Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal visited Eurocentral on April 26 2006 to officially open CVD's £2million custom-built headquarters.

Established 10 years ago by Managing Director Owen Barrett, Clyde Valley Drilling Group (CVD) now employs seventy-five people, has grown to a turnover of £5million and is recognised as the authority in Diamond Drilling, Concrete Sawing, Cutting and Finishing Services and Fire Protection.

Recent projects range from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum refurbishment in Glasgow to nuclear decommissioning work at Dounreay.

Previously based at Carstairs, Clyde Valley Drilling Group has grown rapidly in recent years and earlier this year won a Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire award for its innovative use of technology.

 

During her visit, Her Royal Highness met staff, contractors, and suppliers, and enjoyed demonstrations of the state-of-the-art IT system, a demolition by a robotic Brokk, and wire saw cutting.

 

Owen Barrett commented: "Today is a very special day for us all and underlines what a landmark this is for CVD in our ten year history. We have grown steadily during the last decade and plan to continue that growth and development working closely with our partners, customers and suppliers. Particular thanks must go to Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and Lanarkshire Enterprise Services, who have supported us at every stage from initial planning to today's event."

 

Sixty-four year old Agnes Barrett, Owen's mother, was thrilled to present The Princess Royal with a specially commissioned gold and black diamond brooch, featuring a yellow gold rugby ball overlaying a white gold background in the shape of CVD's logo.

 

"She was absolutely lovely to talk to," said Agnes. "I was really nervous at meeting her, but she put me at ease right away, and was delighted with the brooch."