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 of our rail network. 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, doesn't 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 fellow Vanellians and clients alike.

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, that Van Elle Rail 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? And Cost?

The overriding keys to success on the UKs 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 their love of speaking to clients to overcome challenges and propose solutions. Most of the VER on-track work is carried out during night time possessions and 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 Rails 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 specialist markets and by working as part of a single team as they do on every project, they provide best value, everytime, regardless of where in the UK it is. The project results speak for themselves.

There is a reason that Van Elle Rail is consistently the UK's most successful on-track ground engineering contractor both in terms of turnover growth & profit. There is a reason clients choose to work with them time and time again on some of the UKs largest and most challenging rail projects. They challenge, they innovate and they invest in order to work fast, work safe, work smart and help improve the UK's rail network. I am very proud to nominate Van Elle Rail and to associate them with the wider Van Elle Group.

You couldn't wish to meet a nicer, more respectful, more capable and more professional team.“

Kevin McSorley

Said the following about Van Elle Rail:

“VANELLE RAIL HAVE BEEN RUNNING NOW FOR 2 YEARS AND THE TEAM HAS WON AND COMPLETED SOME GREAT PROJECTS. FOR THIS REASON I VOTE THEM RAIL TEAM OF THE YEAR.“

Eamon McVeigh

Said the following about Van Elle Rail:

“The Van Elle team have shown us great respect and help from our initial dealings with them. They are a very professional company to deal with and for us they have set the benchmark.

They have completed a number of very successful projects in their very short time in the rail industry which bodes very well for the future.“