OCL Group
OCL Group is a privately held UK specialist contractor delivering civil engineering, building, M&E services, and labour supply to the rail industry, primarily serving Network Rail, London Underground, and tier-1 rail contractors from its Essex base with nearly 100 employees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBenfleet, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What OCL Group does
OCL Group Ltd is a privately held UK specialist contractor headquartered in Benfleet, Essex, founded in 2007 by James Cooper. The company delivers civil engineering, building, and mechanical & electrical (M&E) services to the rail and construction industries, with deep concentration in Network Rail and London Underground infrastructure projects. OCL operates four integrated divisions — Civil Engineering, Building, M&E Services, and Recruitment and Labour Supply — and serves both principal contractors (including Giffen Group, SSE Rail Enterprise, Skanska, Costain, BAM Nuttall, and Keltbray) and end clients directly, with disclosed cumulative contract wins of £12.5M across individual projects ranging from £44k to £656k. A notable proprietary product is the OCL PolyBridge system, designed in-house in 2017 and approved by both Network Rail and TfL, which functions as a modular track-crossing access solution installed in 20 minutes and is offered for hire or sale.
The business generates revenue through three streams: specialist contracting (project-based pricing on multi-year framework agreements), recruitment and labour supply (daily/contract unit pricing across trades from £85 to £230 per day, drawing on a 10,000+ personnel database), and PolyBridge equipment hire and sales. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to rail principal contractors and end clients, with project bids, framework agreements, and long-term relationship-based development; no intermediaries or resellers are used. OCL holds the maximum 5-star RISQS rating, UKAS-accredited ISO 9001/14001, OHSAS 18001, Constructionline Gold, CHAS, SafeContractor, FORS, NICEIC, and REC corporate membership, and reports zero RIDDORs since 2007, with over 10% of profits reinvested annually in workforce training. The company employs nearly 100 people across Benfleet and Rochford, with the original ten founding operatives still on the team.
OCL Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OCL Group
- Legal name
- OCL Group Ltd
- Website
- https://oclgroup.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OCL Group is a privately held UK specialist contractor delivering civil engineering, building, M&E services, and labour supply to the rail industry, primarily serving Network Rail, London Underground, and tier-1 rail contractors from its Essex base with nearly 100 employees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where OCL Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Benfleet
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
OCL Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Specialist Contracting Services: Civil engineering, building, and M&E services delivered as a contractor and subcontractor to the rail industry. Projects range from £55,000 to £656,000 in contract value. Services include civil works, electrical installations, cable management systems, and infrastructure upgrades for Network Rail and London Underground projects.
- Recruitment and Labour Supply: Supply of skilled trades and labour to domestic, construction and rail industries. Maintains a database of over 10,000 personnel. Supplies white collar and blue collar professionals to clients nationally with core operations in London and surrounding counties.
- PolyBridge Equipment Hire and Sales: Proprietary modular access bridges available for hire (any duration) or purchase (bespoke). Each bridge is custom-fabricated to client track requirements. Hire includes full installation guidance, design drawings, and task briefings. Bridges are fully serviced after hire return including anti-slip flooring and GRP handrail integrity tests.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Labour Supply - Rail Positions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Labour Supply - Electrical Positions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Labour Supply - Tradesmen |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Labour Supply - LUL Positions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project Contracts |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
OCL Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OCL Group is a self-delivering specialist contractor operating four integrated divisions: Civil Engineering, Building, Mechanical & Electrical Services, and Recruitment/Labour Supply. The company primarily delivers rail infrastructure projects (civil works, electrical installations, cable management, station refurbishments) for Network Rail, London Underground and tier-1 contractors, alongside a labour supply division with a 10,000+ personnel database and a proprietary OCL PolyBridge modular access system available for hire or purchase.
Product overview
OCL Group is a specialized contractor operating across civil engineering, building, and mechanical and electrical sectors of the construction industry with a focus on rail infrastructure. The company operates four key divisions — Civil Engineering, Building, M&E Services, and Recruitment and Labour Supply — that work together on an integrated and collaborative basis. Their core service offerings include civil engineering works (ground works, concreting, resurfacing, drainage, platform extensions), electrical and mechanical services (cable management systems, LV/ HV installations, testing and commissioning), general building services (brickwork, plastering, roofing, carpentry), and a proprietary labour supply division with a 10,000+ personnel database. The company also offers a proprietary OCL Polybridges product — an innovative modular access bridging system for rail infrastructure originally designed in 2017 and approved for use on both Network Rail and TFL networks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OCL Polybridges: Proprietary polybridge access system designed for rail infrastructure, allowing heavy machinery and materials to cross tracks safely. Available for hire or purchase, approved for use on both TFL and Network Rail infrastructures.
Products and services
- Civil Engineering Services Comprehensive civil engineering services including project management, ground works, concreting, resurfacing, drainage, platform extensions, and fencing, delivered to rail and construction clients. For rail infrastructure projects primarily on Network Rail and London Underground networks.
- Electrical and Mechanical Services Full electrical and mechanical services including supply and installation, cable management systems (CRMS), cable pulling, design and coordination, testing and commissioning, LVAC, HVAC, and fibre optics installations. For rail infrastructure projects (signalling, power upgrades, sub-mains) and commercial clients.
- General Building Services Building services encompassing brickwork, plastering, roofing, tiling, landscaping, extensions, carpentry, and conversions for commercial and domestic projects.
- Labour Supply and Recruitment Services Recruitment and labour supply division providing vetted and qualified workers from a database of 10,000+ personnel for communications, electrical, wet trades, plant operatives, and general operatives across the construction, civil, mechanical and electrical sectors. REC Corporate Member.
- OCL PolyBridges Proprietary modular polybridge access system designed in-house for rail infrastructure. Network Rail and TfL approved, with built-in GRP handrails conforming to Section K2 of Building Regulations and BS 6399. Can be installed in under 20 minutes by 4 trained personnel and supports plant equipment including diggers, piling machines, and forklifts. Each bridge is bespoke to track layout requirements. Available for hire (any duration) or purchase. Achieves productivity increases up to 500% versus conventional temporary access methods.
Quantifiable outcome
- Productivity increase up to 500% when using PolyBridge for spoil removal and material transport vs conventional personnel methods
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use OCL Group
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OCL Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
OCL Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and community.
- Network RailcoreDirect client relationship as specialist contractor delivering rail infrastructure projects. OCL has operated at forefront of largest civil and electrical projects within both London Underground and Network Rail. Supplier pre-qualified through RISQS scheme.
- London UndergroundcoreMajor client with multiple projects including SWIP framework (5-year contract, extensible to 8 years). OCL has worked on majority of LU stations and track areas. Delivered signal room installations, power upgrades, cable management systems, and step-free access projects.
- Giffen GroupcoreLong-term strategic partner for rail infrastructure projects. Multiple joint projects including Neasden Depot NDUP (£656,000), Old Dalby Test Track (£112,000), various SER installations. OCL described as working in conjunction with Giffen Group on major projects.
- SSE Rail EnterprisecoreStrong relationship delivering SER works at multiple stations. Projects at Ruislip and Northwood valued at £400,000 and £300,000 respectively. SSE described as awarding packages of works to OCL based on strong relationship.
- VincimajorJoint project delivery on Warren Street Sub Mains project alongside London Underground and Giffen Group.
- ThalesmajorPartnership on London Underground signalling and power upgrade projects. OCL worked in Thales-planned possessions delivering LVAC power upgrades at multiple stations.
- SkanskamajorTier-1 contractor relationship within rail infrastructure sector.
- CostainmajorTier-1 contractor relationship within rail infrastructure sector.
- KeltbraymajorCross Rail Pudding Mill Lane OLE enhancement project valued at £475,000. Project crossed both DLR and NWR infrastructure.
- BAM NuttallmajorTier-1 contractor relationship within rail infrastructure sector.
- SercomajorPartnership on Old Dalby Test Track ATC project delivering cable route management systems for signalling.
- Fourway CommunicationscoreLong-term relationship spanning 10+ years for civis and electrical projects within rail sector. Contracts Director Paul Mansell has maintained relationship based on OCL's reliability and quality delivery.
- Braybrook Building and RailcorePartnership on Hockley Station project - 52-hour weekend possession successfully delivered through early engagement and collaborative planning.
- Essex Cancer ResearchcommunityPrimary charitable partner. OCL donates percentage of time and profits annually. Partnership formed in memory of Tracey Cooper, employee who passed away at age 36 from cervical cancer. OCL supports fundraising events and clinical research for cancer trials.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OCL Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OCL Group social profiles
Digital presenceOCL Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
OCL Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OCL Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
OCL Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OCL Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OCL Group
What does OCL Group do?
OCL Group is a self-delivering specialist contractor operating four integrated divisions: Civil Engineering, Building, Mechanical & Electrical Services, and Recruitment/Labour Supply. The company primarily delivers rail infrastructure projects (civil works, electrical installations, cable management, station refurbishments) for Network Rail, London Underground and tier-1 contractors, alongside a labour supply division with a 10,000+ personnel database and a proprietary OCL PolyBridge modular access system available for hire or purchase.
Is OCL Group a public or private company?
OCL Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OCL Group founded?
OCL Group was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OCL Group based?
OCL Group is headquartered in Benfleet, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does OCL Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Specialist Contracting Services are the primary driver. The others are recruitment and Labour Supply and polyBridge Equipment Hire and Sales.
Does OCL Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for OCL Group.