Western flourish
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One definition of 'tuck' is a blast on a trumpet, and while not many of us can blow our own these days, Exeter-based Frank Tucker is better placed than some to take advantage of an upturn in trade — when it comes. Bill Brock reports
1 YEAR the three Frank cer companies (Haulage, Imercials and Rentals) ed into a modern purposetransport complex on the kirts of Exeter,
e original site at Heavitree, the city centre, had served jroup well enough, but the pany was expanding all the , and premises had to be
d to allow Tucker's room to r. The new site, covering acres and situated on the pass close to the M5 linly offers that. But, more prtantly, the easier access )Ies the group to give a betervice than was possible be
e original company, Frank .er (Haulage) Ltd, began way in the Twenties, with one cle. But now, together with k Tucker (Rentals) Ltd — a fleet of tractive units and flat semi-trailers used by local national companies — the has grown to about 90 cv reen 16 and 32 tons gross :ating in the South-west and I points north and east.
ank Tucker (Commercials) is the main ERF distributor Devon and Cornwall, also !ring parts of Somerset and ;et.
iday, the company is run by a directors. Bill and Ernie ker, together with Bert :er, all take an active interest le running of the business
and manage to keep at the hub of things.
The single-storey office block serving all departments of the group is open plan, and Bill told me that he has always favoured this type of layout. He and his fellow director's desks are included in this arrangement which makes it possible for anyone in the company to approach him at any time.
It might not be quite such an advantage for customers or representatives to have the same freedom of access, so a reception area next to the office area acts as a buffer.
An interview room and a boardroom provide areas where business can be carried on away from the distractions of the office.
The haulage business operates a mixed fleet of 74 vehicles, including tippers, flatbed rigids and artics.
Almost all are ERFs with the choice of power units equally split between Gardner, Cummins and Rolls-Royce. Many work in the liveries of other companies, such as Westbrick and ECC Quarries, so taking the complications of running a fleet of vehicles out of their hands.
Tucker's replacement philosophy varies and depends on the type of work each vehicle is required to do, but as a rule the company's own tippers are run out and replaced after nine years of service whereas some of the contract and rental vehicles may be replaced after only two or three years.
I asked Bill if operating from this corner of the country presented any particular problems, and he replied that his business served the area in the same way that other haulage contractors did in other parts of the country.
A reciprocal arrangement with other hauliers often allows the company to get a backload for the vehicles operated further afield.
Servicing of its own and customers' vehicles is carried out on a regular basis by Frank Tucker (Commercials) in its large new 200ftx 70ft workshops equipped with 21 bays, four with pits. Part of the original garage buildings houses a further four vehicles, but in time this too is planned for replacement.
The relative spaciousness of the new workshop allows such equipment as a four-ton overhead crane, oil discharge system, and exhaust extraction equipment to be built in.
Many of the staff have attended specialist courses and are equipped to undertake a variety of activities such as fitting, electrical installations, welding, bodybuilding, painting and tyre-fitting.
A separate booth, away from the main workshop area, is pro vided for painting, and steamcleaning ramps have been built outside to take maximum-size artic units.
As a main dealer Tuckers are expected to provide back-up servicing facilities, and its tachograph calibration centre serves customers as far away as East Devon.
The parts stores, adjoining the main office block, carries a comprehensive stock of parts and can supply most parts requests direct from stock.
This is some task, for as well as being ERF main dealers, the company is a main agent for such well-known names as Eaton, Kirkstall, Rubery Owen, David Brown, Fuller, Westinghouse, Don, and Lucas Kienzle.
In three 15,000-gallon underground tanks the group has installed a bunkering facility to supply its own fleet, while the original service station, now being modernised, provides fuel for customers' vehicles.
Purchase in bulk is not only cheaper but ensures that vehicles have enough fuel to meet commitments in times of less certain supply.
General landscaping and tree planting help the complex to harmonise with its rural surroundings, and in one curner of the site is evidence of a new venture and further expansion.
Two warehouse units totalling 25,000sqft are near completion, while the footings have been dug and plans have been drawn up for a third to give a further 40,000sqft of enclosed storage capacity.
Frank Tucker is managing to hold its own share of what business there is, and by investing for the future will be better placed than many to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.