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Quality over quantity for Northampton firms
Page 64
Page 65
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Retaining the ethos of a small family business is top priority.
LGV TRAINERS and The Judith Hearn Agency are concentrating on upholding high standards rather than pursuing an expansion programme. The sister firms are run by the same family and operate from an office in Northampton.
Chris Harwood, operations manager at LGV Trainers, says of the agency: "About 99% of recruitment is taken up with placing temporary drivers, and 1% with placing warehouse staff."
The agency supplies drivers to large fleets and smaller local operators. "We're very different to other agencies," remarks Harwood. He says many firms place a driver in a temporary job, regardless of their experience. This means that staff may struggle with the work, and the customer may not get full value for money. Our agency has been here for 15 years and were loyal to our customers. It's important to put the right person in the right position. We have a high retention rate for drivers: many of them have been with us for between f ive and seven years," he says.
A guaranteed earning scheme ensures that drivers receive a wage, even in quiet spells, and they are entitled to paid holidays. There are 50 drivers on the books.
"A few years back, we decided the agency should stay the same size. Were happy with the turnover; we aren't going to get greedy and let the quality go downhill," he adds.
On the LGV Trainers side, Harwood reports that six Polish personnel have undergone truck driving refresher courses. Now they have taken up positions with The Judith Hearn Agency.
Ongoing training is important in keeping drivers' skills up to scratch, Harwood says, because it "ensures our clients are getting what they are paying for".
Quality, not growth, is the top priority, stresses Harwood. -We have avast history of involvement with the local haulage industry and we like the ethos of a small family firm."
• Contact: www.lgvtrainers.co.uk