In a multi-year, fleet-wide deployment across hundreds of excavators, Network Plus becomes the first to deploy RodRadar's new, world-first 30cm LDR system, in partnership with UK distributor Machinetech, to pioneer a new standard for excavation safety

Worsley, Greater Manchester, July 22, 2026. Network Plus, one of the UK's leading national utility and infrastructure contractors, today announced a landmark, multi-year partnership to deploy RodRadar's Live Dig Radar® (LDR) technology across its entire national fleet.

Serving major UK asset owners including Severn Trent Water, Cadent Gas, National Grid, and UK Power Networks, Network Plus will roll out RodRadar's LDR Excavate™ technology across its repair and maintenance fleet of more than 200 machines over a multi-year programme. The planned rollout marks a decisive shift toward eliminating underground utility strikes, an industry-wide safety challenge across UK construction.

According to University of Birmingham research, the UK suffers over 60,000 utility strikes every year, costing the economy an estimated £2.4 billion annually in project delays, traffic gridlock, and severe safety risks to site crews.

A World-First Solution for Tight Urban Spaces

The partnership traces back to Machinetech, RodRadar's exclusive UK distributor, which identified Network Plus's strike-risk challenge and introduced the contractor to LDR. Recognizing that the highest density of shallow, high-risk utilities is found in congested urban environments, Network Plus challenged RodRadar to scale down its proven technology.

In response, RodRadar engineered the Type 0 LDR Excavate, the world's first-ever 30cm (12") wide digging bucket embedded with live, intelligence-driven ground-penetrating radar. Following successful field trials supported by Machinetech, the system proved it delivers real-time, AI-classified alerts directly to the operator the moment a utility is detected.

Dave Fleming, Head of Plant at Network Plus, commented: "Utility strikes are a costly, high-risk disruption, and preventing them is a priority across our operations. RodRadar's LDR technology is a complete game changer for risk management. By rolling this out across our fleet, we will not just protect our crews and assets, we will guarantee a best-in-class, uninterrupted service for our clients and the millions of UK citizens who rely on their infrastructure."

Setting a New Global Standard: "Zero Strikes"

Yuval Barnea, VP Sales and Marketing at RodRadar, stated: "Network Plus operates at a scale that demands the absolute pinnacle of site safety and operational efficiency. We are incredibly proud they have chosen our field-proven Live Dig Radar to protect their workforce and their customers' infrastructure. This massive nationwide deployment brings us a giant step closer to making 'Zero Strikes' the global industry standard."

RodRadar's patented technology detects underground utilities in real-time, during excavation, at the moment the risk is live. By providing the operator with immediate visual and audio alerts exactly when they are needed the most, it acts as a digital safety net, preventing utilities from turning into catastrophic strikes.

"Helping a contractor operating at this scale adopt real-time strike prevention is exactly the safety impact we set out to deliver for the UK market," added Ash Mills, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Machinetech. "As RodRadar's exclusive Distributor, we are proud to bring Live Dig Radar to Network Plus, and are committed to providing comprehensive, on-the-ground support throughout this nationwide rollout."

ABOUT RODRADAR

RodRadar Ltd. is the developer of the Live Dig Radar® (LDR), a patented real-time ground-penetrating radar technology designed for excavators. The LDR Excavate is the first-ever GPR system integrated into a digging bucket, detecting underground utilities in real time during excavation and alerting operators to their location and depth. RodRadar's mission is to eliminate utility strikes and create the industry's first Zero-Strike Excavation Platform. Founded in 2013, key RodRadar investors include industry leaders such as Brick & Mortar Ventures, Tesya Group (RodRadar's Distributor for Italy, Spain and Portugal), Mayer Group (a distributor of Volvo CE in Israel), Dysruptek (Haskell's ventures arm) and HOLT Ventures (HOLT CAT ventures arm). For more information, visit rodradar.com.

ABOUT NETWORK PLUS

Network Plus is a leading utility and infrastructure service provider, delivering essential services to millions of customers across the UK every day. Established in 2000 and headquartered in Worsley, Greater Manchester, the Network Plus Group operates from over 95 regional depot bases and satellite offices nationwide. Network Plus provides a full range of proactive and reactive services across water, wastewater, energy and transport networks, working in partnership with the UK's major utility providers. Group companies include Go Traffic Management (GTM), one of the UK's leading traffic management providers, Littlewood Group, a specialist in barriers and security fencing, and Claret Civil Engineering, a specialist civil engineering contractor. More information: www.networkplus.co.uk.

ABOUT MACHINETECH

Machinetech is the exclusive UK & Ireland distributor of RodRadar's award-winning Live Dig Radar® technology, delivering innovative excavation safety solutions to the construction, utilities, rail, highways, and infrastructure sectors. Combining expert installation, training, and technical support with industry-leading underground asset detection technology, Machinetech helps organisations prevent utility strikes, enhance site safety, improve operational efficiency, and dig with confidence.