RVA Group’s managing director Richard Vann recently took to the stage at the inaugural Russian Demolition Forum in Moscow, as industry professionals from around the world gathered to share ideas, expertise and visions for the future of the sector.
Following an in-depth two-day agenda, here are Richard’s 3 key takeaways from the event:
- Firstly, this was an ambitious event programme to deliver, given the number of guests who were invited to attend from a wide range of truly global locations. But the bold plan did pay off. This wasn’t just a testament to the event organisers – it also reminded everyone involved just how many talented, experienced and forward-thinking people there are in what remains a very niche area of engineering.
I have played a part in delivering almost 800 RVA projects around the world and believe our network is very strong, but I still made some very interesting and valuable contacts when I was in Moscow.
- The importance of cross-cultural knowledge transfer cannot be underestimated. Approaches naturally differ from one country to the next, as do attitudes to environmental protection, health and safety standards, best practice on-site techniques, and more. But the triangulation of expertise – via events such as this – plays a crucial part in raising standards on a truly global level.
Over the years we’ve seen so many examples of locally ‘acceptable’ standards, often driven by the legislative benchmark in the country concerned. But in parts of the world where the demolition profession has advanced significantly – such as Western Europe – minimum standards stretch far beyond legislative compliance alone.
The more we – as an industry – can share project scenarios, learnings and ideas, the greater our EHS awareness as a collective.
- It was great to see the appetite to form a new demolition federation in Russia, off the back of this first successful forum. If such a strong will can be stimulated following a single event, it will be very exciting to see how this association takes shape with continued dialogue, meetings and future events.
It is a privilege to have been involved from the outset and we look forward to seeing what happens next…
