MK Surveys captures latest utility detection and mapping system
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MK Surveys, based in Milton Keynes, is the first company in the world to take delivery of an advanced, ground penetrating radar (GPR) system, supporting further expansion of its fast growing utility department.
The purchase of Opera Duo, the latest innovation for utility location and mapping by market leaders IDS, further strengthens MK Surveys’ capability in this expanding market.
The Opera Duo is designed and engineered for easier and faster collection of deep and shallow depth data, over all terrain and with the facility for the operator to generate detailed on site-reports.
As early adopters of the original IDS Detector Duo in 2007, MK Surveys has moved again to acquire – at launch – the latest from the Italian manufacturer of GPR systems. The acquisition of innovative GPR equipment on release has helped MK Surveys steadily expand its utility services and increase its staffing levels accordingly.
A utility department which started with one surveyor and a single unit now employs eight, plus two trainees, with a fleet of Detector Duo GPR units that are in daily use.
David Rust, Director at MK Surveys commented: “With insight and advice from Drilline Products, one of the leading UK suppliers of GPR technology to our industry, we were able to respond quickly to the increased demand for underground surveys that started around seven years ago.
“The market has grown steadily since 2007 and now utility surveys are a consideration on virtually all construction projects, for very good reasons. Contractors need to know where the utilities are before breaking ground in order to avoid costly and potentially dangerous mistakes.
“The relationship we have with our supplier has been key to our growth in this market. Drilline is uniquely placed to support the investment we make in new GPR equipment with the presentational material and training that helps us to win contracts,” he added.
Drilline Products have been active in the creation of a GPR Masterclass run by the University of Greenwich. The inaugural course, specifically designed for GPR operators, took place during April 2014 and future courses are due to run every two months.
MK Surveys is an independent survey company employing 50 people in its Milton Keynes head office and a further 20 in four regional offices in Oxford, the East Midlands, West Midlands and Sussex.
The investment in new technology is part of a planned strategy for growth for MK Surveys, including a move to bigger premises within Milton Keynes.