Paul Turner says Gordons Ford is particularly proud of its new Transit Specialist showroom.
SEE US ON STAND D45
Driven by hirers
Alan Guthrie visits the Bolton-based Gordons Ford which continues to develop its adapted Transit vehicle designed specifically for the hire industry.
Many hirers that have grown from humble beginnings will identify with the challenges that car and commercial vehicle dealer, Gordons Ford, has overcome in developing its Bolton head office site to meet its expanding requirements. The privately-owned
business, whose directors include fifth generation members of the Gordons family, can trace its
Gordons Ford has continued to develop its adapted Transit Chassis Cab vehicle helped by hirers’ feedback.
origins back to the 1800s, when it was founded as
a wheelwright and blacksmiths, eventually specialising in horse carriage manufacture. In 1911 it became a Ford car dealership, making it one of the oldest in the country.
The original car showroom was a corner shop on the city centre site the company still occupies, but, over the years, it has bought adjacent land, shops, houses and other plots to accommodate its expansion, including a multi-storey PDI (pre-delivery inspection) department and a massive vehicle storage compound. Gordons Ford, which has other branches in Horwich, Walkden and Wigan, has been a Ford commercial vehicle Special Dealership since the 1950s.
“We are particularly proud of our most recent expansion project here at Bolton,” said Paul Turner, Commercial & Corporate Sales Manager. “Over the last 18 months, we have built brand new parts and service departments, plus a dedicated Transit Specialist showroom that enables us to display more extensively the customised versions and options that we offer for this very popular family of vehicles, and which are available to customers throughout the country.
“As Transit Specialists, our team has the knowledge and understanding to help develop solutions that take account of key factors such as axle ratios, loading and weight distribution.”
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Of particular interest to the hire industry is the adapted Transit Chassis Cab that has been specifically developed by Gordons Ford. “The original vehicle was developed for Speedy, which has bought from us since 1994. To meet new Health & Safety regulations concerning manual handling, the company wanted a drop side vehicle with a tail lift for easy loading and unloading, and which had a special bulkhead designed for securing commonly hired equipment like ladders, scaffold boards and, even, bottled gas canisters.
“Since those early days, we have continued to develop the vehicle. We exhibited a new version at the Executive Hire Show back in 2008, and subsequent enhancements have included a simpler ratcheting and load locking system, and deeper sides. Hirers have continued to give us their feedback with suggestions that we consider for future revisions.
“The vehicle meets hirers’ needs in terms of Health & Safety and functionality. In addition, if it is not used for towing with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, it can be driven by anyone with a standard licence. At this year’s Show, we hope to be able to display a version with a lighter floor to increase payload capacity.”
Hirers that already have the adapted Transit Chassis Cab in their transport fleets include Supply UK, Brandon, Hire Station, Champion, One Stop, Plantool, Fast Hire, Toga, City Tool Hire in London, ET Hire, Mark 1 Hire, Webster Power Products, and Sydenhams Hire Centres, in addition to Speedy.
Gordons Ford’s Transit Chassis Cab incorporates a 500kg capacity Del tail lift. The body has been developed in conjunction with PPS Commercials,
PPS Commercials manufactures the Transit Chassis Cab at its large Bury factory.
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