We have a crew of confined space trained staff who with their expert knowledge, experience and pragmatic tenacity always come up with an acceptable and safe method of operation in order to achieve our client objectives.

We recently undertook a preliminary investigation into an ex government underground tunnel and bunker complex at a secret location in Surrey. The bunker, which was a strategic out of London base, has not been used since the war. This project involves a geotechnical investigation, concrete structure investigation, GPR survey and condition survey of the complex which is approximately 10m underground, and will be carried out in phases over the course of the year. This will involve traditional survey methods, laser scanning, GPR and invasive and non-invasive geotechnical works.

As you can see from the smiles on everyone’s faces we love a challenge no matter how dark, wet and cold it is!

For more information take a look at

http://www.technicsgroup.com/land-surveying-services/confined-space-surveys

This role is to manage part of the quality checking, training and personnel development workload of the QM’s while also being available for field checking where necessary and carrying out very large or complex projects.

One of our surveyors, Paul Sumbler, applied for the job to support our Land & Building Survey QM, and we are delighted to announce that he has been offered the position. Paul brings with him a wealth of field experience gained over ten years in the profession and having seen a diverse set of survey methods and management techniques over three different companies. I am sure that Paul will rise to this next challenge and enjoy the stimulating role at the sharp end of the company.

Paul said: “I have gained vast experience whilst working at Technics Group as a surveyor and feel the role of Assistant Quality Manager will enhance my knowledge and personal development within Technics Group.”

In the last quarter of last year Howard Zabell joined us as Quality Manager. Howard comes with 11 years’ experience undertaking and managing utility surveys and has a series of Health & Safety and project management qualifications. He has a critical eye for detail and will be a great asset to the team. As Quality Manager Howard will be responsible for field checking and office checking of surveys together with training and mentoring the surveyors.

Howard said “Professionally, I have always been very determined and studious individual with a progressive background in surveying and management, so joining Technics Group was the definitive next step. It is my goal to further my knowledge and experience, and continually help develop those around me.  Quality is highly significant to any survey business and as a Quality Manager, I have a responsibility to monitor results, initiate new challenges and provide commercial awareness.”

Outside work Howard is a keen all round sportsman, he plays for Epsom 1^st XI league hockey team, enjoys triathlons and travel.

Michael Mlinaric also joined us during the last quarter of 2011. Michael joins us as a Utility Surveyor and brings with him 6 years’ experience both in the UK and in the Middle East undertaking Utility Surveys using radio location and ground penetrating radar techniques. He previously studied ‘Construction and The Built Environment’ and has taken part in a 6 month expedition to Belize and Guatemala where he helped construct a ranger centre and taught in a remote village school.

Michael said “I recently joined Technics Group and am proud to be a part of a forward thinking surveying company. I come to Technics Group with six years of having my head down foul water drains. As a keen traveller and Scuba diver I look forward to be rained on in the four corners of the UK!”

Andy Webb has been promoted from Senior Utility Surveyor to Assistant Quality Manager. We are delighted to have promoted Andy, he is a master in utility location and his experience is second to none. He has been involved in some of the most complicated utility surveys in the demanding and congested centre of London. In his new position he will be involved in the training of surveyors both in site techniques and office processing as well as quality control of the surveys they produce.

Andy said “It was a cold wet January day way back in 2003 when I started as Trainee Utility Surveyor with the Technics Group. Now 9 years on, plenty of blood sweat and tears shed, 2012 brings a promotion to Assistant Quality Manager. The future looks excellent for the Technics Group and I’m proud to still be a part of it.”

When he is not at the coalface Andy is a keen mountain biker and participant in the TG Jelly Legs Club. See http://www.technicsgroup.com/surveyor-blog/the-jelly-legs-club-ride-again/

Christian Bews joined the team as a trainee surveyor at the beginning of January. Fresh from studying an MSc in Geography, Christian has been a member of the Research Group ‘Geomorology – subsurface and subsurface competence’ under the assistance of Prof. Dr Schrott. Being a member of this group has given Christian experience with Geophysical Survey methods which he is now keen to adapt to near surface utility location. Christian has travelled extensively and was a member of the Salzburg water polo team which came in second in the 2011 championship.

With two more staff due to start in February the Technics Team is stronger than ever and is well positioned to keep our clients supported whatever their survey needs.

We are delighted to announce that following an audit of the company and the assessment of our procedures we have achieved BuildingConfidence accreditation.

BuildingConfidence is a UK Construction industry accreditation implemented to help meet the demands for higher standards of performance.

Major contractors and clients are using BuildingConfidence accreditation, operated by Achilles, because of the increasing pressures to conduct a more consistent and robust accreditation process on their supply chains as a result of the new CDM Regulations 2007, Corporate Manslaughter Act, new Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility criteria, Immigration Laws and an increased focus on the financial stability of sub-contractors – especially in the current economic climate.

Technics Group was identified as a key contractor selected by criticality of the service we provide, our company has therefore been chosen to help drive improved performance across the existing supply chain.

We have an annual audit to ensure we are meeting BuildingConfidence standards and find the scheme particularly helpful to monitor and improve performance in key areas such as Health & Safety, environment and quality.

Current BuildingConfidence members are Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd, British Land, Costain, Davis Langdon, Kier Group, Lend Lease, Mace, Shepherd Construction, Simons, Sisk, Skanska, Swift Horsman, Tarmac and Wolseley.

For more information about the scheme visit:

http://www.achilles.com/en/uk/sectors/Construction/BuildingConfidence/

Utility Mapping will be undertaken on various projects in accordance with The Survey Association Essential Guide to Utility Surveys. (http://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/)

The agreement is a further step towards Mansell’s Zero Harm by 2012 programme. Mansell’s have an impressive track record having been awarded Major Contractor of the Year in 2008 and again in 2009. Winning the Health and Safety (major contractor) Award at the 2010 Construction News Quality Awards recognised their efforts to achieve Zero Harm across the business by 2012.

John Macintyre, Technics Group’s Project Director said “I am delighted that we have been awarded this agreement and that our abilities have been recognised. We look forward to working with the Mansell team on their projects”.

For more information about Mansell visit http://www.constructingcommunities.com/Home.aspx

His training and previous experience with Topographic and Utility Surveying techniques will be good grounding for his future surveying career at Technics Group.

Pzremyslaw said “my objective is to develop my career as a competent and versatile specialist within a field of ground investigation and surveying. I am particularly interested in applied near surface Geophysics, GPR structural imaging, deformation monitoring, as well as hydrographic and geotechnical surveys”

We are recruiting Utility Surveyors of all grades and Senior Land/Building Surveyors, see http://www.technicsgroup.com/about-us/vacancies-careers

We have now financed 8 bikes for our staff through the Government Cycle Scheme. This excellent scheme has allowed our guys to buy bikes tax free and therefore save about 40% on the cost. This is a huge amount and has allowed them to get better bikes as a result. It also helps our carbon footprint as they cycle to work when they are in the office.

For details about the scheme see: http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

Technics Group have been chosen by Grainger PLC to undertake 3D Topographic Surveys at their latest flagship project, the Aldershot Urban Extension in Hampshire.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Homes and Communities Agency have worked together to appoint Grainger plc as the developer to create a major new development of up to 4,500 homes and community facilities on surplus military land in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Grainger have appointed Technics Group to undertake land surveys which will be used as the basis for the design and planning team that will regenerate the land at Aldershot Garrison. Grainger will be creating a mixed-use residential scheme of up to 4,500 homes together with community facilities, schools, local centres and leisure facilities. Work will include the restoration and conversion of the historic Cambridge Military Hospital building and will now work towards achieving planning.

Technics Group were chosen because of the quality of their work and the ability to cope with project of this size within a fast track deadline.

For more information about Grainger PLC visit: http://www.graingerplc.co.uk/

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