HA Civils scales UK groundworks with Leica Geosystems 3D machine control across its excavator fleet.
Author: Peter Haddock
On residential developments across the South of England, HA Civils is delivering everything from earthworks and drainage through to roads and infrastructure. As the business has expanded, Managing Director Archie Collier recognised that traditional construction methods would not support the company's long-term ambitions.
Rather than simply adding more people as projects increased, HA Civils decided to invest in digital construction technologies that would allow the business to scale efficiently while maintaining consistency across every site.
We wanted to build the business around technology rather than having to retrofit it later. Being a relatively young business meant we weren't tied to legacy systems. We had the opportunity to adopt machine control as we grew, making it part of how we work every day.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
HA Civils has grown rapidly from a small brickwork contractor into a regional civil engineering specialist delivering infrastructure packages for major housebuilders.
Today, the company operates a growing fleet of excavators equipped with Leica Geosystems MC1 3D machine control.
Working alongside local Leica Geosystems dealer One Point Survey Equipment, every new Kobelco excavator entering the fleet is fitted with the system before beginning work on site.
For Archie, the decision was never just about installing technology on machines.
It was about creating a digital workflow across the whole business.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
As the number of projects increased, one challenge became increasingly important: ensuring every site team was working from exactly the same design information.
Using Leica ConX cloud technology, survey engineer Jules manages all machine models remotely.
Instead of visiting every project to update machines individually, revised models are sent directly to each excavator, ensuring operators are always working from the latest design.
The way the Leica Geosystems ecosystem works is so simple. As we grow, we don't need engineers permanently based on every site. Jules controls the flow of information remotely, and every operator is working from exactly the same data.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
The result is greater consistency across projects while allowing the business to expand without proportionally increasing overheads.
Introducing new technology can often be challenging, particularly for experienced operators who have spent decades working with traditional pins, profiles and manual level checks.
HA Civils placed significant emphasis on supporting operators throughout the transition. Working with One Point Survey Equipment, operators received both on-site training and simulator sessions to build confidence before using the technology in production.
Excavator operator Darren, who has more than 30 years' experience, admits he was initially uncertain.
It's a big learning curve because I've worked traditionally all my life. But once you've been shown how it works, you realise it isn't as difficult as you first thought.
— Darren, Excavator Operator, HA Civils
Working directly from the digital model has fundamentally changed the way he approaches excavation.
It shows footings, drainage, services, kerb lines, trenches — everything is there in front of you. The machine is constantly telling you where you are.
— Darren, Excavator Operator, HA Civils
While productivity gains were expected, HA Civils has also seen significant safety benefits.
On one Persimmon Homes development, a live 600 mm water main passes through the site. After being accurately surveyed and incorporated into the Leica Geosystems model, every machine is continuously aware of its location.
Every machine on site knows exactly where that water main is. They can avoid it, and benefits like that give clients real confidence.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
Removing the need for traditional pins and frequent grade checking has also reduced the number of people working around operating excavators, creating a safer working environment.
For HA Civils, digital construction extends well beyond excavation. Machine control is influencing estimating, project planning and commercial confidence.
It allows us to price projects much more accurately. When material prices are increasing, every unnecessary tonne moved affects profitability. New machines combined with machine control mean we're completing earthworks correctly first time, reducing rework, fuel use and wasted hours. We can tender confidently because we know the systems are there to support delivery.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
Rolling out machine control across an expanding fleet requires more than technology alone.
HA Civils credits the close collaboration between Leica Geosystems, One Point Survey Equipment and UK Kobelco dealer Molson Group as a key factor in the success of the rollout. Operator training, remote support and responsive technical assistance have all helped make the transition straightforward.
If there's an issue, they can log into the screen remotely and help straight away. The support has been excellent.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
As HA Civils continues to expand, Leica Geosystems 3D machine control has become a standard part of every new excavator and dozer entering its fleet.
Rather than viewing digital construction as an optional extra, the company sees it as a fundamental part of delivering projects safely, accurately and efficiently. For Archie, the technology is helping create a business that can continue to grow without compromising quality.
It's about bringing fresh ideas into an industry that's done things the same way for a long time. If we can improve safety, improve efficiency and deliver better outcomes for our clients, that's how we'll continue to grow.
— Archie Collier, Managing Director, HA Civils
For contractors investing in their future, the HA Civils story offers a clear message:
Smart technology doesn't replace experienced operators. It gives them better information, and gives growing businesses a way to scale without losing consistency.
By combining cloud-based model management, in-cab guidance and closer partnerships with its technology and machinery dealers, HA Civils has proven that a technology investment in Leica Geosystems machine control is an investment in:
Ready to build a digital-first construction business?
Discover the full Leica Geosystems machine control portfolio: leica-geosystems.com/products/machine-control-systems/software/leica-mc1
