Trenchless Technologies cc recently took top honours at the 2010 Construction Summit awards ceremony for outstanding performance in South Africa’s construction industry, held in Johannesburg.

The CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) and CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) selected Trenchless Technologies as the category winner out of approximately 1,871 contractors with a CIDB grading of 6 & 7.  This category award recognizes South African companies applying innovative technologies with a positive impact on social infrastructure development.

“Our focus is to remain on the cutting edge of new pipe laying techniques, and to offer cost effect No-Dig solutions,” says Sam Efrat, managing member of Trenchless Technologies.

The company rehabilitates old water and sewer pipes by using techniques such as slip-lining, pipe bursting and other close-fit lining methods. New pipes are installed using horizontal boring, pipe-ramming and directional drilling.

“Directional drilling has been used to install piping under railway lines and roadways providing bulk water supply to many rural areas. To date, we have completed [approximately 150 miles] of trenchless pipe-laying work throughout South Africa,” says Efrat.

The company currently is involved in a challenging project with Umjindi Municipality (Barberton).  The town’s aging and leaking water pipes are being replaced by using pipe-bursting methods to install new HDPE pipes.

“Not only is this method efficient and cost effective, but it also requires a high degree of labor, which contributes to the development, training and employment of the local community,” remarks Efrat.

The 2010 Construction Summit was attended by 580 delegates and invited speakers. Other category winners were Group Five, Murray & Roberts, NMC and Italian-based company CMC.