B AND I OPENS GROUPAGE DEPOTS
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By Carol Hyams
ATER the successful introduction of groupage depots at Salford and Birmingham, the British and Irish Steam Packet Co. Ltd. last week inaugurated two more centres at Rotherham and Leicester for the transport of small consignments in unit loads to the Republic of Ireland. B & I will now assemble unit loads for despatch to Cork via its twice-weekly direct cniling from Liverpool, in addition to the service between Liverpool and Dublin.
A network of UK groupage depots is envisaged in co-operation with the British Waterways Board at which goods will be received and transferred into containers or flats and despatched by road to Liverpool. Unitized traffic shipped from the Republic will also be broken down at these depots and delivered to consignees. Goods will be accepted from shippers' own vehicles or collection can be arranged through the BWB depot superintendents at Don Street,
Rotherham and Belgrave Gate, Leicester. Delivery of consignments is undertaken within the normal city limits at Dublin and Cork.
Liverpool Haulage Co. Ltd., as subcontractor, will carry containers or flats loaded with sundries consignments of eight tons maximum between the depots and Liverpool docks. They will be using Bedford, AEC and BMC artics, leaving trailers at the depot for the next load. Complete unit loads with a maximum of 20 tons will still be hauled in the 18/20 ft. containers.
B and I flats are loaded by overhead cranes or fork-lift trucks and containers are hand-loaded for maximum safety and security. Providing documentation is in order, a 48-72 hour door-to-door service can be maintained. A reduction in handling, damage, pilferage and packaging can be effected and the documents accompany the unit from depot to customers' premises.