Lanes Group’s expansion fuels a dynamic future
Lanes Group is fast becoming a powerhouse in the UK’s civil engineering and infrastructure landscape. What began as a small family-owned drainage company in 1992 has evolved into a national leader, offering cutting-edge water, wastewater, and infrastructure solutions. With a workforce of over 4,000 and a cutting-edge fleet exceeding 3,000 vehicles, Lanes Group has firmly established itself as a leader in innovation, excellence, and dynamic growth and this is just the beginning.
To understand where Lanes Group is heading, it’s essential to look back at its beginnings. Founded over 30 years ago, the company initially specialised in drainage services. However, through continuous innovation and strategic investments, Lanes has transformed into the UK’s largest independent provider of critical, non-discretionary water solutions for regulated and commercial customers, serving all seven of the largest Water and Sewerage Companies (WaSCs), with Thames Water being the largest. By expanding its expertise and investing in new technologies, Lanes Group now serves a broad range of sectors, from utilities and transport to retail, manufacturing, and even nuclear power.
One of the key drivers of Lanes Group’s rapid expansion has been its ability to transition from a specialist drainage company to a comprehensive utilities specialist. The company has broadened its expertise to offer end-to-end infrastructure solutions across various industries. This evolution has been underpinned by high-profile partnerships and contracts, most notably with Thames Water.
The Thames Water contract has been a cornerstone of Lanes Group’s success for over a decade. As Thames Water’s exclusive contractor for sewer maintenance, Lanes Group is responsible for managing reactive and planned wastewater works across the entire Thames Water region. Serving over 16 million customers, this partnership exemplifies the company’s ability to handle large-scale, complex infrastructure projects.
Reach and expertise
In a significant win, Lanes Group has recently been awarded Southern Water’s wastewater network services contract, further solidifying its position as a key player in the UK water industry. Handling everything from reactive maintenance to large-scale projects, this contract not only expands the company’s portfolio but also highlights its growing influence and reputation within the sector.
Beyond these partnerships, Lanes Group’s subsidiaries such as Sapphire Utility Solutions, which focuses on utility network maintenance, and AQS, Ireland’s leading provision of industrial and environmental services have extended the company’s reach and expertise. The acquisition of Clear-flow is a prime example of Lanes Group’s strategy of strengthening its core operations through acquisition. Since becoming part of Lanes Group, Clear-flow’s turnover has more than doubled, highlighting the company’s ability to enhance growth within its established markets. Clear-flow also significantly bolsters Lanes Group’s presence in the Southwest, complementing the company’s already extensive portfolio of services across the UK.
Another standout in the company’s recent history is the rise of Lanes-i, a subsidiary launched in 2020 that has quickly become the UK’s fastest-growing infrastructure provider. Initially focused on fibre-optic broadband installations, Lanes-i has rapidly expanded into the gas and energy sectors. The growth of Lanes-i has been driven by its ability to establish strong relationships built on Lanes Group’s core values of safety standards and employee wellbeing. The team, which started with just four members, now boasts more than 800 employees and has become a crucial player in delivering utility construction projects across the UK. The speed of this growth underscores Lanes Group’s capacity to innovate and diversify into new markets.
At the heart of Lanes Group’s success is its commitment to people. The company’s ‘People Plan’ exemplifies its focus on employee wellbeing, career growth, and
satisfaction. Designed to foster an inclusive and diverse work environment, the People Plan ensures that all employees are supported in their professional development, while initiatives such as the ‘Women at Lanes’ networking programme offer a platform for women to advance their careers within the company. By investing in its people, Lanes Group ensures that its workforce remains highly skilled, motivated, and committed to delivering the company’s high standards of service.
Elite safety
This emphasis on people is matched by a commitment to innovation. The company has made significant investments in technology to improve operations, notably through the introduction of Samsara’s AI-powered dash cams. These have been installed across the entire fleet of vehicles, resulting in a staggering 180 percent increase in the number of drivers reaching elite safety standards. This focus on safety and efficiency has helped streamline operations and improve service delivery across all business areas.
Sustainability is another crucial element of Lanes Group’s growth strategy. The company is embedding eco-friendly practices across its operations, with a commitment to becoming climate-positive by 2030. This includes transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy and achieving zero waste to landfill. By integrating sustainability into its core services, such as reducing water waste and investing in green technologies, Lanes Group is ensuring that its growth is not just rapid but responsible.
Lanes Group is looking to the future with bold ambitions, aiming to extend its leadership beyond water and wastewater solutions into the telecoms, utilities, and renewable energy sectors. With a strategic focus on growth and diversification, the company is positioned to make significant strides across the UK. Continued investment in renewable energy projects and the expansion of Lanes-i highlight its commitment to innovation and market dominance. Lanes Group isn’t just expanding; it is transforming into a versatile infrastructure provider, ready to excel in an evolving industry landscape. Already a leader in its core sectors, the business is solidifying its role as a key player in these emerging markets.
As the company looks to the next five years, there is no limit to what Lanes Group can achieve. By continuing to invest in its people, embrace new technologies, and expand into new sectors, the company is poised to shape the future of UK infrastructure for decades to come.