They were both expanding and required extensions to their buildings. Eastern Piling were contracted to specify and install both sets of foundation piles. They used a Ruston Bucyrus RB22 crawler crane fitted with a hanging leader to insert closed-bottom cased piles driven with an internal drop hammer. Although the driver and banksman were as conscientious as could be expected, progress was torturous because communication, management, planning and logistics were problematic.

Roy and Ronald thought they could do better, so they had a chat with the rig driver Albert “Pam” Palmer and he suggested that they would need his son, Brian Palmer, and he also suggested Malcolm Rogerson as Estimator.

The five of them held equal shares in Central Piling & Foundations (East Anglia) Ltd. Brian Palmer came up with “Central” being neither West Pile nor Eastern Piling. The accountant took it on himself to register the rest of the catchy title.

They bought, refurbished and made equipment ready to go into the business of cased piling. They operated with Sudbury Sheet Metal from its small premises at Bulmer Road, Sudbury.

After the first anniversary everybody wanted out. The Palmers wanted to go back to being employed and Ronald was willing to take a small profit from a sale. Malcolm and Roy bought out the other three and continued on an equal basis.