About Vac-Ex

Vac-Ex is the trading brand of John Mee Construction Ltd and one of the UK’s pioneering and longest-established operated vacuum excavation specialists. Since introducing the UK’s first commercial vacuum excavator in 2005, the company has helped shape the development of safe, non-destructive excavation across the UK. Today, Vac-Ex provides nationwide operated vacuum and suction excavation services for utilities, rail, highways, construction and infrastructure projects using experienced CPCS-qualified operators and a modern fleet of specialist vacuum excavators.

Our non-destructive excavation methods help clients safely expose buried services, reduce the risk of utility strikes and protect underground infrastructure on projects where traditional excavation methods could cause unnecessary damage. From trial holes and potholing to major infrastructure and emergency works, Vac-Ex supports contractors throughout the UK with safe, reliable and professional operated vacuum excavation services.

Our Story

John Francis Mee founded John Mee Construction Ltd in 1993 as a civil engineering contractor specialising in deep drainage and tunnelling. In 2005, while delivering an award-winning Sheffield city centre project, the contract specified hand digging because of the high concentration of buried utilities beneath the site. Determined to find a safer and more efficient solution, John invested in the UK’s first commercial vacuum excavator.

The project was completed successfully without damaging underground services, earning two industry awards and demonstrating the benefits of vacuum excavation over traditional excavation methods. That pioneering investment helped establish John Mee Construction Ltd as one of the first companies to specialise in operated vacuum excavation in the UK and laid the foundations for what would become the Vac-Ex brand.

Following the success of this approach, the business expanded its specialist fleet and began operating under the Vac-Ex brand, focusing exclusively on operated vacuum and suction excavation services. In 2008, John F Mee established Vac-Ex Ltd as a separate manufacturing company producing compact remote vacuum excavation units. Vac-Ex Ltd continues to operate independently under John Mee’s ownership, while Vac-Ex, operated by John Mee Construction Ltd, continues to deliver nationwide operated vacuum excavation services across the UK.

Today, Vac-Ex continues to invest in specialist equipment, operator training and innovation to support utilities, rail, highways, construction and infrastructure projects throughout the UK, building on a heritage that began with the country’s first commercial vacuum excavator.