Peter Northam likes to think he's at the cutting edge of road safety. Hong Kong's Highways Department would agree.
His scarifying machines - the size of a lawn mower - cut grooves into road surfaces to help vehicles brake and accelerate on concrete surfaces in slippery conditions. 'During the wet weather that's when there are problems ... a lot of the concrete areas are too smooth,' he said.
The establishment of ACS Surfacers in 2005 was a natural step for a man who had first-hand experience of what needed to de done to make Hong Kong's roads safer.
British-born, he moved to Hong Kong in 1983 to join his expatriate parents after completing his education. His first job was marketing for a company contracted to do concrete repairs. He moved to a company selling British-made machines and was sent for training in Britain, where he learned about surface preparations and concrete finishing. It was while selling and renting the machines that Mr Northam recognised the need for specialist contractors in Hong Kong to make road surfaces safer, particularly during the typhoon season. He also recognised the demand in the construction sector.
ACS Surfacers uses a range of machines that scarify concrete by applying a tungsten-tipped cutting wheel to the surface. The machines have recently passed the industry 'sand patch test', which determines the depth of surface texture.
Mr Northam said a major part of their work were bus stops with concrete surfaces, particularly where heavy vehicles are trying to pull away on an incline. Pitfalls are also presented by surface oil, which can make stopping a bus hazardous.
The company has recently done work at three locations in San Po Kong - one at a bus stop on an incline. Traffic junctions, which commonly have concrete surfaces covered in oil are also safety black spots that need to be 'grooved' for safety, Mr Northam said.