ROADS plan is streets ahead
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Few co-operatives have wor, HAULIERS co-operatives only work if members are prepared to spend time and effort in running them. This maxim is being proved by the success of one co-operative based in Winchester. In mid-1977 RHA Southern Area secretary Albert Simpson invited his members to a special meeting to discuss the possibility of setting up a cooperative in his area. As a result of this ROADS (Road Operators Associated Delivery Services Ltd) was formed with the objective of offering load allocation services to members and obtaining supplies at better discounts than the smaller haulier could individually negotiate. David Allen started working with ROADS on September 1, 1978, as their full-time manager. Although the initial months were spent building up membership and making new contacts, the co-operative did not really become active until the spring of this year. Many problems initially beset him including the lorry drivers' strike and exceptionally bad weather but since the beginning of March the monthly trading figures are showing a surplus. Based in the RHA area office building at Winchester, ROADS has nearly 100 members — the majority of whom are finding that membership is worthwhile. Hauliers in the Southern Area are invited to join the cooperative which entails becoming a member of the RHA if not already so, completing an application form, and depositing £100 to the ROADS loan account. David Allen has found that the most difficult part of his job is not trying to find suppliers that are prepared to allow additional discounts to the cooperative, but in getting members to take advantage of the discounts that have been obtained. Items or services that can be obtained through ROADS include: anti-freeze, ropes and sheets, batteries, garage equipment, finance for vehicles and property, insurance, crossChannel ferry bookings (up to 30 per cent off), and secondhand vehicles and new vehicles (Ford and British Leyland); membership of BRS Rescue Service has also recently been arranged on a group basis. Fuel, oil and tyres are not on the list of available items at present but could well be within the next year. When asked about the Size of discounts available to members. David Allen said that these are comparable with those negotiated by the national companies who have a greater purchasing power than the smaller operator. Orders are phoned direct to ROADS who arrange payment and delivery. Then the members pay ROADS upon receipt of an invoice. Suppliers are enthusiastic about this arrangement because their payments due are guaranteed. Director Albert Simpson is emphatic that ROADS vehicle matching service is not to be confused with the operation of a clearing house and that allocation is spread throughout the whole spectrum of members. Any member can inspect the record books if he feels that he is being by-passed. Every effort is made to ensure that loads offered are not being taken from existing members or their cus tomers without their approval and when ROADS has madE a satisfactory match a fee bet, ween three and 10 per cent iE charged. The latest service tc rhembers will be a specia ROADS credit card Although initially operating as a pilot scheme with a few selectee hauliers, the aim is to appoini retail outlets where the cards can be used. The main reason for a special card as opposed to an Access card is that it is difficult to restrict the holder of a normal card to purchases connected with a haulage operation. Currently under investigation is the possibility of working with a site development company to construct a purpose-built complex adjacent to the motorway on the same lines as the Consorzio Autostazione Merci Milano (CAMM) in Italy. There 21 hauliers have storage, fuel and workshop facilities as well as offices, centralised invoicing and documentation, rest rooms, restaurants and sleeping accommodation on the site. Co-operatives have been in existence for a long time, but few are to be found in the haulage industry. ROADS in the Southern area is proving that they can work, and RHA Yorkshire (Hull) area have recently set up a similar organisation and early indications are encouraging.