AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

What Users Tell Us

7th August 1913, Page 17
7th August 1913
Page 17
Page 17, 7th August 1913 — What Users Tell Us
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

" Motorvans are Invaluable to the Community."

Twenty years ago the catering trade of London was, according to its critics, overdone ; there was no profit left in it. Lyons came along and took in the situation clearly, and at once set about to remove the high prices and bad food, and the inferior accommodation which then obtained, and to supply in their stead the well-lighted, ventilated and comfortable teashops and restaurants, where wholesome food is supplied at moderate charges, in practically all the big towns of the country. They were smartly alongside the A.B.C. people. We were recently afforded an interview by the gentleman who is responsible for the maintenance of this company's machines.

" There are now nearly 50 machines in the Lyons service," he said. "The first models were taken over six years ago, and conFisted of the old single-cylinder, 7-9 lip. De Dions. There are now c,t6 Albions, 16 Lacres and 9 Rejet lilts in regular use. These travel over the whole of the British Isles selling packet teas, cocoa, etc. A large town is selected as a head quarters, and to act as a feeder for the big surrounding district. The vans, starting regularly on Mondak mornings from this picked town, are loaded up, and covering a big radius, supply direct to the small village shopkeeper in a manner hitherto unattempted by any commercial traveller. A typical specimen of the work done in this way is that of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. At this centre the machines cover per week 350 miles, and make during that time 325 calls."

"A very efficient manner of covering the ground, and working up the small customers," we suggested.

Oh! rather," was the answer. "The vans arc of the greatest value in the villages from the advertising point of view. You see, in the first place, the motors create business in the towns, and from there they travel outwards, carrying the name of Lyons as welt as the packets of tea. They are maintained by our own staff at Birmingham, where our head garage is situal ed. A report is sent in to .Cadby Hall in London by every driver each week on the: general running and condition of the machines, and I regularly visit and inspect each machine, andsadvise, as to whether it is to be sent to Birmingham for repairs, or whether adjustment can be effected on the spot. The average load capacity is 15 cwt.

"The value of the vans to the community is enormous, as we can reach people in this way who could not otherwise be tackled, for the railways give a most inadequate service to some little villages. Our machines on the road are incidentally also valuable to many other traders. For example, in the Nora of Scotland there was the greatest difficulty in obtaining supplies of petrol when our vans first started, and I fancy we are not claiming too much when I state that the Lyons machines practically created the nucleus of the well-known Pratt spirit business in that district. People seeing our vans running as regularly as clockwork, come to the conclusion that motorvans must be a very paying proposition, for they run absolutely to time, and are never be. hind with their business, aid so the manufacturer benefits. I map out a week's work for each van from the head office, and I have heard tradesmen say that our motors are more exact to time on the average than are the trains.

Some of our drivers were originally employed on the old horsedvans, and, of course, they anew the salesman's business to begin with. We send these men to the Birmingham garage to get mechanical and driving knowledge."

" What steps do you take if a man uses a larger amount of petrol than is reasonable ? " we qn,e..

" Well, we appoint a competent repairer to examine the machine. It might be that the driver is new and does not understand the engine, or there may be a leakage elsewhere. Whatever it is, we make an effort to ascertain the cause, and then. of course, the remedy is obvious. Our drivers know that it is to their advantage to look after the machines in their charge, for they work on a system whereby they gain if the week's work has been done prwperly and to time.

" Altogether it amounts to this : that our country 'business could not be continued without the help of the motorvans. I cannot tell you the exact revenue from this source, but it is quite satisfactory, I can assure you."

"We have not the least doubt of it," was our reply. " and are sure that yonr fleet will grow."

Tags

Locations: Birmingham, London

comments powered by Disqus