TCM guest speak at the Esurv 2012 National Conference
Posted on January 13th, 2012
Nick Tocher of TCM
TCM have received positive feedback from over 450 surveyors for their knowledge and presentation on invasive weeds at the Esurv 2012 annual conference.
Held at the Lighthouse theatre in Kettering, Northants, the annual event was host to various businesses providing updates and technical training to prepare Esurvs surveyors for the year ahead.
As part of our ongoing relationship with Esurv, TCM were invited to present alongside a variety of companies sharing their expertise on a range of subject matters relevant to the industry. Nick Tocher of TCM attended the event as our speaker. Mike Rudland who worked with Esuv to arrange our part in the event was also in attendance strengthening existing relationships, sharing knowledge and offering advice on specific cases as required.
TCM on air to give expert advice
Posted on October 27th, 2011
TCMs Nick Tocher recently appeared on ITV Anglia News to give his expert opinion to viewers on the latest story to break in which Japanese knotweed has invaded the Hertfordshire home of couple Matthew Jones and Sue Banks.
The full report aired on the ITV Anglia Tonight programme shows a severe case of the weed invading the foundations of a property, highlighting how serious the problem can become. It was thought that the value of the home has dropped from £305,000 to just £50,000 and the only option was to demolish the building.
Nick was invited to the ITV studio in Cambridge and was asked to give his advice on the home in question and also what other members of the public should do if they discover the weed on their property. The story has also appeared in the Daily Mail and the coverage will help to make more people aware of the weed and the damage it can cause. A regional map showing the spread of Japanese knotweed across the United Kingdom used in the report and discussed by Nick will no doubt further highlight the scale of the issue. Specialists such as TCM will benefit from the raised awareness and the more knowledge the general public have the easier it will be to tackle the problem.
TCM successfully negotiate to leave CVA early
Posted on October 20th, 2011
TCM are pleased to announce that they have successfully negotiated an early exit from the Company Voluntary Arrangement which was put in place three years ago. It was a tough decision made by the company to enter the agreement due to a substantial bad debt. TCM are proud to say this difficult time has come to an end.
The early exit reflects the dedication that TCM has demonstrated in making improvements to the business and planning for long term success. TCM are confident of their position in today’s market and would like to thank all of its suppliers, creditors and friends in the invasive weed industry who have offered their support over the last few years.
Managing Director, Howard Downer comments; “We are delighted that we have managed to negotiate an early exit from the CVA and are now looking forward to a long and successful future in the business. I would personally like to thank everybody involved for their continuing support. TCM, having exited the CVA 2 years early have now been put on a secure financial footing and will be around offering a great service to customers for a long time to come.”
Mike Rudland Joins TCM
Posted on September 13th, 2011
TCM are pleased to welcome Mike Rudland who is joining the company as part of the business development and sales team for the south.
Mike, having previously worked in the construction industry has an excellent understanding of the requirements our customers have for timely yet cost effective weed eradication. Mike will be managing relationships and promoting our services to both new and existing clients.
“I am looking forward to working for TCM and I am glad to be a part of one of the leading companies in the field. I have always enjoyed working with people so I’m excited to meet the team and get started.” Mike Rudland, TCM
We wish Mike success in his new role and look forward to working with him.
Welcome to the Team!
TCM announce HQ move to Newmarket
Posted on August 18th, 2011
TCM has today announced the relocation of its Head Office from existing premises in Haverhill to the town of Newmarket.
Situated on the border of Cambridgeshire and Suffolk the town is famous for its links with horse racing and is a popular tourist destination. The new premises offer TCM an ideal location with good transport links from which it can base its central functions.
The decision to relocate to Newmarket was made when the Haverhill site was earmarked for housing development, giving TCM the opportunity to consider a move to a more suitable office space.
TCM will still have a national presence, operating from its range of offices throughout the United Kingdom and will continue to offer an excellent service across the country.
Howard Downer, Chairman of TCM comments, “It’s great to see us moving forward into these purpose built offices with a close proximity to the capital and good transport links. This will no doubt enhance the running of the business and coincide with the company’s plan for future growth.”
The address for TCM Head Office will now be: 
TCM
Suite 17
Lyndon House
8 Kings Court
Willie Snaith Road
Newmarket
CB8 7TG
TCM filmed for BBC1’s Countryfile
Posted on May 6th, 2011
TCM’s Mark Prout will appear on BBC1’s Countryfile programme on May 8th. During the programme, he will be part of the discussion about Japanese knotweed in the South-West.
The interview focuses on TCM’s soil screening process as a sustainable method of eradicating Japanese knotweed on remediation sites, with specific discussion about how the problem was solved on the Olympic Park site over a 3 year period.
Mark also gave detailed information about Japanese knotweed rhizome and its incredible ability to propagate from tiny fragments with ‘do’s and don’t’s’ to help viewers learn about how to avoid helping this plant to invade our countryside further.
Countryfile will be aired at 7pm on Sunday 8th May.
TCM speak at IEEM Spring Conference 2011
Posted on March 31st, 2011
TCM’s Mark Prout presented a case study paper at the IEEM Spring Conference. The paper detailed TCM’s innovative solution to Japanese knotweed remediation using screening technologies at Dolcoath, Cornwall and at the Olympic park. Focus was given to explaining that Japanese knotweed is a manageable nuisance and that a variety of successful solutions are available, depending on site and project constraints. There was also emphasis on the problems of implementing inappropriate strategies and how that can make the problem worse.
Over 150 ecologists attended the central London event where there was considerable focus not only on Japanese knotweed, but also other non-native invasive species such as floating pennywort, giant hogweed, hottentot fig and ‘killer shrimps’! Delegates were informed about the types of corridors that have allowed such species to spread, and about ways that they can be contained and controlled. The success of the rapid response approach to control water primrose and how this plant has been virtually eliminated was testament to our belief that there is always a solution to effect control of non-native invasive weeds.
The conference started with an outline of EU strategy on invasive alien species, followed by UK strategy and information about how they can be recorded via www.nonnativespecies.org/recording. Other speakers included representatives from the Environment Agency, Plantlife, the Scottish Association for Marine Science, CABI and Swansea City and County Council.
We were delighted to be given the opportunity to demonstrate and talk about the ‘business end’ of invasive weed management.
If your organisation would like to understand more about the issues that Mark discussed in his paper, contact us to arrange a CPD seminar.
TCM secures prestigious speaker slot at BEX 2011
Posted on January 20th, 2011
TCM, the UK’s leading specialist on eradication of Japanese knotweed has been invited to present a seminar on the plant and its impact on development
The seminar will take place on 26th May and will specifically deal with Japanese knotweed present within contaminated soils. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 classifies soil containing Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed as controlled waste, however, when other contaminants are found to be present, that soil can be classed as hazardous waste. This can raise issues both with ensuring correct disposal off site and with how on site treatments can be undertaken in order to avoid cross-contamination and achieve effective results.
The 15 minute seminar will be delivered by TCM’s head of mechanical operations Mark Prout who in addition to being WAMITAB qualified has been involved in some of the most complex eradication projects undertaken in the UK over the past 5 years.
These projects include the remediation of a 7ha site in Dolcoath, Cornwall, which at its completion in 2009 was the largest on-site Japanese knotweed eradication project ever undertaken. Click here to view video case study.
For more information, please visit www.sustainabilitylive.com from the end of January.
TCM Takes on Dedicated Scottish Business Manager
Posted on November 29th, 2010
From 1st December, Andy Kerr will take on the role of Scottish business manager, dedicated to service existing and new customers in the country who are seeking guaranteed Japanese knotweed eradication and other invasive weed management services.
Andy has a wealth of construction and utility industry experience and will be able to bring this to projects that we work on over the coming months and years. We’re really excited that he has chosen to work with us.
Originally from Scotland, Andy moved to England over 20 years ago, but was seeking an opportunity to return home to be nearer to his family and so it is a truly mutually beneficial appointment.
Andy says:
“TCM is an innovative, successful and forward thinking company who have unparalleled experience in providing cost effective and environmentally sound solutions to all types of project for many different types of client. I’m really pleased to join this thoroughly professional team and am looking forward to meeting their existing Scottish customers. Japanese knotweed is extremely prevalent around the country and it’s good to be part of the solution for managing this serious problem”.
Scotland – TCM’s 5th major Japanese knotweed eradication project almost completed.
Posted on November 15th, 2010
Over the past two years, TCM has supplied invasive weed management services to five significant infrastructure development projects being undertaken in Scotland.
• Invasive weeds removal on TIE project
• Airdrie to Bathgate rail link – Japanese knotweed eradication using herbicide for Network Rail
• Airdrie Station – Japanese knotweed eradication using soil screening for Network Rail
• Jessie Street – Japanese knotweed eradication using soil screening for Clyde Gateway
• Commonwealth Games Athletes Village site – Japanese knotweed eradication for VHE Construction
In all five cases, there were time constraints but TCM were able to deliver on time and on budget solutions, ensuring that Japanese knotweed didn’t hinder our clients’ development schedules. All completed works have been guaranteed.
