SOCOTEC UK, a market leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services for the construction and infrastructure sectors, is pleased to announce the acquisition of IETG, specialists in flow level, temperature, and water quality monitoring, and 40SEVEN, renowned for their industry leading expertise in land and utility surveying services.

This strategic acquisition, with a combined workforce of 160 professionals and a revenue of £13m, significantly enhances SOCOTEC UK’s service portfolio and extends its geographic reach. The total turnover of SOCOTEC UK now stands at £200m.

With a strong commitment to helping customers reduce their environmental impact and adapt their built assets to address climate change challenges, SOCOTEC continues to lead the way in environmental stewardship. In 2023, the UK Government issued the first revision of its 25 Year Environment Plan, placing a critical focus on mitigating impacts on the water environment. Water companies are now tasked with meeting stringent targets and commitments through enhanced transparency and monitoring mechanisms outlined in the Environment Act.

IETG, experts in planning, monitoring, and measuring, are uniquely positioned to support water companies and wider stakeholders across the UK in achieving regulatory compliance. Their services, including flow surveys, water quality monitoring and sampling, pollution alarms, level monitoring, temperature and hydrogen sulphide monitoring, are instrumental in ensuring adherence to environmental regulations.

Furthermore, 40SEVEN’s specialist surveying services, encompassing topographical and measured building surveys, as well as underground utility and gas hazard surveying, aligns seamlessly with SOCOTEC’s existing surveying and monitoring capabilities. This acquisition further bolsters SOCOTEC’s extensive portfolio, providing clients with comprehensive in-house solutions throughout the asset lifecycle.

Commenting on the acquisition, Nicolas Detchepare, CEO of SOCOTEC UK, said: “The acquisitions of IETG and 40SEVEN reinforce and diversify our existing environmental division. With the addition of remote monitoring capabilities, we are now the leading provider in the UK, supporting our clients in complying with the rigorous legislation established by the Environmental Act. This acquisition solidifies SOCOTEC’s position as a leader in remote monitoring and advanced geospatial solutions within Infrastructure, Utilities, Environment, and Construction. The acquisition supports our ambition to become the leading integrated player in the UK, helping businesses mitigate environmental impacts and build a more resilient, sustainable future”

Herve Montjotin, CEO, SOCOTEC Group continued: “There is a perfect operational and cultural fit between IETG / 40SEVEN and SOCOTEC UK. With this seasoned and cohesive team joining SOCOTEC, we will enlarge our service offering especially in the environmental field and confirm our leadership in the UK”

For further information on the acquisition, please follow: https://www.socotec.co.uk/media/news/monitoring-geospatial-acquisition-ietg-40seven

We have recently been awarded all the 9 lots we tendered for under the new SGN Gas Asset Surveys Contract.

SGN is one of the UK’s largest gas distribution network operators and this achievement comes after the completion of a Multi-Lot RFQ tender, as well as demonstrating our expertise and reliability to SGN over the past 9 months. Since November 2022 we have been working on an interim basis to support an increase in demand for Leakage, MasterMap and Mains Replacement Prioritisation Surveys (MRPS) Surveys.

In addition to MRPS, MasterMap and Leakage surveys, the new contract, starting in September 2023 will encompass Large User Must Meter Reads, Bulk Services, River Crossing, Complex Distribution Systems and Valve Surveys.

“Winning all 9 lots under the SGN Gas Asset Surveys contract is a remarkable accomplishment for 40Seven. It not only highlights our ability to meet the industry’s evolving needs but also reflects our commitment to fostering excellent service, based on quality and reliability to our gas distribution network customers” said Jon Steers, Operations Manager for Gas at 40Seven.

40Seven has worked as a surveying services provider in the Gas industry for over 20 years. We are the sole supplier of Leakage, MRPS and Plant Protection surveys to Cadent Gas. We also provide ad hoc gas related asset surveys to Northern Gas Networks, Islands Energy Group and other small independent gas distribution network operators.

We believe our continued successful growth is a result of the efforts of our dedicated team of industry experts who use new technology, innovative and efficient working methods, and a customer focussed approach to consistently deliver high quality data and a great service. This contract award further solidifies our position as an industry leader and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the safety, reliability, and efficiency of gas distribution networks across the UK.

We are attending Highways UK 2023 to present and showcase our Topographical & Underground Utility Surveying services, alongside our Asset Data Collection, Infrastructure Protection and Monitoring Services.

Topographical Surveying – We provide Topographical and Land Surveying services throughout the UK utilising the latest technologies, including Aerial Drones and Laser Scanners, to provide accurate and detailed drawings and models. Through the combination of our highly trained staff with the latest technologies, we deliver surveys to meet the exacting requirements of our clients in the most efficient manner possible. Surveys can be delivered in any available format from 2D AutoCAD and Microstation drawings to full 3D Revit Models and digital representations.

Underground Utility Surveying – The accurate detection and location of Underground Utilities requires a high level of skill and experience from our surveying teams. Our NVQ trained and qualified Utility Surveyors utilise Electro-Magnetic and Ground Probing Radar equipment to accurately detect Underground Utilities and features and Total Stations and GPS to accurately position them. All of our surveys are carried out to PAS128:2022 specification and can be combined with a Topographical Survey to create a complete model of everything above and below ground.

Utility Asset Data Collection – We collect, analyse and deliver Utility asset data using our own innovative and bespoke application. GasTrak provides a versatile and customisable platform that can be adapted for all Utility sectors, increasing efficiencies in data collection and analysis throughout the data collection process. We have been using GasTrak to carry out risk based surveys for the largest Gas Distribution network in the UK and we are keen to explore its potential to support the data collection activities of other Utility providers.

Utility Infrastructure Protection and Monitoring (Plant Protection) – We currently provide Plant Protection services on behalf of the largest Gas Distribution network in the UK using a team of experienced, registered surveyors, who visit Gas pipes daily to ensure that no one is digging, breaking ground or building over the top of them (Plant Protection). We collect Plant Protection information on our GasTrak application, including date, time and geo-stamped photographic records, which create a fully detailed log for audit purposes. We are keen to engage with the Highways UK audience to gauge and establish if and where this service can be applied to the Highways sector.

The Highways UK 2023 exhibition is at the NEC in Birmingham on 18th – 19th October and you will find us on Stand 280, so please come along for a chat and explore how we can help with your Surveying requirements.

Earlier this month we were invited by Morgan Sindall to support them in the development of accommodation for the homeless charity CHESS. The charity are developing a single storey building and required a Survey of the Utilities across the site. Our team spent one day on site, followed by a office day to prepare the CAD drawing.

40SEVEN are proud to have been involved in a small way on this scheme, which will provide 24 dwellings for the homeless in a lovely landscaped environment. Further details, including how you can support this excellent cause can be found on the CHESS Homeless website Chess Homeless – Opening doors for the homeless in Chelmsford

We are pleased to announce, that after many years of searching for the right location, we have finally relocated our Head Office to Astley Way in Swillington, just outside of Leeds.

40Seven has been based on Cross Green Way since incorporation back in 2005 and we’ve spent the last 10 years looking for a new base to call home.

Our team of Leeds based surveyors has expanded rapidly in recent years as we have developed working relationships with more and more clients in the Northern region, and our new offices provide us with the space to grow further, in a modern, practical and comfortable surroundings. The new office will ensure that we are able to support our employees and our customers on existing and future frameworks and projects, and will enable us grow further across the Northern region.

Our new premises will serve as a place where our surveyors can work together on collaborative projects, carry out processing work, get involved in training sessions and will also provide us with a place in which we can meet our customers face to face.

We will continue to offer a hybrid and flexible working arrangement for our employees; where employees are empowered to choose where it is best for them to carry out the work they need to do. We will also continue to recruit new surveyors in the region and will be on the look out for experienced and trained Land and Utility Surveyors, as well as people who don’t have experience in the surveying industry but have a desire to learn skills that are in short supply in our country and develop within a business which has the happiness and professional development of all its employees at the heart of everything we do.

40SEVEN is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a 3 year sole supplier Framework with Cadent to carry out Mains Replacement Priority Surveys (MRPS), Plant Protection Services, Gas Leakage Surveys and Asset Surveys across all of their regions (North West, West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia and North London).

The award continues our long-standing relationship with Cadent, going back to the mid 1990’s,  and ensures a seamless transition of service and delivery of these surveys. The next 3 years also promise to bring exciting changes as the Gas network begins to transition towards Hydrogen, and 40SEVEN is looking forward to playing an integral part in the future development of the nations Gas networks.

If you would like to hear more about our Asset Surveying services, contact Jon Steers on 07896 270490 or JSteers@40seven.com

We are attending UWL23 to present and showcase our Topographical & Underground Utility Surveying services, alongside our Asset Data Collection, Infrastructure Proetction and Monitoring Services.

Topographical Surveying – We provide Topographical and Land Surveying services throughout the UK utilising the latest technologies, including Aerial Drones and Laser Scanners, to provide accurate and detailed drawings and models. Through the combination of our highly trained staff with the latest technologies, we deliver surveys to meet the exacting requirements of our clients in the most efficient manner possible. Surveys can be delivered in any available format from 2D AutoCAD and Microstation drawings to full 3D Revit Models and digital respresentations.

Underground Utility Surveying – The accurate detection and location of Underground Utilities requires a high level of skill and experience from our surveying teams. Our NVQ trained and qualified Utility Surveyors utilise Electro-Magnetic and Ground Probing Radar equipment to accurately detect Underground Utilities and features and Total Stations and GPS to accurately position them. All of our surveys are carried out to PAS128:2022 specification and can be combined with a Topographical Survey to create a complete model of everything anboce and below ground.

Utility Asset Data Collection – We collect, analyse and deliver Utility asset data using our own innovative and bespoke application. GasTrak provides a versatile and customisable platform that can be adapted for all Utility sectors, increasing efficiencies in data collection and analysis throughout the data collection process. We have been using GasTrak to carry out risk based surveys for the largest Gas Distribution network in the UK and we are keen to explore its potential to support the data collection activities of other Utility providers.

Utility Infrastructure Protection and Monitoring (Plant Protection) – We currently provide Plant Protection services on behalf of the largest Gas Distribution network in the UK using a team of experienced, registered surveyors, who visit Gas pipes daily to ensure that no one is digging, breaking ground or building over the top of them (Plant Protection). We collect Plant Protection information on our GasTrak application, including date, time and geo-stamped photographic records, which create a fully detailed log for audit purposes. We are keen to engage with the full breadth of Utility Week Live’s audience to gauge and establish if and where this service can be applied to the wider Utility industry.

The UWL23 exhibition is at the NEC in Birmingham on 16th – 17th May and you will find us on Stand C18, so please come along for a chat and explore how we can help with your Surveying requirements.

Every 4 months our Managers who are normally dispersed across the country, get together in one physical location to communicate, plan and prioritise the actions we need to take to continually grow and improve our service offering and technical abilities. The day is facilitated by a different manager each time. This month, Jon Steers arranged our group planning day, where we got together in Sheffield and covered a variety of topics, including our progress and plans for implementing new surveying technology in 2023.

We started the day with a quick team building activity, including balloons which quickly become very competitive and ended that day, in the evening, with us splitting into two groups to do an Escape room!

Drone technology is moving along rapidly and to ensure we stay up to date, and present our clients with the highest quality survey information, we have recently taken delivery of a new Rotary Wing Drone.

We chose the DJI Matrice 300RTK which has a maximum payload of 2.7kg. We have paired this with a 40MP onboard camera to capture incredibly detailed aerial images which can then be used to create 3D Digital Terrain Models. It will enable us to survey huge areas of land (100ha plus) in a single day over any terrain, even otherwise inaccessible areas, and extract data with a high degree of accuracy.

40SEVEN has Unmanned Aircraft Operational Authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate rotary wing aircraft and we have two fully trained and licensed operational pilots. Coupling this with our own in-house Topographical and Underground Utility Surveys, will enable us to survey everything above and below ground quickly and efficiently without compromising quality.

If you would like further information on our Drone Survey capabilities please get in touch – MUtley@40seven.com or EElbrow@40seven.com

We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Midlands office in Rugby!

40Seven have been carrying out surveys throughout the UK for the past 28 years and we have done this from two office bases; one in Leeds, West Yorkshire and one in Sevenoaks, Kent.

We have expanded our team of surveyors rapidly in recent years as we have developed working relationships with more and more clients in the Midlands region, including becoming sole suppliers for all topographical and underground utility surveys for National Highways in both the Midlands and the Southeast regions. Our new office in Rugby will ensure that we are able to support our employees and our customers on existing and future frameworks and projects and enable us grow further across the Midlands region.

Our new premises will serve as a place where our surveyors can work together on collaborative projects, carry out processing work, get involved in training sessions and will also provide us with a place in which we can meet our customers face to face.

We will continue to offer a hybrid and flexible working arrangement for our employees; where employees are empowered to choose where it is best for them to carry out the work they need to do. We will also continue to recruit new surveyors in the region and will be on the look out for experienced and trained Land and Utility Surveyors, as well as people who don’t have experience in the surveying industry but have a desire to learn skills that are in short supply in our country and develop within a business which has the happiness and professional development of all its employees at the heart of everything we do.