Picote UK Open House Brings Together Industry Professionals for Two Days of Innovation and Collaboration

The Picote UK Open House was a resounding success, bringing together industry professionals from across the water and wastewater sectors for two engaging days of learning, networking and innovation. The event featured a packed programme of live demonstrations, presentations, product showcases and insightful discussions, attracting attendees from water companies, contracting firms, consultancy organisations and industry media.

Dawn Greig, Chief Commercial Officer for Picote Solutions, welcomed guests on both days and introduced members of the international Picote team who had travelled from around the world to attend the event. Among them were Jutta Ehder-Lokkinen, Picote’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, who travelled from Finland andKatja Lindy-Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, originally from Finland and now based in Seattle, USA.

Dawn Greig was also presented with flowers in celebration of her being voted UKSTT Trenchless Woman of the Year 2026!

Katja delivered a fascinating presentation on the history and growth of Picote. She traced the company's roots back to a family-owned contracting business in Southern Finland, where the focus was on rehabilitating building drainage systems using trenchless technologies. Attendees gained valuable insight into how that contracting expertise evolved into the establishment of Picote Solutions in 2012, when product sales and technical support operations were launched from the United Kingdom, where Katja was living at the time. Her presentation highlighted the company's journey from contractor to global manufacturer and solutions provider, while reinforcing Picote’s commitment to innovation and practical problem-solving. 

Another key presentation was delivered by Ryan Boldan, Picote’s Learning Solutions Director, who travelled from Utah, USA. Ryan introduced attendees to the Picote Institute, the company’s free online learning platform designed to support contractors, engineers and industry professionals. The platform offers a comprehensive range of resources, including introductory and advanced training courses, tutorial videos, product guides, technical documentation, expert advice and a growing library of educational content. Ryan demonstrated how the platform helps users develop their skills and maximise the benefits of Picote products and methods.

Steph Richardson, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, discussed the importance of industry collaboration and how sharing project successes through social media and joint case studies can deliver tangible benefits for both contractors and suppliers. She provided practical examples of how customers can engage with Picote’s marketing initiatives and contribute to industry knowledge-sharing. Steph also shared insights into Picote’s growing digital presence, showcasing impressive social media engagement figures and demonstrating the value of reaching a highly targeted audience across multiple platforms.

The theme of collaboration continued with a presentation from Simon Hanna, a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Dyno-Rod. Simon outlined the exciting partnership between Dyno-Rod, Toyota and Picote, which has resulted in a fully electric van equipped with battery-powered Picote equipment operating in the field. The innovative project demonstrates how sustainability and operational efficiency can work hand in hand, providing a practical solution for the future of drainage and rehabilitation services. The vehicle is currently making its way around Dyno-Rod franchisees, allowing operators across the network to experience the technology firsthand. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with impressive results both operationally and financially in the short time since the project was launched. 

The Open House also provided an excellent opportunity to showcase Picote’s latest product developments and technological innovations. Sales Director, Kaarlo Bergdahl and Technical Director Olav Törnroos, both from Finland, were on hand throughout the event, supporting the UK team with a series of live demonstrations. Particular interest was generated by the new Lining Drum Range.

Another standout feature was the presentation and live demonstration of the welding rig used with Picote’s award-winning Flexi-Sliplining™ system. Delivered by Dan Holmes, Technical Services Manager, and Steven Richardson, Technical Trainer, the session provided attendees with an in-depth look at the technology and methodology behind the innovative solution. The pair demonstrated the welding process and explained how the Flexi-Sliplining™ system is helping contractors rehabilitate gravity sewers in challenging and environmentally sensitive locations, particularly Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and tidal sites, where traditional excavation methods may be impractical or undesirable. By providing a trenchless rehabilitation solution, the system helps minimise environmental impact while delivering long-term asset renewal.

Visitors also had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the Mini Multi-Cutter, specifically designed for opening lateral connections from the mainline. One of the highlights of the demonstrations was seeing attendees try their hand at reinstatement. Tamora Longson, Graphic Designer for UKSTT’s Trenchless Buzz, stepped up to the challenge and impressed everyone with a successful first-ever reinstatement attempt.

Of course, no successful Open House would be complete without great food, refreshments and a little help from the British weather. Day one was blessed with glorious sunshine, providing the perfect backdrop for networking and outdoor demonstrations, while guests enjoyed a popular hog roast. In true British fashion, day two brought torrential rain but attendees remained undeterred, gathering indoors over freshly served pizza while continuing conversations and technical discussions.

Adding to the atmosphere on both days was the Picote Bar, which proved to be a huge hit with visitors. Guests were treated to a selection of creative, Picote-themed cocktails, including the now-famous Picotini and Aquatini, both of which went down a treat.

Beyond the presentations and demonstrations, the event provided a valuable platform for networking and knowledge sharing. Attendees were able to exchange ideas, discuss industry challenges, and learn more about the latest trenchless rehabilitation technologies directly from Picote’s global team.

With strong attendance, enthusiastic participation, and positive feedback from visitors, the Picote UK Open House successfully showcased not only the company’s latest innovations and technical expertise but also its commitment to supporting the industry through education, collaboration, sustainability and continuous development. The next Picote Open House is in Phoenix, Arizona 4-5 November, followed by Porvoo, Finland 18-19 November.