Atla expansia a Birminghan
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By John Darker
ANEW depot for Atlas Express was 1—k officially opened last week by Mr. John Else, West Midland Licensing Authority. He congratulated the Atlas management on their enterprise in launching a well-planned depot which contrasted markedly with the old Lawden Road premises. And he congratulated Mr. R. H. Farmer, chairman and managing director of Atlas, on his election to the presidency of the Institute of Transport.
The new Atlas premises at Middlemore Trading Estate, Middlemore Road, Birmingham 21, occupy a 4+ acre site well loCated to serve Birmingham and the heavily industrialized West Midland area. The outline plan of the depot is similar to Atlas premises built since 1955 at Manchester, Dunstable, Leicester, Glasgow, Nottingham and Birstall.
The enclosed loading deck is 216 ft long by 60 ft wide and reception and dispatch bays are equipped with electrically operated
roller shutters designed to be damageproof if any obstruction prevents their closing.
Spacious double-storey office accommodation is provided at one end of the loading deck. The traffic office faces the depot, and the administration offices, many of them panelled and wallpapered, provide admirable working conditions for the staff. A well-equipped maintenance bay, with staff mess room and toilet accommodation, is situated at the other extremity, but away from the main depot building.
The noteworthy expansion of Atlas in Birmingham, particularly having regard to the difficult operating arrangements at the Lawden Road depot, is a success story reflecting strong management drive. For many years, I understand, Atlas provided coverage in the Birmingham area by agents. Their own operations began with eight vehicles some 10 years ago. Now 28 vehicles are cperated, and the Mid. more Road depot will be able to cope v 40 or more vehicles.
Mr. Derek Dowsett, whose responsibili as area manager cover depots at Leices Burton, Coleville, Gloucester, Carc Bristol and Torquay; will also be resp sible for the day-to-day management Birmingham initially. I was glad to have opportunity of discussing current probk in parcels carrying with Mr. Dowsett.
On speed of service he believes that i "better to give a reliable 36-hour sell than a chancy 12-hour service". The r depot (which opened for traffic a fortni ago) was already proving its worth. learned. "We are saving a lot of time avoiding double handling", Mr. Dow: told me. "Vehicle handling costs will much lower with less risk of aceider damage such as sometimes occurred Lawden Road, where we had a 10 gateway to contend with. Goods-in-trai claims should diminish and paperw. generally will be much more efficier carried out."
Mr. Dowsett lamented that so ma considerable firms “won't pay for a co petent transport manager". Too often, dozy packer or storeman" was made r ponsible for transport and customers c not realize the inefficiency that result. "Despite all the stress on exporting", said, "many customers do not appreci: that without shipping notes vehicles cant effect dock deliveries".
In many parts of the country n transport depots are being built on tradi estates, such as that at Middlemore Ro Smethwick. Mr. Dowsett told me he h hoped a number of neighbouring firms the estate would co-operate in providing communal canteen for their staffs but ti had not proved possible. Because no eati facilities existed within a reasonable distani Atlas had provided a mess room, and part-time cook was employed to co mid-day meals. In addition, a drink vendi machine was available in the depot.
Security is always a problem on pare work and I understand that Atlas intend staff the premises on a 24-hour basis weekdays, referring weekend secur arrangements to a security organization.