Repair Specialist Expands and Centralizes
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NEW workshops of Praills Motors, Ltd., which were opened at Holman Road, Hereford, on October 21, are to be devoted exclusively to the modification, repair and maintenance of commercial vehicles. They have been organized, and equipment has been installed, with two distinct ends in view.
First, complete reconditioning of goods and public-service vehicles in batches fs planned and, secondly, Hereford is to be the major repair base for associated companies at Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury, Newport (Mon), and Gloucester. Already waiting for reconditioning are 65 single-deck buses, of one make, purchased in Northern Ireland.
There are five hays 70-ft. wide and 227-ft. long, with a total frontage of 358 ft, and a floor area of 95,000 sq. ft.
A woodworking shop with six machines of the latest type, a metalworking section with five machines and a blacksmith's shop fully equipped with welding plant, all with ample floor space, indicate the preparations that have been made for an intensive body and chassis-repair programme. On the engine and maintenance sides, the range of machine-tools and test equipment is also comprehensive, without unnecessary duplication.
The engine-assembly section, for example, includes a dynamometer in addition to cylinder and connecting-rod borers, a crankshaft grinder, a hydraulic press, centre -lathes and valve-seat grinders. An electrical test bench is installed and there are full facilities for fuel-pump servicing. The stores run the greater length of the building behind the offices.
Designed by the managing director, Mr. L. J. Praill, and started in September, 1947, the building was completed by employees of Praills Motors, Ltd., without the assistance of a contractor, except for the electrical installations. The bays being of modified hangar construction, a substantial part of the steel requirements was met by the purchase of material used in hangar erection.
The necessity of levelling to make up a 2-ft. dip at the rear of the site, and the presence of water 3 ft. below the surface, caused added difficulties. The number of employees will eventually be increased from 150 to over 300.