If you look after your Bailey trailer it will keep on going for years. However, it’s a fact of life that even the best products need a new part now and again. Parts Manager Ben Turner is responsible for keeping our customers on the move.
Farming is a people business, for Ben it’s all about building a rapport with customers, dealers and supply-chain partners: “We’ve more than 100 dealers across the UK and a number of dealers overseas. My day involves speaking to dealers, some customers and our suppliers. No two days are the same, one minute we might be sending a nut and bolt to Norfolk, the next a rollover kit to Norway.”
In contrast, Ben knows exactly what his day will look like during peak harvest: “During harvest the phone doesn’t stop ringing, some days we’ll process up to 40 orders. Customers need their parts next day and generally we achieve this. It all depends on the part. We pool our resources in the office, I’m often supported by Sarah and Jazz, we do our very best to make sure parts leave on time.”
Whether peak or off peak season, stock levels are monitored to ensure that at any one time 4 trailers worth of parts is held on the shelves. However, because a Bailey trailer will just keep on going, sourcing parts for heritage trailers can prove difficult as Ben explains…
“Because there are still Bailey’s out there from the 1980’s, we can’t keep everything on the shelf, we’ll always find a way to help the customer, it might take a bit longer that’s all. It’s not so easy with parts we buy in, for instance we’re reaching the point where spares for a 1990’s brake shoe are becoming obsolete, sourcing these is becoming a struggle.”
When you build trailers that are known for tough performance, each component must therefore be as tough as old boots. It is for this reason that the majority of parts on a Bailey are manufactured in-house, which for Ben, makes perfect sense…
“Most of the components are made in-house, including all pins and bushes. We have a state-of-the-art laser cutter that can cut up to 100 parts at a time. I doubt any other trailer manufacturer could match the kind of investment we’ve made into ensuring components are more than just fit for purpose. The quality of our parts is second to none.
“All parts that we make come with a 2 year guarantee, subject to the obvious wear and tear stipulations. The same goes for any parts that we buy in. Our customers’ have peace of mind that anything on our trailers has been tested and refined until we are satisfied.”
Which goes to prove, not only does a Bailey trailer look the part, it’s also the sum of its parts and those parts are in stock because Bailey have done their sums.
For help with a parts query contact: parts@baileytrailers.co.uk
