at Users Tell Us nterview 21 A Maidstone User :
Page 15
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
"We could not deliver the goods quickly enough without the motors."
We have covered many points of the compass in endeavouring to make this series as representative as possible throughout the country, and, whilst travelling recently in Kent, the thought occurred to us that an interview with a user in the county of hops and orchards would enable yet another to be. included.
Many of us have seen advertised, both on motervati and poster, and not a few have tasted, that delect able. sweetmeat " Sharp's Kreemy Toffee." Here then was our chance, and, making our way to the county town, we were very soon. at the well appointed factory from which no fewer than 130 tons of the toffee, exclusive of other confections, are dispatched every week, principally by motors.
In the absence of the Messrs. Sharp, who all happened to be away, Mr. S. V. Barden kindly offered to fill the " Tell La'' part of the bill, subsequent to our being conducted round the Maidstone establishment.
A re;sum6 of this portion of the visit may be. of interest. The works
of E.Sharp and Co. are situated
on the .Medway, the firm employing 300.hands. Eighteen large boil ing-pans, heated with • steam • at
high-pressure, are in use. day and night solely for making " Kreemy "
toffee. This speciality, together with quantities of other kinds of confectionery which are turned out,
necessitates the using of 350sacks
of sugar every week. All raw material is conveyed up the river in barges to the firm's own •basin. "So the colipany finds motordelivery necessary," we opened up briefly, on passing large stacks of boxes, glass jars and packages.
"Could not dispatch the goods quick enough otherwise," was the significant reply. "With the ex ception of this four-ton Hanford, the other machines are well-away up country on delivery, having started out just after 7.o'clock this morning." "Then what others have you?" "Three more for goods delivery : another four-ton HalIford, and two Thornycrofts, the load capacity of the latter being two tons. One has a two-cylinder engine fitted, whilst the other is the company's fourcylinder type.
"In addition to these industrials, we have four touring cars and two motorcycles; our travellers use these up and down country, so you see one fleet brings in the' so to speak, and the other takes it out."
"The. Hallford is certainly bearing out your remarks," we commented, on noticing a hefty load of confectionery under way.
"Considering that you are so close to the railway, we presume your deliveries are somewhat of a local nature ?"
"Not at all, we dispatch the machines 150 miles distant. A Thornyeroft is frequently sent out to Birmingham, and the Hallfords run to London and Southampton.
The Larger vans generally deliver to wholesale houses, whilst the Thornycrofts are detailed off to small shops. We have opened depots at Newington Causeway and at. Birmingham, the last-named machines being requisitioned to restock these establishments as occasions demand."
"For how long have you utilized motor transport?" " We started delivering by lorry about two years ago with two machines which we purchased from the Eastbourne Corporation. Like others, we found that second-hand vehicles were not good for commercial work and we scrapped them within twelve months. A four-ton Hallford was "then purchased ; at the commencement, of this year we acquired another of the same make, and soon afterwards the two Thornycrofts were bought. At the commencement 10 horses were kept going, we have since done away with eight."
"And the advantages of the more modern method ?"
" I cannot give you comparisons : all we know is, that to meet an ever increasing business the motors are absolutely necessary in order to get the goods delivered with I dispatch. can tell you this much, however, we do save considerably in packing ; previously, of course, we sent off much by rail, and consequently bottled sweets, glass jars and other fragile goods had to be carefully packed for transit: now, however, we are enabled to dispatch without costly preparation, and, moreover, to deliver direct to many of our customers at a distance. The van bodies we have had partitioned off to accommodate goods in 3 cwt. lots, so that both large and small orders are expeditiously handled at this end, and customers do not have to unpack at the other."
"And you do n•ot find this quicker system detrimental in any way to the goods carried?" "We do not, damages being practically nil since the institution of the system." "Have you given your drivers instructions to try benzole ?" we felt interested to inquire. "No, the machines give very good results on the " Crown " brand of petrol, and in consequence of their economical working, both for town delivery and long-distance runs, we have not given the fuel question any further attention."
"What, then," we pursued, "is the distance covered in a day ? "
"Well, that is a factor which varies according to business pressure, but 140 miles in a day is very often done."
"A satisfactory accomplishment, too. In view of the good service you get from the machines, perhaps you may care to give your experience in rubber solids ?"
"1 have no tire records at hand," replied Mr. Barden, "but we fit Continentals and Shrewsbury and .Challiners, and are well satisfied with both makes. We also favour steel wheels, and consider this form hard to beat for the class of
vehicles we use. Speaking of wheels, I am convinced of the advisability of having these fittings interchangeable ; this is all advantage our Thornycrofts possess." " Other users have expressed similar views," we here admitted.
Upon our then commenting on the clean appearance of the Hallford, Mr. Barden remarked :—
" Yes, and the other vehicles are equallywell-kept, arel look quite as smart. The partners here fully realize that systematic attention to their vans ensures an efficient service, and to this end the machines are cleaned and generally looked after during the night-time. From an advertising standpoint there are also advantages derived from turning out a well-appointed fleet. As you observe, the bodywork is attractively nainted and varnished ; the design on the Thornyeroft panels was executed by Sir J. Causton, Ltd. [Our photo
graph shows one of the machines referred to.—En.] The top signs are illuminated at night, the aeetylene-lighting installations being made by the E.C.L. people."
" Both machine and system of maintenance do the firm much credit," we felt it necessary to say.
"The towing hooks on the Hanford speak for themselves."
"Just so, the other is also a W.O. subsidy model, and, you will of course be interested to hear, my employers are members of the CAI. U. A."
"Then many of our readers will probably have the pleasure of seeing Sharp's " Kreemy " toffee represented at the next Whit Monday Parade."
Finally we expressed our thanks to Mr. Barden for his courteous reception. As we came away, we learned that the firm has just received a Royal Appointment to the king and Queen of Spain.