A Roaring Success for Morrison Utility Services with IGEM Lion's Lair Innovation Award

Morrison Utility Services (MUS), the UK’s largest dedicated utility service provider and part of M Group Services, has won the 2020 London Showcase and Lions' Lair, a joint event hosted by IGEM's London, Southern & Eastern Section and The Pipeline Industries Guild.

MUS was presented with the prestigious Tommy McNicholas Shield following a presentation from Head of Operational Change, James Hatt, on the innovative Virtual Trial-Hole Assistant (VTA) solution, co-developed with Elgin, a leading road network management software provider.

MUS was one of five finalists to enter the Lions' Lair. Each contender was given four minutes to showcase their innovation, followed by four minutes of questioning by the 'Lions', a panel of experienced industry figures. 

VTA utilises Elgin's one.network platform, displaying comprehensive information about current and planned streetworks, along with relevant operational data. By integrating ESRI mapping data, the platform allows MUS asset information to be overlaid as an additional layer.

Automated clash detection provides an overview of where and when works are taking place and an integrated alerts system notifies planners of any third party or statutory undertaker work scheduled to take place above or near underground assets owned by MUS clients.

James Hatt, commented: “We are delighted to receive this fantastic recognition from IGEM and the Pipeline Industries Guild. This competition has showcased some hugely impressive innovations over the years and we are thrilled that VTA was chosen as this year’s winner. 

“VTA is designed to reduce the number of aborted jobs and the costly delays which can result from concurrent excavation works, as a result of digging on wrongly located mains. It also increases the opportunity for works undertakers to collaborate using the same excavation, further reducing occupation on the road network, minimising disruption for road users and potentially reducing permitting costs.”

Morrison Energy Services began trading on 1 April 2021. Morrison Energy Services is comprised of energy infrastructure related assets, trading operations and staff which were formerly encompassed within Morrison Utility Services.

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