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IT COULD BE if011!
Page 58
Page 59
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Mixers is looking for owner-drivers to join its franchised network of go-anywhere concrete mixers.
Andy Salter assesses the opportunities.
111 udging by some of the calls we receive from owner-drivers, taking a franchise with some of the major tipper and cement mixer operators is most certainly not the first step on the route to high profits and a life of luxury. Poor rates, restrictive packages and little flexibility are all claims which have served to give the concept of franchises a had name.
Furthermore, under the terms of the now imminent WorkingTime Directive, the status of these 'ownerdrivers' seems to be under threat. According to the WTD many of these owner-drivers will have to assume the status of employed drivers and work accordingly.The result is that neither the franchisees nor franchisors will be able to benefit from the flexibility both need in order to remain in business.
Cement mixer manufacturer Hymix, based in Telford,Shropshire reckons it has found the perfect solution to this conundrum with its Mixers franchise.
Customers, chiefly the readymix giants of Hanson.Tarmac and RMC, can utilise the capacity offered by the Mixer fleet of 30 trucks, while the franchisees retain owner-driver status under the WTD because they are free to work for a number of different customers.
Mixers provides the management and office support function and is the point of contact for the customers and franchisees."We're offering a benefit to the industry," says Mixers general manager Alex Turner."The cement industry comes to us looking for extra capacity and we'll marshal the trucks to meet the demand. Our role is to help the industry manage its capacity more efficiently and therefore its costs."
Mixers was set up five years ago with a single truck and has now grown to a fleet of 30 with a £2m turnover.The company is now ready to expand further and is on the lookout for new owner-drivers to take franchises." We've been building the quality of our product offering for the past four to five years," says Turner. "It's now time to increase the quantity over a wider geographical spread."
Interesting concept
On the face of it this sounds like a very interesting concept, and Mixers reckons there's a healthy living to be made. So where's the queue? "There is a waiting list of potential new recruits,"Tunier admits."But there's room for some more, provided they're of the right calibre.We're offering a total flexible transport resource and the franchisees need to be aware of the fact that we have a goanywhere, do-anything approach. Some knowledge of the readymix industry is preferred, but it's more important to have the spirit of the owner-driver.., to be hardworking, independent and flexible. We're now starting to attract people from outside readyrnix, such as tipper drivers."
Apart from all the Mixer trucks being equipped with a Hymix barrel,the franchisees are left pretty much in control of their own destiny."We don't dictate which vehicles they can operate," says Turner,"although we can advise on the best contract-hire rates available."
While many Mixer owner-drivers prefer to look after their own admin,Mixers also offers a bureau service for franchisees which takes care of much of the paperwork associated with running a small fleet."We're currently looking after 30 operators and hoping to get to 40 trucks by year-end," says Tbnier,"but not at the expense of quality." Mixers makes its money by taking a percentage of the revenue based on the turnover of the franchisee, so it's in the company's interests to ensure a high level of service.
"Candidates will need to have a good credit rating, good business acumen and be willing to work in a very tough environment,"Turner concludes. "We will provide them with the necessary help and informa tion to ensure good performance. We have a quality fleet of vehicles and, generally, new franchisees will get a new truck." •