NCI launches rag-trade special
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by John Darker FASHIONFLOW, a new divi3ion of National Carriers Ltd, which will concentrate on serrice to the textile and garment listribution industry, was introJuced last week. It will princi)ally use hanging garment .echniques, though boxed garments will also he carried.
NCL sees great scope for ex)anding the type of hanging garment delivery services which have been popular in .he United States and Europe or some years. The price per garment delivered is said to be lighly competitive, particularly br large flows of goods, but he concept is best judged in :erms of throughout distribuion costs; the retailers save :foney on cartoning, unpacking, 'ressing and placing on 'angers, and there is less risk 'y crushing or contamination n transit. Particular benefits iccrue when seasonal fashion tems may be displayed immeliately on arrival in shops.
A new livery has been de Igned by the 3M company or Fashionflow, and all rehicles are being painted with he division title and a singleinc coat hanger. Colours are aaroon on yellow with a small ICL logo.
Fashionflow is operating rom locations at London, elanchester, Nottingham, Glasow, Bristol and York. The flanchester depot is new and urpose-built and depots of imilar quality are being made vailable at Nottingham and ilasgow. Ultimately, it is aped that all Fashionflow de pots will be purpose-built and dedicated exclusively to textiles and finished clothing.
Hanging techniques
The general manager of Fashionflow, Mr John Brock, said at last week's Press conference that four million packages were moved last year for Marks and Spencer Ltd, whose traffic would provide a base load for the new services offered to the textile trade. He envisaged sheets, curtains .)lankets and even socks and underwear being carried by hanging techniques in the future.
The textile distribution services offered to industry include delivery to Northern Ire land and services through associated companies to most parts of Europe. Reciprocal services are already operating through Holland to Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Fashionflow will, if desired, arrange all export and import documentation for European countries.
The Fashionflow fleet consists of 130 vehicles. Trunk vehicles are 32-ton Rollspowered Seddons fitted with Securicor help radio systems, alarm systems and suspension seating. Town deliveries are undertaken by Leyland Boxer vans, Seddon vans and Fords; other vehicle types, possibly electric vehicles, are envisaged in the future. The hanging garments are carried on transverse bars locking into the special German-designed Selwall panels, enabling clothing of any length to be carried with reasonable capacity utilisation. The rear of the vehicles are fitted with a protective blind to obviate dirt being thrown on to clothing by closing doors or shutters.
Headquarters of Fashionflow are situated centrally in Birmingham with two operating managers, Mike Childs, responsible for day to day operations of the general business, and John Hodge, exclusively responsible for Marks and Spencer operations. Total staff is 250.