Since joining the team at Edge Underground, Mr Mitchell has brought an impressive armoury of skills and expertise to the company. His 25 years in chartered civil and professional engineering have expanded the capabilities of Edge to include installation methods such as auger-boring and pipe-jacking.
Mr Mitchell has been a familiar face on trenchless job sites across Australia for more than 15 years, and he has extensive experience on a range of auger-boring, pipe-jacking, microtunnelling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects nationwide.
Projects at Edge
Mr Mitchell made the move to Edge Underground earlier this year after previously trying to compete against Edge.
However, when he learnt more about the Edge Underground business model, he decided to join the team.
The new model gives Mr Mitchell the freedom to enjoy the benefits of being a business owner, without the stress and start-up costs that come with running a business of his own.
Edge Underground’s Founder Stuart Harrison says the new business model is focused on bringing the best people into the company, then training them to run job sites from the perspective, and with the reward, of a business owner, without the cost.
“When you run one of our job sites, you earn a percentage of the gross profit generated from the job,” said Mr Harrison. “Not only is this a benefit to our team members, it also helps us run our job sites efficiently. Every single person working for Edge has an interest in the job being completed to the highest standard and in the best possible time frame.”
Mr Mitchell agrees, saying “We all have a role in Edge Underground’s future and success. This means we all buy into production, problem solving, development of machinery, job preparation and client satisfaction to help ensure future works,” he said.
Since joining Edge Underground, Mr Mitchell has been involved in several projects, including the Perry Road Keysborough Trunk Sewer, the Charters Towers Road Watermain in Townsville and the Heathwood Stage 1 Industrial Subdivision.
The future of microtunnelling
According to Mr Mitchell, the microtunnelling industry is becoming more competitive, giving clients and contractors more options when it comes to trenchless techniques.
Utilities and councils are always demanding increased accuracy and improved efficiency, which pushes trenchless contractors to continually achieve better results.
As far as Mr Mitchell is concerned, the future for the industry looks bright as technology advances and more effective practices are embraced.
“Joining the team at Edge Underground has been a positive change for me, and it’s exciting to be a part of a company that is progressive and always looking to provide clients with the best possible outcome on the job site, in terms of accuracy and efficiency.
“I’m looking forward to watching the team grow, and continuing to be a part of the evolution of this exciting company,” said Mr Mitchell. “At Edge, we shape the future of the industry.”