CRA announces 2024 award winners
The Concrete Repair Association (CRA) held its annual awards ceremony at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester on 11 October, recognising outstanding achievements in the concrete repair industry.
The event celebrated exceptional projects, organisations, and individuals and raised £2,170 for the charity Asthma + Lung UK.
The judging criteria for the awards included innovation, sustainability, health and safety, training, and overcoming challenges in concrete repair.
Awards for Major Projects
The CRA Large Project of the Year (over £1 million) was awarded to Cemplas and Mapei, working with RH Partnerships, for the restoration of Saltdean Lido in East Sussex. The project revived the derelict Grade II listed structure using sustainable repair techniques, such as corrosion inhibitors and modern protective coatings, designed to withstand the harsh marine environment.
Balvac’s repair work on the M6 Peover Eye bridge in Cheshire was Highly Commended in the same category. This project, which involved collaboration with Flexcrete, Weber, Resapol, and Gunform, was recognised for its innovative solutions to complex access challenges.
Success in Smaller Projects
Mackenzie Construction won the CRA Small Project of the Year (under £1 million) for its work at Souters Wood Treated Water Storage Point in Selkirk.
The project, which involved roof slab repairs and drainage installation, extended the service life of the asset by 20 years and exceeded client Scottish Water’s expectations for carbon savings. Mackenzie Construction’s commitment to Net Zero was also praised.
Recognising Emerging Talent and Innovation
The CRA Emerging Talent Award went to Jay Stewart, a trainee engineer at Mackenzie Construction. Jay, who joined the company in 2022, was recognised for his strong work ethic, leadership skills, and quick progression in the industry. He received a £1,000 prize and a year’s free CRA membership for his employer.
The CRA Chair’s Innovation Award was presented to Segcorr Ltd for its "Fundamentals of Design for Cathodic Steel in Concrete" course, which provides global training on the use of cathodic protection for steel in concrete, in line with international standards.
Alliance Awards
For the second year, the CRA included categories for projects from the Structural Concrete Alliance, which comprises the Corrosion Prevention Association (CPA) and the Sprayed Concrete Association (SCA).
The CPA Project of the Year was awarded to Balvac for the M6 Peover Eye bridge project, which involved phased concrete repairs and the installation of a cathodic protection system to restore the structure’s load-bearing capacity. Concrete Repairs Limited was Highly Commended for its work on the M6 River Dane bridge.
Shotcrete Services won the SCA Project of the Year for its work on the Machynlleth Railway Bridge in Powys, Wales. This complex project, which required 24-hour shifts, used innovative sprayed concrete techniques and materials from Natural Cement and Weber.
Lifetime Contribution Recognised
Steve Davies, managing director of BetonBauen and incoming CRA Vice Chair, received the Kevin Coulman Award for his contributions to the concrete repair industry.
On accepting the award, Steve said, "I was not expecting that! I’m absolutely delighted to receive the Kevin Coulman Award, a huge thank you to the CRA! I look forward to working closely with the Executive Committee as Vice Chairman."
The 2024 CRA judging panel included industry experts Jonathan Thurlbeck (Remmers), Keith Barrow (KJB Consultancy), Trevor Box (Birmingham City Laboratories), and Christian Stone (Conservation Preservation Technologies).
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