KTUC25: When Community, Innovation & Connection Converged

On a bright autumn day at the Babraham Research Campus near Cambridge, the KOREC Trimble User Conference (KTUC25) came alive. It was more than just a tech showcase: it was a gathering of minds and makers – a celebration of community in geospatial, surveying, construction, rail, monitoring and mapping sectors.

Bringing the Community Together

If there was one phrase that echoed through the exhibition halls, breakout tracks and outdoor demos at KTUC25, it was “Learn. Connect. Innovate.” Attendees repeatedly praised the inclusive, conversation-driven spirit of the event, where information and ideas were shared freely. It was the place where senior Trimble executives could connect freely to boots-on-the-ground surveyors. Where construction Tier 1s revealed their secrets to working smarter across field and office. Where people could have their say on important issues affecting our industries. Overall the coming together of the Trimble community made the conference feel like a community reunion – a rare treat in our digitally-mediated world.

Why KTUC25 Resonated

So, what made KTUC25 stand out? Based on attendee feedback:

• Community feels real – people made new contacts, reconnected with old ones, and left inspired by collaboration.
• Diverse tracks – whether you were a hardware geek, software user, field engineer, or decision-maker, there was something for you.
• High-calibre content & speakers – the balance between visionary keynotes, technical depth, and user stories really hit the mark.
• Interactivity & hands-on access – the demo zone, workshops, partner exhibits and live flights made the experience tactile and memorable.

A Showcase of Technology & Partnerships

Of course, a key purpose of KTUC25 was to spotlight the breadth and depth of Trimble’s ecosystem, and to do so in concert with KOREC’s partners, including Radiodetection, DJI, Wingtra, Terrasolid, and Soarvo. This added dimension and breadth, showing how modern survey, construction, engineering and mapping systems aren’t siloed but interconnected.

Highlights from the Tracks, Talks & Real Stories

We structured KTUC25 around four tracks (plus an exhibition hall)

• Keynote Theatre – Thought leadership and macro-vision
• Technical Workshops – Deep dives, tips & tricks
• Customer Stories – Real use cases, real challenges
• Outdoor DemoZone – Live demonstrations and competitions

It’s been a tough call to highlight only a few things across this amazing event, but here’s our top 5 things that got the most of the buzz…

1. The literal and figurative launch of the WingtraRAY

We chose our KTUC25 event to launch (in both sense of the word) the new WingtraRAY! This new UAV sets new standards for surveyors and it was a pleasure to see it in flight at KTUC25. You can find out more over on our product page.

Discover the WingtraRAY

2. Boris Skopljak, Trimble’s VP of Geospatial on the Benchmark Podcast

The much-loved Benchmark Podcast did a special KTUC episode, grabbing thoughts and opinions from the full spectrum of KTUC speakers, presenters, exhibitors and attendees. In an exclusive scoop, James Richards managed to get senior Trimble exec Boris Skopljak into the podcast booth. Keep an ear out for when the KTUC episode of Benchamark podcast drops…

3. The Keynote from award-winning speaker Jim Steele

Jim Steele set the scene for the event with his powerful and interactive talk on motivation and performance. He was a smash hit at KTUC25, and it’s no surprise to learn that he’s 2025’s Speaker of the Year!

He’s kindly provided a wrap-up video of his session, recapping the key points of his presentation, along with providing some free resources to help you be better, smarter, stronger.

Watch Jim's session recap

4. Education and Industry Voices panel discussions

The two panels in the Keynote Theatre didn’t shy away from the big issues facing our industries. With insightful input from a fantastic line-up, we covered a lot. From the challenges of getting more people into surveying, to the opportunities – and pitfalls – of new technology, the future of survey, managing customer expectations, and much, much more.

5. The AI and Trimble Business Center Technical Workshops

It was a full house for many of the technical workshops, but it was extra standing room required for the technical insights given by Trimble’s Ronald Van Coevorden and KOREC’s Richard Selby, who talked about AI & Automation, and Trimble Business Center (respectively).

KTUC25 Resources

Download the Presentations!

Due to overwhelming popular demand, we’ve made the presentations at KTUC available for download from our DropBox. You can grab them by clicking the button.

Download the Presentations

Picture Gallery

Here’s a few pictures of the day that we managed to grab in amongst the madness! Do you spot yourself? If you’d like your photo included in the gallery, please email marketing@korecgroup.com

Looking Ahead

KTUC25 wasn’t just an event – it was a statement. A message that KOREC believe in more than selling technology: we believe in enabling a community of practice where people learn, push boundaries, and lift each other up.

As we reflect on the energy, connections, and ideas generated in Cambridge, we’re already looking ahead to ways we can sustain this momentum. to keep embracing the latest tech, but also the trust and shared culture that made KTUC25 such a resounding success.

One thing’s certain: we can’t wait to see what happens next, and we hope those who attended left not just more informed, but more connected, energised, and ready to transform.

Who’s in for next year?

LEARN MORE

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Discover how KOREC’s technology solutions can help you solve the problems you face in your industry.

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Sam Hough, Construction Business Manager (UK), KOREC Group, reports from this year’s prestigious BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance) Gala Ball and Awards Celebration

On Saturday 19^th October, I was delighted to join KOREC’s Group Leadership Team at the biggest event in the BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance) calendar, the Gala Ball and Awards Celebration. Held bi-annually at a prestigious location in London, this year the Raffles Hotel, the event is a fabulous coming together of prominent figures in the construction, property, financial, and hospitality industry providing opportunities for networking whilst also supporting charitable causes. 

As one of the headline sponsors of the evening, it was an excellent opportunity for KOREC to connect with key figures across various industries such as Laing O’Rourke, John Sisk and Sons and Kelly Communications, and share the our ‘Measure, Map and Manage’ message with relation to the connected construction site, expanded on in the latest release of BITA’s publication ‘Networks’ with this piece below:  

Pictured above (left to right), Mark Poveda (Managing Director – UK & Ireland), Sam Hough (Construction Business Manager (UK), Mark Reid (UK Sales Director), Alan Browne (Executive Chairman) and John McGoey (CEO at ECC Group) 

Imagine a construction site powered by real-time data, a truly connected construction site enables a reduction in errors, the latest models are used for setting out, enhanced team collaboration, clearer communication, significant time and cost savings and increased project visibility. But how can that be achieved? 

It’s a widely published figure that the cost of construction rework is estimated to represent between 2% and 20% of total costs, according to the Construction Industry Institute (CII) (average of 12%). Whilst we’re never going to live in a perfect world, consider how significantly that figure could decrease if every team member – from finance and design to engineering, surveying, and construction – worked from a single source of easily accessible, up-to-date data, including models, schedules, and documents? 

Two Trimble solutions enable just that: 

Trimble Connect is a cloud-based platform that allows project teams to share, view, and coordinate on construction models and data in real time. With an emphasis on collaboration, it supports the entire lifecycle of a construction project by providing a space where stakeholders can review 3D models, 2D drawings, 3D laser scans and other project files. 

Trimble Viewpoint is a cloud-based construction management solution designed to integrate various aspects of a project, from accounting to project management, into one unified platform. 

Together, they provide a seamless flow of data between project management and project execution. 

Working with KOREC: Connected data in practice 

KOREC specialises in the development, and subsequent roll-out of field to office workflows (using Trimble Viewpoint and Trimble Connect) and the integration of all your Trimble measuring and surveying equipment. The latest Building Safety Act imposes stricter requirements for as-built documentation. Trimble Connect can assist here covering all setting out data irrespective of the sensor used whether a total station, laser scanner or augmented reality.  

A recent XYZ report, Constructing Tomorrow, states that the two main ways the industry is addressing errors and rework is through using advanced technology and equipment and better communication protocols, something that we are seeing increasingly backed up by KOREC customers, for example:  

Mercury Engineering enhanced communication, minimised model errors and saved time across global teams by using Trimble’s XR10 mixed reality headset technology. The XR10 enabled the creation of sharable videos and images for a large-scale, three-floor data centre project, allowing the team to quickly identify potential issues and efficiently collaborate with remote members, who were often in different countries. 

Walsh Steel Detailing (WSD) saved invaluable time on a recent large project using a Trimble X7 laser scanner and the XR10 mixed reality headset. Trimble Connect allowed for the seamless sharing of 3D models and real-time data, enabling remote and on-site teams to identify issues, ensure model accuracy, and collaborate efficiently, reducing errors and improving project delivery. 

The team felt that the two technologies complimented each other perfectly with the X7 allowing WSD to bring the site to their office so they could model around it whilst the XR10 allowed them to verify the model on site and gain total client confidence in the work they were doing before any material was cut. 

Laing O’Rourke used Trimble’s Connect AR augmented reality app to give their building construction workers even greater accessibility to 3D models in the field. The app runs on tablets and smartphones and via QR markers allows for easy positioning of 3D models whilst on the job site. 

Trimble Connect AR has been designed to revolutionise QA/QC workflows through the viewing of digital models at 1:1 scale onsite and in context. This enables the Laing O’Rourke project team to validate the build, observe omissions, and visually collaborate to resolve issues. 

They recently used the system on the prestigious Whiteley redevelopment in London. The versatility of the system was proved by positive feedback from three different teams, MEP, Structural and Design Engineering. 

What next? 

Trimble Viewpoint, Trimble Connect, and Trimble’s construction measurement portfolio are revolutionising the construction industry by enhancing efficiency, collaboration, and visibility. As technology advances, these platforms will be essential for the success of construction projects.  

The construction team at KOREC is dedicated to empowering our customers to develop workflows that fully utilise these transformative tools. 

Trimble’s innovative technology is paving the way for more efficient and accurate building processes. Let’s build better together! 

• Contact us on UK: 0345 603 1214 and IRE: 014564 702 

• Follow Sam Hough on LinkedIn 

• Visit www.korecgroup.com or www.facebook.com/TrimbleConstructionByKOREC 

MORE, MORE, MORE!

KOREC Rail announces plans for Rail Live – Stand F25

The KOREC Rail theme for this years’ Rail Live event is ‘MORE, MORE, MORE! Here’s why:

More rail related solutions

KOREC Rail is renowned for delivering Trimble technology for track survey and measurement, but did you know that we also offer rail related mapping, forensics, monitoring, 3D Laser Scanning and mobile mapping solutions?

More people for you to talk to

On our stand we’ll have all the KOREC Rail team plus consultants from our monitoring and mapping business as well as Trimble Rail’s Matthew Moss.

More equipment on the stand for demonstrations

On the stand, we’ll be featuring two Trimble GEDO systems, Trimble’s MX50 Mobile Mapping System, a Trimble X7 3D Laser Scanner, a Trimble S9 high accuracy Total Station and a Trimble SX12 Scanning Total Station. We’ll also have a ‘tunnel’ and rail setup.

More giveaways

KOREC is s a proud member of the SME Climate Hub, and we have publicly committed to halving our carbon emissions (2021 baseline) by 2030 what better way to reflect this than with our Rail Live KOREC giveaways, individual mini desk top gardens & seed bombs!…and if it’s sunny, we’ll also have KOREC branded sun cream.

More

….and just when you thought we couldn’t offer anything else, don’t forget to tag @KORECrail on our LinkedIn page to win £300 worth of Greggs vouchers.

We look forward to welcoming you on stand F25.

For further information, please visit www.koregroup.com/rail or follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/korec-rail/

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago really brought home to us the importance of maintaining and improving our health – both inside and out.

Maintaining our physical health could mean the difference between a mild or a severe case of covid, and the impact of multiple lockdowns, separation from our loved ones, and working from home, all took their toll on our mental health, too.

Combined with the distressing and upsetting news coming out of Ukraine on an almost daily basis, it does seem a challenge to keep ourselves upbeat and positive.

As a responsible employer, KOREC understands the importance of ensuring a happy, healthy and supported workforce – and takes action to ensure it.

To mark this International Day of Happiness, here’s just some of the initiatives we’re undertaking to bolster the health, happiness and prosperity of our people;

Perks of the Job

The company now proudly boasts 5 physical first aiders, including Steven Sreeves who just completed his Emergency First Aid at Work training, provided by St John Ambulance

• We’re also proud to have two mental health first aiders, in the shape of Rachel Caddick and Stuart Guthrie-Cadge, both of whom recently completed the Mental Health First Aid England course.

• Rachel and Stuart recently held a Lunch ‘n’ Learn on the difficult but important subject of depression, anxiety and suicide – and offered advice and tips for those who may be struggling.

Meet the KOREC mental health first aiders! Rachel Caddick and Stuart Guthrie-Cadge

• We’ve signed up to Plumm – a dedicated online platform that offers free and confidential chat therapy, online courses and meditation

• We recognise the importance of small gestures, which is why we send every single employee a small Valentine’s gift each year, just to let them know we appreciate them.

• Speaking of small gestures, who doesn’t love a wee perk? For a few years now KOREC has invested in Perkbox, an online portal chock full of freebies and discounts on everything from free cinema tickets to cheaper gym discounts. This also includes access to the Employee Assistance Program – providing 24/7 support for those struggling with legal issues, debt, anxiety, bereavement or relationship issues.

• We also love to party! Which is why we have not one, but two KOREC parties – a summer and a Christmas event! The KOREC gang love nothing more than getting together and having a knees up. During COVID, we thought this was more important than ever, so we held our first ever ‘virtual’ Christmas party, and smaller, socially-distanced summer events.

On this International Day of Happiness, why not take a few moments out of your day to do something that makes you feel good?

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity – from the whole KOREC team!

1st February 2022 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Three days later, on Friday 4th, the Beijing Winter Olympics begin.

To mark these two occasions, and because we are mad for a group fitness challenge (or just plain mad?) the KOREC team are committing to undertake a mammoth journey.

In February 2021, our UK and Irish teams undertook their ‘Fit4Feb’ challenges – traversing Europe and America (virtually, of course…), and totting up an impressive 6,200km between them.

This year, in the spirit of the Chinese New Year – the year of the Tiger – we’ve committed ourselves to an even bigger challenge.

We are going to walk, run, swim, cycle and hop our way back from Beijing to London – a distance of a whopping 10,681km!

The well-known quote ‘a journey of a thousand miles’ is attributed to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, and seems particularly apt for the challenge that lies ahead – at first, a journey of over 6,000 miles seems impossible – but all we can do is take that vital first step and begin our journey – and crucially – we’re not alone!

The Year of the Tiger

Since 2022 marks the year of the tiger, we’ve taken some inspiration from our furry friend. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the tiger is the ‘king of all beasts’, and is a symbol of Bravery, Competitiveness, Unpredictability and Confidence – some familiar traits we can see in ourselves!

So we’ve set some mini challenges based on these qualities, with some awesome (tiger-themed) prizes up for grabs!

BRAVE

• Who is brave enough to join our challenge?
• Who will brave dark and dismal early mornings for an invigorating run?
• And most importantly, who is brave enough to share their most embarrassing workout outfit?!

COMPETITIVE

• Who will get the most miles under their belt?
• Who can most accurately guess where we’ll end up come 28th February?

UNPREDICTABLE

• What will we discover en route?
• Who will come up with the most wacky method of exercise?

CONFIDENT

• Who actually thinks we can go the distance?
• Who’s willing to give it a go anyway?

We hit the ground running on February 1st, and we’ll be providing regular weekly updates on our progress throughout the month via our social channels.

Wish us luck, or as the Chinese say – Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!

How do we maintain our motivation in the depths of winter? How do we remain positive and engaged as a team when we can’t even meet face to face with our colleagues?

That was the challenge facing the KOREC team at the beginning of 2021.

A highly social group who aren’t averse to a challenge, sixteen members of the KOREC Irish team took on the Route 66 Challenge – walking, running, jogging and cycling the 3700km route from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Inspired by their Irish colleagues, Team UK decided on their own challenge which they named, Fit4Feb. They began their challenge on so-called Blue Monday (18^th January) which is considered to be one of the most depressing days of the year – and the goal was to see how far they could get over the 6-week period upto the end of February.

At the time of writing, the Irish and UK teams have stacked up a highly impressive 3200 and 3000km respectively, the Irish team are nearing LA, and the UK team have reached the peak of Mont Blanc!

Both Irish and UK teams are now nearing the end of their routes – what challenge will they take on next?

Looking beyond the impressive numbers, the real achievement has been how the challenge has brought the team together through their shared goal, and motivated colleagues to keep active at a time of the year when it is hard to get outside.

Harriet Brewitt, who recently joined KOREC, explains the difference it’s made to her;

If I massively miscalculate my running route by a few miles, I think about getting further on our European road trip, and it spurs me on!

As both teams near the end of their routes, thoughts have turned to what challenge they take on next. The plan is to join both teams into one, and take on an even bigger, global challenge. Watch this space for the next update!

Here’s a question. How do you continue to motivate, inspire, inform, or even just get your teams together during a national lockdown?

Whilst 2020 has been unusual (to say the least), for KOREC, we were already quite used to remote working & collaboration. Serving two nations, and with staff the width and breadth of the country, regular communication via phone, email, virtual chat or even Whatsapp was already the norm for many.

But for those used to office working or field working, now confined to the kitchen table at home, we realised that it was more important than ever to ensure everyone felt connected & informed.

That’s why we launched our virtual lunch ‘n’ learn series in October. The objective was simple – every 2 weeks, we invite everyone in the organisation to a brief overview of a product, solution or application. The vibe is informal – questions and interruptions are very much welcomed, prizes are awarded, and of course, lunch is munched.

It’s the perfect opportunity for a refresher on a particular product, an introduction to the latest piece of kit on the market, all presented by one of our in-house experts. For our people, it’s a reminder of the sheer variety & versatility of the solutions that KOREC offers, be it land survey, drone, rail, highways, mobile mapping…the list goes on.

It’s an excellent way for many of us to take 30 minutes out of our day, to get together, have a chat, and even learn something new.

So far, we’ve held 3 sessions;

An overview of our in-house, K-Matic software suite, presented by Darrell Theobalds

Introduction to the R12 & R12i GNSS systems & ProPoint, hosted by Leigh Rowell

Laser scanning made simple, with the X7, presented by Melvin Penwill

And we have many more up our sleeves going into 2021.

CAT D7E & Trimble on the KOREC stand

Hillhead 2010 has just finished and this years glorious weather was appreciated by visitors and exhibitors alike.

Aided by Trimble and Finning, the KOREC stand was busy for the duration with the full Trimble range of Machine Control and Site Positioning Systems on show, all backed up by KOREC’s expertise.

As predicted, the Finning supplied Caterpillar D7E with Trimble’s GCS900 system, attracted lots of attention. KOREC’s Peter Brooks explains, “We asked Finning if they could help us out at this years show by providing a Caterpillar D7E for our stand. This machine – the first-ever electric drive track-type tractor D7E consuming up to 20 percent less fuel while increasing the productivity by 10 percent – reflects just what the business is all about, innovation and technology and ultimately sustainability.”

There was also a huge amount of interest in the Trimble Site Positioning Systems demonstrated the stand. Contractors were keen to learn how the SPS products can utilise GPS or Robotic Total Stations to help them improve their efficiency on site with the use of the Trimble SCS900 Site Controller Software.

To find out more about the CAT D7E and ‘Lastability’ please visit the Finning site

Using Trimble GPS to map Japanese Knotweed in Cornwall

Register now to join KOREC and Trimble® at Europe’s largest sustainability event which takes place next week at London’s ExCel.  Futuresource is a joint event from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and the Environmental Services Association (ESA) and provides a forum for debating key issues, discussing best practice and sharing expertise and solutions.

KOREC will be joining Trimble’s Environmental solutions team on stand number B24, showcasing Trimble’s environmental solutions which cover all aspects and every step of the waste management process. The portfolio provides complete positioning solutions and services, starting at the waste collection, transportation through to its recycling and disposal at modern sanitary landfills or waste-to-energy facilities.

KOREC’s Machine Control Manager Pete Brooks will be on the stand to discuss ways that Trimble’s Machine

Trimble compaction systems at work on landfill

Control and Site Positioning Systems can be used to improve the construction, management and maintenance of landfill sites. In properly managing this issue, having the latest equipment and technology ensures that projects are planned and tasks are executed efficiently.

Trimble’s Eurpopean Sales Manager for Environmental Solutions Goran Jedrejčić will be available to discuss how Trimble’s range of solutions can be used in the Environmental services industry, supporting those who provide land and water management services that help preserve natural resources or ecosystems. Whether your environmental services include site assessment, remediation, survey, mapping, land or marine, Trimble solutions can help get the job done faster, with more accuracy and with improved efficiency.

To register to attend, please visit the Futuresource website.