BCM GRC is a UK‑based manufacturer of Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC), supplying the rail, utilities and architectural sectors for several decades
Based at its manufacturing facility in Whitchurch, Shropshire, the company supports major infrastructure programmes with proven products designed to deliver compliance, reliability and long‑term performance in demanding environments.
Within the rail sector, BCM GRC works closely with asset owners, designers and delivery teams to reduce risk while improving buildability and on‑site efficiency. Although ground‑installed cable troughing is often preferred at design stage, it is frequently rendered impractical by site conditions. Congested buried services, contaminated or unstable ground, high water tables, bridges and viaducts, or the need to avoid excavation around live assets can all prevent below‑ground installation. In these circumstances, BCM GRC provides an approved elevated cable trough system.
Manufactured from Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, GRC provides a compelling combination of lightweight handling, high durability and inherent non‑combustibility (A1 classified). These attributes support safer installation, resilience in demanding environments, and the elimination of fire load associated with combustible materials.
As awareness of lineside fire risk has increased, fire safety has become a central consideration in infrastructure decision‑making. Network Rail’s Emergency Change NR/BS/LI/503, introduced following incidents involving polymer troughing, has reinforced the need to consider real‑world fire behaviour rather than relying solely on historic standards. In this context, BCM GRC’s cement‑based, non‑combustible products align strongly with the industry’s direction of travel, providing a pragmatic means of reducing fire load and limiting fire spread in sensitive locations.
Durability and whole‑life value remain equally important for senior stakeholders. Secondary or replaceable civil engineering components are typically expected to achieve a minimum service life of 25 years. BCM GRC’s products are well proven in harsh railway environments, comfortably meeting and exceeding this requirement in line with Product Acceptance PA05/00072. GRC performs reliably in exposed conditions, resists weathering and contamination, and requires minimal maintenance, delivering predictable long‑term performance and lower whole‑life costs for asset owners.
Installation efficiency is also critical, particularly where access constraints, limited possessions or programme risk are present. Compared with traditional precast concrete, GRC systems are up to 80 per cent lighter, reducing transport requirements and enabling manual installation without cranes or heavy lifting equipment. This supports faster installation, improves safety in live rail environments and enables efficient delivery on constrained or remote sites.
Alongside the visible lineside products, BCM GRC Ltd has been heavily involved in the architectural elements of the modern railway, supplying highly visible curved GRC to the stations and concourses on Crossrail, and cladding the revised signalling centres over the last decade. In a less visible way, GRC and BCM GRC, has been used for drainage and permanent formwork on bridge structures for over 30 years.
BCM GRC Ltd is proud to support the UK rail network, and we are always open and willing to discuss any projects with stakeholders, engineers or operatives. Please give us a call.
Tel: 01948 665321
Email: info@bcmgrc.com
Visit: www.bcmgrc.com
