WIREDGOV

A specialist geotechnical and civil engineering company founded by one of the most respected explosives engineers in the UK is planning to scale new heights with support from the Welsh Government.

Colin Jones (Rock Engineering), which is based in Porthmadog is investing nearly £200,000 in new state-of-the-art high access drilling rigs to enable them to carry out geotechnical work at heights of up to 30 metres.

The project is supported by the Welsh Government with £99,650 from the Wales Economic Growth Fund.

The company was started by the late Colin Jones who was responsible for the design and explosives blasting of the first cooling tower demolition in the UK in the late 1960s.

The business is now run by his son David and employees work all over the UK and Ireland on rock faces repairs, anchoring and drilling, as well as slope stability, the installation of rock fall netting and grouting.

The company also deals with many landslide repair works which have increased significantly since 2006 as a result of increased rainfall. Much of this work involves drilling at height.

The new equipment includes a specialist mobile elevated work platform that can be remotely controlled by radio. It is capable of lifting 1.5 tonnes at a height of 30 metres and can support up to three people drilling in a working basket. It is the only one of its kind in Wales and is unequalled in lift height.
It will enable the company to compete for more contracts across the UK, creating three new jobs and safeguarding a further five. Colin Jones (Rock Engineering) currently employ thirteen highly specialised engineers.

Economy Minister Edwina hart said:

 “ The Economic Growth Fund was established to help businesses become more competitive and grow by investing in new products or equipment at a time when it is difficult to raise finance from the more traditional routes.

“It is very good news to hear that funding is helping Colin Jones (Rock Engineering) extend their services, win new contracts and create jobs.”

Managing director David Jones said:

“The new platform will save us haulage and hire charges so we can offer an enhanced, cost effective service to clients. Funding from the Welsh Government was a great help and enabled us to go ahead with our plans to take the company to the next level while also creating more local jobs.”

The company has considerable experience in the use of explosives in all types of drilling and blasting work as well as working on various bridge and wall replacement/repair/reconstruction and strengthening projects nationwide.

It was the first company in Wales to use fibreglass or G.R.P soil nails to strengthen retaining walls. It is also one of the leaders in the region in the use of remedial applications of pre-mixed grouts injected under pressure into unstable and dangerous stone and brick walls.

It has successfully used these techniques on projects such as retaining walls, harbours and underwater  in applications for the strengthening of bridges, viaducts, general buildings, castles, tunnels and sewers.