On the spot
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Being in the right place at the right time is usually a matter of luck rather than judgment. It is also the kind of situation which leads in many cases to business opportunities, Take International Marine Management, for example, who have an office at Parker Avenue, Felixstowe. Recently they heard that British Leyland had 72 Austin WF 820 trucks—yes I do mean Austin—to go-to Nigeria, with more to follow. The trouble was that with Lagos choked up to the high-water mark with cement boats BL had no way of getting the vehicles there within the contract time by the long sea route. IMM's Nick Martin had the answer—he opened the communicating door to the office next door, which happens to be Wacro Lines, booked accommodation for the lorries on their new ro/ro ferry and this very day they are at work in Nigeria.
Henry Summers, a Felixstowe operator, was also on the right spot at the right time. Due to the recession he had two vehicles spare and as it happened the Nigerians needed two vehicles for slave tractors. They are now using two of Henry's Seddon Atkin&ons on contract hire but, of course, without drivers.