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What Users Tell U S—Interview No. 44.

24th August 1916, Page 12
24th August 1916
Page 12
Page 13
Page 12, 24th August 1916 — What Users Tell U S—Interview No. 44.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Experiences of a Large Firm of Paper Manufacturers Dissected for Our Readers.

Since the beginning of the war the commercial vehicle has undoubtedly given further convincing proof as to its utility and efficiency for all forms of service. This remark applies not only to those machines engaged in work of national importance but in a like manner is applicable to the many vehicles which have enabled home users to " carry on."

Iii fact it is safe to say that many business undertakings have become converts to the use of industrial vehicles as a result of having to look round for "other means" of transport Spicer Brothers, Ltd., for example, although not coming under this category altogether, has developed its fleet of transport vehicles to a very great extent during the "war period." With a view to finding out the reason for the extensions made in this direction we recently sought an interview with a member of the managerial staff of this company, who gave us some interesting information concerning the running of the' machines.

".When was the first machine delivered "was our opening question, "and what led to its purchase ? "

"Well, I suppose you would say that we are digtmetly modern users, for,our first lorry was not actually purchased until February, 1913. Previous to that date, however, in 1912, we used for experimental purposes a five-ton Ilifilries-Darmier and after a long and exhaustive 'test with this vehicle it may interest you to know that we found that for sub 040 urban work within a radius of 18 miles from our City warehouse that the net saving, as compared with horse traction, after making the necessary deductions, and calculated over a period of six months, amounted to more than D37."

"This experiment, we gather, was conducted with a view to discovering the utility and efficiency of commercial-vehicle delivery for your class of work. Did the results obtained satisfy you in this direction?"

" Oh, yes. It was fully evident to

us following this experiment that industrial motor vehicle delivery would be a sound commercial proposition, from which many advantages would inevitably accrue. • Our initial purchase, a four-ton Napier lorry, bought in February, 1913, was a direct outcome of this satisfactory test. After that we bought the following in quick succession: One four-ton Napier, a two-and-ahalf-ton Daimler, two two-ton Pierce-Arrows, a three-and-a-half-' ton Packard, three one-and-a-half. ton Napiers, a one-and-a-half-ton

Garford, and three G.M.C.s, two of one-and-a-half torts capacity, and one for one-ton loads. Of the twelve, with the exception of the first-named, all have been purchased since the opening of the war."

Our comment on this fact elicited the following information in explanation: "That is so. We had only one machine in service at the outbreak of war, but the problem of transport became so acute at that time that we were eompelled to add to our solitary commercial vehiale. "We had to purchase a number of American-built machines b'etcause of our inability to obtain, for obvious reasons, British models. At one time we used the railway very considerably for all transit requirements, but the facilities afforded by them after August, 1914, were not good enough to enable us to execute deliveries to time. It is an indisputable fact that in a business like our own, reputation depends upon delivery promptitude. "We also made use of carriers, and when we did so it was necessary to have the goods carefully bundled before despatch, for they were invariably roughly handled during transit."

"Do you have to bundle your goods now by' the use of motor lorry ? If not—"

" Oh, no," interrupted our informant, " that's one advantage we obtain--we save the time which would be occupied by men packing the goods."

" What is the actual work of the machines and in what . districts do they operate?" we next inquired.

"Some of the .vehicles are used for suburban deliveries within a distance of la miles from one City warehouse ; others are used for executing orders within a radius of one-and-a-half miles of the same point. By the aid of our industrial machines we also carry on a home counties service within 60 miles of London. Their work consists of col

lecting goods from the various railway termini for delivery to our warehouse, as well as collecting and delivering goods to and from the wharves and docks. The machines engaged in home counties service serve the paper mills outside the London area. By the use of commercial vtlhicles we can collect raw material and deliver our finished products without in any way having to rely upon outside . transport facilities. This we consider •a most telling point in favour of mechanical haulage."

"Can you tell us the average 'daily or weekly mileage of your company's vehicles l" we queried. "Each vehicle • engaged in suburban delivery work averages about 250 miles per week approximately ; exact figures may not be arrived at for obvious reasons. The mileage of the machines operating in town varies considerably:" We asked if many deliveries were made on this suburban work, and were given to understand that the number was as a rule somewhere between 20 and 40. Our informant continued: "Of course, it is difficult to state accurately the time taken for each delivery, as in many instances the driver or his assistant has to carry the goods up to the first, second or third floors of some buildings before he can get his delivery note signed." "The engine is stopped., of course," we interrupted. "That is so ; our drivers have strict instructions on that particular point."

" Tires? Well, we use rather a number of makes, including Henley, Goodrich and Dunlop. Other makes are fitted, but I would prefer not to enter into details concerning these, if. for one reason only, because they were manufactured by what are now enemy concerns."

"Do you find that any of these tires outlive the usual guarantee given by the manufacturers?" we ventured to ask.

"In some cases yes ;_ in the case of the tires fittAd to the front wheels of our Daimler we have proved that they greatly outlive the maker's guarantee."

"What about fuel; do you use petrol for the machines or have you resorted to' the use of a substitute?"

" We use petrol, as a matter of fact No. 2 Shell spirit, for all our.

motors. We did try an experiment with a so-called patent fuel, but the results were far from satisfactory, and if we had continued to use it there is little doubt that the life of the engines would have been seri ously shortened. We still use petrol, and shall do so as long as it can be obtained. It will interest you to know that we get about 13 miles tO the gallon of petrol con-sinned on our two-ton vehicles." "Have you a petrol storage plant installed at your garage ? " was our following. question.

"Not at the present time. We store the whole of our spirit in two gallon. tins, but we have made ar rangements for the tank system to be fitted at a not far-distant date."

"Do you attach an advertising value to your vehicles'?" we queried.

"Yes. We consider the 'commercial vehicle is a good and valuable advertising • medium. In a trade 'where the products lend themselves to effective display it is indeed a most useful medium for keeping your uoods before the eye of the man in the street.' The hoardings are considered by large advertiser's

to be of value, so that a vehicle, I am sure,, travelling from place to place as it does must have at least as great an effect In some cases, it means that the commercial ye-hide is a moving placard."

"If you have running costs available, for your English and American machines it would afford our readers some interesting comparisons."

"I amsorry. I am not in a position to, meet your request on thiapoint."

"Very well. . . Do you employ horses at all for your delivery work ? " We asked our informant.

"No we've finished with them for good I hope. We have absolutely no use for a system which is behind the times, and, Moreover, which limits the extent of our business as horses undoubtedly do."

"From the iniormation you have given us then We gather that you are entirely satisfied with the service you Obtain from your industrial vehicles?

"Well, we are satisfied so far— that had we not possessed a fleet of commercial motors we should have been quite unable to cope with the past and present serious state of transport. We have been, and for that matter are now, hauling goods in and out of the various railway depots because the companies can not deliver. We carry on our extensive business solely by the use of the machines and—well perhaps I need not say more than that ; it would be superfluous."

We agreed. "

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Locations: London

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