A SAVING OF 25 PER CENT. IN BREWERY COSTS.
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Details of the Operations of the Modern Delivery Equipment of a Norfolk Brewery Concern.
Tr WO breweries, one at Norwich and the other at King's Lynn, are owned by Morgan's Brewery Co., Ltd. Motor lorries are used at both places for the distribution of the company's products, which include beer, spirits and m floral waters, a fleet of .17 vehicles being required, of ierhich 12 are stationed at Norwich and five at King's Lynn. In addition, three cars are maintained for the use of commercial travellers. The Leyland lorry has been found to be the most
suitable, and the directors have decided to standardize, on this make in figure. At the time of writing, one 6-ton, six 4-ton, f* 3-ton and one 30-cwt. Leyland lorries are in use. The remainder of the fleet is made up of two 4-ton Thornycrofts, one 2-ton Napier, one 25-cwt. Morris, and a 3i-ton Garrett electric vehicle, the latter being used for deliveries within the city of Norwich only.
• Two horses are also used for the city deliveries and one is used in the Yards. These are the survivors of a pre-war stable of over one hundred horses, which were used, in conjunction with the railway, for distribution purposes. The pre-war costs, per ton using horses and the rallWay varied between 10s. 2d. and 12s. To-day, the same work done by motor costs 9s, per ton.
The old stables, built round three sides of a rectangle, have been converted into a garage, the intervening partitions being demolished and a new floor laid. An inspection pit is provided, also a place for washing the lorries.
Each lorry runs 10,000 to 15,000 miles per annum, and includes routes to King's Lynn, 44 miles ; Yarmouth, 20 miles; Brandon, 38 miles; Cromer and other coast resorts situated between 20 and 30 miles from Norwich.
Solid tyres are used on all vehicles, as more satisfactory wear has, so far, been obtained than from pneumatics. The tyres are renewed after completing from 13,000 to 14,000 miles, and are never allowed to wear thin.
The electric vehicle is, of course, economical in this respect, its tyres having only been replaced once since the machine was purchased in 1919. This fact may be attributed to the better surface of the city streets in comparison with those of the county (this lorry only works within the city limits), and to the easier starting, which being free from jerks, has a corresponding effect on the life of the tyres. The original tyres were changed because the rubber had perished with age, and not on account of actual wear. Formerly, the batteries for the Garrett were charged at the Corpora tion electricity works, but now they are charged on the company's premises, which is a much more convenient arrangement.
Repairs are carried out in the workshop, which contains facilities for the complete dismantling of the lorry and engine. Painting the less accessible parts is done in the workshop when the vehicles are undergoing overhaul and repairs.
• Five years is the life allotted to each lorry, depreciation being allowed for at the rate of 20 per cent, per annum on the actual cost ; in practice the vehicles naturally last much longer.
The crew of each lorry consists of two men, a driver and loader, who do all the work of loading and unloading en route. The work of the electric vehicles calls for comment in this direction. With a carrying capacity of 31 tons and working in the city, 13 to 14 tons are handled by the crew in a day, this figure including return empties.
Attention to Drivers' Needs.•
Messrs. Morgan are believers in the policy that if the firm looks after the comfort and well-being of the staff, the staff will look after the firm. In pursuance of this policy, they provide caps and thick uniform coats for all their lorrymen to use in the winter time, and white
coats in the summer. In addition, each driver is supplied with driving gloves for winter use. All lorries have closed cabs, and are equipped with a mirror for
observing overtaking traffic. This little fitting has given the Morgan lorries a good reputation for considerate driving in the Norfolk district.
A bonus is awarded to drivers who have avoided accidents during the year and, instead of paying for overtime as it occurs, a bonus system is established. This consists of a fixed payment in addition to the' weekly wage, irrespective of overtime being worked. Men are not "stood off" should there be temporarily a lack of work ; in slack periods, occupation is found for them in the workshops, dismantling and cleaning, or kindred work.
Careful Records Kept.
Each driver is responsible for a waybill, on which he records his journeys each day of the week. Date, destination, departure and return times, distance covered, and petrol consumption are recorded, and at the end of the week the sheets are handed in for the .information to be recorded in the appropriate hooks-. Records are thus available of all journeys and of the life of the lorries. A daily departure sheet is also maintained, which records the lorry number, destination and departure times and, if a machine be not working, the reason. Return times are filled in when the lorries arrive back from their journeys.
All supplies are requisitioned by form from the store, with the exception of petrol. Drivers are required to fill the tanks every Saturday morning, irrespective of the amount they may already have in the tank. The amount is booked by the driver on his waybill. Filling is done as required during the week, but the Saturday one is obligatory. A pump is used for the filling, and bulk storage has been adopted.
The fleet is an example of efficiency and modernity, and under the direction of Mr. A. D. Sutton, the transport manager, to whom we are indebted for the information in this article, reflects great credit upon him and upon his company.