Call Sign April 2003 - Page 23 -Dial-a-Cab visit LTI in Coventry

DIAL-A-CAB VISIT LTI IN COVENTRY

Following a long-standing invitation to DaC to visit the LTI factory in Coventry, it finally took place and Call Sign asked Allan Evans to report...

On Tuesday March 11 as part of a 4-man representation from Dial-a-Cab including Chairman Brian Rice, Keith Cain and Howard Pears, we were invited by LTI Market Development Director Andrew Overton to visit LTI in Coventry. Andrew met us personally at Coventry BR station and introduced us to a number of his senior staff, including Sales and Marketing Manager Nicky Websper. The factory is a short drive from the station and on arrival we were given a brief, but precise presentation on the history of LTI and after a Q & A session, a guided tour of the shop floor.London Taxis International is the leading manufacturer of purpose-built taxis. Since 1948, over 100,000 taxis have rolled off their Coventry production line from the legendary FX3 and FX4 to the current TXII. At

With Brian, Alan, Howard and Keith are Andrew Qverton and Chris Kelsey (Government Affairs Director) at the rear.

present, LTI build 2,500 taxis a year at Coventry, of which around 1500 are sold in London. The safety levels are high with present vehicles built to withstand a crash of up to 30mph.
   I was surprised to discover how large the workforce was. There are around 250 on the shop floor with 100 administrative and clerical staff. It soon became clear that the taxis we purchase are predominately hand made and tested. A large number of checks are carried out manually at the factory before the vehicle is delivered to the dealerships. Even the paintwork is, in general, a long and mainly manual process.
   After the tour, we spent another hour discussing future plans not only for LTI, but the taxi trade in general. There were a number of very interesting points raised on both sides regarding future requirements and developments of the vehicle and the industry - this at a time when future changes could effect us all.
   It was a very interesting and informative day and plans are in hand to invite some of our members to LTI at a later for a similar tour of the factory. I would like to thank Andrew and his staff for their hospitality and assistance. It was quite an eye opener...

Allan Evans