Consultant warns hauliers of `C-licence" threat
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Road haulage could face serious loss of business when the new licensing system under the Transport Act comes into force in the autumn, warned Mr. Reginald Block last week. He was speaking in London at a reception to launch his new two-day transport management courses (CM February 14) which begin early in March. He believes that many own-account vehicles which previously returned empty to base will be scouting around for loads, and that with the present haphazard system of road transport costing this could lead to a price-cutting war that would force some hauliers out of business.
Mr. Block called for more practical co-operation between hauliers and ownaccount operators, and more efficient costing throughout the industry.
Mr. Block's practical approach to costing was shown by some examples of the course content which he explained at the reception. The courses are really a case study of a small haulage business, using figures that will really mean something to haulage participants. He puts particular emphasis on obtaining the co-operation of the driver in providing basic information that can be used as the platform for much of the rest --e.g. hours worked, mileage covered, tonnage moved, fuel consumed. Unless these are accurately and consistently recorded, a costing system has no firm basis.
Mr. Block speculated interestingly upon the idea of translating all direct costs into a time relationship—for example, instead of ton-mileage and miles per gallon, talking in terms of tons moved per hour, gallons consumed per hour. This would provide a common unit for the cost items.
Course details are obtainable from Brighton Road, Surbiton, Surrey.