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Motors Responsible for Laundry Expansion

3rd April 1936, Page 60
3rd April 1936
Page 60
Page 61
Page 60, 3rd April 1936 — Motors Responsible for Laundry Expansion
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WITH the modern facilities that mechanical transport now brings within the reach of practically every household, it must be allowed r that, for the average family, " washing " at home is liable to be penny wise and pound foolish. More and more families are now leaving the drudgery of wash-day to the laundry, because the development of mechanical transport in the industry has resulted in collections and deliveries being effected by progressive concerns in districts hitherto untapped.

Extension of business secured in this way has made possible additions and improvements to many laundry plants and quicker working service to districts already covered, road transport again making it practicable to pass on to the customer the lull effect of the time saved, A fair indication of the exacting nature of the work that 'laundry vehicles are called upon to perform is contained in figures supplied to The Commercial Motor by Mr. Eric Hopkinson, of Troy Laundry, Ltd., a company well known in Liverpool and on Merseyside. They show that calls average between 200 and 250 per vehicle per day, so that, although more than one call will normally be made to each halt—it may be possible to ' manage even a dozen--ordinary work. ing conditions must involve constant activity for the driver and incessant instances, on the lower gears, gives a full measure of work to brakes, clutch and gearbox, and has a considerable bearing on the life of the tyres.

In order to maintain the fleet in a condition that will ensure regularity of service, a mechanic is constantly in attendance, to investigate or rectify any fault that has been reported by a driver at the conclusion of a journey. It is on Wednesday afternoon that the mechanic spends his most industrious hours, for that is a half-holiday. Outside work is suspended and a thorough examination is given to each vehicle in turn, all maintenance points being checked and, so far as practicable, the possibilities of trouble forestalled.

Established at Bootle 23 years ago, the early progress of the Troy Laundry was set back by the advent of the war. At the armistice, however, it was still carrying on and from that time the' tide commenced to turn.

Ten years ago horsed transport was still being used, but a transfer to motors offered new scope, the business growing until, when it came of age in 1934, it was necessary to double the size of the plant and premises, .which, some years previously, had been 'erected at Utting Avenue, Liverpool.

In order to serve neighbouring dis tricts, 13 receiving depots are operated in the areas that are not covered by

the vehicles' journeys. To provide depot customers with the same speedy -serifir:e as those on the house-tohoitse circuits, it is necessary that collections and deliveries 8ha1l be Made twice a day to every branch. To this duty a Ford 30-cwt. van is allocated and, when necessary, it accomplishes the round journey in three hours.

EaCh of the other units in the fleet has its own rota. In general, the Monday collection round is worked for delivery on Thursday, Tuesday collections being delivered on Friday and Wednesday collections on Saturday.

Varied Makes of Vehicle.

Parcels are packed in readiness and, on arrival in the morning, each drivercollector, with his boy assistant, arranges his vehicle load so as to

facilitate distribution. The fleet engaged on the journey work comprise, a Ford 2-tonner, two Singer 1-tanners, a Morris 15-cwt. van, and five 15-cwt.

Fords. •

For the local rounds, two of which are covered by each vehicle each day, the 15-cwt. vans are stated to be ample., but in the case of. longer distances, when a full day must be spent on the road, larger sizes of machine are used, the most popular type being the streamlined Ford V-8 that has recently been added to the fleet. The public reaction to this modern type has been most favourable and it is possible that streamlined bodywork may, in the future, be extended to other units.

Easy accessibility of the load from either the front or the rear is a point in favour of the light van on rapid distribution, whilst on the larger Ford, a shutter offerS easy entrance and exit

at the rear. Interior racks are provided, in this instance for easier handling of the parcels, loading and unloading being facilitated by a central gangway.

Every encouragement is given to the men to use to the full their capabilities both as drivers and as salesmen. Drivers are responsible for the develOpment of their allotted territories and are paid commission on results, so that when thereis time to spare, they have every inducement to canvass prospective customers for either laundry or valet work.

Good Driving Encouraged.

Cash prizes are also awarded in a competition between the men for the greatest increase in turnover. Good driving is similarly rewarded and bonuses are paid to men who prove completely free from accidents for a period of 12 months.

Full stocks of spare parts are kept at the garage and every care is taken to minimize interruptions in the service. Dealing with well over 5,000 regular customers involves the laundry in the handling of some 600,000 parcels annually. All work must be carried through to a strict schedule, for now that the motor has extended activities • by bringing the laundry to the house door, consistent organization is re quired to avoid such delays as might upset the essential and smooth-flowing routine in which the .eransport department plays its part.

Widening of what might be called the catchment area has directly followed the road-motor developments in the laundry world. Expansion of burl ness thus facilitated for the Troy Laundry has justified the intAduction of *improved plant, so that—through the advent of fast transport—many a present-day household, previously unserved, can enjoy the benefits of a regular link with the scientific methods of an up-to-date concern.

Tags

People: Eric Hopkinson
Locations: Liverpool

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