“We only use the more superior Chinese grade plywoods, not only because it reflects on the company, but we don’t want to have to deal with any returns, and nor does the customer,” adds Tremaine.
“This year we have fitted more than 2,000 vehicles, and we have had a problem with two of them.”
Tremaine says one of the advantages his company can offer is attention to detail.
“Our patterning is one of the best in the industry,” he claims. “When we get a vehicle, we create templates with pre-determined fixing points, that are designed to miss all wiring harnesses in the second skin of the van.
“If we do 42 vehicles in a day, every single kit and screw is in the same place on each vehicle. There are not many other people who do that; others prefer to put screws in where they think is the right place.”
Alternatives to ply could prove popular
The ply-lining industry is conscious of problems with waste products from the production process, and Byatt believes new materials could help overcome these.
“I can see someone developing recycled plastic sheets for lining, rather than ply,” he says.
“It is probably the way forward, but it is also cost-prohibitive at the moment. One or two companies have tried to produce plastic extrusions that fit onto the side of the vehicle.
"Anything that promotes recycling is the way forward – the amount of plywood we cut off is equivalent to a lot of trees every year – but the question is how to make it happen.”
Tremaine, it seems, is one step ahead and reveals that he is in talks with an unnamed company about the use of recycled plastic as van lining.
“The company is currently making sheets formed from recycled plastic. We’re at an early stage, and the only issue we have at this time is getting effective costing,” he says.
“When we overcome that hurdle, it will be easier to fit the plastic products, rather than the boards.”
The solution isn’t quite complete, however, because while weight isn’t an issue, the aesthetic appeal is.
“The colour is verging on black, so we could only line the floor, not the sides, of the vehicle at the moment because it would be too dark in the van,” Tremaine admits.
Campbell Brown - 18/01/2018 11:00
Hi I am a mobile hydraulic hose fitter also a mechanic which means I have to carry a fair amount of equipment. I have a 3.5 tonne van at the moment but by the time you get your tools in never mind the rest of what you need your at the limit of what you can carry. I have been tthinking of going for a 5 tonne van but nobody can seem to be able to tell me what weight of van I can have without all this 6 weekly checks etc.There's no way I can be using a tachograph as my working hours just wouldn't fit in. Whither your driving 33 miles or 103 miles shouldn't make any difference. If you drive 33 miles within your base you still have to drive 33 miles back as far as I can make out it's just another obstacle put in front of people who are just trying to make an honest living. Can anybody shed any light on my predicament. Thank you.