Maintenance specialists NRL have secured a new five-year contract with Network Rail, with extensions allowing it to reach eight years, to deliver its hand grinding services that will see the business reach 30 years of continued service by 2034.
Initially commencing work on the contract to assist Network Rail’s S&C grinding fleet in 2004, NRL’s contracting teams deliver maintenance and upgrade improvements across the UK’s infrastructure, including asset inspection, ultrasonic testing and grinding, which helps reduce the risk of derailment and leads to a reduction in delays across the network.
The contract renewal will see NRL continue to increase its workforce, with recruitment ongoing for new hires to join their UK-wide contracting teams. It also allows the business to introduce more apprentice positions, which has proved a valuable employment route to bring new candidates into the industry – with apprenticeships undertaken both on track and on the operational side in NRL’s offices.
Throughout the contract length NRL have invested in initiatives that continually challenge how they provide their services with increased safety and efficiency, whilst minimising their environmental impact. This includes early adoption of AI-assisted video technology that allows them to virtually assess work areas prior to arriving on site.
By assessing footage from 4K high-definition cameras mounted to trains, they’re able to measure and prepare for work programmes – and crucially identify potential issues before arriving on site, enabling a more streamlined process when carrying out risk analysis. It’s helped deliver cost savings, improve productivity, and reduce hours lost, whilst driving down their carbon footprint.
Discussing the contract renewal, NRL Rail Director Brett Hawke said: “We’re proud to have secured the Hand Grinding Services contract for another eight years which is a testament to the high standards of services our teams deliver. We’ve continued to invest in the contract because we’re passionate about operating as safely and efficiently as we can.
The impact our operations have on the environment is also important to us, so the more we can reduce unnecessary travel and delayed starts to project work the better. We closely monitor our footprint, and we’re pleased to maintain the Carbon Neutral International Standard each year. This focus includes investment in electric fleet vehicles and new fully electric powered grinding equipment within our operations, that are helping to bring down operating emissions. We look forward to identifying more ways we can deliver innovative improvements over the coming years, in partnership with Network Rail’s team.”
Image credit: NRL
