British Road Services' profit to £7.3 m., for which Mr. George Gibb must take a bow.
Why this enthusiasm on the part of The Commercial Motor? Not just from a desire to say nice things. Rather because the presence of a financially strong and vociferously independent organization the size of the THC is of inestimable value to the privately owned sectors of road transport. Time and again the THC leaders have made it clear that, although tate-Owned, their organization is determinedly commercial. There is, indeed, already evidence of the benefits such a strong undertaking can bring to the entire industry. It would be well to heed this remark from the THC report: " In general . . . the future lies chiefly with the newer developments in transport, and with smaller and simpler terminals and carrying units operating on a pattern of 'spread ' rather than in concentrated and congestion-making patterns."
A splendid banner for the whole industry to fly!
This is the sort of "big brother" that any industry can do with. If the THC sticks to its present aims, long may it flourish.