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Used sales turn the corner
Page 67
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CM'S inside trader could be forced to eat his words as business has suddenly picked up.
Gloating? Not a bit of it...
IIust two weeks ago I poured icy cold water over claims of 'sales going through the roof in the used market (CM 9 February). Things have changed. Operators are starting to step up their replacement schemes in anticipation ol.. well, my guess is more work. Rates don't seem to be slashed as badly as normal— customers are starting to express desire forbest practice'. Already two operators based in Essex have added to their fleet for fresh work.
That normally means someone,somewhere has gone under or lost a contract, but it seems that it was a foreign operator that lost out for a change.11ne Essex operators both picked up the extra work from the same customer, which had been using Eastern European hauliers but decided to move to a logistics solution' that was closer to home and more accountable for the quality of its service.
Several owner-drivers have expressed a desire to upgrade their motors and we had two new CPC holders walk through the door looking at buying older stock.All this is most welcome because it's above the usual trade with established customers.
There's no doubt that business is picking up and there's optimism in the industry from the front line,ie the hauliers. So it looks as if 2006 is off to a flyer after all.