Left-hand Drive Van Speeds Birmingham Baker's Deliveries
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MODIFICATIONS suggested by a Birmingham baker have increased the productivity of a l 0-12-cwt. 1.4 Austin delivery van. When Luker's, bakers and confectioners, of Moseley, Birmingham, were ordering a new delivery van, Mr. E. John •Luker, director, stipulated lefthand drive and nearside door. These features enable the driver to get out of the van without having to wait for a gap in traffic and to collect his basket of bread without having to walk to the rear of the vehicle. With 200 calls a day to make the savings in time and energy are quite considerable.
Mr. Luker, who in recent years has been able to reorganize four delivery rounds into one, says he is not a timeand-motion expert, but his interest in achieving economies by improved delivery techniques was aroused when he noted the savings which could be made if the starter switch was moved from behind the driver's seat to the dash panel.
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This modification was made on a previous van and, although this saved only a few minutes a day, in the aggregate it was quite useful.
The new Austin van was fitted to Luker's requirements by Locomotors Ltd., Birmingham. The full length of the offside interior accommodates threetier racks which hold two trays 341 in. by 251 in. The front nearside has shelves for groceries and the rear nearside threetier racks for trays 30 in. by 20 in. Space for the accommodation of delivery baskets is left in front of the side door.
Mr. Luker says the left-hand drive has presented no problems. With the higher driving seat one can see over the top of the average saloon car and on local delivery work there is little occasion for overtaking.