Surveying the future
March 2022
W.D.M. Limited, a world leader in delivering safer roads, collecting road surface, motorway maintenance and road condition assessment data, have prepared for the new survey season with a special briefing for its drivers and operators.
The Company is not only the UK’s largest provider of survey services, but the leading manufacturer of road survey vehicles, with its equipment being in used in nearly 20 countries, including New Zealand and America.
From its base in Bristol, WDM® operates a fleet of 10 SCRIM® continuous friction measurement machines, 13 Routine Assessment Vehicles, three MRM’s and six Deflectograph machines. They also manufacture the manually operated TM2 texture meter, which enables them to deliver a comprehensive asset management service.
As a privately owned Company, employees become one of the ‘family’ when they join and there are many long-serving members of staff. However, WDM® is always on the look out for new blood, taking on drivers and operators, plus mechanical and software design engineers to help service its portfolio of clients.
Many staff are unaware of the role WDM® plays in helping save lives on the nation’s roads when they first join.
Driver James South, a former prison officer, is now in his sixth season with the Company and says he was amazed to learn how data collected during surveys was applied to help road authorities maintain their networks.
"I had no idea what we did could make such a big difference. It’s a good feeling,” he said. “It’s a great job, made all the better by the team of people I work alongside. We all get on.”SCRIM® operator Craig Smith, who’s in his third season, was previously a scaffolder, but is glad he made the change. “I’ve really enjoyed travelling around the country, visiting places like the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria and the Highlands.”
Fellow operator Pete Bailey has been with WDM® for nine years and it’s a real family affair – his wife, Annette, was already working for the Company when he joined.
For the past 17 years Adrian Rennell has been one of the team of mechanics responsible for keeping the WDM® fleet on the road and says part of the job’s attraction has been the training and potential travel opportunities.
In addition to the fleet, the mechanics also service 10 company pool cars and eight vans, plus other equipment – double the number when Adrian first arrived.
“I suppose the mechanic’s role here has a retro element, in that we repair rather than simply replace parts,” he says. “It’s very different to commercial work with plenty of variety.”
For further information about existing vacancies visit www.wdm.co.uk/info/jobs
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