January 2005

We were successful in winning a large contract in Algeria for the Rockshield protection mesh. The initial client contact came from a two-word enquiry ("Pipeline protection") over the internet and it developed into a £110,000 order that filled 13 containers.

Installation of Rockshield

The product is generally wrapped around a ductile iron pipe prior to laying in the trench so as to protect both the pipe and its anti-corrosion coating from damage from the backfill when this is added. For the Algerian order however the Rockshield was used for a different purpose: Due to the pipeline being laid in a sandy and unstable area there was a need to weigh the pipe down with concrete blocks to avoid movement. To protect the pipe from the concrete the Rockshield rolls were cut to length locally in Algeria and used as a protective layer between the concrete blocks and the pipe itself. (see photo above). The Algerian client has since visited Boddingtons and was very impressed with the company set-up and the factory. He also passes on his thanks to everyone involved in the project.