Stopper Specialists, the pressure testing and flow control division of equipment rental group Groundforce, is spearheading its entry into the drain repair sector with new a range of expanding lateral packers and flexible flume packers.
Stopper Specialists is the UK’s top supplier of stoppers and pressure testing equipment to the construction, civil engineering and utility industries, offering an unrivalled portfolio of products for a variety of tasks from blanking off vessels to pressure testing pipelines.
As a division of Groundforce, Stopper Specialists is dedicated to the hire and sale of specialised below-ground equipment. Other Groundforce divisions specialise in shoring, piling plant and surveying instrumentation.
The addition of a new range of lateral and flume packers for domestic drain repairs represents a natural extension of this dedicated product portfolio, albeit into a new sector.
“We decided to move into this growing market, as even though it is a totally new product to us with a new customer base, it does complement our existing range of equipment and allows for further company growth” explains the company’s product specialist Lee Gallagher.
The new lateral packers are designed for carrying out patch repairs to small diameter drains in circumstances where the flow through the pipe does not need to be maintained. Pipes in diameters from 70mm to 150mm can be repaired with these packers, which are available in lengths from 1m to 5m.
The flexible flume packers are for repairing much larger diameter pipes – from 150mm to 1,200mm. These products contain a central flume which permits a continuous flow even while the repair is being carried out. Being flexible, the packers can be manoeuvred easily into position. They are available in 1m and 2m lengths.
Both types of packer enable patch repairs to be carried out quickly, easily and without the need for special skills or intensive training.
The use of inflatable packers for patch repair is still a relatively new activity in the UK, having become widely accepted only during the past few years. Stopper Specialists has entered the sector in the belief that it can offer the industry the same quality of product but at a more competitive price.
“We have the contacts and experience of dealing with the manufacturers, and we are already the leading supplier in similar products” observes Mr Gallagher. “We can offer the same quality products as our competitors, but with a better service at a more reasonable price. In time we will be looking to expand further”, he adds.
The new packers are available to drain repair contractors for sale or for hire. With outlets in Lymington (Hampshire), Leeds and Glasgow stocking the packers, the equipment can be supplied overnight or same-day anywhere in the UK. Equipment can be collected from other Groundforce outlets by arrangement if requested.
“As part of Groundforce, we have a good track record in below-ground equipment supply and we understand the market” says Mr Gallagher. “Groundforce is itself a member of VP plc, one of the UK’s biggest equipment rental groups, so we are well-established and have a big name behind us”, he adds.
