The turn of the Millenium at CPCL

To continue our celebration of CPCL's 75th Birthday, we are going to look back on our journey through the 2000's.

The early 2000’s marked a new era for CPCL, defined by strategic partnerships which would come to shape our future. In 2004, we partnered with De Nora, a company that produces a line of cathodic protection electrodes, which CPCL utilise. This alliance granted CPCL one of only two licenses to supply the Elgard range of concrete anodes, enabling us to expand our presence in the Middle East.

In 2005, we began a long-standing partnership with American Innovations (AI). Their advanced software and hardware solutions became integral to our Field Engineering operations. Our engineers received specialised training in AI equipment, and we successfully rolled out their systems across the UK—many of which remain in use today. CPCL has participated in the AI World User Group in recent years to gain valuable insights into new products and training.

Our strategic partnerships with these companies now span two decades, enhancing our capabilities and reach in the industry.

In 2006, we formed a partnership with Mountleigh in Nigeria, founded by Mel Machin. Before Mountleigh, Mel was good friends with CPCL’s former director, Rob Britton and he worked globally. His wealth of knowledge and connections in the Nigerian market helped CPCL secure a major client there in 2002, whom we still supply equipment too today. This trustworthy relationship between Mel and Rob expanded further into the Nigerian market, leading to a contract between Mountleigh and CPCL in 2006. The rest is history!

June 2007 was a landmark moment as CPCL acquired Cath-Tech International Ltd. From this merger, we gained key personnel who remain at CPCL today, including Directors Chris and Stuart Martin, Field Engineering Manager Chris Pimm, Senior CP Tech Jon Moss, and seasoned field tech Cristi Batista. With their combined field experience, CPCL established a strong Field Services Department, which continues to deliver excellence in surveying, inspections, and installation.

In the same year, our involvement began with the Tangier-Med Port II Project on the northern shores of Morocco. We designed and installed an impressed current cathodic protection system to safeguard the reinforced concrete caissons supporting a 3km jetty. CPCL manufactured 28 multi-channel, oil cooled Transformer Rectifiers, all integrated with our remote monitoring and control system. At the time, it was the largest TR project in our history. We were proud to have contributed to protecting the longevity of a world-class port facility and major trading hub for Morocco.

Stay tuned for next week as we take a look back on the teens and the past 5 years of CPCL!