PATCHING TOGETHER A SECURE DRAINAGE BUSINESS
A drainage contractor in the North East of Scotland has been relating how gaining a qualification in no-dig patch repair has ensured his new business is going from strength to strength.
Mark Whitworth of Drain Dogs Limited commented, “I perform the full range of drainage services, but no-dig patch repair has been absolutely fundamental to building my new business. I’ve performed over 100 in the last 12 months and am expecting to perform over 200 in the coming 12 months. I’ve been in business less than 18 months but am fully booked for the next 5 weeks. I already need another van on the road!”
Much of Mark’s business is coming from local authorities, where Mark reports that response to the Pipe Doctor product he uses has been “phenomenal”. Some of his clients are so convinced of the benefits of no-dig patch repair that they’re including it on every Bill of Quantity – both for new and refurbished housing stock – within their area, often detailing that suppliers using Pipe Doctor are preferred.
Mark explained “I always use the Pipe Doctor product, which I also introduced to the drainage company I previously worked for, due to its reputation and its WRc Approved status. In total, throughout my career, I’ve completed around 700 repairs with this product and I’ve never had a single problem with an installation. In fact, I’ve never heard a bad thing said about the product – including from clients!
“One of the great things about using the Pipe Doctor product is there’s so much information available from its manufacturer, Source One Environmental. When talking to clients, the demo pieces are really useful and I can also point the client to the Source One Environmental website so they can read about the product for themselves.”
Another client who recently requested tenders for installation of Pipe Doctor was a local Housing Association. “They knew of the product and its benefits and had specified it for some repairs around the refurbishment of some tower blocks in Dundee. I was able not just to quote for the initial work but also to explain where else the product could be used in the refurbishment – and picked up many more times the work from that conversation,” Mark commented.
Mark is independently accredited, by Energy & Utility Skills, to install the product correctly, since attending a course at Source One Environmental’s Skills Centre. The course covered every element of the installation of Pipe Doctor, including health and safety information, the Drain Repair Book, CCTV surveying and jetting and installing Pipe Doctor Radius for patch repair on a bend. Importantly, it also included hands-on training in an authentic underground drainage setup, where the trainees could have a go at an installation, guided by the instructor.
The courses are still on offer and trainees attending one walk away with their E&U Skills Certificate and official ID card plus T-Shirts & van stickers, as well as a full understanding of where to go for further help when they’re using the product out in the field. A further course is available in installing Pipe Doctor Lateral, which is used to repair lateral junctions.
“I’m proud to have the Pipe Doctor logo on my van. Using such a brilliant product, and being independently certified to install it correctly, is opening doors for me all of the time. It’s a great service to be able to offer clients and I always knew it would be central to my business when I started out on my own. The opportunities just keep coming,” Mark concluded.
For more information about the E&U Skills course or the WRc-Approved Pipe Doctor product, please contact Source One Environmental on 01226 397 015.
-ENDS-
Photo Captions:
Pictured right; E&U Skills accredited courses in no-dig patch repair take place at Source One Environmental’s own realistic Skills Centre.
Pictured left;
A large diameter packer, encased in the patch repair mat and resin, is inserted into a manhole to install the repair.
Established in 2007 and located in Wombwell, Barnsley, the recently re-branded Source One Environmental (S1E) – formerly known as Fernco Environmental - is a global leader in providing innovative, cost effective technologies for the protection of the environment, meeting challenges in the infrastructure rehabilitation and water management markets. The company strives for sustainability, efficiency, reducing disruption and meeting the demands of new legislation, and supports customers with outstanding service and training, adding value and bringing mutual benefit and growth to the industry. Part of the US Fernco group of companies, S1E is sister company to Flexseal – market leader in the manufacture of flexible drainage couplings for the repair of sewer and drainage pipes.
PRESS CONTACT:
Julie A. Garrido - Wentworth Communications Ltd
Tel: 0161 973 6763 Fax: 0161 969 6813
Email: julie@wentworthcomms.co.uk
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