Bodybuilders Guide
Page 43
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ALONG WITH most of British industry, commercial vehicle bodybuilders have suffered considerably during the past five or six years. Reduced orders, cuts in workforces and plant closures have been the order of the day. Ridiculously high discounting on new vehicle chassis left deceptively thin profit margins for the quality bodybuilders. Too often unviable contracts were undertaken just to keep workshops employed. This situation was aggravated still further by several bodybuilders who sought to undercut prices. Many of those who have survived this troubled period have done so by a combination of cutbacks and by pinning their faith on quality engineering at a fair price. They have proved this to be the wisest course. Now there are signs of gently rising sales and steady profit margins. Considerable innovation in vehicle body design and manufacturing methods has brought about improved productivity, while consultations between the customer and the bodybuilder, often criticised in the past as inadequate, appear to have increased considerably. The lessons of the past have been hard earned by the industry and most managing directors will regard recent trends with cautious optimism. Owing to today's high labour and material costs, many bodybuilders continue to specialise in a limited range of products while holding options open on one-off specials, refurbishing work and outside contract body finishing. Some produce simple designs in kit form which can be assembled either by the chassis supplier or an operator's own workshop staff.
This guide to British bodybuilders has been arranged geographically by counties. In each companies are listed alphabetically. England and Wales are grouped together, while Scotland and Northern Ireland are separate.
The final section deals with mini-bus, bus and coachbuilders. In total the guide accounts for more than 370 companies.