From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter discussing cost reductions and production planning for car bodies with Park Ward & Co. Ltd.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\2\ scan0020 | |
| Date | 18th January 1940 | |
| Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}9/E18140 - 2 - Having obtained the above information, we want to know what further reduction could be achieved in material, due to buying in quantities, and in labour due to reduction in man hours if the Park Ward construction were adhered to and tools could be put in hand the cost of which could be spread over 6,000 bodies to flow from the shops on conveyors at the rate of, say, 60 per week. 4 What advantage from the improved plant and larger quantities would accrue to coupe bodies at the rate of, say, 5 per week and the other custom built bodies in the pre-war quantities produced by the Company. 5 In order to get out this information we believe it is essential that some one at the Company should be working continuously on costs in conjunction with Mr.Green and that the figures should be submitted in a standard manner similar to those of the chassis so that every one can understand them. This means that, if whoever is going to deal with this matter is supplied by the Company, he must come to Derby and learn how they do the job there. We believe that to get out this cost analysis will be a full time job for Mr.Green and this assistant and that Mr.Ward will also have to be prepared to give it a considerable amount of his personal attention since he will be responsible for making the bodies at the prices established. By the time you have submitted these figures, the Pressed Steel Company should have produced their estimate for a shell and its tool cost. We understand that the shell cost, generally speaking, is less than ¼ of the total, the rest of the cost being common to both types of bodies - hence 75% of your cost estimate will be applicable to the Pressed Steel Company body. Would you please let me know whether this is all clear and how you propose to deal with the matter. Yours sincerely, (A.F.Sidgreaves) C.Falconer Esq., Of Messrs. Park Ward & Co.Ltd., 473, High Road, Willesden, N.W.10. | ||