NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, UK, August 9, 2007 -- Highway and civil engineering precast concrete structures specialist, ABM Group, has completed the first phase of a major expansion program. Investment in new heavy duty cranes and additional moulds has boosted capacity and provided greater production flexibility.
As licensees for the innovative Matiére modular concrete buried box and arch and systems, ABM has had considerable success in Ireland. The company has identified major opportunities to further expand the market for these robust soil-stabilized structures in UK highway, rail, water and other infrastructure projects. Line possessions or lane rentals demand high speed of construction, Matiére structures enable contractors to advance the program and avoid delays and penalties.
Mike Sanderson, business development manager, commented, "The investment reflects the considerable potential in the UK for the Matiére bridge and underpass system. There are hundreds of these systems in Ireland and thousands throughout the world. The structures are a highly competitive and low maintenance alternative to conventional constructions that allow projects to go forward more rapidly."
Two new semi-Goliath cranes, each operating at 30 tonnes safe working load and fitted with five-tonne auxiliary hoists, are routinely used in tandem to handle concrete structural elements of up to 60 tonnes. Using additional mobile cranes, the company has a capacity to manufacture precast concrete elements of up to 100 tonnes.
Serving a new casting floor of 2,400 square meters, the cranes are used for mould positioning, casting, de-moulding and handling precast units. The yard's own concrete batching plant delivers the ideal correct mix design for each application. Using only CARES approved bar, the on site bar-bending and cage making facilities provide appropriate reinforcement with end-to-end quality assurance systems on all production processes.
ABM provides a complete service including project evaluation, design, casting, transport and on-site structure erection. The company has a design team of nine, in addition to the 30 strong workforce on site. All installation teams are directly employed so that QA standards are followed right to the end of the process.
Located at Tuxford, near the A1 in the East Midlands, ABM is well placed to serve all areas of the UK. In addition to producing Matiére structures the company produce bridge beams, parapets, tunnels, culverts, car park components, earth retaining systems, tanks, buried structures and other precast concrete elements. The investment underpins employment at the Tuxford site and the company anticipates that there will be further development over the coming months.
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