EURO ISEKI has acquired trenchless technology equip- ment manufacturer Powermole International.
The UK microtunnelling equipment manufacturer, part of the Iseki Group, said the purchase was 'part of its objective to break into the small bore market'. Powermole is well known for its range of impact moles, pipe bursting equipment and guided boring systems. Euro Iseki said that the acquisition would enable it to offer a full range of 'no-dig' installation technology.
The move comes after the launch of Powermole's new pneumatic guided boring system last year. 'Powermole has not had the resources to fully exploit this new technology,' said Euro Iseki. Despite some successes with the system over the last 12 months, including the difficult crossing of the River Deveron in Scotland and it is claimed considerable interest from industry, Powermole had 'not been able to promote the system as it deserves'. 'This will now change with the backing of Euro Iseki and it is expected that interest in the technology will rapidly expand.'
The 'dry-rock directional drilling system', manufactured by Powermole's partners in Italy, SE Technologie, uses compressed air combined with a biodegradable residue that removes the need for mud handling. It is capable of drilling through rock with a strength of up to 250MPa and was used extensively in Italy last year.
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