Breaking New Ground in Northern Ireland: CCC Roofing & Cladding Takes Cleaning to New Heights with the ABZ C10

How one of the UK’s early adopters of drone cleaning technology overcame regulatory challenges and unlocked new business opportunities with the ABZ C10.

Cleaning roofs, industrial buildings, and hard-to-reach surfaces has traditionally required scaffolding, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), and significant planning. For CCC Roofing & Cladding in Northern Ireland, these challenges became the starting point for a new approach: professional drone cleaning with the ABZ Innovation C10.

As the first UK customer to purchase the ABZ C10, CCC Roofing & Cladding has reached another important milestone by securing SORA authorisation for its drone cleaning operations. Today, the company is demonstrating how innovative technology can transform traditional cleaning services while opening doors to entirely new markets.

From Access Challenges to Drone Cleaning

The journey began with a solar panel cleaning project.

Difficult access conditions made the job more time-consuming and expensive than expected. Determined to provide a solution rather than turn the customer away, Roddy from CCC Roofing & Cladding began exploring alternatives.

Before adopting drone cleaning technology, projects involving roofs that could not be safely accessed on foot often required specialist scaffolding or MEWPs. These solutions added costs and could create disruption for customers.

The ABZ C10 offered a different approach: reaching elevated surfaces without relying on the same extensive access equipment.

A Ten-Month Journey to SORA Authorisation

Becoming one of the first companies to introduce professional drone cleaning in Northern Ireland was not without challenges.

Although CCC Roofing & Cladding had already purchased its ABZ C10, obtaining the necessary SORA authorisation proved to be the biggest obstacle.

The process took approximately ten months, requiring persistence, additional documentation, and close cooperation with experienced industry professionals.

“The process is a demanding one, and not for the faint hearted! Without help from The Bionic Eye, I may not have persevered at all,” Roddy recalls.

Throughout the process, The Bionic Eye, ABZ Innovation’s UK partner, provided guidance and support, helping CCC Roofing & Cladding navigate the challenges associated with introducing this new technology.

Roddy also completed his GVC pilot qualification through Drone Pilot Academy in Northern Ireland and attended a practical ABZ C10 demonstration and training session with Andrew and Quinton from The Bionic Eye.

The company’s determination ultimately paid off.

With customers already waiting for the service, CCC Roofing & Cladding completed its first paid drone cleaning project just days after receiving authorisation.

Real-World Benefits: Efficiency, Flexibility, and Less Disruption

For Roddy, one of the biggest surprises was how efficient and straightforward the ABZ C10 became to operate after the initial learning period.

“The efficiency and ease of use surprised me,” he explains.

While getting familiar with the software and setup involved a learning curve, practical experience quickly made the process easier.

Customers have also responded positively to the technology.

Drone cleaning attracts attention during operations, with both existing and potential customers interested in how the system works and what it can achieve.

In busy urban locations, where conventional access equipment can be particularly challenging to deploy, drone cleaning offers new possibilities. Industrial customers also appreciate the potential to reduce disruption to their day-to-day activities compared with traditional access methods.

Opening Doors to New Markets

For CCC Roofing & Cladding, investing in the ABZ C10 has meant more than simply adding a new piece of equipment.

It has expanded the company’s business opportunities.

Previously focused on more conventional commercial and industrial cleaning projects, CCC Roofing & Cladding is now exploring work across a wider range of facilities, including:

• Inner-city buildings and difficult-to-access properties
• Power stations and industrial facilities
• Animal feed mills
• Entertainment venues
• Factories and retail parks

Many of these projects would previously have been difficult to quote for or outside the company’s usual scope of work.

The company’s pioneering position in Northern Ireland has also attracted attention. Roddy reports growing interest on social media, enquiries from existing and prospective customers, and even contact from competitors in England.

“We are proud of our grit and determination to complete the SORA process as well as the pilot training,” he says.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Professional Cleaning

CCC Roofing & Cladding’s story highlights the opportunities that drone technology can create for established cleaning businesses willing to innovate.

The journey required patience, investment, training, and determination. But with the ABZ C10 now operational, the company is equipped to pursue projects that would previously have presented significant access challenges.

Roddy’s advice to others considering entering the drone cleaning industry is straightforward:

“Be prepared for a long wait, follow the guidance and seek out support from those who are experienced in this field of work.”

With support from The Bionic Eye and technology from ABZ Innovation, CCC Roofing & Cladding has taken an important step towards the future of professional exterior cleaning.

At ABZ Innovation, we’re proud to see our technology helping ambitious businesses expand their capabilities, overcome traditional limitations, and create new opportunities.