Close to a decade ago, aiming to move on from time-consuming manual processes like adapting to changes on sites and updating method statements, Bridge Civil Engineering began a collaboration with Re-flow Field Management
Their aim was to find a cutting-edge digital solution to match the ambitions of managing director Dave Ellis. They wanted to modernise the business’s field management, and they’d do this by embracing the multiple time-saving benefits of software laser targeted on industry needs.
That’s digitised forms, phone apps with qualification logs, seamless communication between office and sites, visibility of data, and more.
A new case study delved into the successes of that collaboration and the impact on the business.
Bridge Civil Engineering
Based in the South West, Bridge Civil Engineering have been a leading contractor for 25 years, turning over £12.5m annually while running up to 13 sites at any one time.
They’re trusted by blue-chip clients like National Grid, South West Water, and the Environment Agency to handle varied and complex work, from constructing switchgear buildings to building flood defences.
Common industry delays (outside of any business’s control) – like arriving on site and finding out that plans misalign with what’s underground have been transformed by managing all field data through Re-flow.
Dave Ellis explains: “Without Re-flow, we’d need have to have telephone conversations, adapt the method statements, print them out, take them out to site, which could be anywhere in the South West – two to three hours drive away.”
But now the software has allowed for instant communication and seamless document delivery between site and office.
This means that the moment an issue arises, teams use a form to send photos and changes back to the office. Developing new drawings and method statements starts up immediately, and new documents are sent back out to site in the time it takes to upload them. They appear instantly within a neatly organised job folder in the operatives’ phone app.
It’s all as quick and efficient as the process can possibly be.
This workflow alone saves up to half a day each time it happens, helping to avoid delays and keeping the business efficient and productive.
In a competitive environment, it’s the kind of positive step in operations management that takes an already successful outfit and makes them even stronger.
And there are multiple other areas where the software makes other improvements to Bridge’s workflow…
Time savings from an end-to-end digital flow
Ultimately, Bridge use Re-flow as an end-to-end digital system to manage their data from their very first site visit, all the way to auditing, eliminating countless areas of wasted time at each stage.
When digitised these processes are far quicker and more accurate than their manual equivalents – and the office gets visibility of completed tasks immediately.
Every form submission, every risk assessment, every PUWER and LOLER form – every site diary, proof of work, and incident report – is captured, logged, and visible as they happen. This gives management full assurance that the teams are working and compliant, and that data is collected and logged ready for auditing – from safety, quality, and environment ISOs to other audits like Achilles, Chas, and Considerate Constructors.
Want to see the impact on the business in more detail? Read the full Bridge Civil Engineering case study.
