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Takeover for highways specialist

23 Apr 12 A company that specialises in stabilising concrete roads before resurfacing is under new ownership.

D-Drill management team of Des Burns, md Julie White and Alan Rogers
D-Drill management team of Des Burns, md Julie White and Alan Rogers

Lancashire’s Highway Systems has been acquired by diamond drilling and sawing business D-Drill.

Highway Systems was founded in 1993 and uses a ‘cracking and seating’ method prior to resurfacing concrete-slab roads. Instead of digging out the road and removing the concrete, the company’s specialist machines turn the existing concrete into a flexible road base, which is then overlaid. The process is said to be quicker and cheaper than other processes, reducing labour and waste.

D-Drill is based near Coventry and has offices across the UK. Managing director Julie White said she saw much potential in Highway Systems. “Local authorities and councils are looking to make efficiency savings in all areas and so are the contractors Highway Systems can serve,” she said. “This process is so much more economical in terms of cost, time and the environment that I thought it was a strong proposition and decided we should purchase the business.

“In terms of the costs, to totally reconstruct a concrete road to a flexible carriageway in the traditional way, you might be looking at up to £200 per square metre. Using this system, it can be £5 per square metre. That’s better than a 90 per cent saving.”

The system can only be used on concrete roads and that means areas such as older housing estates and original concrete roads are most likely to benefit. 

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MPU
MPU

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