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Plymouth Users' Experiences.—con.

19th February 1914
Page 15
Page 15, 19th February 1914 — Plymouth Users' Experiences.—con.
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meet the increasing growth of suburban business. The machine employed is an Albion, and it is capable of carrying useful loads up to $0 cwt. We understand that the van is affording most efficient service, and this is particularly emphasized when it is mentioned that the outlying districts of Plymouth are of a hilly nature. A considerable distance is covered by the machine each week, the average being 275 miles.

A special advantage accruing from the Society's departure from older forms of delivery is that a larger business area can be covered, which previously had to be reached by rail and homed van. Following this, of course, there was additional expense in packing goods for transit by rail, and often delay through orders being held up for the next day's delivery in the case of the horse-drawn vehicle.

Established in 1676, an Old Finn Tries New Methods.

Very few firms can boast of such a long business record as can Messrs. Colliers' Stores, of 13 George Street, Plymouth. Established in the year 1676, when the methods of business management were so entirely different to those that now obtain, what, we wonder, would the original founders of the concern have thought of the present methods.? The possibility of their customers' being able to make all purchases of every kind of household store under one roof, and of having the same promptly delivered by motorvan, would undoubtedly have appeared to be the acme of commercial enterprise. Where' have two vans in service, both 16 hp. Albions, the bodies of which, however, were built locally by Davies' Garage. One machine was acquired in June, 1911 ; purchase of the other soon followed—in December the same year. They usually carry up to 20 cwt., but, on occasion, somewhat heavier loadings are accommodated. Each machine runs, on an average, about 60 miles each day. Used for delivering all kinds of household supplies, they perform their work quite satisfactorily, so Messrs. Colliers inform us. Other special advantages derived from their use are the greater area they cover over horsed-van delivery, and, besides town delivery, customers living at a distance are able to purchase all their household supplies at this Plymouth stores, and to have them delivered promptly and in good condition by the vans. This is a great " pull " in attracting new customers from outlying districts, as they greatly appreciate the convenience.

"Motor Transport is Undoubtedly Very Beneficial in the Conducting of any Business."

Gathering the testimony of users iii Plymouth and district, we are pleased to include that large trading conccasn situated in Devonport, H. J. and E. A. Boolds, Ltd. This undertaking carries on an extensive business in the supply of drapery and silk goods, and it is also a complete house-furnishing establishment.

It has three branches in Devonport, one in Market Street, a shop in Tavistock Street, and another in Sydney Street. Two motorvans constitute the concern's modern transport facilities, one being a 30-cwt. Commerear and the other a F.I.A.T. which can accommodate useful loads up to 15 ewt. The Commerear has be-en running for nearly four years, so that this user is well acquainted with alle effect of mechanical transport.

.Both machines cover much ground, being engaged in distributing the many classes of goods sold. " Motor haulage," this user informs us, "is no doubt a. great advantage, especially in the delivery of goods to outside districts. The easy, quick and convenient method afforded for the delivery of furniture arid drapery goods is most advantageous, both to trader and customer.

" The financial saving is a question which is affected by the nature of roads, hilly districts, etc. it is a difficult matter to give specific details, However, motor transport is undoubtedly very beneficial in the conducting of any business. Speaking in general, we feel sure that eventually motor delivery will be universally adopted."

"Places Linked-up which Horsed-vans Could Not Possibly Reach."

A substantial motoredelivery equipment is that possessed by Messrs. Brown, Wills and Nicholson, wholesale provision merchants and importers, of Abbey Stores, Finewell Street, Plymouth ; they run two four-tonners and is one-ton van. The firm carry on a wholesale trade in provisions, and are curers of the well-known " Crown " Devonshire hams. Situated in a seaport town, and importing foreign produce, the transport of goods between docks, warehouse and railway stations, enters largely into the business of the concern. In this respect, as might be anticipated, motor haulage is of considerable advantage ; in particular, it has been found by these users that the number of loads handled in a day can substantially be increased. The two four-ton machines are Hallfords: one of them has a record of about four years of service to its credit, the other has been in use for over two years. These lorries are usually employed in carrying imports from the docks, for hauling good.1 to the railway stations, and for delivery to customers situated within a radius of 50 miles ; they at times make miscellaneous deriveries to local traders, although this is not their most economical employment. For country work one lorry can cover about 300 miles in a week. The third machine employed, a one-ton All-days, is used for town work and for quick deliveries generally ; it covers a mileage of about 150 weekly. This van has been in use for about two years. Messrs. Brown, Wills and Nicholson experience similar specific advantages, as do so many other users, but particularly as to extended trade through the linking-up of places which horsed vans P. ould not possibly reach.

A General Haulage Company Finds Both Petro and Steam Useful.

By means of mechanical transport Messrs. Chaplin and Co. run a very extensive carriers' and haulage service on the South Coast. Having two depots at Plymouth-31, Westwell Street and The Docks—we communicated with the company in order to be able to include their views on the matter of motor delivery in and around that important seaport town. In addition to the ordinary service carried on,, these users are agents for the London and South Western and Isle of Wight Railways, and for the Ryde Pier Co. ; they find it necessary to utilize five machines adequately to cope with their business. The fleet consists of two large Wolseleys, an Albion and a couple of Foden steamers, and the many varied classes of goods continually being handled find constant employment week in and week out for all five. For the express delivery of comparatively light eommodities, the Albion is generally utilized. To cater for a heavier class of business the twa Wolseley machines are detailed.

The Fodens are called upon to make deliveries of big loads up country, to transport bulky goods be tween warehouses and docks, or to undertake furniture removals. Oftentimes the contracts necessitate trailers being employed. These steamers also have to make periodic runs to Salisbury Plain and South Berks.. The petrol-driven machines are dispatched for long-distance deliveries as circumstances demand.

The management speaks well a-s to the satisfactory service the mixed fleet affords. For the successful carrying on of the company's particular form of business there is no doubt that both classes of machines prove eminently useful. They tell us that they are satisfied with all the machines they use.

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Locations: Devonport, Plymouth, London

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