Menno Henneveld was the inaugural Chairman of the ASTT, volunteering more than two decades of his time and expertise in the role. Mr Henneveld was elected ISTT Vice Chairman in May 2002 and took over from Ray Sterling as Chairman in September 2005 until June 2008.

The recently elected Chairman of the ASTT and Vortex Managing Director Trevor Gosatti spoke with Trenchless International about the plans for the industry and the society.

Mr Gosatti has ambitious plans for the industry; to be driven by improving the strength of the industry through training and certification, and the introduction of new and improving technology.

“We need to formalise our training, and our certification and qualifications need to be promoted now that they’re just out in the industry.”

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Mr Gosatti also plans to push the awareness of Trenchless Technology through the engineering fraternity and asset owners.

Mr Gosatti said “I think the focus has got to be on more emphasis on quality going forward and continuing to promote the industry through a quality product, not just a cheap product, or something for a quick buck.”

Mr Gosatti identifies training and certification as a challenge for the industry going forward. “And then in line with that you have certified operators and qualified operators as a minimum level. Hopefully in five to ten years time you just won’t have an operator on a contract that hasn’t got a certification or a qualification.”

In tandem with certification and training, Mr Gosatti said that he is passionate about the introduction of new and improving technologies.

He identifies the advances in boring machine and microtunnelling technology over the last five to ten years as amazing progress, particularly laser technology and the dramatic improvements in slurry machines. Mr Gosatti also said that lining has gone through a number of changes and benefited from the introduction of new technologies.

“Vortex has brought in a UV cured light liner that is the latest in the world,” said Mr Gosatti, adding that the company is also developing a shield liner technology in Perth.

“The continuous process of looking for improvement through technology is a passion of mine.”