EVENTS NEWS
Getting hands-on at Picote’s Open House
By Simon Beverley-Smith, Drain Trader
Hosted at Picote’s UK base, the event brought together contractors , resellers and trenchless professionals from across the UK and beyond, with team members and resellers flying in from Finland, Malaysia, the US and elsewhere. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, full of that infectious energy you get from a team who genuinely believe in what they’re doing. Picote really does feel like a family, and that warmth came through in every part of the event.
It was a packed schedule with live demos, hands-on sessions, product overviews, case studies, competitions, and plenty of good food and conversation. As a magazine editor, someone who tends to know a little about a lot rather than getting hands-on with the tools, it’s always invaluable to see the kit in action and speak directly to the people using it day to day.
There were loads of highlights. The Xpress Brush Coating System and the updated Lining and Point Repair tools drew a lot of interest.
What I probably appreciated most wasn’t just the big-ticket demos, but the chance to get hands-on with the everyday tasks that our readers are carrying out on a daily basis. Even something as routine as watching a connection collar being installed and cured was genuinely valuable for me. It’s easy to write about these processes, but seeing them up close adds a whole new layer of understanding. Being able to observe the tools, techniques and decision-making behind these "standard" jobs really helps us represent the industry more accurately in the magazine.
The NEW Mini MultiCutter, powered by BZ Bots, also made a big impression. I even had a go myself, cutting my very first lateral connection… I don’t think I embarrassed myself too badly. It’s still in development, and it was great to see the team taking feedback on board from those who tested it. Definitely one to watch.
Another standout for me was the Flexi-Sliplining demo. I’d only seen this in submitted case studies before, so watching it live, especially the welding process, was fascinating. So simple, so
Day 1 delegates zoned in on a demonstration
clever, and so efficient. The ability to reline long runs quickly with no overpumping and minimal disruption is a huge advantage and offers serious savings for clients.
Huge thanks to the Picote team for the warm welcome and brilliant hospitality. A great couple of days with great people, and hopefully it won’t be long before we’re working together again, getting Picote back into the magazine where they belong.
Not too shabby. Simon’s attempt using the new mini Multi-Cutter
52
| July 2025 |
draintraderltd.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
