The following press releases are published on behalf of tunnelbuilder clients for free reproduction. Please credit tunnelbuilder.com

RiverCity Motorway in Brisbane
The 4.8 km-long North-South Bypass Tunnel (NSBT) in the beautiful city of Brisbane, Australia will speed up through traffic, with motorists avoiding up to 18 sets of stoplights. It is currently under construction by Leighton Contractors, Baulderstone Hornibrook and Bilfinger Berger Joint Venture using TBMs and roadheaders. When completed in October, 2010 the NSBT will be the longest road tunnel in Queensland. For more details of this exciting project in a dynamic urban environment visit www.rivercitymotorway.com.au or click here. 21/07.

Fire Safety by Marioff
Marioff Corporation, headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, designs, manufactures and installs its patented HI-FOG water mist fire protection systems in long road and rail tunnels, metro stations, and underground trains. The company has a large team that has successfully completed projects all over the world, usually to exacting timelines. Backed by one of the best fine engineering workshops in Finland, Marioff prides itself in being able to handle fast-paced retrofit projects and to solve the most difficult of customer needs. To contact Marioff, click here or on the company logolink, or visit www.marioff.com. 47/06.

SMT Scharf - the New Name in Underground Transportation
Earlier in 2006, DBT Maschinenfabrik Scharf GmbH became SMT Scharf GmbH, an abbreviation that stands for Solutions to Mining Transport by Scharf. This is the business in which Scharf is an acknowledged world leader, supplying diesel and battery powered monorail, duorail and chairlift systems to mines, tunnels and industrial applications everywhere. The company has a wide portfolio that includes engineering services for planning, development and design work, and electronics for control systems.
For an insight into the capabilities of SMT Scharf, click here, or visit www.smtscharf.com. 46/06.

HiCo - the new force in reinforcement fibres
From its manufacturing base in Seoul, Korea, HiCo Ltd is bringing more competition into the steel and synthetic fibre concrete and shotcrete reinforcement sector. The company's products are supplied as bundles of high tensile strength fibres formed from precision drawn steel wire and from polypropylene fibre to a variety of specifications for controlled dosage into concrete mixes.
The fibres are glued for quick and homogeneous mixing, and their ends are shaped for better anchoring.
HiCo is already a major force in Korea and adjacent countries, and has also supplied projects in Malaysia, Norway, Finland and the US.
For more information click here. 35/06.

FiReP for Fibreglass Reinforced Polymer Products
Beltec Industrietechnik GmbH of Germany and Rockbolt Systems AG of Switzerland have joined together to form the Beltec-Rockbolt Systems group of companies to offer customers and partners a range of bolting and reinforcement solutions using fibreglass reinforced polymers. Three types of FiReP rockbolting systems are on offer: all-thread bolts; self drilling bolts; and cable bolts. A second product group includes FiReP reinforcement, made of high-strength fibre-reinforced composite material. For solutions to high technical requirements in rockbolting or reinforcement, contact Beltec-Rockbolt Systems here or on the FiReP logolink at tunnelbuilder.com 33/06.

New Name, New Outfit, Proven Know-How
Under the company name of Ceresola TLS (Tunnel Lining Systems), a team of experienced specialists has established a new centre of excellence for tunnel lining systems, offering tunnel formworks, segment moulds, precast production plants, and steel support systems for excavations. The company has been set up on an achievement-oriented basis, with priorities that include continuous product development, freedom of decision, and a motivational working environment. Appropriate time and resources are made available to every client, with the product as the main focus of attention. The objective is to be the most innovative and reliable supplier of products and services in the sector.
The team, many of whom will already be familiar names to tunnelbuilder readers, is led by Aldo Ceresola, and comprises Bruno Blind, Doris Ceresola, Elsbeth Gisin, Guido Hiederberger, Jaime Castro and Peter Barmettler. For a profile of Ceresola TLS, click here or on the Ceresola TLS logolink, or visit www.ceresola.com 29/06.

RSB - First in Formworks
RSB Schalungstechnik is based in Fussach, on the shores of Lake Constance in Austria, from where the company exports all manner of concrete formworks to every corner of the earth. The company has an enviable record for on-time design, manufacture, delivery and erection of its formworks, most of which are on fixed-price contracts. This is made possible by a cooperative management style, which has engendered an atmosphere of trust, both within the company and with clients and public alike.
RSB has subsidiaries in Italy, Japan, and the US, and representative offices in Spain and Singapore that can respond quickly to direct enquiries through its website www.rsb.info
For more information on the company and its products, click here. 18/06.

Schöck ComBar Reinforcement Technology
Schöck of Baden-Baden, Germany has spent a decade developing glass fibre reinforced polymer reinforcing bar, resulting in widespread approvals for its ComBar system, which offers all of the benefits of steel in terms of design, tensile strength and bonding properties, but is lighter and easier to handle.
A current application of Schöck ComBar is on the new North-South route of the Amsterdam subway, where more than 75 t of the glass fibre reinforcement is embedded in six diaphragm walls. To read the Schöck press release describing this job, click here. For general information on Schöck, click on their streaming banner above.
To submit your own company press release, go to the box in the advertiser panel alongside. 50-51/05.

Schöck Build Simply Better

MEI - World Leader in Mining Equipment Supply
Mining Equipment Inc, based in Durango, CO, US has built a strong legacy over the last quarter century in the supply of a huge variety of quality products to the world's mining and tunnelling industries. With bases close to the main markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, and North and South America, MEI is well-placed to supply and service its ever-expanding list of clients.
With a huge inventory of rolling stock, ventilation fans and hoists available for sale and rent, MEI takes great pride in its assertion "we own what we offer". To view the MEI online database of available equipment, click here, or visit www.miningequipmentinc.com 48/05

Skanska - behind the UK's most prestigious underground projects
The Tunnelling Division of Skanska UK Civil Engineering, incorporating the tunnelling activities of Cementation UK, is a most experienced and capable contractor for all forms of underground construction and renovation. Backed by Skanska AB, one of the world's leading companies in construction and project management, Skanska UK has a wide range of skills for even the most complex projects incorporating innovation with proven methods. All activities are covered by accreditation to internationally recognised standards for safety and quality management, and for environmental performance. Applications include road and rail tunnels, cuttings and embankments, utility ducts, sewerage, hydropower projects, mines, slope and wall stabilisation, and underground cavity detection, mapping and rectification. For examples of recent projects undertaken by Skanska UK Tunnelling Division, click here. For a profile summary of Skanska UK activities, visit www.skanska.co.uk 09/05.

MSD - Backup for Your TBM
MSD, a subsidiary company of Herrenknecht AG, is a leading supplier of TBM backup equipment and rolling stock for the transport of mortar, muck, segments and personnel. MSD also produces handling systems, lifting platforms, turntables and California crossings, and complete solutions to individual customer requirements. Supply of equipment for TBM startup and runout is a speciality, including items such as abutment steel construction, starting and exit seals, concrete pipes and shaft installations.
MSD has a track record that makes it an internationally experienced partner for tunnelling projects, supplying technical knowhow and transport solutions. For more information about how MSD can help towards efficient project completion click here, or visit www.msd-dresden.de 03/05.

Sireg Geotechnical Products
For nearly 70 years, Italian manufacturer Sireg has been supplying in the geotechnical field, and is now the market leader in thermoplastic-based products. These include branded goods such as Carbopree, a new line of structural bars and profiles made of carbon fibres impregnated with vinylester resins, and surface coated with quartz sand for greater adherence. Carbopree has a high tensile strength and light weight, making it the most reliable alternative to steel for permanent soil nailing, anchors and reinforcement of structures, particularly in harsh environments.
Sireg also produces a large range of grouting and drainage pipes, fibreglass elements, waterproof profiles, and inclinometer casing.
All products are ISO 9001 certified, and can be delivered worldwide. For more about Sireg, click here. 51-52/04.

MS - separation equipment for slurry tunnelling projects
French manufacturer MS has been at the forefront of separation plant design and manufacture for more than 30 years, having supplied some of the most notable tunnelling projects in recent years. These include slurry plants for the two largest-diameter TBMs ever built - for the Groene Hart tunnel in the Netherlands and for the Lefortovo highway tunnel in Moscow - which employ the latest in modular design techniques.
MS has the capability to design and test plants for every type of tunnelling project using its own team of specialists supported by in-house facilities that include laboratory and pilot test unit. International sales are conducted through a network of specialist agents backed by a project team at the MS headquarters in Aubiere, France.
For more about MS and its products, click here, or visit www.m-s.fr 41/04.

Hook Fiber Goes Global
From its manufacturing base in Seoul, Korea, Hookfiber International Corporation (HIC) is bringing more competition into the steel fibre concrete and shotcrete reinforcement sector. The company's main product is supplied as bundles of high tensile strength fibers formed from superior quality hard drawn steel wire to a variety of specifications for controlled dosage into concrete mixes. The fibres have double hooked ends for better anchoring, and are glued for quick and homogeneous mixing. HIC is already a major force in Korea and adjacent countries, and has also supplied projects in Malaysia, Norway, Finland and the US.
For more information click here 34/04.

Gjerstad for toughness, durability, and a long working life
Most people in the tunnelling industry associate the name Gjerstad with side-tipping buckets, an item that they have produced for nearly 40 years. However, the company is also a leading manufacturer of construction machinery equipment, and has an experienced design team that is constantly working on new products and improving the existing Gjerstad range. Indeed, the team also undertakes commissions to develop equipment for special purposes. The company maintains close contact with contractors, original equipment manufacturers, and steel suppliers in order to be best placed to provide a large range of buckets and quick couplers for all sizes of loaders and excavators, for both manual and hydraulic operation. For more about Gjerstad and its products, click here, or visit www.gjerstad.com 26/04.

Black Diamond Cutters Take on the World
Black Diamond Cutters, manufactured in the New South Wales town of Artarmon, Australia, have been a growing influence on Asia Pacific TBM projects over the last ten years, with a significant presence in Singapore, Korea, and Australia. However, the ability of the company to react to specific demands from major TBM contractors, manufacturers and designers has led to rapid international expansion, and Black Diamond Cutters are now a feature of such prestigious jobs as the Guadarrama high speed rail tunnels in Spain and the Gotthard base railway tunnel in Switzerland. Incorporating the very latest bearing and seal technology, Black Diamond Cutters confidently offer the type of increased life and improved performance that leads to overall lower cost.
For more about Black Diamond Cutters, and parent company Pacific Tunnelling, click here, or visit www.blackdiamondcutters.com.au. 25/04.

Hunter Personnel - More positions on tunnelbuilder.com
Joining a growing list of human resources specialists to be seen on the tunnebuilder web-site, Hunter Personnel was established in 1976, and offers a comprehensive recruitment service for the tunnelling and mining industries. Working worldwide, the Company supplies the skilled personnel needs of consultants, specialist engineering practices, contractors and project owners. Hunter staff have many years of relevant industrial experience to understand requirements of both employers and job seekers. The Hunter Personnel tunnelling database is continuously updated, adding up to around 200 new registrations a week.
To learn more about Hunter Personnel services and view a list of current advertised positions, click here or visit the Hunter web-site www.hunterpersonnel.com. 11/04.

Häny Grouting Systems - Simple and Reliable
Swiss-based Häny is one of the best-known names in grouting, having researched and developed equipment suited to many of the current techniques. The Häny range covers virtually every grouting requirement in tunnels, dam construction and trenchless projects, supplying individual components or complete plants. With distributors in more than 30 countries on five continents, the company is well placed to supply grouting equipment, spares and expertise. To find out more about the Häny range, click here or visit their website www.haeny.com 10/04.

Fibre Reinforcement from SI Concrete Systems
Fibermesh and Novocon are two of the best-known brand names in fibre reinforcement for shotcrete, and both come from SI Concrete Systems. By manufacturing a complete range of polypropylene, steel and nylon reinforcement fibres, SI Concrete Systems can offer a solution to meet the specific needs of every project, assisting in the selection of admixtures, mix design, equipment and shotcrete techniques. The company business theme is ease of use, built upon a full understanding of shotcrete technology, its engineering and design, and the handling, conveying, distribution and application of the product. For more about SI Concrete Systems, click here, or visit www.siconcretesystems.com

Phoenix - Seals and Conveyor Belts
Phoenix AG of Hamburg, Germany is a specialist producer of rubber-based products for mining, tunnelling and industrial use. For decades, the company has manufactured a broad range of successful sealing systems for TBM-driven tunnels, and continues to innovate. The latest development is a seal that is anchored into the concrete during the segment production process. This system makes segment production easier and faster, without using any adhesives.
Phoenix is also a major manufacturer of conveyor belts. Indeed, their track record in the world's mines is awesome, with many credits for long and robust installations.

For more about Phoenix, click here. 51/03.

Weldgrip for one-stop ground and strata control
Weldgrip has a dedicated, purpose-built facility for the manufacture of machinery, tools and equipment for ground and strata control. Supplying a full range of drillbits and steel, rockbolts and soil nails, together with the handheld rock drills needed for fast and safe installation, the company offers a comprehensive sales and service package to clients worldwide. Some of the most prestigious tunnelling projects in recent years have used Weldgrip products, including the Channel Tunnel, Athens Metro, Paris Metro, and Madrid-Barcelona High Speed Railway. To these may be added a lengthening list of mine, tunnel, quarry and civil engineering applications. For the most recent Weldgrip catalogue, click here. For a profile of Weldgrip activities visit www.weldgrip.com. 46/03.

Antraquip Corp. - Tunnel excavation, support and specialist plant services
Antraquip Corporation offers a wide range of plant and equipment expertise in the supply, refurbishment and rebuilding of excavation, support and ancillary systems for tunnelling, mining and general construction duties.
Based in Hagerstown, Maryland, US, Antraquip engineers are available for consultancy and technical services in all forms of tunnel plant covering sales, reconditioning, commissioning, training, after-sales services, parts supply and selection consultancy. Leading plant and equipment types include roadheaders, drilling systems, and support materials.
For more about the models currently on offer, Antraquip's technical services and finance packages click here or visit www.antraquip.info. 42/03.

Geokon - world-class geotechnical instrumentation
Geokon is the most successful designer and manufacturer of vibrating wire geotechnical instrumentation, with a line of products that is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Instruments manufactured by Geokon are used primarily for monitoring the safety and stability of civil and mining structures such as dams, tunnels, shafts, station boxes, and retaining walls. The sensors have elegant and rugged designs, making them ideally suited for long-term measurements in adverse environments. Geokon has been awarded ISO 9001 registration in both USA and UK.
Based in New Hampshire, USA, the company reaches out to the world through agents in more than 25 countries. For more about Geokon products, click here or visit www.geokon.com. 33/03.

Mühlhäuser - world leader in transportation engineering
Westerschelde and Elbe highway tunnels; Athens, Singapore and Barcelona metros; Lesotho, New York and Isafahan water tunnels; Cleuson-Dixence, Casecnan and San Carlos hydros; and Guadarrama, Storebaelt and Channel railway tunnels. What do all of these magnificent engineering feats have in common? The answer is that muck, personnel and supplies were carried on vehicles from Mühlhäuser, the best-known name in railbound tunnel transportation. These, and hundreds of other projects like them, have benefited from the Mühlhäuser approach to tailor-made transportation solutions, engineered to the highest standards from high specification components. To find out more, click here or visit www.tunnelling-equipment.com 28/03.

Putzmeister - speed and precision in shotcrete placement
For many years the Putzmeister Wetkret 103 has been the standard wet shotcrete jumbo for tunnels, having made its reputation on durability, ease of maintenance, and efficiency of operation. Now, the Wetkret WKM 133, incorporating the latest technologies, is elevating Putzmeister to the highest position amongst the new wet-shotcreting robot generation. Operations are monitored using the new DADOS recording system, which informs the engineers about the dates, times and amounts of concrete and additives used. For more about the latest developments in the Putzmeister range of shotcrete and concrete pumping equipment, click here or visit www.putzmeister.de 25/03.

Halcrow sponsors tunnelintelligence.com
Halcrow Group is taking up a foundation sponsorship of tunnelintelligence.com, the industry's most-visited bids and awards website. The company is an independent provider of infrastructure-related business solutions in the transport, water and property sectors. With a global network of 61 offices, Halcrow consultancy resources are presently at work in over 70 countries. The company has recently been involved with the Jubilee Line Extension, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, and Ramsgate Harbour tunnels in the UK, and with the Lantau airport metro, deep sewerage system, and Cheung Ching tunnels in Hong Kong. Ongoing projects include the study of environmental impacts for the proposed tunnel adjacent to Stonehenge, a World Heritage site. Halcrow offers interdisciplinary planning and design, consulting, construction supervision, and project management. For the fuller picture, click here or on the Halcrow logolink at www.tunnelintelligence.com 24/03.

MHI to Expand European and Latin American Business with Duro Felguera
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Duro Felguera signed on 8th April in Oviedo, Spain their agreement to set up a joint venture to build TBMs. Duro Felguera will act as MHI's platform to develop its business in Europe and Latin America. The two companies are already working together to build two Robbins-MHI rock TBMs, 10.2 m in diameter and about €18 million each, for the Abdalajís twin tunnel (7 km) on the Cordoba-Malaga high speed line. Assembly of the machines is nearing end. With a capital of €4 million, the new company is named MHI-Duro Felguera, S. A. will be headquartered in Madrid while the plant is in Barros (Asturias). The company is targeting the metrotrén project in Gijón, just awarded to Necso, and the Pajares tunnel. Read E-News Weekly 47/2002. Visit www.gdfsa.com and www.sdia.or.jp/mhikobe-e/products/kenki/index.html 18/03.

Mott MacDonald sponsors tunnelintelligence.com
Mott MacDonald is taking up a foundation sponsorship of tunnelintelligence.com, the industry's favourite bids and awards website from tunnelbuilder. Mott MacDonald has a long history in underground construction, having been involved in some of the largest projects of recent years, including the Channel Tunnel, Storebaelt and Los Angeles Metro. Currently, the environmentally sensitive Stonehenge tunnel is in design. The company provides a huge range of consultancy skills, and has a global presence with around 150 locations in 100 countries. Services include interdisciplinary planning and design, tunnel design, construction supervision, and project management. For the fuller picture, click here or on the Mott MacDonald logolink at www.tunnelintelligence.com 18/03.

Atlas Copco at Intermat 2003
Visitors to this year's Intermat exhibition which will be held in Paris 13th to 17th May will be greeted by an array of equipment from the Swedish manufacturer Atlas Copco, specially designed to meet the demand for highly productive and efficient construction. Among the highlights will be the Swellex Manganese Line rock bolts and MAI Self-Drilling Anchors, both state-of-the-art ground and rock support systems for fast and safe rock reinforcement. Over the last 20 years, Swellex rock bolts have been increasingly successful throughout the world. Now even further progress has been made with the introduction of the Swellex Manganese Line. This new type, combined with an improved manufacturing process, results in increased tensile strength and elongation capacity (80%), which provides even greater safety and reliability for the user. When Atlas Copco acquired MAI Ankertechnik GmbH of Austria last year, it added yet another major string to its bow in the field of rock reinforcement. MAI was a welcome addition as its bolt systems are well suited to the Atlas Copco drill rigs, supporting the Atlas Copco strategy to produce both the bolt systems and the rigs that use them. MAI is a leading producer of self-drilling anchor systems, used to stabilize weak rock and soil in tunnelling, mining and other ground engineering applications. In Paris, visitors to the Atlas Copco display will be able to see these special products first hand in the shape of Self Drilling Anchors of different dimensions as well as pumps for installation.
Another "first" which can be expected to generate great interest at Intermat is Atlas Copco's Rocket Boomer XL3 C tunnelling rig, widely regarded as the most powerful and "intelligent" underground tunnelling rig of its kind. This 3-boom series, fully computerised unit, featuring the ABC Total system, manages all aspects of the rigs' automated operations. The XL 3 C is also equipped with a state-of-the-art cabin offering an outstanding working environment for the operator. The series includes the L3 C for tunnelling work up to 106 m² and the Rocket Boomer WL 3, for tunnels with cross sections of up to 155 m². And thanks to its wide-reaching boom console, the WL3 C can tackle tunnel widths up to 17.8 m. The version on show in Paris will be equipped with an "eagle" console for increased upward reach, suitable for tunnelling applications of up to 169 m² and roof heights of 12.8 m.
There will also be a display of raiseboring technology with case stories and information on the latest addition to the Atlas Copco range, the Robbins 73 RM-VF. This powerful unit brings added capabilities to raiseboring in the 1.8-3.1 m (6-10 ft) diameter range and increased safety and efficiency. Visitors will also be able to see the latest in raiseboring and reamer development presented by Atlas Copco Secoroc including the new version of the RCC Duro Cutter which delivers outstanding performance, reliability and service life. Read more about the upcoming Intermat show on the Internet at
www.atlascopco.com/intermat, www.intermat.fr and www.atlascopco.fr 17/03.

Meet IPS at Amsterdam
IPS, the supplier of specialist personnel to tunnelling projects, has improved its website so that vacancies and available personnel can now be searched by department. This means that tunnellers can now log onto www.ipspersonnel.nl on a daily basis to check available vacancies, and can respond automatically.
Likewise, project managers and TBM manufacturers can check for immediately available TBM specialists. IPS has a stand at the ITA convention in Amsterdam this week to promote its activities in the tunnelling world, and Harrie van der Steldt and Kevin Browning will welcome all tunnelbuilder readers. For a short description of IPS click here. 16/03.

DUX Machinery With Built-In Quality
Quebec-based DUX Machinery Corporation has a 30-year heritage of supplying the world's underground sector with a range of purpose-designed quality equipment. This includes haulage trucks, scoop loaders, scalers, shotcrete systems, maintenance trucks, hi-lift and scissors-lift platforms, ANFO and emulsion loaders, and geological samplers.
With every truck sold, DUX is committed to offering the very best in after-sales service and parts back-up through its worldwide network of agents and distributors. For a profile of DUX products click here. 15/03.

A Quarter Century of Shotcrete Technologies
It is getting on for 25 years since Kristian Loevlie set up shop in Idaho Springs, Colorado as Shotcrete Technologies Inc, to provide specialist products and services to the local mining industry. The company has long since made its name in tunnelling, adding jobs like Supercollider, San Roque, and Tren Urbano to its long list of credits. Their main strength lies in accumulated knowledge and experience of shotcrete techniques, and the capacity to apply these at long reach. So, if mix-designed shotcrete is required anywhere in the world, be it Australia, the Philippines, or the Americas, Shotcrete Technologies is ready to supply equipment and expertise. For more about how Shotcrete Technologies can help your project, click here. 13/03.

Advancing Technology with Continental Conveyor
From its design and manufacturing base in Gateshead, UK, Continental Conveyor Limited (CCL) supplies the world with its advanced material handling systems. With a history stretching back over 90 years, and an enormous wealth of experience in the manufacture and supply of underground conveyors, there is no doubt that the company is well-placed to deliver. Major projects currently underway include the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in UK, AlpTransit Mitholz in Switzerland, and Guadarrama in Spain. CCL supplies the complete system, curved or straight, from face to surface stacker, with capacities matched to the largest TBM or crusher. Its revolutionary High Angle Conveyor (HAC) systems carry muck through any angle, including up vertical shafts. For more about Continental Conveyor, click here, or visit www.continental-conveyor.co.uk. 11/03.

Jared - Partners in Human Resourcing
Recruiting for jobs in tunnelling, geotechnics, water and rail, Jared is dedicated to human resources solutions for the world's largest civil engineering and construction projects. Whether to fill a single job, or deliver a complete project team, Jared offers professional consultation and placement. Current tunnelling vacancies can now be reviewed online at tunnelbuilder.com by clicking here, or by visiting www.jared.co.uk

Schneider - Synonymous with Tunnel Safety
Schneider Electric has been making tunnels safer for users for over 30 years. Highly specialised Schneider project teams assist clients to evolve design solutions for Power Control, Ventilation and Automation. They follow through with manufacture and supply of equipment to maintain optimal security conditions within the tunnel, both during normal operations and when incidents occur. With experience of several hundreds of tunnels worldwide, Schneider Electric aims to make driving safer for users everywhere. For more about Schneider Electric click here. 07/03.

Amberg Group sponsors tunnelintelligence.com
Amberg Group is taking up a foundation sponsorship of tunnelintelligence.com, the industry's favourite bids and awards website from tunnelbuilder. The Swiss group of companies uniquely combines know-how and experience in underground construction, and is involved in all types and sizes of projects, including the Gotthard base tunnel, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Services include interdisciplinary planning and design, consulting, construction supervision, and project management. The group is also renowned for the development, manufacture and marketing of highly specialized measuring systems for the underground industry. Research and development is carried out by Amberg in its world-famous test galleries at Hagerbach, near Sargans, Switzerland, which is also the venue for the hugely successful series of IUT exhibitions. Amberg associate companies are also active in China, Germany, Finland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Sweden and Taiwan. For the fuller picture, click here. 06/03.

tacs Specialist Tunnel Guidance Systems
The combination of expertise of tacs GmbH and PSP tunnel construction consultants provided the development platform for the tacs tunnel guidance system. The well proven software of the acs guidance system, used with specialized hardware developed by tacs, provides a robust, efficient and accurate method of TBM location, regardless of diameter, alignment or curvature of the tunnel. Indeed, tacs guidance systems have been used in constructing some of the world's largest projects, such as Storebaelt, Elbetunnel, Westerschelde and Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Length is not a problem, as testified by the successful guidance of the 15.3 km Aguas Argentinas water supply tunnel in Buenos Aires, and the 10.3 km Mangfallstollen in Munich. The modular construction of the tacs guidance system makes different levels of functionality easy to implement. For more information about tacs, click here 06/03.

75 Years of Boart Longyear Drilling Expertise
Boart Longyear has been in the drilling business since 1928, when its surface contracting division was set up. That division is now active in 50 countries, using modern well-maintained equipment with skilled and motivated crews, supported by an experienced operations and management team. Along the way, the group has grown considerably, and now comprises over 40 operating companies employing 6,700 people based around principal manufacturing plants in Canada, Norway, Ireland, Germany and South Africa. These supply a huge array of drilling tools and equipment for the mining, quarrying, tunnelling, geotechnical and surface construction sectors, covering every aspect from coring to production, all developed using Boart Longyear accumulated expertise in hard materials and diamonds. For a profile of this substantial operation, click here 03/03.

Purpose Built Life Support
In line with the continual advance of health and safety legislation worldwide, the provision of refuge chambers in tunnels is rapidly becoming mandatory. Fortunately, Australian manufacturer MineARC Systems has foreseen this situation, and developed a robust and efficient solution.
The MineARC refuge chamber is designed to provide a safe haven for tunnellers in the event of an underground emergency, with life support systems that are self-powered for 36 hours. The skid-mounted units are custom-built to individual requirements, and can be supplied for up to 20 persons. They are equipped with scrubbing units, air conditioning, and three separate sources of breathing air, all with full battery backup. For more information on MineARC Systems, click here. 49/02.

Schwarzer Curved Tunnelling Systems
Based at Wesel, Germany, Schwarzer has developed a reputation for its expertise in provision of accurate surveying equipment for tunnel and pipejacking drives. With more than 200 projects involving 80 km of tunnel successfully completed over the last ten years, the company is well placed to provide tailor-made solutions for special problems. Apart from systems for data acquisition, alignment and control of tunnel drives, Schwarzer also provides intercom and video networks that can be installed in any desired location. For more about Schwarzer, click here. 43/02.

Certified Excellence in Communication
Mine Radio Systems (MRS) is a world leader in the development of communication systems for data, voice and video suited to mines and tunnels. With leaky feeder networks capable of data transmission up to 30 Mbs, MRS systems can monitor and control personnel and equipment movements, support voice and video communication, and transmit data at high speed, all with full Internet access. With authorized agents in 25 countries, supported by 40 strategically-located dedicated personnel, MRS offers a truly global service. For more information on products and locations, click here. Visit www.mineradio.com 42/02.

Geodata - turning data into information
When it comes to geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring and surveying, one of the best-known names in the tunnelling business is Geodata. Based in Leoben, Austria, the company offers a full range of equipment, expertise, training and support in all of the attendant disciplines throughout Europe and the Americas, and as far afield as Taiwan and Vietnam. In fact, Geodata will work wherever there is a tunnel or excavation of any kind, developing specific applications where necessary, together with any software required. For more information about the broad range of Geodata capabilities, click here 42/02.

CarboTech Fosroc Sealing Technique
Carbotech Fosroc GmbH offers a range of ground injection systems based on polyurethane and organo-mineral resins, acrylates and micro cements, together with the tools and equipment necessary to their application. CarboTech Fosroc injection methods are highly effective, particularly in sealing off high-pressure water. The company prides itself in the quality of its manufactured materials and rapid delivery worldwide, offering expert support and on-site assistance for mix design and injection technique. Its products have been used successfully on some of the world's high profile projects, such as Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System in Hong Kong, freshwater supply tunnels in Mumbai, India, and the orifice tunnels at Xiaolangdi hydro scheme in China. For a profile of CarboTech Fosroc and its products, click here, or visit www.carbotechfosroc.com 35/02.

Dätwyler Specialized Gaskets
Swiss-based Dätwyler, has developed a range of gasket profiles to suit every tunnelling situation. Whether the groundwater is pure or contaminated, high or low pressure, makes no difference. Dätwyler will supply gaskets using regular technology for the more normal tunnels, and specialized technology for difficult situations. The Centre of Competence at Schattdorf houses the engineering skills and experience to help clients with specific designs. With a modular approach to research, regular and specialized production technology, and engineered and tailor made solutions, Dätwyler works to ISO9001 standards to evolve the best gasket for every job. For more details about the Dätwyler approach, click here. 33/02.

Transco - Caterpillar and Tamrock at Gotthard (French)
Mission titanesque pour Avesco AG, Langenthal:
17 machines de forage, escortées par un service après-vente sur une durée de six ans
Le Consortium Transco, se composant des entreprises de construction BATIGROUP AG (Zurich), Frutiger AG (Thoune), Bilfinger Berger AG (Munich) et Pizzarotti & C.S.p.a. (Parme) s'est vu confier la construction du tronçon NLFA Sedrun (segment 360). Cette œuvre maîtresse de l'Alptransit Gotthard englobe la réalisation d'une des deux zones multifonction du tunnel de base du Gotthard de 57 km de long et de deux gorges de tunnel de 6,2 km de long. Cette mission est soumise à des exigences extrêmement délicates, posées par l'approvisionnement du chantier à travers un puits d'extraction de 800 m de profondeur, tout comme par les conditions géologiques infiniment complexes en raison du manque de stabilité de la roche du massif intermédiaire du Tavetsch. Comme machines-clés pour le creusement à la dynamite, le Consortium Transco avait opté pour le produit de renommée mondiale SANDVIK-TAMROCK.

Produits de classe internationale Sandvik-Tamrock de Finlande
La commande en question comprend 8 jumbos de forage TAMROCK AXERA et 9 charges et roules TAMROCK TORO ainsi que les tiges de forage SANDVIK. Hormis les remarquables caractéristiques et spécifications techniques, ils répondent également à l'impératif fondamental, soit que toutes les machines, en termes de poids et de dimensions, puissent être mises en pièces de manière bien définie pour le transport dans le puits. Ces composants sont menés par la galerie d'accès et par le puits d'extraction jusqu'à la base du puits situé 800 m en contrebas. Les quatre premières machines ont pu être remises à Avesco AG, et prêtes à fonctionner aux équipes de forage, deux mois et demi déjà après la passation de la commande.

Les produits de toute première qualité, associés au service après-vente de tout premier ordre, optimisent l'impact opérationnel du Consortium Transco, tout en réduisant sensiblement les coûts et les temps de réaction.

Pour tous compléments d'informations:
Avesco AG, Stefan Zürcher,
4901 Langenthal, tél.: 062 915 81 61, fax: 062 915 81 39, www.avesco.ch, www.transco-sedrun.ch 32/02.

Cat in Tunnels
In the last ten years, Cat excavators have become a common sight in the world's tunnels. Equipped with hydraulic hammer, scaling bucket, or loading bucket, these adaptable machines have earned their position as a mainstay production tool. They join an expanding family of specially adapted Cat production machines that includes loaders and dumptrucks, and an impressive array of utility machines such as mini excavators, telehandlers, small wheel loaders, and skid steers. These machines comply with the most rigorous regulations for underground operation. For more information, click here.
Cat has now set up a marketing office for the tunnelling industries, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and will be increasing its range of purpose-built machines. The company will exhibit at IUT in Sargans, Switzerland from 18th-20th September, 2002, and looks forward to discussing its plans with customers at this popular venue.
With great pleasure, we welcome Cat as a tunnelbuilder foundation sponsor.

Secure Support with Alwag Techmo
Austrian manufacturer Alwag Techmo offers innovative solutions in the drilling and mining markets, dramatically scaling back the time and cost of anchorage, support, injection and drainage technology. IBO anchors are the best-known product, finding increasing use in supporting difficult, non-cohesive and unconsolidated ground in tunnels. IBI anchors are used for face support, and for multiple re-injection. Pantex lattice girders both support the ground while the shotcrete cures, and form part of the reinforcement of the permanent tunnel lining. The AT system offer anchoring technique, support system, injection technique and drainage system, together with a full range of hardware and special attachments. For more about Alwag Techmo, click here.

Grindex Pumps for the World
Over the last 40 years, Swedish manufacturer Grindex has delivered more than 200,000 electric submersible drainage and sludge pumps to all parts of the world, developing a reputation for extreme dependability and functionality in over 100 countries. This global delivery network is supported by trained engineers and technicians, whose feedback has helped develop a range of pumps that is now synonymous with reliability and quality. For more about Grindex pumps, click here, or visit www.grindex.com

Roadheaders Worldwide
The name of Voest Alpine is synonymous with heavy roadheaders, the company having had more than 30 years experience in their design, manufacture and application throughout the world. Voest Alpine roadheaders range in size from 25 t to 110 t, over ten basic models, offering a capability of cutting faces of cross sections from 6 sq m to 50 sq m from a single setup.
In recent years, Voest Alpine and its research partners have invested heavily in developing ICUTROC technology, which has now been successfully applied to the Alpine Hardrock Miner range.
Based at a large factory complex in Zeltweg, Austria, Voest Alpine Bergtechnik is now a part of VA-Eimco, a division of Sandvik Mining & Construction, an affiliation that enhances the company's capabilities without impeding its specialisation.
For more information about Voest Alpine and its products, visit www.sandvik.com or click here.

Ground Monitoring with BEAM
Historically, the tunneller has always been more afraid of what is in front of the face, rather than what is behind. Now, using the BEAM system of electrical resistivity monitoring for continuous forward prediction and perimeter exploration, the rock ahead of the face can be classified. This gives the TBM driver early warning of any change in ground conditions, faults or obstacles in the way of advance. BEAM is a product of Geohydraulik Data, part of Dr Arnim Kaus, Thomas Kopp & Partner GdbR of Mainz, Germany. The system is applicable for hard rock and soft ground TBMs, and drill/blast drives, giving real time ground monitoring results for fast decisions.
BEAM uses the tunnel as a mobile electrode system, forcing current beams into the ground through specially adapted TBM cutter or drillrods, and measuring its capacity to store electrical energy. This can differentiate between good ground, and rock mass sections with high fracture and Karst porosities, fault zones, cavities, sand, gravel and blocky material. For more information on this remarkable ground monitoring system click here.

Rocksoil Sponsors Tunnel Intelligence
Italian geo-engineering consultant Rocksoil, one of the leading companies in its sector, has decided to become a foundation sponsor of tunnelintelligence.com, our fastest growing website. This union will draw attention to Rocksoil's massive achievements over the last 23 years in its chosen field of civil engineering design for underground works, special foundations and ground stabilisation. The company is extremely active on motorway and high speed railway tunnels in Italy, and is involved on railway, metro, highway, and hydro tunnel designs across the globe. Research and development of new techniques has led to Rocksoil innovations which include ground reinforcement of the advance core with fibreglass structural elements and the ADECO-RS approach for designing and constructing tunnels on schedule without overrunning budgets. For more details of how this forward-looking consultant can help your project, click here. For news of current bids and awards worldwide, visit www.tunnelintelligence.com 16/02.

Mayer cuts costs by logging lamp 'burn hours'.
The Model 800 Road Tunnel Presettable Controller from Mayer International (UK) Ltd. is now available with optional addition to allow monitoring and interrogation of 'burn hours' for individual sections of threshold luminaires. Output data, as a result of the interrogation, provides lighting stage switch status for the host processor Windows program to generate cumulative burn hours and historical switching log. Data may be transmitted via a hardwired or modem connection to a host computer or by a GSM modem and service provider to a distant DAD (Data access device with suitable software} e.g., Desktop/Laptop PC, mobile phone, etc.
The unit currently being installed for the A46/M1 tunnel junction at Leicester offers output data transmissions to a control centre at Tamworth, Staffordshire, U.K.
Benefits: Reduced maintenance costs, labour time and traffic lane closures associated with replacement of burnt out lamps. Complete individual lighting sections can be totally replaced in a single one-off operation when nearing end of manufacturer's recommended 'burn life'. Two European manufacturers of luminaires are expressing interest with a view to establishing a central monitoring and reporting service for their customers. Contact: John Mayer Fax: +44 (0) 1425 478111. e-mail: johnmayer@tunnel-lighting-control.com. Web site: www.tunnel-lighting-control.com.

Akkerman Penetrates European Market
With nearly 30 successful years of manufacturing TBMs, microtunnelling and pipejacking equipment for the American market, Akkerman Inc of Brownsdale, Minnesota is expanding into the European market. Following the introduction of a 1.78 m-diameter TBM at a large sewerage contract in Cardiff, Wales the company has set up a UK-based distributor to handle sales and service for the region. Akkerman has the advantage of a comprehensive standard range of equipment to match most requirements, with the flexibility to develop special machines for specific conditions. A team of experienced engineers and knowledgeable field technicians is dedicated to customer service, backed up by a large parts department. For more details about Akkerman, click here.

Benefit From Bernold
Based in Walenstadt, Switzerland, Bernold specialises in individual solutions to steel fabrication requirements for underground work in tunnels, caverns and shafts. The company is small enough to provide effective customer support, and large enough to translate the most demanding concepts. In business since 1961, Bernold is an ISO 9001 certified company with exceptional experience and professional competence to meet all requirements regards technology, quality and economic efficiency. Its product range includes all manner of formworks, segment moulds and plants, support arches and lattice girders, and liner plates, together with the unique AT tube shield drilling system. Expert personnel are available for training, installation and commissioning. For more information about Bernold, click here.

CT-Bolt Beats Aggressive Environments
Around ten years ago, the CT-Bolt was developed by Norwegian company Orsta Staalindustri AS to provide a 50-year life in aggressive environments. It gained acceptance as the standard rock bolt for fjord crossings in Norway, and has since been used in projects across the world.
The CT-Bolt can be rapidly installed, manually or using a mechanised rockbolting rig. It is anchored with an expansion shell, and is pre-stressed during installation to give immediate support.
A polyethylene sleeve conducts grout along the bolt to the back of the hole, and then seals it against corrosion. Once the grout is placed and cured, the CT-Bolt becomes a permanent support, capable of withstanding the corrosive elements present in tunnels for a half century. For both early support and long term safety, the CT-Bolt is the tunnel designers' first choice. For more information, click here.

Power Supply by Cavotec
Cavotec Group is one of the world's leaders in power supply technology, helping miners and tunnellers to develop more reliable and innovative solutions to the problems of reliable power distribution in the harsh underground environment. Serving more than 30 countries on the five continents, Cavotec has manufacturing locations in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, and 18 sales and service companies. Cavotec cable reels in motorised, spring-driven, and manual form are a common sight in tunnels everywhere, mounted on drillrigs and TBMs from the best-known manufacturers. Usually, these reels will be equipped with Cavotec special flexible cables, which are optimised for this purpose. Apart from its corporate website, Cavotec is also well established in the e-marketplace with its websites www.flexiblecables.com for branded flexible rubber, PVC, PU and special cables, and www.cavotecshop.com for associated hardware. For a profile of Cavotec, click here.

Trolex Sensors
UK-based company Trolex is at the forefront of safety monitoring and sensing technology, with products characterised by design and performance parameters for the most testing industrial environments. The company is committed to progress through quality, with over 40 years experience of supplying equipment to safety critical industries. A co-ordinated product design strategy makes for a closely integrated range of sensors and control modules, with unparalleled choice of user options and functional compatibility, all to ISO 9001 standards.
Trolex products carry a performance warranty for up to two years. For a profile of Trolex and its products, click here.

Ocmer for Concrete Spraying Machines
For more than 25 years, Italian company Ocmer has specialised in the design and production of machines and equipment for sprayed concrete applications and for pea-gravel and humus soil conveyance.
With resources devoted every year to its research and development department, Ocmer has evolved a unique series of state-of-the-art products for its sector of activity. The range includes machines for dry, semi-wet and wet sprayed concrete applications, together with spraying arms, dosing units for liquid and powder chemical admixtures, and feeding and pre-hydrating systems. This equipment can be combined and easily mounted upon new or existing carriers, according to the customer's wishes. For a profile of Ocmer activity, and access to the company for further information, click here.

Robit Rocktools From Finland
Robit is a small, flexible company that has achieved leadership in the rocktools market in Finland, and also exports its products to more than 30 countries worldwide. Robit button bits, drill rods, shanks and grinding equipment are available for most tunnelling, mining, quarrying and construction drillrigs. The company, in particular, puts every effort into designing and developing first class button bits to satisfy customer applications, believing that the combination of a modern button bit with a modern drillrig ensures low cost drilling. For a short description of the Robit operation, click here.

Schauenburg for Separation
Schauenburg has the design and manufacturing capability for the whole range of bentonite separation plants for soft ground tunnelling with slurry TBMs, caisson sinking, diaphragm wall construction, and trenchless techniques. Long experience in the separation business has given the company a crucial insight into the environmental issues governing the processes, and the importance of equipment quality, reliability, and cost efficiency. For an insight into the company, click here.

Wirth and NFM Sign Alliance Deal
German TBM maker Wirth and NFM Technologies of France have signed an agreement to become sister companies. The two firms are in the unique position to offer a full range of state-of-the-art tunnel boring machines suited for any geological conditions, with diameters up to 15 metres. Earlier this year, the team already recorded successfull deals by signing contracts with two Spanish consortia for two TBMs required for the Guadarrama tunnels and with the Costain-Skanska-Bachy Soletanche jv for another two TBMs as part of contract 240 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in London. Together, Wirth and NFM have a cumulated experience of over 40 years, references of more than 150 TBMs, a design team of 100 engineers and technicians, two modern manufacturing and assembly workshops covering 50,000 sq metres, a large number of world records, among which the world largest machine ever built namely a 15 m-diameter slurry shield machine assembled by NFM for the Green Heart tunnel in the Netherlands, and a comprehensive product range comprising microtunnelling systems, directional drilling machinery, raiseboring, pile drilling units, shaft boring machines, drillrigs and roadheaders. Visit www.wirth-drilling.com/home.htm 50/01.

GIA - Knowledge by Tradition
Experience and innovation are the two words that best describe GIA Industri, the Swedish manufacturer of mobile equipment and ventilation systems. Experience gained through long-standing expertise and in-depth knowledge of the underground environment, and innovation demonstrated by constant striving to bring new ideas forward and develop them for the marketplace. Founded in 1884, the embryo of today's business was conceived in the 1950s, when GIA started to supply mine locomotives in Sweden. Since then, the company has grown steadily, and is now represented on all five continents, and exports 80% of its manufactured output. For profiles of GIA and SwedVent click here.

Welcome to ITC
ITC is the dynamic Swiss-based international marketing partner of German manufacturer Schaeff, offering a wide range of roadheaders and excavators for use in the tunnelling and mining sectors. These are robust, track mounted machines of up to 40 t weight with diesel, electric, or combination drives. They are suited to work in soft to medium hard ground conditions, and for loading blasted material. Special machines, such as hammer tunnellers, slot cutters, and innumerable attachments, can be made to order in the Schaeff factory. Every tunnel is different, and, when purchasing equipment, it is wise to keep all options open. For a profile of the offerings of ITC, click here.

Tunnelling Accessories for Worldwide Delivery
Based in the United Kingdom, Tunnelling Accessories Ltd sees the world as its marketplace. Operating from a purpose-designed factory in the southern coastal town of St Leonards-on-Sea, the company manufactures and supplies a full range of products for the fabrication and installation of tunnel lining segments, jacking pipes, manholes and box culverts. Operating to ISO 9001 standard, Tunnelling Accessories can guarantee the quality of its own products. The company also stocks a range of proprietary products such as ventilation ducting, hydrophilic rubber seals, ground improvement products, shuttering systems, and waterproofing and sealing systems. Truly a one-stop shop for ancillary lining and support products. For a profile of the Tunnelling Accessories operation, click here.

Zitron - Big in Ventilation
Located near Gijon on the Cantabrican coast of Spain, Zitron has the Asturias coal mining industry on its doorstep. What better environment in which to develop ventilation systems for use in the harshest conditions? Since its foundation in 1963, that is precisely what this dynamic company has been doing. It now offers a huge range of fans of all sizes and duties: for auxiliary ventilation in tunnels under construction; air movement in operating tunnels; and smoke extraction in emergency situations. Every fan is constructed of the finest materials to the customer's exact specification, and fully tested before delivery. All metallic parts are hot dip galvanised to inhibit corrosion, and then coated with special paint. Silencing is of the highest order, and rotor bearings are greased for 20,000 hours running, keeping maintenance costs to the bare minimum. Versions for high temperature operation are available over the model range. So, if you are shopping for high-efficiency, low-cost ventilation, Zitron has the answer. For a profile of the Zitron range, click here.

Devico Means Directional Core Drilling
When Viktor Tokle conceived his DeviDrill in the late-eighties, little could he have known that within a decade his system would be in worldwide use. That is the nature of invention. A whole host of high-tech additions to the original DeviDrill now make up the Devico System of directional core drilling, which is unique in facilitating continuous borehole coring around curves. The dynamism displayed by Devico during the building of its business is matched by the support provided by its Service Centres. Here, company-trained experts advise clients on an ongoing basis, whatever the problem and wherever the location. So, if coring is your business, Devico is ready to serve you. To find out more about Devico, click here. 41/01.

ROWA - Engineering for the Underground
The name ROWA is familiar to most people who have anything to do with TBMs, simply because their trailing backups have been used for most of the world's major projects over the last 20 years. The striking thing is that each succeeding backup is always more sophisticated than its predecessor, a sure sign that the manufacturer is contributing engineering inputs to the design process. This is the area where ROWA excels, with a team of dedicated design engineers who are always at the cutting edge. When combined with high-quality Swiss manufacturing techniques, the result is well-engineered, purpose-designed equipment. For a short description of the ROWA operation click here.

Microsilica Benefits from Elkem Materials
Wherever concrete durability is the prime concern, microsilica can be used to increase the cohesiveness, improve the bond, and reduce the slump of the fresh concrete. This is particularly important in the case of shotcrete, where permeability dictates the rate at which aggressive agents can penetrate and attack the concrete and the steel reinforcement. The addition of Elkem Microsilica lowers the permeability more effectively than reducing the water/cement ratio, while improving strength and durability of the concrete, and reducing the amount of rebound and dusting. At the same time, the sulphate and chloride resistance are improved. All of these benefits were brought together in the huge Storebaelt project during the 1990s, where Elkem Materials were used to help satisfy the concrete demands for tunnel and bridge structures with at least 100 years service life, with minimal maintenance or repair, under some of the harshest marine conditions ever encountered. For a profile of Elkem Materials, the world's leading microsilica supplier, click here. 39/01.

MBT Leads Sponsors
A huge vote of confidence in the power of the Internet was received from international group MBT this week when the company not only took up a company profile at tunnelbuilder.com, but also decided to become lead sponsor of tunnelmachines.com. By this move, MBT will ensure that it gains maximum exposure to readers of the two most-visited websites in the tunnelling sector.
MBT companies around the world produce everything required for successful shotcrete, from robotic jumbos to additives and admixtures. However, they particularly excel in the training and backup that is offered to clients, not least in the quality of information available on their websites. For a profile of MBT, click here. Then, if you want information in depth, click through for the MBT website. You won't be disappointed!

Problem Solvers From Boom
At its plant in Boom, Belgium, Tecinvest manufactures Spetec systems and products for soil stabilisation, filling of injectable tubes, waterproofing and crack injection. Both MonoResins and MultiResins are available under various Spetec trade names for soil stabilisation, water cut off, waterproofing, sewer grouting, crack injection, underwater injection, injectable fillings, anchor bolting, and mining applications. These products have been used successfully in different applications at many major tunnelling ventures such as Antwerp metro, Paris Meteor line, and at Lyon, France. They are available for supply throughout the world.
Tecinvest is exhibiting at the UC2001 show in London during week 38, and looks forward to meeting clients at their stand. Meantime, for a snapshot of the company's activities, click here. 33/01.

Moulding the Future with SMS
SMS was founded in 1975 to design and manufacture precast concrete moulds for the tunnelling industry. Since then, the company has amassed experience worldwide, and combines this with the latest techniques to develop and produce moulds for satisfied clients. SMS puts this experience to best use in advising its clients on the diversity of form construction at the earliest stage. The benefits of this approach become evident when production in the client's precast yard eventually gets under way. If extreme care is taken in the design and manufacture of the moulds, then production of segments will be optimised.
SMS moulds have been supplied to Storebaelt, Elbetunnel, Changi Airport Line, Cairo Wastewater project, and Madrid Metro, to name just a few. References such as these merit a little investigation! For your first clues, click here. 33/01.

Euro Panels Overseas Commit to Excellence
GLASAL NT has been used successfully as a tunnel lining panel worldwide for over twenty-five years, during which time its physical and aesthetic properties have gained acceptance in the most technically demanding markets.
Euro Panels Overseas, a dynamic company in the Etex Group, manufactures GLASAL NT and a whole range of lining accessories, and is committed to assisting its customers with technical support to assure the proper installation of all these products.
The company is dedicated to making its range of products available in all non-European markets. From shipping and handling to technical support on site, Euro Panels Overseas offers partnership to its customers.
With 100 years of experience in manufacturing, the Etex Group has developed a well-earned name for quality and reliability, which is recognised throughout the world. Its fibre cement products are without equal in the industry, and meet the most exacting standards of performance and durability. For an insight into the Euro Panels Overseas operation, click here. 33/01.

Waterproofing by Rascor
When Rene Schmidt founded Rascor in 1965, little could he have foreseen that his ideas would catch on worldwide. Rascor develops and produces systems, products and machines for waterproofing, grouting technology and structure preservation and repair. It's skill and expertise are represented through its own offices in a number of European, Asian and Arab countries, and through partners in other countries. All of the partners are trained and supported in the field by Rascor engineers, operating from their headquarters in Switzerland. In this way, Rascor guarantees an integral package of services, right from the design stage of a scheme to the completed waterproof structure. That is what is known as a good idea! For a better insight into the Rascor operation, click here. 32/01.

Aliva - Worldwide Nearby
Aliva, founded in Switzerland in 1946, has become a byword in the burgeoning shotcrete sector, manufacturing a full range of concrete spraying machines and pumps, liquid dosing units, telescopic spraying arms and complete concrete spraying systems. The company has recently applied its long experience to develop a water drainage system that can be installed into the shotcrete lining to collect and divert leaks. This unique system is easy to install, and will ensure a dry surface onto which shotcrete can be applied. It will then carry on draining unpressurised flows until the permanent waterproof lining, or drainage system, is installed.
Local distributors in over 60 countries guarantee first-class advice and prompt service to Aliva customers, supported by over 100 headquarters staff in Widen, Switzerland. This major presence in the world marketplace, combined with the hands-on approach of the Widen management, gives credence to the company motto Worldwide Nearby.
It is a privilege to welcome Aliva to the elite band of tunnelbuilder enthusiasts. We seem to have known them for most of our working lives, and look forward enthusiastically to this latest partnership. To view the Aliva company profile, click here.

Ten Years of Rotex
Rotex was set up in 1991 in Tampere, Finland to manufacture the patented Symmetrix system, an ingeniously simple concentric method of overburden drilling. It is a family-owned company, run by the Jarvela brothers who invented the concept. Symmetrix is perfect for umbrella drilling in fragile ground, a simple and fast method of securing the crown to permit safe excavation. Symmetrix drilling has also been used for anchoring immersed tubes and in directional drilling for pipelines. It is a refreshing change to be able to discuss drilling applications with the inventors of the system, and explore ways in which it can be adapted and applied to different jobs. So, if you are planning a project in difficult ground, or have to overcome a change in ground conditions, you need Rotex. To view the Rotex company profile, click here. 31/01.

Bonjour TrefilARBED!
A company that incorporates the name of the world's largest underground mine in its title is a company with a sense of history! This is TrefilARBED of Luxembourg, named for the centuries-old Arbed iron ore mine that straddles the border between France and the Duchy. Many visitors to this great old mine will remember the 28 km-long access tunnel and the buses that took the miners around the galleries. Such close connections with the iron and steel industries have taught TrefilARBED a thing or two. Like the value of research and development, consistent product quality, and instant backup service. Helping the client to choose his equipment, recommending the specific shotcrete mix, and calculating the dosages, are all part of the service. For a profile of this unique company, click here. Then visit the TrefilARBED website. We did, and we were suitably impressed. In fact, we would say that it is the best we have seen to date! One day, all websites will be like this…

Forward With Hightech
Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA Inc has changed its name to Hightech Tunnelling Systems Inc to counter any confusion over the bankruptcy of Herrenknecht Corporation, a separate company. Earlier this year, the latter lost out on a case brought by a Seattle-based contractor over the failure of a microtunnelling machine. The new company, which was not involved in the dispute either commercially or technically, will carry on marketing Herrenknecht large diameter TBMs in North America. Visit www.herrenknecht.com 24/01.

Buongiorno Bresciani!
Bresciani is a leader in the field of plastic materials and specialises in the manufacture of ventilation ducts for tunnels and mines, using flame retardant and anti static coated fabrics. Sections of duct can be joined together using the patented Fast Joint system, which reduces ventilation losses to zero. The company has installed sophisticated automated equipment at its large capacity factory in Brescia, Italy to guarantee the quality of its products. There is a worldwide Bresciani sales network, which is geared to react promptly and efficiently to enquiries. For a snapshot of the Bresciani product line, click here. This is a company that is going places, and we are pleased to have them aboard. 21/01.

Welcome to Ceresola
This week Swiss engineers Ceresola are joining tunnelbuilder.com. From its manufacturing base in Magden, this family-owned company has expanded its reach worldwide, supplying concrete segment plants to places as far apart as China and Venezuela. The engineering team, directed by Aldo Ceresola, works to the highest standards and to the limits of current technology, to ensure that clients get the best deal possible. In the concrete segment arena, that means plant matched to the job and tailored to the budget, with full technical backup and troubleshooting services. For a snapshot of the Ceresola operation, click here. We are more than pleased to be associated with this vibrant, forward-looking company, and will monitor its progress in the world marketplace with great interest!

European Representation
Akkerman Inc of Brownsdale, MN has appointed Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd as the sole UK Distributor of its pipejacking, tunnelling, sliplining, and microtunnelling equipment. TES will handle marketing, sales, distribution, and aftermarket support for Akkerman equipment throughout the UK and will also actively develop the market for Akkerman products in other regions of Europe as well as the Middle East. TES also offers a full range of refurbishment services. Akkerman has been in business since 1973 and engineers, designs, and manufactures pipejacking, tunnel boring, microtunnelling, and sliplining equipment for the trenchless construction industry. Visit www.akkerman.com 16/01.

Hello to Shinhan!
The latest company to join the tunnelbuilder success story is Shinhan Heavy Industries of Korea. For many years, Shinhan has been a major supplier of shotcrete jumbos, batching plants, utility vehicles, ventilation fans and ducting to the Korean tunnelling industry. The company is now expanding internationally, and is seeking reliable distributors in countries where they are not yet represented. To view the Shinhan company profile click here, or on their front page logolink. We have every confidence that this dynamic, forward-looking manufacturer will quickly become a world name in the tunnelling business, and we are delighted to assist in achieving that goal! Give a big hand to Shinhan! 16/01.

SG Means Saint-Gobain!
Saint-Gobain Pipelines plc, having recently acquired Biwater, is set to become the big name in tunnel lining segments manufacture. Biwater's expertise in this specialist area combines with the casting skills of Saint-Gobain's Staveley foundry and the backing of Saint-Gobain Canalisation, world leader in ductile iron pipes. Together, they offer civil engineers a well-proven product, with flexibility in design and manufacture.
Saint-Gobain works to stringent quality assurance systems at all stages of the production process, from raw materials control right through to finish-machining, application of a protective coating, and non-destructive testing of the completed segments. Completed linings undergo a series of trial ring builds before delivery to site, to eliminate any problems during installation. As for durability, cast iron tunnel linings more than a century old are still giving reliable service today!

Saint-Gobain is a large-capacity producer, offering wide-ranging capabilities, and is a welcome addition to the list of European specialist tunnelling equipment manufacturers. Visit www.saint-gobain-pipelines.com or click here to view company profile. 16/01.

Boart Longyear Trebles Profit
Restructuring and renewed focus on core businesses are paying off at Boart Longyear, the South African based exploration drilling equipment manufacturer. The company has shed some non-core businesses such as Slope Indicator, and is busy harnessing markets for precision grinding, hard materials, and construction machines and equipment in Europe and Asia, while globalising its hard materials management structure and its hardrock and capital equipment businesses. Pretax operating profit rose in 2000 to $27 million on flat sales of $623 million, 46% of which were in the Americas and 32% in Europe. Owner Anglo American Corporation still plans to divest itself of Boart Longyear, but maintains there have been no discussions with any prospective buyers. At 4.33% gross margin, not really surprising news! However, the company has an extremely strong balance sheet, and is demonstrating that it is well on the road to recovery. It should make a good management buy-out, one day soon! Visit www.boartlongyear.com 16/01.

Lovat and MTS Join Forces
On January 8th, 2001 Lovat announced the formation of Lovat mts GmbH, a new microtunnelling systems company located in Valluhn, Germany, approximately 50 km east of Hamburg.

The new company specialises in the development, manufacturing and servicing of microtunnelling systems using an experienced, multi-disciplined staff of engineers and designers that have provided technical support for countless microtunnelling projects.

Lovat's current sales structure will market all Lovat mts microtunnelling machines worldwide. There are currently three product lines available: the Lovat mts 400, 1000, and 2000 which are of modular design, for pipes of 150 mm to 2,000 mm inside diameter.

Lovat mts GmbH serves as an extension of Lovat Inc, supplying several products and services currently available from Lovat such as TBM spare parts, project support, technical service field specialists, and after sales support for Lovat TBMs sold in Europe. The plant will be equipped to refurbish and modify any Lovat TBM of up to 4 m diameter.

For additional information on the group's expansion in microtunnelling technology, including all technical specifications, visit www.lovatmts.de 03/01.

New Bosses at Haley & Aldrich
Haley & Aldrich, Inc, the US-based underground engineering and environmental consulting firm, has announced that President Bruce E. Beverly, P.E., has been elected Chief Executive Officer. Joseph J. Rixner, P.E., Executive Vice President, has been also been named Chief Operating Officer.

In Beverly's 25 years with the firm, he has served as project officer for many building and infrastructure projects including tunneling and heavy underground engineering assignments in cities across the country. He has assumed several senior leadership positions including Boston Operational Manager, Northeast Regional Manager, and Chief Operating Officer. Rixner, with over 30 years experience with the firm, has directed the design and construction of a broad range of geotechnical engineering, geologic and hydrogeologic projects. David E.
Thompson, formerly CEO, continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Haley & Aldrich, Inc., currently ranked 142 in the Engineering News Record Top 500 U.S. Design Firms, serves private and public clients throughout the United States and internationally. Headquartered in Boston, MA, the firm has a 425-person staff of geotechnical engineers, environmental scientists, geologists, and support personnel in 16 offices nationwide. The privately-held firm is wholly owned and managed by senior professionals actively involved in the practice. More from www.haleyaldrich.com 03/01.

Faster Marine Construction?
Mott MacDonald of the UK and Aker Maritime of Norway have both evaluated concrete Gravity Base Structures (GBS) as a means of sinking dry shafts to facilitate long marine tunnels. The GBS would be set on the seabed above the tunnel route to provide access for shaftsinking to the tunnelling horizon. At the base of each shaft, a cavern would be mined as an intermediate TBM launch chamber, and to subsequently house a rail crossover.
GBSs, such as Troll and Draugen in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, are earthquake and wave resistant, are set in 300 m sea depth, and have shaft diameters greater than 30 m.

The idea adds credence to the suggestion for a 230 km-long tunnel linking Japan and Korea, for which a cooperation agreement was signed on 29th September, 2000 for a 9.5 m-diameter, three-tube arrangement. Also in view is the proposed 55 km-long tunnel beneath the Tatar Strait from Hokkaido, Japan to Sakhalin, Russia. It is claimed that, using GBS technology, both the current estimated construction cost and the duration of each project can be cut by two-thirds.

Aker Maritime will escort parties with a proven substantial interest in GBS technology to the Troll platform, where they may descend the shaft to the bottom of the North Sea for a technical inspection. Contact knut.sandvik@akermar.com if interested. 03/01.

Book Review
Hand-arm Vibration
Editor: VDI Verein Deutscher lngenieure (The Association of Engineers), VDI-Gesellschaft Entwicklung Konstruktion Vertrieb (VDI-EKV) (VDI Society for Development Design and Marketing)
Released in the German Language and available from Beuth Verlag GmbH, D-10772 Berlin, Germany, tel +49/30/2601-2759, fax +49/30/2601-1263, e-mail postmaster@beuth.de Price 80 DM.

In their work with hand-held or hand-guided vibrating machines, or even with stationary machines, a large number of people involved in handicrafts or in industry, especially in the construction industry, mining and quarrying, are exposed to the effects of mechanical vibration on the hand-arm system. Part 2 of the draft guideline VDI 2057 covers the fundamental principles which apply to assessing the vibrational stress arising from hand-arm vibration within the context of risk appraisal.

In accordance with international standardisation practice, it is solely the frequency-weighted vibrational acceleration, which is used as a stress reference variable to characterise the influence of vibration. The earlier concept of evaluating all types of vibrational effect with just a single reference curve with the aid of the K value is no longer used.

Methods for estimating health risks are described, with regard not only to bone and joint disorders, but also to circulatory problems in the hands. To this end, two stages of evaluation have been formulated: an assessment of the daily vibrational stress as a basis for prevention (analogous to the old guideline VDI 2057); and an assessment of the vibrational stresses experienced for years on end which may result in chronic conditions. The appendix includes notes on the use of existing K values and examples of determining the assessment reference values applicable to daily stress exposure. 03/01.

Video Review
The Heat Within - the effect of fire in pressurised tunnels
This video made by the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) demonstrates how compressed air and oxygen enrichment dramatically increase the severity of fires involving various materials commonly found in the tunnel environment.

Whilst the video is primarily aimed at those working in compressed air, much of the information is also directly relevant to tunnels constructed at atmospheric pressure. The video will therefore be of use as part of a conventional training programme to illustrate the dangers of fire in tunnels.
The video makes use of footage shot during tests carried out at the compressed air fire test facility at the HSE Laboratory, Buxton.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of fire prevention, good housekeeping, good standards of maintenance, site safety practice and wearing the correct apparel.

Commissioned by the HSE's Technology Division, this video is intended to form part of a training programme given to people working in compressed air in compliance with Regulation 15 of the United Kingdom's 'Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996'.

The video comes in a presentation pack complete with background reference material and a set of lecturers' notes for the use of those providing the training programme. It is available from HSE Books, price £30. ISBN 0 7176 1903 6. HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, UK, tel +44 (0)1787 881165, fax +44 (0)1787 313995 or visit www.hsebooks.co.uk 03/01.

Waterproofing of Tunnels
The Centre for Underground Construction CUC at Sargans, Switzerland will kick off the New Year with a course on waterproofing from 29th January to 1st February, 2001. Highlight will be a lecture by Alfred Haack, current president of ITA, on the concept of waterproofing in tunnels. Other big names such as Kurt Zeidler and Martin Smith also feature on the list of eminent speakers at the exotic subterranean venue. Gluttons for punishment can sign up for site visits to follow the course. Would-be students are urged to visit www.icguc.com for further details, and to sign up immediately. A 5% discount on the tuition fees is applicable until Wednesday, 20th December, 2000. 02/01.

Who Are Interocean Personnel Services?
A good question, and an even better answer! IPS, as they prefer to be known, are the latest addition to the tunnelbuilder family of advertisers. The company, whose roots are in the provision of skilled personnel to the North Sea oil industry, has built a reputation in continental Europe for filling vacancies at mechanised tunnelling locations. IPS-supplied personnel are manning some of the largest tunnel projects such as AlpTransit in Switzerland, and Westerschelde, Sofia and Botlek in The Netherlands. The company is ISO 9002 certified, and specialises in the provision of trained, professional personnel for all aspects of tunnelling including shaftsinking, tunnel boring, handwork and shotcreting. It maintains a large database of foremen, engineers, TBM drivers, PLC electricians, mechanical fitters, ringbuilders, locomotive drivers and grouters available for worldwide deployment.
IPS Group is no small employer itself, with 30 office staff and 350-400 in general employment. Group turnover in 1999 was over $20 million.
So, if you want real professionals to supply real professionals, IPS is your one-stop shop! This is a company that is going places, and we feel privileged to have been chosen as the vehicle! For more details of IPS services, click here.

Welcome to Bekaert!
This week we are pleased to add Bekaert to our list of illustrious advertisers. Headquartered at Zwevingem Belgium, the company is a worldwide group with over 70 production centres, having developed a market and technical leadership in metal forming and coating technologies. Bekaert Dramix steel fibre reinforcement is specified worldwide for adding strength to shotcrete, precast segments, and extruded concrete. Steel fibre reinforced shotcrete can eliminate the costs associated with manufacture, transport, storage and erection of conventional support in tunnels, and can be a great time saver. One of the many advantages of steel fibre is that it is uniformly distributed throughout the concrete mix, providing uniform strength and resistance to spalling. Dramix steel fibre does not require specialised concrete mixing and application equipment, and can be introduced on virtually any project. For more information on how this innovative product can reduce your tunnelling costs, click here. We are proud to be associated with Bekaert, and mightily pleased that they have chosen tunnelbuilder.com as a prime advertising medium. We are more than happy to commend their products to our readers!

G'Day Terratec!
This week tunnelbuilder.com welcomes Terratec, the only antipodean manufacturer of TBMs and raiseborers. Located in the beautiful island of Tasmania, Terratec is a world-class supplier. The company has first-class manufacturing facilities, and is only a short distance from the port facilities of Hobart. In relation to the Australian and Asia Pacific markets, Terratec has a definite geographical edge, with widespread representation and a constant presence. President Tony Peach is an enduring figure on the international tunnelling scene, having had a hand in many major TBM projects over the years, on all five continents. There are not many situations that Tony and his team have not encountered, so their insight into the machine design requirements for specific ground conditions is impressive, as is their trouble-shooting capability. Add to that their track record in TBM backups, segment erectors and conveying systems, and Terratec becomes one of the most useful companies in the business. It is a privilege to have them aboard! For more information click here.