Inside Mainmark: Bringing innovative ground engineering to life
30 March
2017
Mainmark: Q&A with James
O’Grady, Sales and Business Development Manager, Mainmark
How are you delivering innovative ground engineering in your
role with Mainmark?
In the infrastructure markets, I am excited about the possibilities of
Mainmark’s solutions. Our solutions are truly unique. They challenge
conventional
ground engineering methods but are proven, having been
successful at some of Australia’s most iconic construction, public
infrastructure and
mining sites. I am committed to communicating the
possibilities and to challenging customers to re-think the way ground
engineering problems are solved.
In the residential space, I am very focused on making sure customers
have a clear understanding of the work Mainmark will undertake on their
property. Their home is often their most valuable asset and addressing
structural foundation problems can be an emotional experience, so it’s
important that they understand how our solutions work and what the
process will be. Engineers can sometimes go into too much technical
detail when advising homeowners and take a matter-of-fact approach to
the problem. Being relatable is important – the average homeowner may
not understand the engineering jargon so we must be able to clearly
communicate the benefits of our solutions and the likely outcomes they
can expect.
What is the most common ground engineering mistake you see
in the residential sector?
Most of our residential customers leave structural damage, or the
problems that cause it, untreated for too long. Early action and
prevention is really important for helping to reduce the cost of
foundation repair and limit the degree of damage.
Broken pipes are a common culprit. They allow water to leak into the
ground which can affect the soil on which the house sits, causing it to
subside and foundations to sink. This in turn results in cracks in walls
and compromises the structural integrity of the home. It is far easier
and more cost effective to repair broken pipes than re-level a home, but
many shy away from this initial investment, only to incur much bigger
expenses down the track.
What is the biggest ground engineering challenge facing the
commercial sector?
In the commercial sector, the biggest challenge is balancing risk and
reward. Innovative new ground engineering techniques and products can
deliver substantial cost and time savings, however, there can be a
reluctance to use these technologies because they are unknown. In these
cases, project managers may rely on the traditional, more conservative
methods they have experience with, but these can also be more expensive
and time consuming.
What’s the most interesting or innovative project you’ve
worked on during your time with Mainmark?
We recently decommissioned a gas pipe in Acland Street in St Kilda,
Melbourne, using Mainmark’s unique structural, yet lightweight, fill
material, Terefil. The pipe was 390 metres long, making it a significant
undertaking. The original project timeline allowed 11 days for
decomissioning works to be completed using traditional cementitious fill
materials and methods. However, the Mainmark team was able to complete
the works in less than three days, taking just one day to complete the
pipe fill. It was extremely rewarding to see the project come together
on site. There is something about seeing Terefil emerge from the end of
a long pipe and knowing that the project objective has been achieved
well-ahead of plan.
What has been the highlight of your time at Mainmark?
Watching the company expand its expertise in multi-component pumping
products and introduce a suite of new solutions. This has seen Mainmark
strengthen its presence in the residential space and successfully
consolidate their position in new markets in the construction and mining
sectors.
This is not an easy feat and I believe the company’s strong vision and
culture is at the heart of its success. Our team is an example of
innovative thinking at work – we tackle challenging problems with a
fresh perspective and unique and proven technologies and solutions.
Our work in upgrading a hazardous weir in Dubbo,
New South Wales, is an
example of this. On arriving at site, it was quickly established that
the original plan to fill the weir would need to be revised. The
direction of the water flow was working against us. Thinking on our
feet, the team developed a new method, conducted an on-site safety and
risk assessment, and consulted with the project’s stakeholders for
approval. Despite the setbacks and change in plan, we successfully
completed the job in only three days, again using our advanced Terefil
solution, while achieving the important environmental objectives laid
out by the local council.
--ENDS--
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