From mining to micro-trenching

Thu 02 Jun 2016

From mining to micro-trenching

Ian Webster said “When the mining industry collapsed we had to diversify into other areas to survive. We had learnt a lot about cutting and it was important we didn’t lose the knowledge we had built over the years. So we applied our expertise to developing new and better products, just for different industries” maxresdefault (1)

Webster began working more closely with the construction, tunnelling and nuclear sectors, continuing to improve his range of Rockwheel cutting attachments which became Websters signature product. The excavator mounted attachments have become a “go to“ tool on projects as diverse as underwater mining in the Maldives to tunnelling on the London Transport Crossrail Programme. TD-220G-Rockwheel-Assembly

Then 3 years ago Webster made the shrewd move to licence manufacturing and responsibility for international sales to its strategic partner in Germany. Ian explains “This was a good decision for us. We have a great relationship and the quality of manufacturing is excellent. Through our dealer network we have expanded our footprint internationally. Importantly the change has enabled us to focus on the design and commercialisation of new products and to concentrate on the UK market. “ Webster has also had success closer to home; chosen to work on the Super tram rail replacement programme, profiling the tracks using a new cutting technique. But it doesn’t stop there. Adaptability and an eye for new markets is clearly built into Webster DNA and they have diversified once again. This time using their expertise to play a key role in building a fibre broadband network in York. RT80

“We first got involved in fibre to the home when we were asked to develop a cutting wheel for a fibre project in Bournemouth. This led to us investing in a fleet of cutting machines and work on the FTTH roll out in York led by a joint venture between City Fibre, Talk Talk and Sky. “ IMG_20160215_123629.032

The cutting machines use blades designed by Webster to cut a slot in the pavement. The fibre cable is laid in the slot and connected to homes in the community. At up to 120 metres an hour the solution deployed by Webster is significantly faster than traditional methods and can dramatically cut the costs associated with these projects. Featured in BBC news and a recent London Times article it seems Webster are once again proving that diversification and the ability to use proven techniques can be applied in all sorts of areas with great results. RT80 full picture

So what’s next for Webster? “With the help of a grant from the Technology Strategy board the company have developed a new type of breaker. They introduced it at Bauma the worlds’ biggest construction show in Germany earlier this year and people loved it. Ian Webster said “I really believe in the product and know it’s completely different from anything already out there so I’m excited for what’s ahead “ We thank Webster Technologies for supplying us with this feature, not our usual type of stuff, but always good to take a look at different kit and ways of tackling jobs.

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