Mark Williams

Said the following about Van Elle Rail:

“Van Elle Rail's approach to working within this unique environment has a definite focus on staff training, innovation and investment in new, efficient, plant and equipment. Although having worked in rail for the past 15 years, our specialist on-track rail division, Van Elle Rail, was launched only 2 years ago and since then, this fantastic team have found much opportunity for enhancement. As we are part of the same Group, many clients talk to me about Van Elle Rail and what a breath of fresh air they are in the world of Ground Engineering on-track. The recurring compliment is that VER challenge everything with a view to improving safety, efficiency, quality, environmental impact and cost reduction. Just because a system has been used for the past 10 years, does not mean it is the only or best solution and Van Elle's involvement across many other sectors coupled with our vast range of resources enables us to compare how challenges are tackled elsewhere allowing us to value engineer. The resulting solutions are often implemented, saving the client/public purse money, inconvenience and helping to reduce material use and waste in the process; two of the most difficult resources to transport to and from the on-track working sites.

Van Elle Rail's regular communication and close working relationships with clients is the key to success and provides invaluable feedback allowing them to look in greater detail at the unique issues this sector faces, promoting innovation with a view to improving specialist solutions. They are all genuinely nice guys too and are always willing to go out of their way to help other Vanellians and clients.

Quite simply, their objective is to improve quality and reduce risks whilst saving the client money without any adverse effect upon the environment. Added benefits are that it helps to make tenders even more competitive, guaranteeing future workload whilst demonstrating to Network Rail and the wider Group's client base, where relevant, that they are innovators and the kind of team that they want to collaborate with at the early stages of projects the earlier their involvement, the greater value they can add.

When reviewing existing NR and supply chain processes, there are a number of factors which VE Rail consider in order to add value across the design life of any solution. What has been used in the past and in other UK sectors? What is used elsewhere in the world to achieve the same ends? What is the material usage and sustainability? How easily can it be transported to and from rail locations? Are there likely to be any accessibility issues in the rail environment? What is the maintenance programme like and the product's longevity? Bespoke Vs. generic? Cost? Since Van Elle Rail first implemented this approach to product and process review, Van Elle Group has also adopted it.

The overriding keys to success on the UK’s rail network is practicality, reliability and communication: - something the Rail team excel in with brand new kit, specialist fitters, a drive to succeed through innovation and they love speaking to clients. This unique environment poses many challenges which are rarely experienced to such a degree in other sectors and they can prove make or break for a new solution; even when on paper it makes complete sense. Most of the VER on-track work is carried out during night time possessions and, again, this can pose unique challenges if not planned and managed correctly. Van Elle Rail have never had a reportable accident.

Speed can address many cost reduction issues and is therefore one of VE Rail’s key focal points, however, only when safety and quality can be maintained or improvements recognised. Staff training, efficiency of plant, development of new techniques & products are all on our agenda and have resulted in a 30% year on year increase in the training and development spend, over £8.5m spent in the past 12 months on new rail plant with another £3m worth of orders placed for new equipment and the Group's R&D and product innovation at an all-time high. The vast majority of this is accounted for by our burgeoning Rail division who, even at this relatively early stage of their development have picked up some of the UK's largest on-track Ground Engineering contracts.

I've already mentioned how close they work with clients and Network Rail but by utilising the experience and expertise of quality suppliers, each element of a proposed solution can be honed to make maximum impact and add the greatest benefit and this is exactly how the rail team like to work. Van Elle Rail are the experts in ground engineering just as their suppliers are the experts in their specialisms.

There is a reason that Van Elle Rail is consistently the UK's most successful on-track ground engineering contractor both in terms of growth & profit and we have been awarded many of the largest and most challenging rail projects in the UK. They challenge, they innovate and succeed in order to work fast, work safe, work smart and help improve the UK's rail network. I am very proud to nominate the Van Elle Rail team and to call them part of the wider Van Elle Group.“

Kevin McSorley

Said the following about Van Elle Rail:

“I have nominated Van Elle Rail because of the professional way they go about their business. It is always a pleasure to do business with Van Elle Rail.“