The Federation of Piling Specialists

What The Federation of Piling Specialists does

The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is the UK trade association for foundation contractors, founded in 1964 and structured as a Company Limited by Guarantee with headquarters in Faversham, Kent. It represents 48 member and associate member companies undertaking piling and geotechnical works across the UK and Ireland, with membership gated by an independent audit programme covering technical ability, quality management, sustainability, safety, and training. The organisation is lean, operating with approximately 8 staff and a committee-led governance model spanning Executive, Commercial, Technical, HSOP, Sustainability, and Early Career groups.

FPS delivers its offering through a portfolio of non-product services rather than commercial software. Core deliverables include technical guidance documents, industry position papers (Eurocode design, working platforms, retention, project bank accounts), safety alerts, and a Concrete Blockage Incident Reporting System. Digital tools include the FPS Project Map (an interactive map of member ground engineering projects), the EFFC/DFI Carbon Calculator (EU-recognised carbon reporting tool for foundations), a Rig Bearing Pressure Spreadsheet, and a Digital Project Database launched in March 2026 with 12 contributing members. Training is delivered via the Level 2 Piling Attendant apprenticeship (with CITA and Sheffield College), a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship in Geotechnical Engineering co-developed with five UK universities, and a Ground Forum Mentoring Scheme. Industry engagement is anchored by the annual FPS Awards (10th anniversary edition in 2026), Golf Days, Summer Balls, and a monthly podcast sponsored by Central Piling.

FPS is funded by recurring annual membership subscriptions from full members (piling contractors) and associate members (suppliers, equipment dealers), supplemented by event ticketing and sponsorship revenue (Awards tickets at £301+, Golf Days at ~£115/head, Summer Balls at £135–£195). The organisation does not sell products in the conventional sense; its "distribution" is the FPS website, member events, and direct engagement with regulators, industry bodies (Ground Forum, Build UK, EFFC, DFI, AGS, BDA, JCT), and charity partners (Mates in Mind, Lighthouse Club, Construction Youth Trust). No external investors, parent company, or acquisitions are present, and no revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

The Federation of Piling Specialists

Legal name

The Federation of Piling Specialists

Website

https://fps.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Federation of Piling Specialists is the UK trade association for foundation contractors, representing 48 member and associate member companies across the UK and Ireland. It delivers an independently audited membership programme, technical guidance, training apprenticeships, industry events, and digital tools including the EFFC/DFI Carbon Calculator and FPS Project Map.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association / Industry Body (Piling and Foundation Contracting)

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review) (IMAFAOAK)

Keywords

• Piling contractors association
• Geotechnical engineering standards
• Foundation contracting industry
• Ground engineering body
• Piling industry guidance

Headquarters

HQ city

Faversham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: FPS generates revenue through annual membership fees from full members (piling contractors) and associate members (suppliers, equipment dealers). Membership includes benefits such as audit recognition, guidance documents, training access, and networking.
2. Event Ticketing and Sponsorship: Revenue from hosting industry events including the annual FPS Awards (tickets at £301+ per person, with sponsorship packages), Golf Days, Summer Balls, and workshops. The 2026 Awards event brings together 300+ industry figures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is a Company Limited by Guarantee trade association for foundation contractors in the UK and Ireland. It provides audited membership, technical guidance, training, industry events, awards and representation for the piling and geotechnical sector. Members are assessed on technical ability, quality management, sustainability, safety and training.

Product overview

The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is a trade association (industry body) for foundation contractors, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of membership services including an interactive FPS Project Map for locating piling contractors, guidance documents covering piling specification and safety, position papers on industry issues, a digital project database, career development programs including apprenticeships and mentoring, a concrete blockage incident reporting system, rig bearing pressure estimation tools, annual awards, events/webinars, podcasts, and carbon reporting tools. These are services provided to members of the trade association rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Audited Membership (Full Members) Annual subscription membership for piling and foundation contractors in the UK and Ireland, with audited assessment of technical ability, quality management, sustainability, safety and training. Includes access to technical guidance, events, awards and representation. For foundation contracting firms.
• Associate Membership Annual subscription membership for suppliers, manufacturers and service providers to the foundation contracting sector, providing access to the FPS network, technical committees, events and sponsorship opportunities. For supply chain partners.
• FPS Project Map Online map resource listing piling and geotechnical projects across the UK and Ireland, provided to members and the wider industry to showcase foundation contracting activity. For FPS members, clients, and specifiers.
• FPS Digital Database Digital reference database maintained by the Federation of Piling Specialists as a technical and resource hub for the foundation contracting sector. For FPS members and industry stakeholders.
• EFFC Carbon Calculator Carbon footprint calculator for foundation contracting works, used by members to estimate emissions on piling projects. For FPS members and the wider ground engineering sector.
• Rig Bearing Pressure Spreadsheet Tool Spreadsheet tool for calculating rig bearing pressures on piling sites, supporting safe rig setup and ground-bearing assessments. For FPS members and piling contractors.
• FPS Awards and Industry Events Annual awards programme and industry events celebrating achievement in foundation contracting, including ticketed events and sponsorship opportunities. For FPS members, clients and the wider industry.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• Mates in MindcoreOthersFPS is a charity partner of Mates in Mind, a leading UK charity changing the conversation around mental health in the workplace, with a strong focus on construction. FPS commits to raising funds through its social events and supports the charity's mission to raise awareness and address the stigma of poor mental health.
• The Lighthouse ClubminorOthersFPS strategically supports The Lighthouse Club, a construction industry charity that provides financial support and assistance to workers and their families in times of need.
• ICE Benevolent FundminorOthersFPS supports the ICE Benevolent Fund, which provides support to civil engineers and their families.
• Construction Youth TrustminorOthersFPS supports Construction Youth Trust, which helps young people from low-income backgrounds reach their full career potential within construction and the built environment.
• CITA (Construction Industry Training Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS partners with CITA to deliver the Level 2 Piling Attendant apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is 18-24 months in duration and is funded through the apprenticeship levy or 5% SME contribution.
• Sheffield CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS partners with Sheffield College to deliver the Level 2 Piling Attendant apprenticeship programme.
• Build UKmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS engages with Build UK to explore how the FPS Audit may align with wider industry competence requirements. FPS is considering whether its audit process can provide a more sector-specific benchmark for specialist geotechnical contractors.
• Ground ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGround Forum brings together FPS with AGS, BDA, and other industry bodies to coordinate input on ground engineering competence frameworks, data sharing, standards, and procurement practice. FPS is involved in Ground Forum Mentoring Scheme.
• AGS (Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS collaborates with AGS on position papers relating to data sharing and ground investigation, and on promoting better standards around ground investigation, data sharing and procurement practice.
• BDA (British Drilling Association)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS collaborates with BDA on industry standards and guidance related to ground investigation and drilling practices.
• JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS engages with JCT on proposed Design Sub-Contract items and continued communication on contract matters affecting piling contractors.
• EFFC (European Federation of Foundation Contractors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS collaborates with EFFC on global sustainability guides promoting carbon reduction, circular economy, and water reduction. FPS is engaged in EFFC carbon calculator development recognised by EU as official carbon reporting tool for foundations.
• DFI (Deep Foundations Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS works with DFI on global guides for sustainability and standards. DFI is involved in bringing geotechnical contracting together toward common goals and standards.
• Swansea UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwansea University provided research support for FPS on CFA concrete line clearing procedures, with modelling supporting the theory that grout pumping helps keep aggregate in suspension and reduces blockage risks.
• Universities (Portsmouth, Birmingham, Leeds, Kingston, Imperial)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPS worked with universities to develop the Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship in Geotechnical Engineering. Universities are contributing to design of the apprenticeship which aims for ICE accreditation for academic route to chartership.
• Fatigue SciencemoderateTechnology or IntegrationFPS partnered with Fatigue Science to raise awareness about how travel and working patterns influence worker sleep quality and quantity. Data analysis was shared with the industry.
• Remedy Geotechnics LtdmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerRemedy Geotechnics, led by Dr Derek Egan, develops and presents the FPS Rig Bearing Pressure Workshop training, explaining how to use the spreadsheet tool correctly using worked examples.
• BREEAMminorOthersFPS references BREEAM certification in its sustainability guidance, which is an environmental assessment method for buildings evaluating performance in areas such as pollution, waste and ecological impact.
• CEEQUALminorOthersFPS references CEEQUAL in sustainability guidance as an assessment scheme for civil engineering and public sector projects.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC): The pan-European trade association for foundation contractors. EFFC is a direct partner and co-developer of the EFFC/DFI Carbon Calculator with FPS, operating at a broader geographic scope but serving a similar membership mandate.
• Build UK: UK construction industry representative body. Build UK is exploring alignment with the FPS Audit for wider industry competence frameworks, serving construction broadly with FPS positioned as a sector-specific specialist member.
• Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): Global non-profit serving the deep foundations industry. DFI is FPS's co-development partner on the carbon calculator and global sustainability guides, making it a peer association serving overlapping specialist contractor audiences internationally.

Direct peers

• British Drilling Association (BDA): UK trade body representing drilling contractors. BDA collaborates with FPS on ground investigation and drilling standards, serving an adjacent specialist contractor community within the same ground engineering ecosystem.
• Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS): UK trade association for geotechnical and geoenvironmental specialists. AGS is a Ground Forum partner alongside FPS and serves overlapping consultants and contractors in the UK ground engineering sector with comparable standards-setting and data-sharing activities.

Peers

• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB):

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FPS_Piling
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FederationofPilingSpecialists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-federation-of-piling-specialists

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Federation of Piling Specialists