Hi

Time is flying by, and we are already 6 months into 2024. Summer is supposed to be here, but bar a week of slightly warm weather we see no sign of it! The elections are taking place today (4th July) and whatever your thoughts, or predictions are, we will soon have a new government.

At CRL we are busy as usual. We have just completed our year end with a record turnover, and are looking forward to what our new financial year will bring. We enter this year with a healthy forward order book, so now the challenge going forward is to make sure that despite the skills shortages that everyone is talking about, we can carry out the work to the high standards expected of us.

We recently exhibited at the Concrete Bridge Development Groups' 27th Annual Conference, and the NCE Water Conference. Both were well attended, with some excellent presentations. If you missed us at these 2 conferences, please visit us on our stand at the upcoming NCE Bridges conference (see details below).  

Infrastructural damage owing to corrosion, according to some of the figures floating around, costs us up to 4% of global GDP per year. A not unsubstantial sum! There have also recently been some high profile, and catastrophic bridge (and concrete building) collapses, which not only have economic consequences, but have also resulted in the loss of lives.

The questions always asked are; why were these collapses not foreseen, and how were the structures being monitored?

The traditional way for us in the concrete repair industry to assess the condition of a concrete structure is to carry out a condition survey & investigation. Once the survey is completed and the report compiled, we can assess the findings and make a decision on the cause of the problems (mainly spalling concrete) and the probability of corrosion issues occurring in the future. 

The main concern with this type of investigation is that the people carrying out the survey need to visit site, and very often have to work at height, or in confined spaces, which puts them at risk. What if we could monitor our concrete structures remotely. We do it with cathodic protection systems, so why not for chlorides & carbonation?

There are systems being trialled at the moment, and National Highways are "looking to revolutionise the way it monitors and maintains bridges and other structures by hunting out new and innovative ways that will spot potential defects sooner". Whether these systems will ever take the place of 'on-site intrusive surveys' is hard to tell, but if we don't trial them now we will never know!

CRL were recently presented with their 26th consecutive RoSPA Award, and 24th Gold Award, demonstrating our commitment to health and safety excellence.

The RoSPA Order of Distinction Award for health and safety performance, showcases a companies dedication to ensuring its staff, customers, clients, and contractors get home safely at the end of every working day.

The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK and receives entries from organizations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards in the health and safety industry.

CRL Supports Hawthorn Court Care Home 

Hawthorn Court, an Extra Care Housing Home for older adults with care needs was recently in need of some work on their gardens to enable the residents to enjoy the outdoor facilities. A team from our Bristol office stepped up to the mark, and spent three days revitalizing the communal gardens.

The team transformed the neglected areas by clearing overgrown flower beds, pressure-washing patios, and repairing and painting the shed.

Residents were delighted with the results and look forward to enjoying their beautifully restored and spruced up garden facilities. In order to say thank you they expressed their gratitude by producing some heartfelt thank you cards, which went a long way to making all the hard work worthwhile.

CPD Technical Presentations

CRL have a wealth of expertise in asset management and the repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures and buildings. We would be happy to present one of our technical presentations either at your offices, or alternatively over Zoom, or Teams (or both!).

Our presentations range from basic concrete repairs to the cathodic protection of steel framed buildings. Whichever one you choose it is a great way to increase your knowledge on a particular subject, whilst at the same time accumulating those necessary CPD points! 

Please click on the link below to see what CPD presentations we have on offer and to book the one most suited for you.