Severn Partnership has carved an extraordinary four-decade-long journey in the surveying and geospatial field. This enterprise’s trajectory has been characterised by consistent growth, bold technological investments, and relentless courage in challenging the status quo.

A testament to this successful journey is their impressive profitability, with remarkable profit margins indicating the effectiveness of their strategic technology investments and business strategies.

These accomplishments, powered by their journey, offer seven key insights. They serve as invaluable lessons for surveying businesses looking to navigate and prosper in this tech-intensive domain, exemplifying the transformative power of reality capture technology when wielded with a visionary commitment to growth.

1. Early Adoption and Mastery of Surveying Technology

Severn Partnership has masterfully utilised foresight and evolving surveying techniques to transition from manual data capture to automated mass data collection. Their journey began with Leica ScanStation One in 2004, and investing in progressively advanced tools such as Leica Pegasus:Two and Pegasus:Two Ultimate, they’ve considerably grown their data capture abilities. Their decision to transition from a product-focused approach to targeting specific sectors further enhanced their value proposition and operational effectiveness. As the first in the UK to operate both the Pegasus Two:Ultimate and IDS GeoRadar’s  Stream UP, their commitment towards technology adoption has helped them acquire multiple contracts, validating their standing as industry innovators.

As Ben Barnard, Commercial Director at Severn Partnership, articulates:

“As the first company in the UK to run the Pegasus Two:Ultimate and the Stream UP simultaneously, this investment is a testament to our commitment to staying at the forefront of early adoption of innovative technology. The contracts already won, such as the Birmingham Airport, an airside utility survey and a large GPR [Ground Penetrating Radar] survey within the London Borough of Enfield since this investment, are proof of our emerging technological edge.”

2. Building Strong, Productive Industry Partnerships

Severn Partnership’s collaboration with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, profoundly influenced their market standing. The choice was based on Leica Geosystems’ reliability and robust technology. The partnership not only facilitated advanced workflows and client requirements but also aligned with their quest for continual innovation. With support from Leica Geosystems, Severn Partnership bolstered its industry standing, thereby illustrating the critical role strategic industry collaborations play in promoting technology adoption and enhancing business expansion.

Darren Read, Operations Director at Severn Partnership, emphasises this importance of collaboration:

“Our association with Leica Geosystems has allowed us to stay ahead of the game, easily meet client requirements, and continually establish a unique place in the geospatial industry.”

3. Agility in Delivering Client Requirements

Severn Partnership harnessed the power of 3D laser scanning and mobile mapping technology, resulting in accurate mass data collection, safer and efficient non-contact methods, and cost reductions via fewer site visits. The wealth of information derived from integrating this technology meant they could provide simplified results or complex 3D models, tailoring each deliverable to the unique needs of every client.  Reduction in traffic management issues and fewer on-site visits not only yielded significant savings, but also increased client satisfaction.

Reflecting on their client-centric approach, Ben Barnard says:

“Similar to terrestrial laser scanning, mobile mapping offers several advantages, but on a much larger scale. We’re not just reducing the time spent on-site from weeks to a few days — we’re often bringing it down to half a day. Deliverables remain traditional in nature, but with the wealth of data we now have, we can provide simple, straightforward results or complex 3D models.”

4. Prioritising Safety and Efficiency Without Sacrificing Accuracy

For Severn Partnership, safety, efficiency, and accuracy have remained intertwined in their service delivery process. By adopting technologies like terrestrial laser scanning and mobile mapping, they significantly reduced field risks while scaling accuracy and efficiency in data collection. In line with their focus on safety, they offered clients the ability to visualise their projects remotely through comprehensive point cloud and photographic data. This value-add proved to be a game-changer, leading to early problem identification without the need for clients to visit the sites.

Darren Read explains this focus on safety:

“Keeping our workers off the roads and minimising their exposure to potentially dangerous situations on highways and railway lines significantly reduces safety issues. By incorporating technology like terrestrial laser scanning and mobile mapping, our teams carry out surveys more safely and efficiently, lessening the requirement for personnel to physically access high-risk sites.”

5. Continual Investment in Surveying Technology

Severn Partnership recognises that the journey to success involves consistent investment and evolution, which they’ve embodied through ongoing technological investments and a firm belief in the power of continuous innovation.

This drive for progress is evident in the inclusion of tools like Stream UP in their technology stack. This new addition has greatly enhanced their mobile mapping capabilities. With Leica Geosystem’s support, Stream UP has seamlessly integrated into its existing systems, offering robust data collection.

Their commitment to continual growth has paid off handsomely. Their strategic technology investments have led to business growth thanks to major projects acquired due to their Stream UP capabilities. The profitability of the company is a testament to their sound investment strategies.

Pondering the future possibilities, Ben Barnard observes:

“Our commercial return on investments, particularly with the Stream UP, has been impressive. Several major projects, which brought us significant revenue, were acquired due to our Stream UP capabilities.”

Click here to learn more about how Severn Partnership leverages above and below utility mapping to grow its business.

6. Talent Acquisition and Retention Are Crucial

While innovations and partnerships are essential, Severn Partnership underscores the significance of attracting and retaining skilled talent. They comprehend the key role such talent plays in accurately processing and interpreting intricate geospatial data. The company’s established reputation, coupled with its avant-garde technology, is a strong magnet for professionals proficient in geospatial data. Furthermore, the company’s visibility on social media and its reputation as a technology-forward company attract both the younger generation, eager to work with innovative technologies, and seasoned professionals appreciative of the quality of the equipment and the investments made by the company.

They explain this balance:

“By recruiting talent who understand geospatial data, we’re ensuring that our data is processed and interpreted correctly. Our reputation and the fascinating nature of the technology we work with also help us attract fresh talent. It [reality capture]really attracts the younger generation. But also, the older generation, who are used to being in the field, doing things traditionally, see the way forward and really appreciate the value of the kit and the investment Severn Partnership has made.”

7. Embrace the (Data) Challenge of the Future

Severn Partnership exemplifies a focus not just on the present, but a keen eye on the future. The latest technology they employ serves multiple purposes: winning infrastructure jobs, upscaling operations, and distinguishing them in a competitive marketplace. But it’s not been without its challenges. Their willingness to face challenges such as unexpected data volume and data storage speaks to their resilience and determination to stay ahead of the curve.

Darren Read, reflecting on these challenges, reveals:

“Our main challenge in managing the data obtained through reality capture was data storage. The sheer volume of data was unexpected, and managing backups presented a significant problem initially. Moving forward, we believe the values of efficiency, dynamism, and continuous innovation combined with our tech-centric approach will keep Severn Partnership on a path of growth and success.”

Severn Partnership’s journey isn’t just about technological expansion and strategic growth. It’s a testament to the power of a committed team, a focus on continuous evolution, the courage to venture into unchartered territories, and the consistency to deliver excellent, client-centric solutions. These lessons from their journey inspire others in the geospatial industry to write their success story.

Learn how you can write your success story in our Grow Your Business section.