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Embracing "i*ft%%•*•,....„
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the changes
Scania dealership TruckEast was one of the first to sign-up to VOSA's ATF scheme. We speak to MD John Biggin and service manager Graham Broughton about truck sales, new business and vehicle testing.
ian.tonkinfarbi.co.uk / Images: Graham Richardson
A GREAT DEAL has been made of VOSA's decision to gradually wind down its testing facilities and shift the responsibility of testing HGVs to privately owned dealerships.
However. for TruckEast MD John Biggin and service manager Graham Broughton. this changeover has been largely seamless.
Broughton reveals: "The difference for us switching from DP idesignated premises] to ATF [authorised testing facility] is the way it is administered. He adds: "You are now committed to booking testing slots and the pressure is now on us to fill these three-and-ahalf-hour-hour slots. It's made this part of the business more productive.
'When we were a DP and someone didn't turn-up for their appointment, there was little we could do. but now, if an operator misses an appointment without giving seven days' notice, VOSA charges the customer the reservation fee."
Currently, those wanting to become an ATF sign on to a fixed-term contract with VOSA.Then, the agency sends out its own examiners to the designated site to conduct the vehicle test.
Customer service
Biggin maintains that TruckEast is firmly behind the system. and wants it to work in order to improve customer service levels.
He says: "At the moment, our Wellingborough branch is open five days a week for testing, and we have applied to open a second ATF, testing two days a week, at our Stow-market site.
"If we could employ the testers ourselves, we would offer a 24-hour service, so customers could keep their vehicles on the road and have them tested at their convenience.
Biggin continues: -We already had the prescribed dimensions on our testing lanc, so it didn't need any major capital investment. Trucks are booked in for a test seven days in advance, and the booking system is very precise.
"Also, the testing process is more accurate because the trucks will be prepped on the same equipment that they were serviced on, so the pass rates will rise, and there's less inconsistency "Finally, once the operator is finished, the system automatically schedules the next appointment for the following yean we're finding the whole system is working well."
Being an accredited ATF is just one weapon thatTruck East has in its arsenal, because, since becoming MD of the Scania dealership in 2007, Biggin has made sure the business continues on an upward trajectory.
He says: -Since Truck East came under new management in 2007, more than Elm of additional investment has gone into the business, not only to boost customer service, but also to improve facilities for staff.
A tack of incentive Biggin continues: "We also do a lot of non-franchised servicing on DAFs and all others. We've got two accident repair centres. plus TruckEast has recently bought an HGV recovery business called R&A Recovery, and not forgetting our new and used truck sales departments as well."
We asked Biggin for his predictions for 2010, since he is on the frontline of new truck sales. We also asked if he can see any light at the end of the tunnel. lie answers: "When we talk about sales figures. we refer to trucks [that are] 18 tonnes G VW and above.
In 2009 19,500 trucks were sold, which was 45% down on 2008.
-For 2010, sales definitely won't eclipse 2009's total. Money is still hard to come by and there's no imminent legislation changes this year with regards to emissions, for instance, so there's no incentive for operators to bring their truck purchase forward." •