Patsy Tracey of Tracey Concrete
A UNIQUE jacking pipe, the brainchild of its manufacturers, Tracey Concrete, Enniskillen, is selling like hot cakes in Canada, and in other faraway parts.
Put simply, it’s a ‘tunnelling’ pipe that’s inserted by a laser-guided tunnelling machine without disrupting the surface, be it tarmac, clay or grass.
The firm’s managing director, Patsy Tracey explained that such is the demand for the pipe that the company took on about 12 people after the July holidays, and it is now looking for more. Training will be given.
At present, Tracey Concrete employs 65 personnel and, according to Mr Tracey, things are going well.
“We ship the pipes out in containers to Canada, and we do a lot of work in London and in England generally as well as in Scotland and Wales. We have contractors in all those places and the jacking pipe suits their tunnelling machines.
“No, it’s not a ‘first’. We have been doing it for a couple of years now, but we can see now good movement across the board for the first time in five years.”
Last week, Mr Tracey and a number of colleagues attended a prestigious jacking pipe tunnelling exhibition in London.
“We had our own stand at it and it went down very well, but you have to get out and work for it.”
He stated that this new technique was ‘the way forward’ for utility companies which, until now, dig up the roadway, lay their pipes and fill in the hole and, some time later, another utility comes along and does the same.
“It means that, instead of digging up the whole town and street, the machine burrows underneath the ground and trails the pipes behind it, guided by laser, and you wouldn’t even notice it.”
He went on: “There’s a lot of pipes going out. For instance, we’re doing a big job in Edinburgh, using ‘1500 diameter’ jacking pipes. But, as I say, you have to be in there fighting your corner.
“Yes, I believe we will get a few orders out of the London exhibition.”
Tracey Concrete Ltd is a leading manufacturer and supplier of pre-cast concrete products and ready mixed concrete.
Last week’s job advert was for general operatives.
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