We are incredibly proud to announce that Core Drilling Specialists has been honoured with the Diamond Award 2025 by the International Association of Concrete Drillers and Sawers (IACDS) — a global recognition of excellence, innovation, and leadership in the concrete cutting and drilling industry.
This prestigious accolade is a major milestone in our company’s history and serves as an international endorsement of the quality, safety, and technical excellence that define our work across Scotland and beyond.
What Is the IACDS Diamond Award?
The IACDS Diamond Award is one of the highest honours in the global concrete cutting and drilling sector. Presented annually, it recognises companies that demonstrate:
- Outstanding technical execution
- Innovation in concrete sawing and drilling applications
- Commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practices
- Contribution to advancing industry standards
It is awarded following a rigorous judging process that includes project evaluation, technical documentation, sustainability impact, and overall presentation. To be recognised by a body as respected and internationally connected as IACDS is an achievement we are proud to share with our team, our clients, and the wider construction community.
A Spotlight on Our Award-Winning Work: Tunnel Vision at the Scottish National Galleries
Among our award submission highlights was the Tunnel Vision project—an enormous undertaking at the Scottish National Galleries that stands as the largest project of its kind Core Drilling Specialists has ever tackled.
Part of a £38.63 million renovation, our role in this landmark development was multi-faceted due to the complexity of the structural alterations and the unknowns within the historic fabric of the building. Spread over three challenging phases, the project required constant problem-solving, flexibility, and seamless coordination with other stakeholders.
Crucially, The Gallery remained open to the public throughout the entire duration, which demanded our close collaboration with Temporary Works Engineers to adapt and re-engineer their designs in real time, ensuring safe execution within tight spatial and public constraints.
A key operational challenge was the removal of mass concrete. Our team utilised 360-degree excavators across two levels to lift materials from the lower substructure up to ground level, where it was safely removed from site. Acknowledging the environmental impact, we brought in an external waste management partner to handle material responsibly, strategically placing skips for optimal site flow and reduced disruption.
This project exemplifies our capacity to manage high-stakes environments, cultural sensitivities, technical limitations—and still deliver with exceptional quality.
A Win That Reflects Years of Dedication
Our win in 2025 reflects not just one project or innovation, but years of steady growth, continuous investment, and a company-wide commitment to excellence. From specialist concrete cutting in high-security facilities to precision diamond drilling in infrastructure projects, Core Drilling Specialists has built a reputation for taking on technically demanding jobs and delivering with consistency.
The winning submission included a showcase of one of our most complex projects to date, involving:
- Remote-controlled robotic demolition in a live healthcare setting using Brokk machinery
- High-precision wall and floor sawing with minimal disruption to surrounding structures
- Innovative noise and dust control measures for sensitive environments
- Collaborative engineering planning with contractors, designers, and stakeholders
A Testament to Our Team
At the heart of this award is our incredible team. From engineers and operatives on the ground to project managers and support staff behind the scenes, this award is a reflection of their skill, professionalism, and tireless work ethic.
Winning this award demonstrates that Scottish based contractors can compete and win on a global stage. It also speaks to the value of our ongoing investments in:
- Training and development
- New vehicles and logistics
- High-performance equipment
What This Means for Our Clients
For our clients, this award offers assurance that when you choose Core Drilling, you’re choosing a company that:
- Meets and exceeds international best practice
- Operates to the highest health and safety standards
- Has the capability to manage complex, large-scale, and sensitive environments
- Is constantly innovating to deliver better results, faster and safer
We are proud to set the bar for excellence in the concrete drilling and cutting sector and will continue to raise that bar with every project we undertake.
Building on Global Recognition
As we look to the future, this award energises our mission to stay at the forefront of our industry. With demand for specialist services growing across infrastructure, energy, healthcare, commercial construction, and civil engineering, Core Drilling Specialists is poised for a new chapter of innovation and delivery.
We’d like to thank the IACDS, our dedicated team, our clients, and our partners for helping make this achievement possible. We share this award with all of you.