About us

GROUNDED IN EXPERTISE. 

Technical experts and leaders in the design, manufacture and distribution of access solutions and drainage products for the construction industry since 1963.

Working with merchants, civil engineers, Tier 1 and ground sub-contractors, architects and asset owners, we provide solutions with a focus on quality, cost effectiveness and commitment to our customers.

We invest in product development, bringing to market innovative, high performance solutions, enabling our customers to complete projects on time with the right results in all construction industry sectors.

We pride ourselves in the relationships we build with our customers - we listen to your needs and understand the challenges you face. In turn we design and innovate based on the knowledge and experiences you share with us.    

Clark-Drain is a family owned company, proud of its heritage, which began setting new industry standards as pioneers of the first steel cover in the UK.

Our philosophy is based on true partnerships which continue to supply local distribution channels from a UK design and manufacturing base with support from a network of global production facilities.

OUR VALUES

Our proven methods ensure compliance to industry standards; whilst accurate workmanship and the use of the latest design and production technologies ensure technical leadership and product quality - all backed up by the high levels of support you would expect from a leading supplier. Our core strength is our dedicated employees who embrace a clear set of values which drive everything we do. Our aim is to not just deliver the best possible construction products but to help you to build a better everyday life for people, vehicle use and function of the built environment.

We support this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional products. We manufacture access solutions and drainage products that 'Deliver what's right for the building project'. A symbol of British quality, Clark-Drain applies its key set of values to help support a project from specification through installation, maintenance and use:

Safety and Security

We ensure our products offer exceptional value for money by meeting or exceeding loading standards. Our products are durable enough to reduce the need for maintenance and early replacement. They also contribute to a safe build environment with safety features that enable safe shipping, installation and operation.

Trust and Support

We are open and transparent in all our relationships, building a reputation for being trustworthy, and providing timely, accessible and appropriate information to our customers. Delivering on time and in full is a key goal of ours with same day despatch available on stocked items. Our key account management will work with you to strenghten relationships, enable repeat orders, propose when required, better ways of doing things and ensure feedback and resolution on all queries within 48 hours. Our advice offers a broad knowledge and expertise in specialist areas to support specification. For contractors, speciffiers and to support builders merchants and distributors, we believe in ensuring that the right products are being installed. We make site visits, if need be, to conduct an assessment before purchase. The last thing we want is the wrong product to be chosen, as this often results in higher costs for our customers and can cause project disruption.       

Environmental responsibility

We are committed to environmentally sustainable policies and practices within our local and global communities. Environmental concerns are essential to our decision making, and we are committed to helping everyone in our company understand the value of acting in an environmentally responsible way. We strive to reduce our environmental impact by using recycled materails in production and developing products that are recyclable at end of life. 

As buyers, investors, and communities look ever more determinedly for strong ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) credentials in the businesses they deal with, Clark-Drain is proud to be able to say that we have had a concerted programme of carbon reduction and sustainability improvement in place since 2018, with many targets already achieved and that journey is still going strong! Please read our Carbon and Sustainability Statement that underpins the many initiatives we have put in place along the way, and those we plan for the future.

Technical Leadership

We have the experience to provide technical advice which ensures the right product is being chosen for the right application supported by product certification and accreditation. We collaborate with end-users to ensure the integrity of product design and innovation. Our research and development ensures we remain at the forefront of the industry and embraces the core values built-in to every company process, from material sourcing to design though manufacturing and service delivery. All our manufactured processes operate under BSI-Certified IS0 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

1963Clark and Son formed

Clark-Drain was formerly known as Clarksteel Ltd. We were founded in 1963 by Francis Clark and his wife Dorothy who were looking to buy a manhole cover. At that time they were quoted a 12 to 18 month delivery time! So instead of waiting, they set about making a cover by themselves.

1965Reformed as ClarkSteel Ltd

Set new industry standards with the development of first steel cover as an alternative to cast iron  

1978First export to Asia

Started exporting first steel covers to Singapore and Indonesia

1981Self-manufacture

One of the first drainage suppliers to replace Durbar plate with a 'self-manufactured' embossed pressed steel cover

1986The introduction of plastic

Introduced plastic range with easy form corners for increased strength in covers

1995First to make tooling in-house

First to make tooling and patterns in-house for pressing own recessed pavior

1998Clarksteel Ltd rebrands as Clark-Drain Ltd

Clarksteel Ltd rebrands as Clark-Drain Ltd to reflect its growing portfolio of traditional and specialist access solutions and drainage products

1999The introduction of robotic manufacturing

State-of-the-art robotic manufacturing process first introduced onto the shop floor for welding steel lids and covers, increasing productivity and providing a precursor to future efficiency gains

2003New technology expansion

Use of robotic technologies extended to incorporate 'own-design' plastic frames with steel covers

2012Channel solution developed for rail platforms

Developed polypropylene linear channel product for rail platform installations in line with Network Rail requirements reducing installation time by 25% over traditional products

2015Heavy duty polypropylene chamber developed in-house

Significant investment made in in-house heavy duty polypropylene chamber production to supply   defence, security and communication infrastructure markets

2018A growing export business

Export growth continues with supply to a variety of prestigious projects throughout the world in Asia, The Caribbean and Europe

2018Introduction of composite manhole cover

Composite covers introduced Clark-Drain's customers to new market opportunities focused on traffic signalling, street lighting and communication network projects. Resistant to chemicals, deformation, rust and corrosion, the cover is designed to provide optimum product life span in highway verges and footways.        

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