RSS Infrastructure (RSSI) is proud to mark the first anniversary of its Tonbridge-based welding team, a year that has delivered rapid growth and standout success across the infrastructure sector.
This milestone marks more than just 12 months of operations. Following the acquisition of Carillion Welding in 2018, RSSI preserved skilled jobs and began building what is now a national welding powerhouse. From its roots in Doncaster, the division has expanded to four strategically located depots in Doncaster, Cwmbran, Birmingham, and now Tonbridge, each playing a key role in supporting major infrastructure projects across the UK.
Led by Dan Smith, Welding Manager, the Tonbridge team has quickly become a critical asset in the South. Their involvement in Network Rail’s Mobile Maintenance Train (MMT), a high-tech “workshop on wheels”, has improved safety and efficiency across the rail network by delivering tools, materials, and skilled professionals directly to site.
“Being part of the MMT project has been a real highlight,” said Dan Smith. “It’s changing how railway maintenance is delivered, and I’m incredibly proud of our team’s craftsmanship and commitment to excellence.”
This dedication has helped secure prestigious contracts with Network Rail and other Tier 1 contractors, solidifying RSSI’s position as a trusted partner for delivering critical infrastructure.
RSSI has implemented a dedicated Welding Database to support ongoing excellence that monitors fatigue, tracks performance, and logs essential data such as welds dropped, enabling greater visibility, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.
“Our Tonbridge team exemplifies everything RSSI stands for – professionalism, innovation, and relentless dedication to quality,” said Karl Dean, Welding Services Director. “Their success over the past year reflects our clients’ confidence in our capabilities.”
As our growth continues, RSSI will, throughout Year 2 of CP7, introduce existing services into Tonbridge, including Technical Services, utilising our Principal Contractors License to deliver P-Way and Civils in support of our new and existing frameworks, along with Managed Environments providing Ecological solutions and Arboriculture professional services.
As the UK’s largest provider of Track Warning Systems, we will continue to implement our industry-leading Semi and Fully automatic workforce warning systems and the latest NR-approved Geofence technology via our partnership with Tended, along with our latest collaboration covering Intelligent Fingerprint testing, demonstrating our continued advances in the workforce and worksite safety.
“At RSS Infrastructure, innovation and safety are at the core of everything we do,” said Sean Harrison, Managing Director. “Whether through innovative welding techniques, pioneering drug testing or next-gen geofencing, we’re pushing boundaries to raise the standard across the infrastructure sector.”
The Tonbridge welding team celebrates its first milestone year, and one thing is clear: this is just the beginning. With continued growth, strategic expansion, and a strong commitment to excellence, RSSI’s welding division is driving the future of infrastructure support.