Transport and communications

Abstract

Fortrex plc is a large public company which produces lifting equipment, including fork-lift trucks. It has customers all over the UK and is developing a large overseas market, especially in Africa, India and the Far East, Fortrex’s main factory is in Swindon, Wiltshire, but it also has other offices and depots in Leeds and London. The company uses all available means of transport both to obtain materials for its products and to distribute its finished product. The directors of the company and its managers have to do a good deal of travelling, both in this country and abroad. The particular mode of transport which the company uses will depend upon several factors: 1. Economy — A company like Fortrex knows that costs of transport are added to costs of production and, therefore, they try to keep costs down as much as possible. Cost is an important consideration when choosing a method of transport. 2. Speed — It is often important to transport goods or employees as quickly as possible. Speed can be a key factor in choosing a method of transport, therefore. However, the quickest method may be the most expensive, so the factor of economy must be balanced against the need for speed.