Ivor King is leading the Construction Industry in the UK using GIKEN technology
Ivor King’s very own ‘Mr Giken’, Plant & Yard Manager George Keeling recently featured in the Giken Mail Magazine, reflecting on how Giken solutions have been a game changer in the world of sheet piling and how GTOSS™ membership has benefitted the business. Here’s the article in full, as featured in the June 2025 issue of the magazine…
In this edition, we are happy to highlight Ivor King, one of our GTOSS™ Europe members and a driving force in foundation engineering across the UK. Known for their innovative approach and high technical standards, they have successfully integrated GIKEN equipment – including the GRB System™ and Crush System – into many of their projects.
From urban environments with strict noise and vibration limits to logistically challenging construction sites, Ivor King continues to demonstrate the power of press-in technology when paired with deep technical knowledge and operational precision.
For those who do not know, GTOSS stands for GIKEN Total Support System. The aim of GTOSS is for users to acquire the technical skills to install piles accurately and quickly, and to improve the quality of construction design and maintenance work. It enables our users to increase their overall operational productivity and gain a strong competitive edge.
Hands-on with GIKEN: A conversation with George Keeling
With over a decade of experience using GIKEN technologies on UK projects, George Keeling has become a familiar name when it comes to innovative and efficient piling. As Plant & Yard Manager at Ivor King, he has witnessed firsthand how GIKEN’s solutions have transformed the way teams operate on site, from tight-access jobs to environmentally sensitive works.
In the text below, George reflects on some key projects using the GRB and Crush Systems, the benefits of GTOSS membership and how the growing local support from GIKEN Europe is helping streamline communication and boost team performance.
Over the years, George Keeling has seen GIKEN technology prove its value on a wide range of projects across the UK. One standout example he shared was a flood alleviation scheme on the River Usk in South Wales, where traditional piling methods would have been impossible due to the narrow work area and the site’s protected environmental status. “We were working in a narrow corridor with no room for a standard crane,” George explained. “The GRB made it possible to complete the works safely with minimal disruption to wildlife and the surrounding area”. Another ongoing project involves over a kilometer of sheet piling along a watercourse in North London. Thanks to the GRB System, the team has been able to carry out complex work in tight spaces, without large platforms or heavy plant, showing how GIKEN enables progress where other methods fall short.
The influence of GIKEN technology goes well beyond logistics. For George, the SuperCrush system in particular has transformed how they approach difficult ground conditions and sensitive urban areas. “It allows us to install sheet piles vibration-free into hard ground, which really sets us apart in the UK market”, he says. Its vibration-free installation makes it possible to take on jobs that would otherwise be off the table, providing clients with safer, quieter alternatives to conventional methods. This has helped Ivor King expand their technical offering, work with greater precision and minimize environmental risk.
Becoming a GTOSS Europe member was a natural step for the company, and George sees the collaboration as a valuable extension of an already strong relationship. He highlights the increased access to technical information, parts and best practices as major advantages, benefits that directly reduce machine downtime and improve operational efficiency. “Being part of GTOSS means less downtime and more expertise on hand when we need it”, he explains. GTOSS also fosters deeper technical exchange, giving their team more opportunities to solve challenges alongside GIKEN’s own mechanics.
When it comes to quality, safety and sustainability, George is confident in what GIKEN’s systems deliver. Their quiet, vibration-free operation reduces disruption to surrounding communities and infrastructure, which is especially critical in busy urban zones. “The benefits have been clear: quiet, safe installation in restricted areas, reduced impact on the environment, and the ability to keep the programme moving where other methods would have struggled”, he summarizes. Environmentally, the technology helps cut emissions and lower the overall impact on each site, aligning with modern construction demands for cleaner, smarter methods.
Finally, he noted that with GIKEN Europe’s team now expanding locally, communication and collaboration have become even more efficient. Fast access to technical input ensures smoother project execution, and on-site training opportunities, such as those at Ivor King’s own training facility, help ensure operatives are fully prepared before stepping onto a live jobsite. “Working with GIKEN’s trainers at our own training centre has been a real boost. It gives our teams the chance to build confidence before they get to site”. For George, this strengthened local presence is a clear reflection of GIKEN’s commitment to its European partners.
Looking Ahead
The relationship between Ivor King and GIKEN is a testament to how shared innovation and trust can drive meaningful progress in the construction industry. Over more than a decade of collaboration, Ivor King has embraced GIKEN’s technologies not just as tools, but as integral elements in delivering safer, quieter and more sustainable piling solutions. Their expertise with systems like the GRB and Crush continues to set them apart in the UK market, especially in challenging and environmentally sensitive sites.
As a GTOSS Europe member, Ivor King gains more than access to advanced machinery: they benefit from a deeper, more responsive partnership with GIKEN’s technical teams, along with priority support, training and knowledge sharing. GTOSS Europe strengthens the connection between manufacturer and user, helping companies like Ivor King elevate both performance and reliability across all stages of a project.
Through this close collaboration, we see the value of long-term partnerships grounded in innovation, technical excellence and mutual growth, values that define not only GTOSS Europe, but the future of construction itself.
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