The Dutch come clean at Autovak
Page 35
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THE DUTCH have a reputation for cleanliness in all things. Seemingly intent on preserving that reputation the organisers of Autovak '77 gave over much of the exhibition space at Amsterdam last week to cleaning equipment in one form or another.
Indeed, they gave what appeared to be a disproportionate amount of space to commercial vehicle washing plants. This is the kind of equipment more likely to appeal to operators of double-deck bus fleets than to operators of cv fleets and even then the financial considerations must be considerable. Exhibitors were quick to point out that such expensive equipment was acquired mainly by leasing arrangements.
At the other end of the spectrum there were a number of dust vacuum cleaners for brakes on show — less expensive, some might say more practical and time savers.
Apparently, across the Channel the European environmentalists have been as active as their UK counterparts. Their influence was apparent at Autovak by the number of CO2 analysers which were displayed. Two which caught the eye particularly were the digital LED readout analyser from Hofmann and the instant analyser displayed by Allen Equipment.
Autovak, now in its seventh year, is Europe's principal garage equipment and hand tool exhibition. It occupied two exhibition halls at the RAI Centre between March 30 and last Tuesday.
The organisers claim that the average number of hours downtime per vehicle has dropped from 21 in 1965 to less than 10 last year — principally due, they say, to the sophisticated tools and equipment now available.
While this might be so, there was little on display this year that could be described both as new and desirable for small fleet operators.
An example of the type of equipment shown was a tool for producing U-bolts. It costs £4,500 and by any reckoning an operator can stock a vast number of ready-made U-bolts for £4,500.
CM covers the Autovak scene photographically on the following three pages.
One of the problems which operators or service stations have to face is the cost of new equipment While equipment might be both attractive and desirable, the question that must always be asked is how long will it take to pay for itself?
As we said in CM on March 11, the best way to get finance in these difficult times is by leasing. This is the way to purchase equipment. It may never belong to you, but you can always be assured it will be kept in good order and condition.
We found, in Amsterdam, many pieces of equipment which although very desirable were much too expensive to own. This is no reason why you should not have them.
• Stephen Gray