Anyone know anything about how Halfords do there distribution ?. I think the RDC is in Redditch. Is it an in house system or a contractor ?. Anyone know what vehicles they operate ?.
DHL have the Halfords contract, the distribution centres are in Redditch and Cowley and they run mostly 06 & 07 plate DAF CFs which are well maintained.
Trailers are mostly single deck with tail lifts and some double deckers also with tail lifts.
They use mostly their own drivers with agency drivers as and when needed, the main agency at the Redditch depot is First Drivers on Line (driver division of First Personnel), frankly they’re a crap agency who will rob and mess drivers about at will, I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone but I believe there are other agencies currently recruiting drivers for Halfords, I don’t know which agencies they use in Cowley.
Halfords do have a few vehicles based at other places, there’s about 4 at Carlisle and I believe a couple at Exeter, they receive trailers which are taken to them from Redditch usually on a night trunk I believe.
Thanks, thats a lot of what i needed to know. Any idea what sort of money the the agencys pay for working on there ?. Any idea how many drops on each trailer ?. Do you get it all done on one shift or is there some nights out ?.
No idea of current rates and I believe the amount of drops can vary from run to run, but there are nights out on some of the runs, weather or not you have to be prepared to have nights out I’m afraid I don’t know.
The goods are shipped in cages so it’s really just a case of wheeling cages off and putting empty or nearly empty (returns) ones back on.
There are also night trunking runs if you don’t mind working nights.
tonyb who’s a member here used to work directly for Halfords in Redditch so he may be able to give more information.
I don’t know what the pay is like now but I did a lot of work for them a few years ago as an agency driver. They were paying top rates then for anyone who wanted to work hard, and I don’t think it has changed that much since then. We even got our own motors. They were VERY strict about staying within the law — so vehicle check every time and call a mechanic for a side marker bulb. (My mate got a 3 day suspension for setting off with one not working — the security reported him). Strictly 40 mph off the dual carriageway and 50mph on, and also a big inquest after every accident - even a minor encounter with a skip. You will also have to take a driving test and be trained on double deck trailers.
Nearly all their distribution is in house from Redditch and mostly on double-deckers. The number of drops will depend on what they can get on the trailer. Trailers are pre-loaded; some goods on pallets, some in cages and some on the floor. The driver is expected to back up to the back door of the shop (not easy at some shops with the parked cars, skips etc) and carry the stuff to the tail lift. He also has to take empties and returns back.
When I worked there in the run up to Christmas, the first question asked on return to base was “How many driving hours have you got left?” More than two meant being sent back up the road. All nights out had to be taken at MSA’s (parking paid) or at the shops.
Most shop staff are helpful (some exceptions). They will get cars moved and, if they aren’t busy, will even get up and help you drag the stuff off - Even make you a cuppa sometimes.
To sum it up.It was the best job i have ever had.
If all companies run as legal as they do,there wouldn’t be a need for vosa.
The drivers are nearly on £31k now basic plus £30 a night out and early start/late finish bonus.
When i left it was all changing for the agency drivers.They only wanted one core agency.Resulting in alot of trained up drivers leaving because the core agency were paying crap rates.I don’t what the rates for the agency is now but i’m sure it is alot less than the halfords drivers.
As said above you have to do a good job or your out.
The job has been outlined already,but there is alot of vehicle sharing and nights out are not as often as i would of liked,otherwise i would still be there today.
If you need anymore info just ask
Tonyb
same as tony done five yrs there with twelve months on the cowley when they were setting it up it was a licence to print money,if you wanted to do all the hours,andy green would sort you out and the usual few bevvies at botley road and trot into oxford,i had to leave cos of a shoulder injury but if that didnt happen i recon id still be there today 
Karl
Andy green is back on the road now.
Down at cowley was a good night out,bloody expensive though.
Staines was good.
Theyv’e fenced off your favourite now at uxbridge and stopped the parking.
Tonyb
the end of an era tony,uxbridge twice a week,then staines and karaoki in chicago rock with the lads on a thurs in oxford 
maverick72:
the end of an era tony,uxbridge twice a week,then staines and karaoki in chicago rock with the lads on a thurs in oxford
What are you doing now?
I still get in touch with a few from there.I’m not out on the road anymore so i don’t bump into any of them.
Although on this years holiday russ smiley was at the same hotel as i was.Good excuse for a couple of beers ans a chat 
Tonyb
started up on my own little light haulage co running two motors and a few subbies ticking over ok but still miss the craic
Blimey this topic rings bells, Did a stint there myself out of Washford.
T.D.G were running it. Done my assessment with Jim, he was a good bloke. He did wagon and drag normally, never wanted that myself though.
I think Ady was in the office then, all started to go pear shaped when he went on Hols, believe he left not long after ? I liked the job back then, I was on a week away at a time. Then, I went abroad for a little while and heard it had all changed there for the worse, as most jobs any good seem to do sooner or later. 
ive been in there on agency lately a fair bit…
very few nights out now,cutting back as all are to save money
first -drivers online are master vendors at both cowley and washford,not the best agency to work for!!
rates are 9hr days,10hr nights.
ady still in office,traffic controller…
normally 2-5+ drops a day,tail lift and handball.all over uk.hard work!
05/06 cf ssc , the rest merc axors,clean and well maintained and expected to be kept as so.
full driving assessment and no prangs allowed!
Ex Haulier:
Thanks, thats a lot of what i needed to know.
I presume, from your location, you are looking at the Exeter end of the operation.
Not a Primary supplier to the Redditch operation, but try Beaver Bureau at Droitwich.
Speak to Helen.
ase is still there,part of the furniture,jim the assesor left due to drink driving shame realy he was a good bloke but dont condone d/d once it changed from tdg to exhell it started to go downhill but its still hard to get in,its if your face fits and you know any of the drivers
I was doing the bikes from Lakeside. The TM there was a right idiot and generlly despised. Had a nasty habit of sending drivers to London on their first day.
Bikes were packed in boxes average 20kg and stacked to the roof. They had to be dragged 2 at a time to the tail lift and that was hard work. Good exercise though - I lost a few kilos in the months i was there.
They do get very busy in Oct/Nov/Dec so more nights and OT.
Santa:
I was doing the bikes from Lakeside. The TM there was a right idiot and generlly despised. Had a nasty habit of sending drivers to London on their first day.Bikes were packed in boxes average 20kg and stacked to the roof. They had to be dragged 2 at a time to the tail lift and that was hard work. Good exercise though - I lost a few kilos in the months i was there.
They do get very busy in Oct/Nov/Dec so more nights and OT.
Think yourself lucky,I had london most days for 12 months.
Tonyb
Santa:
I was doing the bikes from Lakeside. The TM there was a right idiot and generlly despised. Had a nasty habit of sending drivers to London on their first day.
That sounds like the ■■■■ called Chris IIRC.
DAFMAD:
Santa:
I was doing the bikes from Lakeside. The TM there was a right idiot and generlly despised. Had a nasty habit of sending drivers to London on their first day.That sounds like the [zb] called Chris IIRC.
Ive only ever heard good things about him 