8 minute read
Rail Professional Interview
Sam Sherwood-Hale spoke to Glenn Clark, Managing Director of RCU Solutions Limited about founding a startup, getting accredited to the rail industry standard and what the future will hold
RCU Solutions Ltd offer a fresh approach to the rail, construction and utilities sectors, led by Nick Carroll (Operations Director) and Glenn Clark (Managing Director) RCU deliver projects on budget, on programme and without compromising on quality or safety. RCU work with a diverse supply chain to deliver multi-disciplinary projects across a variety of industries. Whatever the scale of any project, RCU will provide the right solutions using their expertise in the civils, E&P and telecoms disciplines.
You founded RCU Solutions Limited in 2008, how do you feel the industry has changed in that time?
The world is forever changing and with that so does our industry. Whether it be new technology, new incentives to help improve the planet, new ways of working with PACE and Project Speed roll outs gives us a lot to keep us on our toes and ensure that we are adapting with it all.
When you look back on that first day that RCU started operations, how do you feel the company has changed?
The business started with just Nick Carroll and myself having a few good ideas and taking on the challenge. We started off working from home and have since had to move twice due to outgrowing the office space. We now have a team of 78 staff (and counting) who help us delivery day in, day out for our clients.
What was the inspiration behind starting RCU Solutions?
Being better and offering what a client wants and needs. Nick and myself used to be client side so understood the struggles of using a poor supply chain and that’s where it all stemmed from. RCU are a multi disciplined company working across three different sectors; Rail, Construction, Utilities and having three core work streams; civils, electrical and telecoms. The name and brand is becoming a recognised name in the industry and a chosen partner for its clients.
Last year you received a major rail contract to carry out a lot of the civils work for Phase 3 of the Victoria re-signalling programme. Do you intend to bid for more of these larger projects and how did you get the company into a position where they could deliver this level of work?
Yes of course, we now need to keep up the momentum. One of the struggles of a new start up is that you have no evidence or back up to what you are offering / selling to the clients. We have been building up the photos, case studies, testimonials to showcase our great works and to back up our offerings.
What more can you tell us about the project? signalling equipment in the Clapham and Balham areas, and lines into London Victoria as well as relocation of signalling control for the area from Clapham to the state-ofthe-art Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre (TBROC).
Other work involves upgrade of track at key junctions surrounding Clapham and Balham with new, more reliable equipment. A new and improved track layout will be installed between Clapham and Victoria stations, improving line speeds and reliability.
Our core work scope is delivering the lineside civils package of works for the project: • Gap analysis of existing available information. • 5x cable route work packages (packages 1-5). • 4x level ground loc bases (CJ105, CJ116,
CJ121). • 5x minor retaining wall loc bases (CJ103,
CJ108, CJ112, CJ118, CJ120). • 5x loc suites on stagings (CJ107, CJ110,
Glenn Clark
Swydd ar gael!
Rheolwr Strategaeth Amserlen
Yma yn Trafnidiaeth Cymru rydyn ni’n paratoi ar gyfer y dyfodol. Byddwn yn adeiladu gorsafoedd newydd, yn cyflwyno trenau newydd, ac yn trawsnewid y rhwydwaith rheilffyrdd ledled Cymru a’r Gororau. Daw hyn â chyfle – i economi Cymru, ac i chi. Ein gweledigaeth yw creu rheilffordd o’r radd flaenaf a fydd yn galluogi Cymru i ffynnu am genedlaethau i ddod. Ond mae cyflawni hyn yn dibynnu ar ansawdd ein 2600+ o bobl a’r amgylchedd rydyn ni’n ei greu i’w galluogi nhw i lwyddo. Rôl y Rheolwr Strategaeth Amserlen fydd rheoli’r holl waith modelu amserlenni strategol, gwaith rhaglennu cerbydau a chriwiau trenau i gyflawni’r cynllun hirdymor, gan sicrhau bod cerbydau’n cael eu defnyddio’n effeithlon ac yn gost-effeithiol bob amser. Byddwch yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod amserlenni’r dyfodol yn cael eu modelu a bod modd eu cyflawni’n gadarn gyda’r adnoddau sydd ar gael, gan roi arweiniad i’r timau cerbydau a chriwiau trenau ar lefelau’r adnoddau sydd eu hangen. Rydyn ni’n chwilio am rywun sydd â sgiliau dadansoddi a chynllunio rhagorol, sydd â hanes llwyddiannus o gyflawni amcanion a chanlyniadau. Bydd gennych wybodaeth gadarn am arferion gweithrediadau rheilffyrdd a sgiliau cyfathrebu rhagorol, gyda’r gallu i gyfathrebu a meithrin perthynas gadarnhaol â nifer o randdeiliaid ar draws y busnes. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am y rôl, ewch i’n gwefan www.comeaboard.co.uk
We’re Hiring!
Timetable Strategy Manager
Here at Transport for Wales we are preparing for the future. We will be building new stations, introducing new trains, and transforming the rail network across Wales and the Borders. This brings opportunity – for Wales’ economy, and for you. Our vision is to create a world-class railway that will enable Wales to prosper for generations to come. But achieving this depends on the quality of our 2600+ people and the environment we create to enable them to succeed. The role of Timetable Strategy Manager will be to manage all strategic timetable modelling work, rolling stock and traincrew diagramming work to deliver the long-term plan, ensuring cost effective and efficient use of rolling stock at all times. You will be responsible for ensuring that future timetables are modelled and robustly deliverable with the resource available, provide guidance to the rolling stock and traincrew teams on resource levels required. We are looking for someone with excellent analytical and planning skills, who has proven track record of delivering objectives and results. You will have sound knowledge of railway operations practice and demonstrate excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate and build positive relationships with multiple stakeholders across the business. To find out more information on the role, please visit our website www.comeaboard.co.uk
CJ111, CJ113, CJ115). • 1x Signalling REB base, 12.2m x 3.2m (CJ104). • 3x PSP bases, 14m x 3m (Queensroad,
Wandsworth, Streatham). • 6x Under Track Crossings (UTX) o 4x 2 road (UTX 1, 2, 8) o 1x 5 road (UTX 3) o 1x 1 road (UTX 8). • 30x bases, posts, standing areas and walkways as specified to accommodate
SPTs.
We are also working on construction of Ground Position Lights (GPL) bases as per the scheme plans and construction of Signs bases and associated post and caps as per the scheme plans (Signage included) with the troughing supply and fit as specified.
The Subcontractor will supply and deliver all material, plant and labour unless specifically excluded. Our scope of work also includes: • Any temporary works design, management and lifting plans required to complete these services. • Production and management of all construction ITPs. • Production and supervision of entry into service documentation and processes. • Production of red line drawings/updates.
Submitting to the designer and liaising; for production and completion of As-
Built drawings. • Supervision of works.
Whilst delivering our scope of works RCU are responsible to provide a cable watcher which holds an approved IRSE Licence and HV competent person when required
Do you credit these big contract wins to your decision to invest in several new pieces of plant and equipment? Was that investment in expectation of this increased scope of work?
The investment in our new plant (32t Grab lorry, Bobcat T590, Garbin TZ450) was mainly due to the growth in our utilities side of the business and becoming a Tier 1 contract contractor but the plant we have invested in will be used across all projects and work streams due to its versatility.
You have received certification for the NICEIC Approved Contractor Scheme and you also have accreditation by the Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS), how important is it to get these accreditations and how do you ensure you qualify?
These are industry standard requirements to enable RCU to demonstrate our commitment to health and safety along with compliance to the latest standards and rules. RCU are always looking to better themselves, this is demonstrated by also holding an Integrated Management System consisting of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 for the last three years which has been audited by BSI. RCU are looking to continue investing and working towards gaining NERS for our Utilities division along with working within the principles of ISO 44001 Collaborative working and gaining the certification in the near future.
Nick Carroll
What do you have planned for the year ahead?
We are finally rolling out our digital solution; SimPro for the business, this has been a long time coming but with lots of effort and works being done in the background we are nearing the implementation of it. This will bring great change and benefit to the business which everyone is looking forward to.
With the coming launch of Great British Railways, how do you anticipate your place within the supply chain changing? ranges from the Asset Owner to TOCs, FOCs and some of the biggest spending Tier 1 contractors that Network Rail spend money with so we are hopeful that whatever the outcome we will be part of the supply chain for years to come.
What do you expect the biggest challenges that come from this transformation of the railway industry?
Who knows what the future will bring but hopefully things like Covid won’t impact the budgets too much and we can continue in building a great railway for the UK. Resources is always a hot topic spoken about due to demands, Covid and the changes that Brexit brought with people being able to come and work in the UK. Luckily for us we have a good robust network of individuals and supply chain to ensure that we aren’t affected.
