A rapidly growing civil engineering firm has established a new base in West Cumbria as it prepares to continue working on major infrastructure projects.
RC Civils was founded in 2016 by Stuart Ray and Brendan Cordin.
The firm said the strategic expansion aims to support ongoing and future infrastructure work across the region.
Stuart and Brendan’s shared vision for RC Civils stems from a mutual passion for the industry and a commitment to excellence. They first met while working for Manchester-based utilities contractor T&K Gallagher and quickly recognised their complementary skill sets and decided to venture out on their own.
“We both had a similar work ethic and thought, ‘Let’s have a go at it,’” says Brendan.
“We want to make sure that everything we do meets the highest standards—whether it’s excavations, reinforced concrete, drainage, or utility installations.”
Since its inception, RC Civils has grown to a 15-strong team, equipped with a fleet of vehicles and machinery, including 10 vans, 10 excavators, and two wagons.
Their project portfolio showcases their capability and versatility.
Major work includes subcontracting on United Utilities’ 62-mile West Cumbria pipeline and a multi-million-pound contract at BAE Systems Maritime in Barrow, where they installed seven kilometres of multi-utility trenches to support submarine production.
The firm’s dedication to quality and precision is central to their approach.
“We’re talking about the foundations of projects that will be in place for many years to come, so attention to detail is everything,” says Brendan.
“You can’t cut corners. Our aim is to always deliver work that will stand the test of time.”
The new site at Mowbray Farm will serve as the company’s headquarters and operational hub, strategically located 20 minutes from the Sellafield nuclear site.
The farmhouse is being converted into offices, while the outbuildings and farmyard will be used for workshops and storage for plant equipment and materials.
As well as providing a base for future growth, there are plans to lease office space to other local businesses and explore sustainability initiatives, such as establishing a solar farm or creating a nature restoration area through tree planting.
“For us, it’s about more than just growing the business,” explains Stuart. “We want to create opportunities for local people and give back to the community we’re part of.
“As we expand, we want our success to benefit the area, whether that’s through creating jobs or supporting local projects.”
RC Civils has already donated time and resources to the mental health charity Growing Well, preparing groundworks for the charity’s new market garden in Egremont.
Looking ahead, RC Civils aims to build on its recent successes, leveraging its framework agreements with major contractors such as Sir Robert McAlpine, which recently appointed the firm as a key delivery partner for groundwork and concrete structures at Sellafield.
With a strong foundation and a clear strategy for sustainable growth, Stuart and Brendan are confident that RC Civils is well-placed to take on new challenges and contribute to the long-term prosperity of West Cumbria.
“Our plan is to keep on growing,” says Brendan. “We’re excited about what the future holds and look forward to taking RC Civils to the next level while staying true to our values of quality, community, and opportunity.”
