Company History
2017
25th anniversary of the business
Anticipated turnover is £200m which coincides with the 25 anniversary of the business.
2016
Thames Water Move
The framework team delivering the Thames Water contract move into purpose built premises bringing the Thames Water wastewater team and the Lanes delivery team into one Customer Solutions Centre with the aim of delivering first class service to the Thames Water customers.
Scottish Water contract
A further Scottish Water contract is secure with the award of a Rural Frameworks contract awarded on the 2nd July 2016
New Glasgow site
Lanes purchased the site location at Glasgow as an asset from Glasgow City Council
AXA insurance awards
AXA insurance award Lanes two prestigious supplier recognition awards relating to customer satisfaction and reduced level of complaints. This is quite an accolade as the contract that is delivered to the customer is a responsive/reactive contract for blockages.
BP Contract
Lanes is awarded a 3 year Wet Waste Management contract with BP.
Jetvac Delivery
Lanes takes delivery of their 200 Jetvac recycling unit from Danish manufacturer JHL Larsen.
Turnover forecast
Turnover to year end in July is forecast at £165 million.
Staff numbers increase
2016 staff numbers pass the 2000 mark.
2015
Scottish Water contracts
Lanes secure a further 2 contracts with Scottish Water i) Hire of Operated Plant Services, duration 6 years ii) Rural Framework awarded July 2015, duration 6 years
Severn Trent contract
Lanes were delighted to have been awarded another 3 year utility contract with Severn Trent covering tankering and jetting services. This was a retendered contract, and the award reinforces Lanes commitment to the utility sector.
Jetvac delivery
Lanes takes delivery of 8 x 8 jetvac unit manufactured by JHL Hvidtved Larsen. This unit changes the approach to gaining access to difficult sites that typically before would have been considered inaccessible. It’s the first jetvac 8x8 in the UK.
Thames Water record job completion
Lanes delivers and completes 1000 jobs in a single day for Thames Water.
UKDN Waterflow acquisition
In November 2015 an opportunity arose enabling Lanes to acquire certain assets and goodwill from the administrators of UKDN Waterflow Ltd and UKDN Technical Services Limited. This exciting development increases staff numbers to circa 1800 for the whole company. This strategic acquisition also heralds the return of Lanes into the insurance marketplace.
The company was immediately rebranded as UKDN Waterflow (LG) Limited.
Acquire AQS business
Lanes acquire their first business outside of the UK mainland purchasing outright the AQS business from Tipperary in Ireland.
Light Rail Awards
Lanes Group Rail Division wins highly commended for Technical Innovation of the Year Infrastructure at the Light Rail Awards.
Training course recognition
With an emphasis on training Lanes work with City and Guilds to gain accreditation for their own training course.
South of the Thames Water contract
In November Lanes is awarded the Area 2 South of the Thames Water operating region. The first time that one single contractor has held the whole region on the WNS contract
Turnover increase
Turnover reaches £130m.
2014
UV lining service
Lanes introduces UV lining as an option to customers throughout the UK.
Health and Safety award
Lanes receives the RoSPA Gold Medal Award for Occupational Health and Safety.
Health and Safety award
Construction News Specialist Awards H&S Excellence Winner
New employee
Kevin Moon joins Lanes with responsibility for the Scottish region. His responsibility includes the rebranding of the Lanes Scottish sites into fully functional Lanes regional offices. The Castlebrae Drainage brand is phased out.
2013
FORS approval
Lanes is successful at achieving FORS approval for their fleet. Currently holding the certification for the last 3 years right through to 2016.
Staff number increase
The Thames Water contract win also meant that more staff resource was required to fulfil the contract, staff numbers hit 1000.
Health and Safety award
Winner of the Construction News H&S initiative of the Year award
LUL Gold Supplier
In February 2013 Lanes achieves their very first Gold Supplier award from LUL for demonstrating high standards of safety behaviour
Anglian Water contract
In April 2013 Lanes wins a further utility contract with Anglian Water – Sewer Jetting and wet well cleaning and CCTV surveys duration 3 years. This contract has been re tendered during 2016 and Lanes secured a further term for an additional 3 years.
Turnover Increase
2013 with the framework contract secured at Thames the turnover of the business increases to the lofty £100m. This increase was not without a lot of hard work from all areas of the business.
2012
Thames Water Contract win
Lanes secured our biggest ever contract WNS contract with Thames Water. A £35 Million investment in plant and equipment also included establishing new contract HQ in Slough. A further 120 staff were employed to service the contract.
2011
Severn Trent Water contract
February 2011 Severn Trent Water awarded Lanes a contract for Sewerage Operations with a duration of 5 years with the option of a 5 Year extension.
Two new Directors join the business
Matthew Todd to reinforce the Rail Division. Richard Leigh joins the company as Business Development Director in readiness for the departure of Graham Tattersall whose responsibilities/focus had been sales.
Turnover increase
Company turnover reaches £60 million. This coincides with the framework contract win from London Underground Limited (LUL).
2010
AXA insurance contract
Lanes were first awarded a contract with AXA insurance for reactive works. This contract has been retendered in the intervening years. Lanes continues to work with AXA and in 2016 were awarded two supplier awards relating to customer service.
Lanes Assistance Services sold
Lanes Assistance Services sold in a private equity-backed, £12.3 million MBO, but continued to be a prominent Lanes’ client.
2009
First Gold award
RoSPA Silver award is awarded to Lanes for the very first time. Significantly the following year 2010. Lanes were awarded their first Gold award. Subsequently holding onto the Gold awards consistently since.
2008
Staff milestone
Despite the recession Lanes celebrates another milestone, staff numbers hit 750 with the majority employed by the parent company Lanes Group plc.
UKSTT award win
Lanes wins their first UKSTT award. Since 2008 Lanes have won a UKSTT award every single year right through to 2013.
New Director join the business
Scott Norris joined the company from Clancy Docwra as Commercial Director to strengthen the board of Directors
2007
Turnover doubles
Sees another milestone with the turnover doubling to £50m in just 3 years.
£2million investment
Lanes complete the £2million investment in the purpose built Sewer Rehabilitation production facility at Eccles
2006
Royal Mail Gold Award win
Lanes Group plc wins the very first Royal Mail Gold Award as a supplier of services to Royal Mail. This was the first of 4 Supplier Recognition awards from Royal Mail.
Drain Devils Ltd acquisition
During the remainder of 2006 and 2007 Lanes acquired Drain Devils Ltd in Aberdeen to complete Lanes’ coverage of Scotland, but trading under its existing brand. Next came Clean-A-Drain in Camberley, Surrey and Bee Clear of Plymouth, which provided the Group with an entrance into a new market place in the naval dockyards. On acquiring Total Drainage Services in St Neots, Lanes moved to new premises there and the depot continued to flourish; whilst Worthing’s AIS was next to join the Group.
New business created for the insurance sector
Lanes Assistance Services Ltd created to specifically service the insurance marketplace. The company was headed up by Darren Cooper who had considerable experience within the insurance sector. Delivery of a full BRN (building repair network) claims management service, the company rapidly gained a selection of insurance clients.
2005
Staff number increase
With the many acquisitions during 2005 the staff number also increases to 500. That’s a significant increase in less than 5 years.
Castlebrae Drainage purchase
Castlebrae Drainage located in Glasgow is purchased and becomes the Scottish trading arm of Lanes. Continues trading under its own brand name Castlebrae Drainage Services Limited. Within a very short period of time a second operational site was opened in Edinburgh.
Washington depot opens
Opened Washington depot following the success of Stockton depot increasing the presence in the NE region.
2004
Turnover increase
During 2004 trading conditions continue to be buoyant and Lanes continues to expand with rapid growth and the turnover figure hitting a significant £25m
2003
Scottish Water Solutions contract win
Scottish Water Solutions awarded Lanes a Tier 1 contract to deliver sewer rehabilitation in the Scottish region. This was the first ever Tier 1 contract win for the business.
2002
Bristol business purchase
Purchased second Bristol operation, Saint Services, trading as Dial-a-Rod
2001
New depot
Birmingham depot established as a greenfield site
New depot
Sevenoaks depot established with acquisition of Forge Drainage, Sevenoaks
2000
Turnover increase
The year 2000 Also sees another significant milestone with the turnover increasing to £10m
White Horse Drainage acquistion
Acquired White Horse Drainage, Hampshire, providing the Eastleigh depot with ready made turnover.
Staff numbers increase
During the year 2000 another milestone is achieved with staff numbers hitting the 200 mark
Bristol business acquisition
Acquired assets of Sewer Clean to establish Bristol depot
1999
North East depot purchase
Purchased Dave Gains Drainage in North East and established the Stockton depot.
North Wales depot acquistion
Acquired assets of All Drain in North Wales to strengthen the Chester operation
1998
UK Waste purchase
Purchased assets of UK Waste, and employed some of its staff with specialist knowledge of London Underground, to kick-start the London depot. This operating centre was quickly established as a supplier to the rail sector, trading as Lanes Rail Division.
Bruce Crompton and his father Bill Crompton join the company. Bruce takes a position on the board of directors with a brief to build the rail division.
Head Office relocates
Lanes purchases and relocates the Head Office site to 17 Parkside Lanes, Leeds.
New business acquistion
Purchased First Environmental Services, Preston
1997
Staff number increase
A significant year for various reasons the staff numbers also climb to 100
Turnover increase
Despite the difficulties encountered during 1997 the turnover figure increases to a significant milestone of £5m
1996
Business acquistion
Purchased A1 City Drains to open East Midlands depot located in Derby
1995
Staff number increase
By 1995 the staff numbers have increased to 50
New Director joins
David Nutton Financial Director joins the company.
1994
New depot opens
Greenfield depot opened in Chester and assets of A&J Drainage purchased to strengthen trading position.
Turnover increase
Turnover hits the 1 million figure
New business acquistion
Acquires Manchester-based Drain Management Systems, further enhancing North West capabilities
1993
Family member joins the Lanes team
Wayne Earnshaw joins the family business from his position as a Director at British Flowplant Group.
Two new Directors join Lanes
Alan Wallis Group Operations Director and Andrew Brierley Director both joined the company. Both have progressed through the ranks to the current positions that they hold.
Rotherham depot
New depot created in Rotherham, South Yorkshire
1992
New depot
North West depot established in Rossendale, Lancashire
Employees
The staff numbers in 1992 were 15 when the company was purchased
Lanes for drains purchase
Lanes for Drains purchased by Allan Earnshaw and Graham Tattersall from John Lane.
