A Game Changer For Steel Gas Mains Replacement and Connections

December 19, 2017

Following the successful Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) funded project to develop a tool for the safe, effective window cutting of ductile iron mains, Wales & West Utilities has worked with Steve Vick International (SVI) to introduce a cutter which allows the removal of a window from a steel main. Due to the lack of tooling available, Wales & West Utilities and all other gas...
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tRIIO Pulls Off A 740m Mains Insertion In One Push

December 12, 2017

Using the Live Mains Insertion (LMI) method, tRIIO, a joint venture owned by Skanska UK and Morrison Utility Services working on behalf of Cadent, Britain’s largest gas distribution company, recently inserted a new 355mm PE gas main 740 metres into an 18” underground cast iron pipe in one push. This exceptionally long insertion, given the diameter of the PE, was carried out in minimum time...
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SVI’S Macaw Pipe Cracker Helps Avert Drama At New BBC Studios In Cardiff

October 4, 2017

When faced with breaking out a 24” cast iron gas main outside the new BBC Wales headquarters being built in the centre of Cardiff, Wales & West Utilities faced a potential drama – a challenging gas connection in the heart of Wales’ capital city. Drama was avoided, however, thanks, in part, to the use of the MACAW Pipe Cracker supplied by Steve Vick International (SVI) which helped...
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SVI Shortlisted For EIC Award

August 29, 2017

Submitted in conjunction with Wales & West Utilities, Steve Vick International (SVI) is delighted to have been shortlisted for an Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) Award in two categories – Best Gas Network Improvement and Best Safety Improvement. Now in its eighth year, the UK Energy Innovation Awards celebrate the best new technologies and innovations that are having a positive impact on...
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Planned Maintenance Planning Pipe Cutting 20m Down

August 25, 2017

Planned Maintenance (Pennine) Ltd (PMP Utilities) have purchased a Keel Cutter from Steve Vick International (SVI) to help them fulfil a contract with Thames Water which involves cutting a water main 20m underground. The automatic pipe cutter will be used to cut a redundant 760mm (30 inch) ductile iron, cement lined water pipe with a 20mm wall thickness. The pipe is located in a 40m long...
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Live Main Renewed In Town Centre Without Disrupting Gas Supplies

July 3, 2017

Steve Vick International (SVI) contract service teams recently assisted Wales & West Utilities to carry out a major Live Mains Insertion project in the centre of Exmouth. As part of the ongoing gas mains replacement programme, a 800 metre section of old 14” cast iron gas pipe was inserted with 250mm polyethylene pipe (PE) under ‘live’ conditions, where the main continues to supply...
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Steve Vick International Design Engineer wins IGEM YPPC 2017

June 28, 2017

Matthew Maclennan, Mechanical Design Engineer with Steve Vick International (SVI), was announced IGEM’s 2017 Young Persons Paper Competition winner at a prestigious event held at the IET Birmingham, Austin Court, on Thursday 15th June. The grand final of this year's competition saw nine heat winners showcase the best engineering and management talent from around the industry and compete to...
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SVI Signs New Agreement With Exclusive USA Distributor

June 14, 2017

Steve Vick International (SVI) has recently signed a new agreement with their exclusive USA distributor, PLCS LLC, following that company’s new management structure. PLCS is a long established company which supplies the American gas distribution industry with a wide range of specialist products for the gas engineer including systems for sealing gas leaks and equipment for installing PE...
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Isn’t It Finally Time To Get Smart About Pressure Testing?

June 1, 2017

Introducing the new SVI SMARTester — highly accurate Bluetooth pressure sensor. Wales & West Utilities has built a first class reputation for safety within the industry. In seeking to improve on the conventional water gauge test used on new gas service supplies, Wales & West Utilities collaborated with Steve Vick International (SVI), as part of a NIA project to develop the...
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SVI and Sealback® Helping To Avoid Lane Closures

May 31, 2017

Contract Service Teams from Steve Vick International (SVI) are carrying out remote live gas mains replacement using the Sealback® technique on a weekly basis throughout the UK gas distribution network. The technique is a safe and efficient method of replacing short lengths of ‘live’ main in a traffic sensitive location or where access onto the main is restricted. Replacement is...
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Steve Vick International Retains Investors in People Accreditation

April 28, 2017

Steve Vick International (SVI) has retained its Investors in People accreditation, first achieved in 2013. SVI has seen steady growth in the intervening years with an increase in the workforce of 42%. The company outgrew its former headquarters in Bath in 2014 and moved to a purpose designed facility in Bradford on Avon. Commenting on the achievement, Managing Director, Crock Harrison,...
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SVI Agent In The Netherlands Completes 4.5km Sliplining Project

April 24, 2017

Van Voskuilen Woudenberg B.V. has recently completed a mains renewal project for Vitens, the largest water supply company in The Netherlands, with the help of Steve Vick International (SVI) equipment. Van Voskuilen, who act as SVI’s sole agent in the Netherlands, inserted 4.5km of 90mm PE into a 4” asbestos main in Hardenberg in the east of the country. To aid safety and efficiency during...
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