The company, which has offices across the UK and an HQ just outside Coventry, won the Coventry Telegraph’s Training and People Development award at a ceremony at the Ricoh Arena on Friday night.

Managing director Julie White said: “I am delighted to pick up this award. Despite the recession and downturn in construction, we have continued to invest heavily in our staff.

“That has allowed us to grow the business and awards such as this are recognition of that. The business was started here in Coventry and Warwickshire so it is fantastic to be recognised in our local area.

“We are also proud that our training and development practices are being hailed across all industries not just in construction.”

Julie has shown great faith in apprentices and apprenticeships – so much so that she is even going through the scheme herself to ensure that she understands what her next generation of employees are going through.

D-Drill currently has 12 apprentices on its books and more than 45 per cent of the current workforce have come through the scheme or are currently undertaking an apprenticeship.

But it’s not just the apprenticeship scheme that highlights the company’s commitment to the training and development of its workforce.

Julie has overseen a 12 per cent increase in spend per head on training throughout the company in the past year.

Each D-Drill branch trains a quarter of the workforce in special operations, while short-hit sessions are being employed throughout the year.

It is all having a dramatic, positive effect on the overall business as customer satisfaction has risen, accidents have been significantly reduced and D-Drill’s market share has increased. On top of that, the company has just received a platinum award in CSCS certification – the only diamond drilling company to attain that status.

The dreaded ‘r’ word does not seem to have the same devastating effect that it had in 2008 and I believe there is good reason why.

I am, of course, talking about recession and the recent figures that showed we have had two negative quarters of GDP.

In all honesty, I have never been one to get bogged down by the actual technicalities of what makes a recession and what doesn’t but what bothers me is its affect on confidence.

While we all know there were serious problems in 2008, the country was set in a downward spiral because you could not turn on the TV, pick up a paper or listen to the radio without hearing ‘experts’ talking about recession.

So far, that seems to have been avoided or, at least, toned down compared with four years ago.

It doesn’t mean we bury our heads in the sand because we know the construction industry has been particularly hard hit over the past four or five years and I would suggest that by improving the fortunes of construction, the whole economy would feel the benefit.

I also know that there are positive signs among specialist companies within our industry.

Here at D-Drill, we are seeing the benefit of investment in people and technology over the past few years and are consistently growing.

I was also delighted to see the National Specialist Contractors Council release figures that suggested an increase in enquiries and orders across the industry at the start of this year.

That’s certainly how it feels on the ground and I do hope that this time round we focus on what it takes to grow rather than only focusing on the negative.

In business, so many key decisions are based on confidence and, while being realistic, we must do all we can to accentuate the positive.

Highway Systems, which is based in Lancashire, has been bought by diamond drilling and sawing business D-Drill, which has offices throughout the UK and a HQ near Coventry.

Highway Systems was founded in 1993 and utilises a ‘cracking and seating’ method prior to resurfacing concrete-slab roads, the concrete which can be up to 70-years-old.

Instead of digging out the road and removing the concrete, the company’s specialist machines turn the existing concrete into a flexible road base which is then overlaid.

The process is quicker and more economical than other processes and cuts down massively on labour and particularly waste costs.

Julie White, the managing director of D-Drill, saw huge potential in the business.

She said: “Local authorities and councils are looking to make efficiency savings in all areas and so are the contractors Highway Systems can serve.

“This process is so much more economical in terms of cost, time and the environment that I thought it was a strong proposition and decided we should purchase the business.

“In terms of the costs, to totally reconstruct a concrete road to a flexible carriageway in the traditional way, you might be looking at up to £200 per square metre. Using this system, it can be £5 per square metre. That’s better than a 90 per cent saving.”

The system can only be utilised on concrete roads and that means areas such as older housing estates and original concrete roads are most likely to benefit.

Des Burns, who will run the business on behalf of D-Drill having been in the industry for 25 years, said: “As soon as the cracking and seating process is finished the road can be driven on immediately and safely for up to six weeks before overlaying.

“Traditionally, excavating and reconstructing, for example, 10,000 square metres worth of road would have taken weeks if not months before it could be used again. Using our system, we can have that finished and ready for resurfacing in around five-and-a-half days and the road can stay open during the cracking and seating process therefore no costly or inconvenient closures.

“The process was discovered completely by accident on an airfield in Suffolk in the 1960s. The person cracked the concrete and left the job for a couple of days and when he went back, discovered that it had been turned into a flexible base after some of the planes had driven on it!

“He realised that he didn’t need to dispose of the waste concrete but could re-use it as the base.

“That’s the system we use to this day and our machines ensure it’s a very smooth process and an even smoother surface afterwards.”

He added: “We can also find hidden voids beneath the surface by using this method and put them right in a controlled condition which is imperative for safety reasons.”

For more information log onto www.highwaysystems.co.uk

Pictured: Des Burns, Julie White and Alan Rogers (all D-Drill)

D-Drill’s office in Plympton was called in to help create a new viewing area at Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium. 

The company had to cut out an eight-metre block wall beneath a tank containing Sand Tiger Sharks, five Nurse Sharks and ten Southern Stingrays. 

In ordinary circumstances, drills or powerful concrete breakers would have been employed to cut through the wall but, because of the sensitive nature of the creatures above, the decision was taken to use a quiet, vibration-free method of chain-sawing which is widely used in the USA. 

Edward Taylor, the manager of D-Drill’s Plymouth office, said: “We would have usually used a drill or breaker to remove the wall but, because we had been asked not to disturb the sharks and other animals in the tank, we looked for the best possible method. 

“Sharks, we were told, could become very spooked by loud noise, and particularly by vibration, so our priority was to carry out the work without distressing them. Nobody wants to upset a shark – even if it’s inside a tank!

 “We were provided with a power pack and new hydraulic chainsaw by ICS that cut down on noise and vibration. 

“The operation was a complete success and proved that it pays to call in a specialist when this type of work is needed.  As it happens our driller, Dave Lawes, used to volunteer at the Aquarium before he joined us as an apprentice, so he knew the place inside out. 

“And I am delighted to say none of our operatives was harmed or eaten by sharks during the operation!”

James Wright from the National Aquarium thanked D-Drill for their attention to detail.

He said: “It’s vital we don’t upset the animals, particularly the sharks, as they can bolt. 

“They normally swim quite slowly and appear quite sluggish but when they go, they certainly move quickly and when doing this they could collide with each other or objects in the exhibit which could cause injury.

“Our highest priority is the standard of care that animals at the Aquarium receive, which is always an important consideration for us.

“D-Drill were extremely professional, fully understood the issue and went out of their way to ensure they completed the job with absolutely no disturbance to any of the sharks and other animals in the tank.”

I was over in Hawaii (on business I hasten to add!) for two very important diamond drilling and sawing association meetings with the IACDS (world association) and the CSDA (American association). While we there the CSDA celebrated its 40^th birthday and we have been members of the organisation for 30 years ourselves.

While I was there, I went to meet a company that is very similar to ours that is based in Oahu and it was great to be able to swap information on how to grow the company and on the technicalities of cutting concrete.

On my return, there was no time to sit still as I headed straight for a debate on the economy of the West Midlands with the likes of Lord Digby Jones at the BBC in Birmingham.

From there, it was straight off to the Specialist Awards in London where we were delighted to win the site preparation award. 

It really was a great honour for D-Drill and we were so pleased to win against some extremely tough competition. 

That was followed by a live interview with the BBC nationally on how we believe the Budget would affect D-Drill and the wider construction industry. 

I very much welcomed the cut in corporation tax but I am still struggling to fathom how the economy is expected to grow when fuel prices are so high. That affects every industry and construction is no different. 

Since then, we have also been shortlisted for a Training Award at the Construction News awards. That is a huge tribute to everything we do as a company in the way we train and look after our staff.

To be spoken of in the same breath as some of the biggest players in the construction industry is a massive achievement and we are very much looking forward to the ceremony in May.

And, most importantly, our offices across the UK are very busy and with all of our other specialist services that we are adding into our company we are growing again this year.

From shark tanks in Plymouth to cutting a bridge deck in Newcastle, our reputation as the trusted experts in diamond drilling and concrete sawing is helping us to win more and more work.

Long may that continue and here’s to another busy month!

White was asked for her views on red tape and her comments can be viewed here.

The company picked up a gong at the Specialist Awards, which are run by industry publication Construction News. D-Drill, a specialist drilling and sawing business with offices throughout the UK, won the site preparation award.

Julie White, managing director of D-Drill, said: “This is a fantastic seal of approval for D-Drill. We are growing the business and are investing in our staff and training – winning a Specialist Award is an endorsement of everything we are doing.

“The construction industry has had a tough few years during the recession and the subsequent slow recovery.

“So it is great to be able to get together with your peers and actually celebrate our achievements.”

The award highlights a commitment towards high standards and competency within all areas of the construction industry. More than 90 per cent of D-Drill’s workforce is now registered under the scheme.

Julie White, managing director of D-Drill, said the company’s commitment to high levels of training throughout the business was a major factor in the award.

She said: “Despite the economic climate, we have invested heavily in the training of our staff and our apprenticeship scheme is something I am very passionate about.

“That has played a very significant role in us receiving the platinum award from CSCS. No other diamond drilling or sawing company has achieved such a high standard and that is testament to the team here.”

The award is the latest in a long line of achievements for D-Drill, a company run by managing director and businesswoman of the year Julie White.

Her commitment to the apprenticeship programme means more than 10 per cent of the current workforce, including Julie, are apprentices and 45 per cent have gone through the scheme at some point.

Joel Vinsant, of the Drilling and Sawing Association, hailed D-Drill as an example to others.

He said: “Receiving the CSCS awards is something we promote within our membership, particularly for an organisation of this size.

“D-Drill are a shining example to the industry for their commitment to apprentices, training and industry best practice. Well done to Julie and her team for receiving the highest award from Construction skills certification scheme.”

Pictured: D-Drill managing director Julie White with members of the team at D-Drill.

In my opinion, it’s important that we continue to raise the profile of the industry and here at D-Drill we are doing our level best to ensure that construction and specialist contractors get a share of the limelight. 

I’ve been on national television a couple of times, national radio, regional TV and radio as well as in the written press to push the industry and, in particular, the fact that we are taking on apprentices who are the future.

While I was over in Vegas, I joined the CSDA (Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association) which is an American organisation that has no other European – let alone British – representation on it.

The event was partly a celebration of the CSDA’s 40^th anniversary and I took several associates across to enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of the whole occasion.

But there was a serious side too and I am really pushing the cause of the ‘next generation’ of diamond drillers and sawyers because we all have a responsibility to bring on new people.

D-Drill’s workforce includes 45 per cent of staff that either came through or are currently undertaking an apprenticeship.

I am not being a martyr, but if the odd one goes off to work elsewhere at least I can say I have done my bit for the industry and have also developed a strong workforce here at D-Drill too.

I am also pushing the green agenda very heavily with my colleagues over in the US and Canada because there is going to be an increasing focus on that in the years to come.

While we were out there, it was great to see the advances in technology with a range of new equipment coming on stream. At D-Drill, we tend to bring in the very best equipment because it is a further example where investment now pays off in the future.

One final note, it was great to actually talk to people overseas and find that they are in the same position as you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Manchester or Milwaukee, or Coventry or Canada, the same issues affect all of our businesses!

Julie White