In 1992, the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors was successful in its application to the Charity Commission to become recognised as an educational charity, as a result of which it had to establish a separate company to carry out its commercial activities. SURCO Limited was therefore incorporated as the Institution's marketing and publications company and publishes Civil Engineering Surveyor for the Institution. In addition to activities that are specific to the Institution, it identifies and develops other publications and initiatives relative to construction.

Publications
SURCO produces the Insitution's journal, Civil Engineering Surveyor, ten times per annum, together with a number of yearly supplements, namely: Electronic SurveyingConstruction Law Review; GIS/GPS; and the ICES Yearbook and Directory of Members. From 2001, the Construction Industry Compendium is to be produced on an bi-annual basis -- and the Professional Constructor magazine will be produced as an annual supplement. For details see the following page. In addition, a new 7th Edition of The Reference Manual for Construction Plant Incorporating the Surveyors' Guide to Civil Engineering Plant has just been published.

SURCO Bookshop
The Institution adds to its own list of publications when subjects and authors knowledgeable in geospatial engineering or commercial management have been identified. Construction publications are available for sale to Institution members and others, by mail order through the SURCO Bookshop and a catalogue is available on request. Member discounts are available on most publications.

Conferences
Conferences and major lectures are organised by SURCO on behalf of the Institution and other seminars are arranged by local region committees.

Training Courses
Training courses on topics relevant to commercial management and geospatial engineering are regularly held in the head office training suite and a scheduled programme is available on request. The same courses, or other tailor made courses, can be held in-house on employers' premises and costs can be advised, dependent on the individual requirements.

Business Associates
For those businesses whose employees do not qualify for Institution membership, Business Associate membership will enable them to follow developments in the profession and regularly receive publications and other information from the Institution. Benefits include copies of Civil Engineering Surveyor, web site entry, inclusion in the directory of Business Associates and discounted rates at conferences and for publications.

Future Developments
New products which the Company hopes to develop in the coming year are likely to be a new publication of the Surveyor's Guide to Civil Engineering Plant and supplements on various geospatial engineering specialisms. In addition, SURCO ­ as agents of the Institution ­ will be acquiring an interest in a new e-commerce business, which is expected to be launched in the Spring and which will provide construction information, statistics and services to the Industry.

Board of Directors
CK Blackwell (Managing Director)

AH Palmer (Director of Conferences)

BJD Spain (Director of Publications)

AP Glover (Commercial Director)

JT Wright