40% of businesses have not yet prepared for the Olympics

Posted on February 21, 2012
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I just happened to see the above headline on a piece of junk email and on one hand was not surprised by the comment and on the other, well I was.  Like so many of my colleagues and others that I know my personal view of the Olympics is pretty negative.  A total waste of public money, totally overated and designed to financially benefit a few of the “in crowd” or people and companies with “connections”.  I have been in manufacturing all of my life and believe that the importance of British industry and manufacturing have been overlooked for far too long.    So when one reads that most souvenires etc etc are beign made overseas it does make the blood boil.  So on principal I for one will certainly not be watching any of the events or bothering about the results. All in all I am, as you can guess pretty negative.  That said I can see that for many companies there is an opportunity to “cash in” on these extravangant games and for some some useful pr can be gained or their product placed before a larger audience.

For many the cost of  traditional methods of advertising such as on TV or posters, local radio are going to be prohibitive as the media itself “cashes in” by hiking up their advertising rates.  I guess guerilla marketing will come into its own with many a big name  and small name making use of mobile marketing to push themselves infront of the crowds.  Vehicle and trailer advertising could be very useful.  Imagine parking one of your exhibition vehicles in a prime spot!  Ok it will take some careful thought but I bet there are some interestign places to park that others have not thought of exploiting.

There are no laws to prevent the slow drive around public roads in exhibition vehicles, perhaps supported by promotional staff on foot.  No horrendous media charegs for this sort of activity.  It works believe me.  I have been innocently driving clients vehicles with promotional activity the last thing on my mind when stopped and asked about the product or service mentioned on the graphics.  OK, I also admist to being stopped and laughed at when seen driving a vehcile we had painted pink and then dressed with pink dice and pink furry steering wheel…not to mention the pink furry seat cover.  Whilst that particular incident was embarrassing it proves the point that people notice exhibition vehicles and are not even afraid to stop and make enquiries.

So come come back to where I started, the Olympics.  Whatever I think fo them personally they may be a great opportunity for you to promote your business without lining the pockets of those so carefully trying to exploit their monopoly. Think laterallya nd think

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Animal ambulances and pet taxi’s for sale

Posted on February 8, 2012
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Although it may not be a well known fact we have been designing and building animal ambulances, pet taxi’s and mobile veterinary surgeries for over 10 years and during that time have worked for many leading charities such as the PDSA, RSPCA and Dogs Trust to name but a few.  In addition we have provided various types of animal welfare vehicles to private individuals alongside veterinary practices throughout the country.

Whilst one of our surgeries has worked as far a field as Israel and Croatia we have also built animal ambulances for use on the island of Malta.  That said we have until now never had a set product range of vehicles and this we are planning to change during 2012 with the introduction of  various standard vehicle layouts which will all be branded with our Trailtrek branding.  These fixed vehicles will include the Trailtrek Veterinary Ambulance, Trailtrek Courier and Trailtrek Carrimor.  These being available in new vehicles, second hand vehicles or client supplied vehicles.

Our new vehicles feature a new style aluminium cage system that offers many benefits over our traditional stainless steel cages with a significant lower cost….so a great bargain for our clients.  We are often asked what vehicles are recommended and in truth most  are suitable these days.  The vans now on the market are exceptional value for money and great to drive so we have no issues with using VW, Citroen, Nissan, Peugeot, Fiat and many more. That said we are more than happy to offer advice on the right choice in so far as size of van is concerned for each individual job.  Shown with this blog is an animal ambulance recently completed for a new service being launched in the north West.  The PET COLLECTOR animal ambulance service will be commencing business this February.

Most recently we have added Dog Grooming vans to our range and we can now offer new or second hand units in this range to. Generally speaking these are based on Long wheel base vans but for those who prefer we can supply in trailer format too.  Although for trailers our clients do need to check that they have the appropriate driving license.

For more information take a look at our web site  http://www.exhibitiontrailer.co.uk/animal-welfare.php or for more information call us on 01480 861990 or write to us at info@freewaytrailers.co.uk

 

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Training vehicles and training trailers cut costs

Posted on February 7, 2012
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It’s rather fashionable to cut costs. Well not really surprising in todays economy.  Whats really unusual is taking an action that cuts costs whilst simultaneously improving and expanding the service you are offering.  Not impossible and not actually unique if as a training company or training manager you take your training facility out of a static fixed building and transfer it to a mobile.  Going mobile in either a training vehicle or training trailer is nothign new but one which amazing ly so few do.  It makes sense to take your training room to where the clienst are located.  Not only does this cut down your overhead cost but by being on site where the clients are based you actually increase headcount. So more is achieved.

At freeway we have build dozens fo training vehciels and training trailers and they have ranged in size for the smaller 3500 kgs chasis cab conversions through to full HGV articulated trailers with slide out extension pods.  The largest trailer supplied was actually a second hand exhibition trailer with double extending pods converted into a mobile exam roof for budding electricians.  Sounds crazy but more people were happy to sit examinations if they did not have the cost and inconvenience of travelling long distances to a local college or office block.

Traditionally those using mobile training facilites have been in one way or another IT orientated.  But this is in no way the extent to which mobile trainign can be used.  We have created mobile art rooms, trainign facilities for gas and electrical engineers, biler maintenance staff and even cooks.  Recently we built a professionally fitted out kitchen within a Fiat Ducato chassis cab conversion where students not only studied and trained but also had the facilities to serve the results of their endeavours.  So there is no limit to what can be achieved.

If you feel that your business can cut costs and imporve servcies by taking your training into trainign vehciles or training trailers then give us a call for more information on the services which we can offer.  If budgets are tight we need not build new.  We can use and convert second hand vehicles.  call us on 01480 861990 or look at our web site on www.exhibition

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Beware of sham CE markings!

Posted on February 3, 2012
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Our industry seems relatively free of , for want of a better word, crooks.  So when one does come along it can be a shock to the system and does of course mean you can be vulnerable to a dishonest act when your guard is down.  So why mention this?  Well recently we were approached by a client who wanted us to install a quite expensive piece of equipment into one of our exhibition trailers.  In fact they had purchased this equipment specifically for the mobile project. When we opened the packaging we were struck by the extremely large (unusually so) CE logo which was not quite right as a CE logo.  Strange we thought that someone should first of all want to use such a large intrusive logo and second that they should get the lettering and design all wrong.

We could have left it there, fitted the equipment, taken the money and another job done.  But curiosity was aroused plus our natural instinct to want eveything to be above board and ethical.  So how to check on a CE marking! How to check if it is authentic and legal? Well, dealing with a reputable supplier and this is a very easy task and one which the supplier is more than happy to help with…after all they are proud of the mark (even though most keep it quite small and discrete).  We found the reverse when dealing with someone dishonest and frankly out of our depth.  The gentle world of exhibition trailers does not train you to deal with the blatantly dishonest where a bounced or cancelled cheque is the greatest crime you are likely to come across.

In the end we found an overseas expert in this particular type of specialist product and it took him all of 15 seconds to tell us the CE marking on the equipment concerned was for sure incorrect. The model concerned being dated and for various techncial reasons unsuitable for such approval. Wow!  What does one do.  In the end we had to break the news to the client who had of course purchased the equipment in good faith. Not a nice thing for us to have to do but we felt that it would be completely wrong of us not to say and of course we had to refuse to install.

So the moral of the story is that if you see a CE marking that just doesn’t look quite right…it may be wrong.  We are amazed that people will do this sort of thing  but perhaps when building and selling exhibition trailers we are just too used to dealing with good honest suppliers and clients ….and long may that continue.

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Mobile showrooms to showcase your products and help boost sales

Posted on January 27, 2012
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We have, just lately, seen quite an increase in the number of clients requesting us to design mobile showrooms.  Some already have budgets set aside, having decided to take the plunge, whilst others that we are working for are just quietly thinking about it and looking to analyse the options available to them. With the varied range of products being presented to us for display in these showrooms there is, for sure, no one set answer or one set design to suit all.  Which of course suits us at FREEWAY perfectly as we specialise in the design and construction of “one off” build projects.  In fact we really do get upset by those who say a trailers is a trailer and we simply cringe when we see what some respectable companies have been persuaded to purchase.

We are firm believers in individual design and build.  No two products are the same, neither are competing companies in the same market, so why on earth they should be expected to have identical trailers is beyond us. The showroom design needs to reflect the individuality and the product offering of each company.

Some of our clients are looking to attend well attended public events and wish to display consumer product to a mass audience…..which is a whole world away from those making multiple business to business visits each day to show off their product range and to take stocking orders.  One design needs to be wide open and inviting, bright and cheerful whilst the other can be much more intimate, personal and individual, with the visitor being specifically invited on board.  So no two mobile showrooms should ever be the same.

Even trailer versus vehicle is a difficult one, but nothing could compare to a recent client who asked us to advise on the pro’s and con’s of displaying their products in a chassis cab build against that of a panel van conversion with long wheelbase and high roof.  Whatever angle we looked at the problem from the same answer came up that either would do just as well.  We resorted to a decision being based on price but even here we were stumped as the value of the stock being displayed was going to be so high that it dwarfed the valued of the vehicle build. Money, or perhaps we should say saving a few pounds, was not important to the client.  In the end we came to the conclusion that there was no right or wrong and so we chose the chassis cab option simply because our gut feel said that this was the better way to present the image concerned.  So quite a subjective decision. But then again many such decisions are just that.

Thankfully other mobile showrooms currently in build have not presented us with such a dilemma.  It’s nice to have it easy some of the time!  If you have a product that you wish to display then come and talk to us.  We have over 25 years of experience in the business and can show you a very exciting portfolio.  Call Raymond on 07988 849970.

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Preparing for the new roadshow season

Posted on January 24, 2012
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Talk with anyone these days and they will generally agree that last year, 2011, was a strange old year. It was for us too, being a little unpredictable and nothing like any previous year. So nice to know that we are not immune from the general economic climate after all!  Whilst business was a bit slower than is usual we were none the less very pleased with the various new builds that we had  during the year, along with the ever important trailer refurbishments that we also had coming in at all times.  Such work included minor modifications to small trailers right through to major reconstructions on full 13.6 metre articulated trailers.

The older the trailers the more challenging the work, as you can never quite tell what you are going to find when, say, you remove a worktop, look under a sink or lift up a carpet tile. Sometimes it can be just plain scary with damp, mould, or corroded steel suddenly coming into vision.  Last year we saw it all, the good, the bad and the ugly.

This year has however started with a refreshingly different situation and our specialist trailer refurbishments section reports a less than usual phenomenon.  This year, rather than working on old and somwhate uncared for trailers we are currently working on a number of our very own recent builds, some of which are less than 9 months old.  Now, before you get the wrong impression or jump to the wrong conclusion  we have to say that there is nothing wrong with what we built….no complaints and no failures.  Indeed, quite the contrary in fact.  Last year we found many clients had little choice but to work to very restricted budgets and in such circumstances a small specialist company like ours can provide a very flexible response that larger more impersonal companies cannot offer. As a result many of our 2011 clients had to settle for trailers with less features than would otherwise be the case.  However our uniquely constructed exhibition trailers are designed with change in mind and having been successful during a tough trading period, giving our clients a great return on their investment, they are now confident enough to spend a little more on a few additional features by having their virtually new trailers booked into our trailer refurbishments programme before the new season approaches.

Our advanced methods of build allow our clients maximum flexibility in making low cost alterations to their trailers even when once built. A great investment for the future as no one can predict how their trailer may need to be operating in a year or two’s time.  Thus we can change furniture, fabrics, wall decoration, adds skirts, flagpoles or generators to name but a few items. But more important we can make considerable structural changes without too much hassle and even add extensions as we have done on a small trailer recently built.  You can see this on You Tube at Freeway.wmv

One more important issue that we have not mentioned is trailer servicing.  Trailers themselves require very minimal maintenance but this does not mean any at all!  When you are about to commence a new roadshow season you really must ensure that your trailer running gear, brakes and coupling are all in tip top condition and we can do this for you.  Avoid break downs, or worse still, accidents, and make sure your trailer comes to Freeway Trailers Ltd before the new season commences.  Call us on 01480 861990.

 

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Creative but practical Exhibition Trailer Design

Posted on January 18, 2012
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Not so long ago I spent far longer than I would have wished sitting on trains….10 of them to be precise, and all in just one day.  A misery compounded by the fact that the following day I then had to while away yet more valuable hours making two Easyjet flights to and from Edinburgh, where we have an office servicing our north of the border clients.  Whilst it would have been more than easy to succumb to total boredom one has to say that things were made much lighter by the vast array of different buildings, interiors, designs and colour styles that were on offer in the mix of railway stations, carriages, airports and planes.

Such designs ranged as you can imagine from the modern (the shopping concourses at airports) to the clearly neglected and antiquated and I am sorry to have to list Clapham Junction station within this later group…….though in defence one has to say that it is a very clear and functional layout.  So each and everyone had faults and merits which led me onto pondering our own exhibition trailer designs.  At Freeway we offer a full creative design service which covers not just the appearance of the trailer but also the practical operation of set up and take down, through to content and even external graphics.  We have fairly simple computer based systems for the production of quick scaled plans and side elevations plus a state of the art 3D computer modelling system that can generate life like visuals and an overwhelming diversity of technical information and calculations.

Over the 25 years that I have been generating exhibition trailer designs much has actually stayed the same based on sound practical principals though details have improved with technology and better components.  On the other hand the purposes for which clients wish to use  trailers and special vehicles has certainly changed.  Simply hospitality at outdoor events has been replaced by a diverse range of practical sales, markets, training requirements.  Obviously styles and colours have changed too and I now cringe when I think of all the dark brown interiors I used to create….which were the height of fashionable taste!

With this blog I am showing just one example of our 3D modelling system which is a visual generated to illustrate two of the recruitment trailers we recently built for the Royal Navy.  Each trailer features a double gull wing extension with each being designed to operate independently.  However, to widen their effectiveness you can see that we created a linking stage and canopy so that the two trailers can be combined together to create a super stand at larger events such as the London International Boat Show.  You can see an actual photo of this set up on our web site at www.exhibitiontrailer.co.uk

If you are planning a roadshow activity and are not too sure of the ebst way to achieve your objectives then why not let us help you.  With the wide experience that my colleagues and I have in the industry and having in our time created some notable exhibition trailer designs, we will almost certainly be able to help you.  In the first instance why not give Raymond a call on 01480 861990 for some honest, friendly practical advice.  better still visit us at our factory to see the real thing in production.

 

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Bring on 2012!

Posted on December 30, 2011
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If you happen to be a politician, then I guess you know that 2012 is going to be a bit of a tough nut to crack…a bumpy ride as they say.  For others it is going to be much less so, with guaranteed rewards throughout the year and a bonus at the end (now why do I think of bankers?).  For the rest of us poor hard working mortals in manufacturing or retailing ( the ones who create the wealth of the nation) our expectations are likely to be a little less certain either way….but come on, this doen’t mean we need to fear it.

For marketers each new season or new product launch is a challenge to be welcomed, an opportunity to do things better, differently with success the reward. Let’s be honest we would not be doing the job if we weren’t creative, adaptable and up for a fight, with the desire to win and be the very best at what we do.  Yes, winning new business, retaining existing accounts or perhaps simply surviving is going to take up all of our energies.

What is certainly predictable with a reasonable degree of certainty is that those who go out, reach out, visit their clients visit their prospects with planned roadshow activities are certainly going to fare better than those who do not.  It is they who will be in the “winners enclosure” at the end of 2012. For no longer can any brand or any business, however large and however successful, relax and sit on its laurels. It needs to be out there, it needs to be out in front of its public.  And the only satisfactory way to do so is to initiate thoughtfully planned and executed roadshow activity whereby the product or service can be seen, tried and tested, touched, consumed or plugged in.  No longer can you rely on the customer coming to you or to a static exhibition.

And of course there is in this a great opportunity for the smaller company, the ones with the smaller market share,  to become the wolf in sheep’s clothing. With good planning and a purpose built trailer or vehicle from Freeway Trailers it is perfectly possible to launch an audacious roadshow activitiy that can increase market share, build brand loyalty and create an image in a way that advertising will not do.

In the past few weeks alone we have been active in creating some great plans for next year with a variety fo clients ranging from soft drinks to heating systems, electronics to toys.  So if you want to put your company into the starting blocks for 2012 and you want some fresh, value for money proposals that will suit your market and your budget then why not write to raymond@freewaytrailers.co.uk

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To hire or not to hire…that is the question.

Posted on December 23, 2011
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Had he been around today, one wonders what William Shakespeare would have given as the answer, that is of course assuming that he would have any interest in exhibition trailers and written a play about them.  He may have been interested as we do build mobile stages!  So you never can tell.

It is however, none the less,  a very serious question that many marketeers have to resolve and the very good news (for anyone worried about taking a career limiting decision) is that there really is no perfect right or wrong answer.  Evey sitaution must be treated as a one off.  Phew!  Some situations are though naturally crystal clear.  If you suddenly have to organise a one off event thrown at you out of the blue, never to be repeated, a new product launch or a once off sponsorship activity to promote, then hiring an exhibition trailer has to be the most sensible and pragmatic approach.  On the other hand a lengthy ongoing roadshow activity (expected to run for years) makes purchasing much the more obvious approach.

It is in between these two extremes that the decision making tends to get into muddier territory and one really has to look at individual circumstances.  Even though purchase may be the most cost effective approach some organisations prefer not to invest capital expenditure on the purchase of hardware such as exhibition trailers, prefering  hire as the appropriate course of action.  But reach a point where the trailer is required for multiple events then buying really is the sensible option and one that should be encouraged.

Whatever the situation long term there are always those odd occassions during a campaign or promotional activity when there is a requirement for something really special, something quite unique and as cost for such a trailer is high, hire becomes the only choice.  At FREEWAY trailers we represent our overseas associated company here in the UK and as such offer a fleet of hire and roadshow trailers, the like of which, are simply unavailable locally.  So if you need something like a double deck trailer, one that opens up to provide access for up to 120 guests, we can help you.

We even have a range of exhibition trailers with triple decks. These particular trailers have two lower enclosed decks with a viewing platform on level 3.  If you would like to know more about these trailers or any other hire trailers that we have available then contact us on info@freewaytrailers.co.uk or by phone on 01480 861990.

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Demonstrate…..let’s demonstrate!!

Posted on December 16, 2011
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Sorry to alarm you, but no,  this is not a cry to man the barricades, more a plea for you to consider the type of demonstration that does not normally make headline news.

What we are refering to is the value of demonstrating your product or service.  There can be no better way for you to prove your products features and benefits to a client. This is of course quite easy and natural if your product range is simple, lightweight, small and simple to show…. where no complex set up is required.  On the other hand any product or process that cannot be “popped into the car” or carried into the clients office under arm must not be ruled out as imposible to demonstrate on site.

In the “good old days” a manufacturer could rely almost soley on attendance at key exhibitions to demonstrate such unwieldy products, but with attendances on the decline and with many restricting the distances they travel to such events, there can be only one response.  Companies hungry for success are taking their products out into the market in demonstration vehicles, allowing them to show their product on the customer’s doorstep.

If you want to kick start your sales activity and give your sales force a real “buzz” then why not come and talk with us at FREEWAY.  We have designed and constructed a wide range of demonstration vehicles carrying a very diverse range of products from working log burning stoves to vending machines.

Just imagine, driving to the front door of your clients premises, inviting them (in one stride) to step outside of their world and into your world, your office…your showroom!  Warm and air conditioned with perhaps some light refreshments, this gives them the opportunity to see, to touch, to discuss your latest product or products. perhaps provide comfortable chairs to sit down to discuss, prices, terms and availability; all surrounded by your displays and your photos and product information brochures!

Choose a vehicle under  3500 kgs with which to do this and almost every member of your sales team with a standard driving licence will be able to jump in and take your business to the client. That’s what we call versatile! And if you are nervous about the initial cost we can very often provide a suitable second hand vehicle as the base donor unit for conversion to your showroom.  So day in and day out your sales staff can be repeatuing this scenario many times a day.  Investment in demonstration vehicles pays off…… and you can even use them indoors at shows and events such as at the NEC providing a huge saving over expensive and very traditional exhibition stand build.

If you would like to explore the new world of going mobile with your product demonstrations then why not give us a call at FREEWAY on 01480 861990.

 

 

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