AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Half ords doubles up for a new age

9th November 2000
Page 16
Page 16, 9th November 2000 — Half ords doubles up for a new age
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?

Eby Sharon Clancy

Car and bicycle accessory retailer Halfords is evaluating six Montracan double-deck trailers as potential replacements for single-deckers or drawbars on deliveries to selected stores. The firm is reviewing its transport operation to suit a change from High Street shops to the out-of-town superstores that now account for 336 of its 416 outlets.

Most deliveries are done with 22 Ray Smith-equipped demount drawbar trailer rigs and 16 semi-trailers. There are 96 demountable bodies and 30 single-deck trailers in the operation, so loading can be handled while the vehicles are out delivering to stores. The drawbars drop their trailers off at superstores for unloading. Most stores receive one delivery a week from each of Hatfords' natonal delivery centres {NDCs).

There are two of these centres, both in Redditch, Worcs. One handles large, high-value items such as bicycles; the other is dedicated to smaller, fast-moving goods. There is little trans-shipment between the two warehouses.

Most of the bodies and trailers are due for replacement over the next two years. Transport operations controller Steve Nicholls is using this opportunity to investigate whether double-deck trailers might bring greater efficiencies.

"Specifications that suit high street deliveries are not neces sarily the most efficient for superstore deliveries," he points out.

"Patterns are changing, too: there are more Frequent deliveries. Demountable drawbars are more expensive to buy and

servicing costs are higher than for trailers, so it is sensible to check if there are other configurations that can handle the distribution requirements and might also reduce costs."

The six Montracon 13.6m double-deck trailers accommodate large items such as bicycles, as well as the Speedtlow boxes and the Bulkflow roll cages Halfords uses for smaller items. The double-deck trailers allow us to mix inventory, so we can combine deliveries from the two NDCs on to a single vehicle, reducing mileage," says Nicholls.


comments powered by Disqus