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ROAD MOTORS EASE THE EXTILE INDUSTRY'S BURDEN

27th January 1939
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Page 42, 27th January 1939 — ROAD MOTORS EASE THE EXTILE INDUSTRY'S BURDEN
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SEVERE competition from abroad has resulted in sweeping changes in the textile industry, as compared with the period before 1914, and has brought about the need for a far higher degree of organization than formerly. Modern methods in the application of road transport have been developed by many concerns and one of the most progressive is the Bradford Dyers' Association. This combination has its transport headquarters at Bradford and the Association's haulage is operated practically as a separate business. Apart from handling millions of pieces of finished and grey cloth, it is necessary for the fleet to carry coal, chemicals and other supplies for works use.

Capacity for Constant Changes.

The B.D.A., as it is familiarly known, is an organization having 26 branches and nine departments, largely in the woollen district of Yorkshire, but also extending into Lancashire, where there are five mills, and to Scotland, where there is a branch establishment. The work of ensuring adequate transport, for so large an organization, is one demanding a capacity for dealing with constantly altering faCtors.

One reflection of the important changes of recent times is to be found in the change-over of the trade from cotton only to artificial silk and cotton cloths. This has created a new need for wariness in the handling of consignments, owing to the delicate nature of the art-silk goods. .

Handicapped by legislation affecting vehicles weighing over 50 cwt. unladen, it has been necessary, during recent years, for the B.D.A. to replace this type with a lighter class, and the average carrying capacity of the fleet of vehicles has been reduced to 2.6 tons each, as compared with 3 tons in 1927. Whilst increased running costs have resulted, these alterations have made possible the continuance of daily services from Bradford to Manchester, and to the ports, which were endangered

by the restrictions on the heavier machines. Incidentally, it is interesting to note that the B.D.A. Manchester-Bradford route goes back to pre-motor days when, even with horses covering the 70-mile return jour

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ney, road transport was stillmore reliable than rail! In fact, the service was instituted for that reason.

Altogether there are 86 commercial vehicles in the fleet, and whilst, 12 years ago, 42 machines came within the 4-ton class, the new policy has brought this section down to eight. An additional 6-tonner brings the relative class up to 14, and whilst 50-cwt. machines have been eliminated, the 30-cwt. class has developed from nil to 17 and the '10-12-cwt. class from four to 12. A notable feature is the long and faithful service obtained from the heavier types.

A difficulty that was tackled quite early by Mr. Percy Beetham, M.Inst.T. (the B.D.A. transport manager), concerned the reduction of light running and, for this purpoSe, central clearing houses were established at Bradford and Manchester, where the undyed and unfinished pieces are concentrated. Where a driver collects a full load from one branch, this will be carried straight through, but the smaller loads are picked up and taken to the clearing house, later going to make up full loads for the various mills. Thus, much overlapping has been avoided. The transport headquarters are situated on an island site in Thornton Road, only a short distance from the centre of Bradford. Here there is a complete repair works with modern plant, and the clearing house is in the same building. The main garage and loading decks are arranged with traffic " lines straight through, so that vehicles enter from one side and depart at the other.

Goods left in the clearing house, awaiting customers' requirements, or ready for finishing processes, are heated so as to prevent any chance of damp causing mildew, whilst the windows are specially processed to avoid any detrimental action to the cloths through strong sunlight.

It is the usual custom for each driver to be attached permanently to a particular vehicle, and his duties are strictly confined to the driving and loading of his own machine. On most vehicles, the driver is accompanied by a mate, whose presence prevents the pilfering that frequently occurs when loads of cloth are left unattended. Many of the mill-yards were never intended for the use of large vehicles, and the mate can be of valuable assistance in guiding the driver, when it is necessary to reverse into a narrow entrance or negotiate the confined backstreets in which warehouses are often situated. Add these aids to his general assistance and the mate's pay is fully justified.

Drivers themselves are not even permitted to fill their own petrol tanks or to replenish the oil, since both these duties are carried out by one man, upon whom there would be a definite responsibility if an engine seized up through lack of oil or the vehicle was stranded without petrol.

• The men employed on repair duties are specialists, each dealing with a particular section of the motor, and, apart from helping members of the staff to become increasingly, expert, this is another way in which responsibility for failure is considerably restricted.

Regularity in Maintenance.

Wherever a vehicle may be situated, it is regularly brought to Bradford for dock overhaul, and a single day is allowed for that purpose, replacement by means of spare units being made when necessary. This journey is fitted into the working schedules, so that, invariably, full loads will be carried in -both directions. Normally, the driver does not carry out repairs or adjustrnents, and, in the case of mechanical failure, he must telephone the chief engineer for assistance. Whilst the machine is in dock, however, he is permitted to act as assistant to the mechanic in charge of the work on his vehicle, and, in this manner, he gains knowledge that assists him in diagnosing any failure.

Attached to each branch is a van or vans to meet its own delivery needs, and these deliver the finished goods to customers' orders. After this, each van collects the full loads for its own particular branch from the clearing house, instead of making numerous calls on different customers. The whole of the collection of grey cloth is the responsibility of the clearing house, which also is responsible for the delivery of the finished material from six branches.

Outside contractors and suppliers' own services also deliver to the clearing houses, whence the goods are transferred to distant establishments by the B.D.A. 59

system. As loading and unloading are performed, by the drivers and mates, only a small standing staff is necessary for clearing-house work.

Drivers engaged on collection work are encouraged to assist customers, whenever possible, and, with this object, the men we given a bonus on every 100 pieces brought in 0.17Ett and above a certain standard figure. In another :way, the drivers may earn attractive additions to their pay, there being an efficiency bonus for good timekeeping, freedom from accidents, avoidance of complaints from customers and cleanliness of the machines.

Each quarter, a driver who is not involved in any accident by his own neglect will receive El, and if he goes through the whole 12 months without trouble, there is an additional bonus of E2, making 26 in all for the year. At the end of the second year, provided he has gained his eight quarterly bonuses, he will receive an additional sum of 211. After the third year, so long as aH 12 quarterly bonuses have been gained, he" receives an extra E6, altogether an increment of £10 for that year. At the conclusion of the three years the series ends and the whole scheme starts over again.

Another valuable feature for the men is the benevolent-fund plan, which provides for a, week's holiday with pay, and two weeks' sickness with pay, as well as convalescent-home facilities at Silverdale.

In the transport building is a well-furnished clubroom, which is operated entirely under, the control of the.men, and there are various games, physical training apparatus, refreshment facilities, and so on.

By securing thoroughgoing co-operation from the staff, the extensive road-transport system is made as effective as possible, and the Bradford Dyers' Association is enabled to offer helpful service to customers, that :otherwise would be impossible.

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People: Percy Beetham
Locations: Manchester, Bradford

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