F W Mason and Sons Ltd
F W Mason and Sons Ltd
Supplying vehicles on contract hire across several locations.
F W Mason founded the company in 1929 to act as an agent for timber products. He transformed the business into a store manufacturing organisation supplying to the DIY trade across the country.
The business operated in premises south of Nottingham until a fire in 1968 which forced a move into the city of Nottingham.
Today, the company has a factory complex and head office on the Colwick Industrial Estate in the city, with depots in Birtley, County Durham, servicing their northern customer base and at Pinxton, which concentrates on one key account. F W Mason & Sons has approximately 200 employees working across all three operating depots but they also have a strong agency presence at each depot.
Peter Emery. executive logistics manager says:
"I took over the transport operation 6 years ago and at the time the company ran a fleet of Ford Cargos. A management consultancy firm was asked to come and work with us in July 1993 to evaluate our distribution strategy and as a result of this exercise we moved away from outright purchasing our own vehicles and we focused our attention on short and long term rental opportunities. Alltruck were one of the companies that we asked to produce a quote. Gradually we implemented vehicles on a five year contract hire lease into the business with Alltruck and various other companies.
"When I was first introduced to Alltruck plc transport was all a relatively new process to me. Up until then I had never had any dealings with contract hire. Over time the relationship with Alltruck and my understanding of contract hire gradually evolved. You get to know the people you are dealing with and it has been a great benefit to our business to work with professional people who can recommend transport solutions to our business. Their experience has helped us greatly, but I feel that we actually help each other in what we do.
"To begin with Alltruck were quoting against bigger contract hire companies. The thing that struck me about Alltruck at the time was that they were smaller and a more hands on company. Even though they are not a family business they operate as though they are, and this becomes apparent when you are dealing with them. Alltruck are very helpful in providing advice. Bigger companies become very transparent in that they send a rep out to see you and before long it’s someone else that’s visiting you. I would sooner have a working relationship with someone I have got to know and trust rather than a string of people who keep coming and knocking on my door who I can’t relate to, Alltruck provide me with personal contact.
"I am very pleased with Alltruck. I can rely on them to advise me on various environmental and legislative issues. If I or one of my colleagues has a problem we can guarantee that a member of the Alltruck team will be able to help us. I just think that Alltruck works very professionally and this shows in their operation. The staff react very quickly in an emergency. They are a very professional outfit who are alert to their customer’s requirements."