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Thu March 28 2024

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High-reach investment for geotechnical specialist

25 Jun 14 Specialist geotechnical and civil engineering contractor Colin Jones (Rock Engineering) is investing £200,000 in high-access drilling rigs.

The new plant will enable the Porthmadog-based company to carry out geotechnical work at heights of up to 30 metres.

The investment is supported by £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.

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.”

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