The move effectively ramps up Vibro Projects capabilities allowing it to offer advanced techniques like controlled modulus columns, vacuum consolidation, deep stone columns and high energy dynamic compaction.

Gerry Crawford, general manager for Vibro Projects, said: “The rationale behind VibroMenard is to bring innovative cost-effective ground improvement techniques not widely offered in the UK.”

Based in Preston alongside Vibro Projects, VibroMenard will focus on larger scale contracts

The two firms came together on the year-long compaction ground improvement contract at the London Gateway Port in Essex where material is being deposited by Laing O’Rourke/Dredging International JV in the Thames Estuary.

VibroMenard is improving over 1.3m cu m of sand and gravel to form the new land that will be behind the new port’s 1.2km long quay wall.

To date VibroMenard has completed the majority of this work, using double and single shifts, and is due to complete the current phase this month.

As a fellow Soletanche Freyssinet firm, Menard is one of the world leaders in ground improvement and brings a number of techniques not currently offered by Vibro Projects.