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Cold store, warm heart

8th December 2011
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Page 23, 8th December 2011 — Cold store, warm heart
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Over three decades Edwards Transport has grown from a one-man band to a medium-sized specialist operator. Now it is looking to expand further

Words: Will Shiers / Images: Tom Cunningham

You’ve seen its smartly turned-out trucks on the road, but what do you actually know about Edwards Transport (Shropshire)? Probably not much at all. That’s because this family-run irm has preferred to keep a low proile. However, with the help of newly appointed business development executive Tim Jordan, this is about to change. Edwards Transport is emerging from the shadows and shouting about its numerous successes.

During the past three decades, Edwards has gone from being a one-man operation to a respectable medium-sized chilled goods specialist with a list of high-proile customers, an all-Scania leet and a 10,000-pallet capacity cold store. And it has even bigger ambitions. The company has compiled plans to build a new 4,000-pallet cold store, and is now looking to branch out into new markets.

“We are looking to expand,” says Jordan. “A lot of companies of this size are faced with the decision of whether to stay where they are or push forwards, and we are pushing forwards. I think it’s wise to branch out.” Jordan is encouraging the irm to move into the ambient goods sector. “Chilled distribution is highly competitive at the moment,” he explains. “We have identiied openings within the ambient sector.” The company has already dipped its toe in the water by purchasing three Tautliners, and renting several more. “The venture has proved a success, and there are plans to buy instead of renting. As a company we like to acquire assets, and the entire leet is wholly-owned,” he says.

The fleet

The phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ might be a bit of a cliché, but it really does ring true at Edwards. In fact it forms the basis of all the haulier’s vehicle purchasing decisions and helps explain why it has run almost exclusively Scanias since the family business was created.

“Nothing else compares with a Scania for longevity,” says MD Alan Edwards, who bought his irst Swede (an LB80) in the mid 1970s. “We keep our trucks for 10 years, so need something reliable,” he says. “We did try four trucks from another Swedish manufacturer, but found they weren’t built to last as long.” Despite believing Scanias to be the best trucks money can buy, Alan thinks the build quality has gone downhill in recent years. In his opinion the Scania 143 was the best truck built, and nothing else will ever come close. “You could run them for 10 years and barely have to touch them with a spanner,” he says. He still has a 1989 143.450 in the yard, which these days is used as a shunter. “But if I spent £1,800 on an engine rebuild it could start working again tomorrow,” he says.

According to Alan, modern trucks are just too plasticky and not built to last.

As well as liking the product, the company’s loyalty to the Scania brand has a lot to do with local dealer West Pennine, with whom it enjoys a close relationship. And with a distinct lack of salesmen from rival truck manufacturers knocking on the door, this relationship is unlikely to change any time soon. “We’ve never even seen a Renault or an Iveco rep,” he says.

The company recently placed an order for 10 new Scanias, which are being delivered at a rate of one a month. Ordinarily, Alan runs the company’s trucks for 10 years, but this time the newcomers are replacing 54and 55-plate trucks, largely in order to delay the purchase of dearer and more complex Euro-6 trucks.

Euro-6 anger

The subject of Euro-6 angers Alan. He is furious that the latest round of emissions regulations will leave hauliers out of pocket to the tune of £10,000 per truck. “It’s disgusting,” he says. “I appreciate that they have high R&D costs to recoup, but why should we pay for it? When our fuel costs go up, we can’t pass it on.” Like the truck leet, which is maintained in-house, Alan also manages the tyres. Until recently Edwards enjoyed a long relationship with Michelin, but it has now switched to Hankook. “They’ve just priced themselves out,” he explains. “Michelins were great on the drive axles, and with a decent driver we could get 150,000km, but the Hankooks are wearing very well too.” Also until recently the irm was running Toyo trailer tyres, which Alan says worked out cheaper than having a Michelin tyre remixed, but supply has dwindled since the Japanese earthquake. From tyres we move on to the 40mph speed limit, a subject he feels strongly about. The company has a strict no speeding policy, but Alan says being forced to do 40mph on certain A-roads is madness because of the incredible risks car drivers take in order to overtake.

Talking of topics of concern, Alan thinks it’s unfair his drivers aren’t allowed to stay with their vehicles during deliveries at many places these days. “It’s an £80,000 truck and a £55,000 trailer, that’s £135,000 worth of equipment. We pay our drivers to be responsible for that truck, yet they aren’t allowed to stay with it when unloading.” Mark, Alan’s son and a director at Edwards Transport, adds: “Rather than relax in the comfort of the cab they are forced to wait in a drivers’ room with varying levels of comfort and facilities. If certain companies are worried about someone driving off from a loading bay with loaders still in the trailer, why don’t they just clamp a trailer wheel?”

Transport minister for a day

Like most hauliers we visit, the Edwards Transport management team clearly have some concerns about the industry. Alan and Mark have been around trucks for most of their lives, and seen plenty of changes over the years, along with an ever-increasing amount of red tape. But of all the things that are wrong with haulage in the UK, what would they change if they were transport minister for the day?

For Alan, the answer is simple, and quick as a lash he says: “Fuel costs! With prices at an all-time high, we are now at a point of make or break for most transport companies. If nothing is done soon to help stem these rising costs it will be too late for many to recover.” Mark says he would introduce better parking facilities for drivers throughout the UK. “They need somewhere safe where they can get a decent meal, take a shower and relax. We value our drivers and are concerned about their welfare when they spend nights out. It’s important they have good food, rest and feel safe,” he says.

Despite the complaints, both men still have boundless enthusiasm for their company, the industry and their staff. Neither would do anything different. “It’s in my blood,” says Alan, “and besides, you never know, it might get better again. Transport today is certainly a challenge and is getting harder year on year. Without good people around us it would be even harder. We would like to say a big thank you to all our staff for their continued support.” ■


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