10th November 2009

‘UK Drainage Network’ (UKDN), one of the UK’s largest independent drainage companies, has further demonstrated its commitment to using the latest technology in all of its drainage investigations, with its investment in 18 new drainage camera systems.

The cameras, which have been purchased from Oldham based ‘X-Tek Innovations’, will be rolled out across UKDN’s 11 regional bases over the coming weeks. The equipment itself includes the latest self-levelling cameras with auto focus lenses paired with DVD/ Hard Drive control units for fully digital recording.

UKDN Director Richard Thomas (right of image) met with Chris James (left) from X-Tek Innovations to 'seal the deal' and to talk through UKDN's future expansion plans.

In a time where many companies are struggling to stave off the effects of the global recession, UKDN is bucking the trend as it continues to grow, through the winning of new key accounts. UKDN’s position as the UK’s market leader in the insurance claims sector was further strengthened with 2 major contracts from top 5 UK insurance companies being won in the last 3 months. The cameras will be used to meet the increased demand for drainage investigation and detailed site surveys from UKDN’s new-business accounts.

Richard Thomas, Director of UKDN said, “X-Tek have worked with us to put together the right configurations of coiler, camera and control module that suit our business needs and give us a very robust system which results in less down time. With less down time comes high productivity which allows us to give a high quality and cost effective services to our customers.”

The supplier of the camera systems, Xtek Innovations Ltd, has worked with UKDN for several years. Chris James, Xtek’s National Sales Manager said, “Xtek Innovations Ltd has supplied pipeline inspection systems to several of the independent companies which now form the UK Drainage Network. The amalgamation of those companies has evolved into the UKDN now being one of the largest independent drainage companies in Britain.”

Mr James went on to say, “We are more than aware of the importance of how being a supplier to such a large organisation will impact on our own business and appreciate and thank the UKDN for its continued support.”

UKDN predominantly serves the insurance claims sector of the drainage market and its insurance clients serve 75% of all UK homes, making UKDN the market leader in drainage insurance claims management. However, their move into other sectors, such as local government contracts and working with housing associations has enabled UKDN to grow its non-insurance activities over the last 12 months.