Scaffmag Issue 12

scaffmag THE SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE

ISSUE 12, 2021 SCAFFMAG.COM SCAFFOLDERS’ QUARTERLY

AHEAD OF THE CURVE MSS provides a highly technical access scaffold package to the iconic Selfridges Bullring store

PLUS

What does 2021 look like for the scaffolding industry?

KEWAZO’s LIFTBOT The Scaffold Carrying Robot

TG20:21 - New improved future-proof guidance for the scaffolding industry

ABOVE AND BEYOND

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR THE UK SCAFFOLDING INDUSTRY SINCE 1945

NATIONAL ACCESS AND SCAFFOLDING CONFEDERATION WWW.NASC.ORG.UK

RAISING THE STANDARD

GET CISRS TRAINING, GET SMART FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.CISRS.ORG.UK

Contents 64

36

REGULARS

6

NEWS ROUNDUP The latest industry news including the Selfridge’s

Bullring scaffold package by MSS, spiralling material costs

41

FEATURES

30

MODULAR Layher scaffolding plays a key role in bridge

maintenance; Peri makes significant changes internally plus

across the industry, a new Guardrail system and much more.

we speak to Enigma and HAKI about their collaboration.

14

NEWS: TRAINING

36

16

OPINION

Over 100 trainees benefiting from the new Swansea

Scaffolding Academy plus NASC take on 300 youngsters.

TECH AND SUPPORT Artem Kuchukov, co-founder of Kewazo, on the major

problems facing the sector right now; what exactly are the TG20:21 changes, and what do these mean for firms and the

Des Moore, TRAD Group CEO and NASC President,

looks at what 2021 will look like for the scaffolding industry?

work they do. Plus is AI a blessing or a curse?

48

MENTAL HEALTH Teaching And Learning Kindness Ltd founder Sacub

20

BUSINESS

us businesses can not only survive in 2021, but also grow.

mile to help with mental illness.

22

BUSINESS

53

Business owner and entrepreneur Greg Wilkes tells

How the scaffolding industry has evolved faster than

at any other time in history using technology we can visualise,

Qureshi on the challenges of looking after another human being plus a leading company in the industry going the extra

PRODUCTS New product designs from ZAPTYE, G&M Safe Deck plus

Russell Tennent, Managing Director at Leach’s, discusses five

strategise and improvise.

scaffolding trends to watch out for in 2021.

26

62

BUSINESS One Italian company is driving the world of

scaffolding forward, Grahame Anderson takes a closer look.

PROJECTS This issue focuses on projects at Sheffield Arena car

park, Clifford Tower, Hartland Abbey and Kensington High Street.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 3

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SINCE 1900

Welcome Welcome to this edition of ScaffMag. Since our last issue in December our sector and the wider construction industry has shown it still continues to hold steady, adapt, overcome and bounce back stronger.

This without doubt wouldn’t have been possible without the likes of The Site Operating Procedures issued by the Construction Leadership Council. This brilliant document allowed construction and its workers to continue safely throughout the Covid lockdowns and restrictions. Now thanks to the ongoing and remarkable UK vaccination programme deployed across the nation and with the governments recent roadmap out of lockdown announcement we can now finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For the majority of businesses 2020 was, putting it mildly ‘incredibly stressful’ but what will 2021 bring us? On page 16, Des Moore asks this very question. He believes businesses need to be creative and collaborative to survive the challenges of this year.

Meanwhile on page 20, business owner and entrepreneur Greg Wilkes discusses ways scaffolding contractors can not only survive in 2021 but also grow.

In other news, as the use of technology has kept us together throughout the pandemic it has also streamlined one of the most important guidance documents in the world of scaffolding.

TG20:21 which is set to launch in the spring has gone through a major revamp and picks up where the successful TG20:13 left off.

On page 41, we take a look at the changes and what it means for the industry. Happy reading and stay safe!

EDITORIAL Editor Daniel Norton T 01472 476024 M 07776 218831 E dan@scaffmag.com @ScaffMagDan Features writers Grahame Anderson Richard Trenchard Simon Boyes Design Demot Rushe Dermotrushe.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Des Moore Greg Wilkes Alan Scott David Probert

ADVERTISING Manager Jessica Norton T 01472 476024 M 07776 218831 E jess@scaffmag.com

PUBLISHED BY Scaffmag Ltd Office G8 The Enterprise Village Prince Albert Gardens Grimsby DN31 3AT

facebook.com/scaffolders twitter.com/ScaffoldingNews

Daniel Norton - Editor dan@scaffmag.com SCAFFMAG.COM | 5

News

SCAFFOLDERS TAKING THE BULLRING BY THE HORNS ❖ Midlands Scaffolding Services (MSS) is currently providing a colossal and highly technical access scaffold package to the world-famous iconic Selfridges store at the Bullring in Birmingham.

Appointed by main contractors BAM Construction, MSS is progressing well with its eight-month scaffolding project.

The complete access scaffolding and a huge temporary roof is being supplied to enable the replacement of the façade for improved energy efficiency and the removal and reattachment of the iconic signature 16,000 silver discs.

MSS Commercial Director Amie

6 | S CAFFMAG.COM

Rooney says it’s the biggest technical challenge the Northamptonshire-based scaffold contractor has faced in its 40-year history. “Before we could start the project it required over four months solid design work from Apex Scaffold Designs and 18 months overall planning. There is not one flat elevation on the job, it’s totally curved in both horizontal and vertical planes,” Amie said.

MSS scaffolders are set to use over 290,000 fittings and an eye-watering 750,000ft (142 miles) of scaffold tube within the structure. The 21,000 ft2 temporary roof will see MSS use over

1,700 aluminium beams.

In sections the whole scaffold will eventually be covered by the UK’s largest printed scaffold wrap which will also double up as a huge, eye-catching public art installation. Industry specialists Embrace Building Wraps are tasked with installing the 10,400m2 record-breaking scaffold banner design entitled ‘The Dogtooth Flower’ that has been created

by Birmingham-born Osman Yousefzada.

Each of the dogtooth flowers measures 6.7m high and 7m wide.

ScaffMag will be covering the project as it progresses further in our next issue.

NEWS IN BRIEF ❖ CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT SET TO RISE 14% Industry experts are predicting a 14% rise in construction output in 2021 and a 4.9% increase in 2022.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) announced that construction will see a ‘W’-shaped economic recession and recovery.

Their assumption takes into

UK CONSTRUCTION MARKET FACING SPIRALLING COSTS ❖ A leading UK construction trade body has issued a warning over spiralling materials costs as a result of disruptions brought about by the twin impact of coronavirus and Brexit.

The Builders Merchants Federation, members of which manufacture 76% of building products in the UK, raised the flag in late-January after months of travel uncertainty, and ongoing confusion surrounding new import and export rules and border controls following the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU at the start of the year.

The news adds to an increasingly problematic outlook for British construction. Record house prices set in 2020 are expected to falter in the coming months as purchases fail to complete ahead of the tax holiday deadline on March 31, 2021.

Meanwhile, land value in some towns and cities has also fallen as more and more businesses are seriously considering a future in which remote working is often the norm, or at least an option, reducing the pressure for people to live in major urban areas.

Alongside evidence of limited availability of roofing materials, the organisation pointed to an average 20% increase in the price of timber.

But while the timing would suggest a sector responding to huge logistical challenges and changes brought about by European and worldwide circumstances in the last year, for some in the industry this is as much about phenomenal demand as it is anything else–with more materials understandably being used when there is high demand for property in general.

“As the biggest manufacture of timber scaffold boards in the UK we would like to think we are getting an extremely good deal on the raw material, but over the last year we have seen our costs spiral to levels never seen before,” said Ollie Appleby, director of Brent Scaffold Boards Ltd. “The cost of timber has been very stable for a number of years, it has only been over the last 18 months we have seen it start to creep up, with huge increases in the last six months,” he continued, before explaining that the only way in which prices might now fall is if the appetite for timber materials and associated products does the same.

“The only way timber prices will reduce is when the global demand subsides. Brexit has had a small impact to costs but the overall cost is down to high log prices, delivery costs and global demand.”

account the new lockdown restrictions over winter 2020/21 before a sustained recovery from 2021 Q2 as vaccines are rolled out and the services-based economy can reopen again.

❖ CLC CALLS FOR END OF SELF-EMPLOYED ON SITES The Construction Leadership Council is calling for an end to self-employment throughout the supply chain on public sector projects by 2024. The CLC wants procurement practices changed to demand direct employment within supply chains through prequalification questionnaires and tender criteria. The call is part of a skills plan to boost new entrants into the industry and increase apprenticeships. It said direct employment is “an enabler of apprenticeships, digital upskilling and competence.”

❖ CITB SEARCH FOR NEW BOSS The CITB is on the lookout for a new £150,000-a-year Chief Executive.

Sarah Beale, the current CEO of the CITB since 2017, exits the role this autumn after tendering her resignation towards the end of last year. The role was advertised with an annual salary of £150,000.

The CITB said, “The purpose of the role is to maximise the value of the Levy, provide inclusive and inspirational leadership of CITB, and deliver strong organisational performance against agreed business plans.”

SCAFFMAG.COM | 7

// News

LAYHER UK DEVELOPS NEW GUARDRAIL SYSTEM ❖ Modular scaffolding giants Layher have developed a new hybrid advanced guardrail system that combines the versatility of its leading Allround System with the speed of their STAR system.

Without tools and without any additional work steps the two-part Allround Guardrail System (ARGS) allows a single person to safely create advancing side protection simply and efficiently.

The system can be used for both the outer and inner sides of the scaffolding and around corners. External scaffolds like stair towers can also be erected with ARGS without any problem.

“Utilising the ARGS 2m lightweight standards, with integrated rosette and the ARGS guardrails, available in all the usual Layher bay lengths, users can create façade

8 | SCAFFMAG.COM

scaffolding using Allround Scaffolding with two-part advancing side protection,” says Layher UK Managing Director, Sean Pike.

The ARGS standards have two innovative quick releasing and highly visible locking levers that secure the additional guardrails into position.

Once positioned the post is elevated by hand from the lower lift and swung upwards into position onto the next following standard, thus creating an advanced guardrail for the next lift.

Layher’s Allround lightweight ARGS is of course made of its high tensile steel to take higher loads yet be lighter which Layher is renowned for globally. According to the world’s largest system scaffolding manufacturer the ARGS 2m standards have the same load-bearing capacity as

normal 2m Allround standards.

Sean added: “Bracing components, such as Allround Ledgers, or diagonals, as well as U-transoms can be fitted in the normal way, due to the ARGS standard having rosettes that will line up at the decked level.”

“This of course allows the system to maintain the expected versatility of the Allround system, and so the functionality, flexibility, safety and build speed is maintained throughout.”

This new bold innovation from Layher has already gained much attention in Europe after ARGS won a MAT D’OR award after a short release in France.

The Allround Guardrail System is available now nationwide across all Layher UK depots.

TRADE BODY CELEBRATES BOOMING MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ❖ Scaffolding trade body the Scaffolding Association has become the largest of its kind after hitting the 500-member milestone.

The Scaffolding Association is celebrating its booming membership numbers, with more than 500 companies now working together to help raise industry standards and expand work opportunities.

It is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and was established to represent scaffolding and access contractors, client organisations, manufacturers and consultants.

The trade body says it offers scaffolding contractors, who have often felt marginalised by the myth that there is only one place to go for

representation, a dynamic voice.

Chief Executive Robert Candy said: “2020 has undoubtedly been a difficult year for everyone, and the strength and resilience our sector has shown is astounding. At the start of the pandemic, I could never have imagined that we could have sustained such levels of growth and be welcoming our 500th member.”

NEWS IN BRIEF ❖ PERI VOTED TOP INNOVATOR PERI, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of formwork and scaffolding systems, was awarded ‘Top Innovator 2021’ in a Germanywide TOP 100 innovation competition. TOP 100 is the only competition in Germany that examines and awards companies’ innovation management. The award not only recognises the “output” of a company in terms of new products and services but also the potential and the future viability of a company. “The entire PERI team is proud of this success and delighted about this award,” said Thomas Imbacher, Managing Director Innovation & Marketing.

Training centres given green light

❖ MILLCROFT TO KICK START 12

❖ Scaffolding training centres

centres that had to close reopened

SCAFFOLDING CAREERS

have now been given the green

on the 8th March.

Scaffolding contractors Millcroft is

light to reopen following the

As previously reported,

to take on 12 young people over the

national lockdown restrictions

the lockdown closures had caused

next two years under the

imposed in January.

a number of issues for many

government’s Kickstart Scheme,

scaffolders renewing cards and

creating opportunities for young

registered scaffolding training

booking CPD courses due to the lack

people and investing in skills for the

providers across the UK have been

of capacity.

sector. Launched last September,

Around half of the CISRS-

temporarily closed due to the

We reached out to SIMIAN, the

the government scheme aims to

national lockdown. But thanks to the

UK’s largest privately-owned

help young people aged 16-24 to

governments recent roadmap out of

scaffolding training provider, to get

take their first steps on the career

lockdown announcement those

their reaction to the reopening news.

ladder by generating six-month

Dave Randles, Operations Director at

paid work placements in a trainee

SIMIAN, said: “We’re delighted to get

role. The new recruits will work a

the green light for the reopening of

25-hour week at Millcroft and

our training centres. From the outset

receive training, along with the

of the pandemic, we have resolved

potential to go on to a full-time,

to follow government guidance and

permanent position. Millcroft is

although it was disappointing that

currently in the process of

we had to close our doors again back

recruiting the first six Kickstart

in January, we were happy to play

trainees, who are expected to join

our part in getting the UK on top of

the business in March.

the pandemic.”

SCAFFMAG.COM | 9

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We listen. We respond. You succeed.

The past, present and future of system scaffolding

FS 554413

Approved Training Provider

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VGS-L 10

be ready for your 5D digital future

// News

Lyndon SGB provides access solutions on one of the UK’s largest scaffolding projects National scaffolding and access contractor Lyndon SGB is supplying complex access solutions on one of the most prestigious and largest scaffolding projects in the country ❖ The four-year contract will see Lyndon SGB provide a multitude of scaffolds on the £330m ‘Our Town Hall’ renovation of the iconic Manchester Town Hall.

The vast refurbishment of the Grade I-listed Victorian gothic revival landmark built in 1877 aims to restore the building to its former glory and involves extensive repairwork internally and externally, by main contractor Lendlease.

Lyndon SGB is the chosen scaffolding and access contractor, providing millions of pounds of in-house designed scaffolding and access solutions across the project, including large independent scaffolds, crash decks, a bespoke 90m clock tower scaffold, 34 chimney stacks/ saddles and 8,000m2 of temporary roofing weather protection across the site.

More than 50 Lyndon SGB scaffolding operatives will be working on the UK’s largest commercial scaffolding project – currently under strict Covid-19 secure protocols during lockdown.

In addition, as part of the KPI (Key Performance Indicators) for the scaffolding programme, a dozen apprenticeships will be launched on the project over the life of the contract.

Lyndon SGB say there are already seven apprentices in the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme and in-house training schemes, with three already operational on site and a further four working in the firm’s new single scaffolding depot in Manchester. All are employed full-time and working hard in their training, while preparing for college sessions run by learning provider

12 | S CAFFMAG.COM

The Growth Company.

Lucas Findlay, 17, from Blackley, said: “Being an apprentice provides the skills and support in order to provide myself with a stable career in scaffolding. I have started at the bottom and the progression I can see ahead of me seems limitless.

“The opportunity to learn on the job

on such a high-profile project shows the quality of training and trust we are given.

I didn’t realise the extent of the challenges of building the scaffolding around such a building, until I saw it for myself and I am pleased to be a part of it.”

Mark Davies, 24, from Collyhurst, said: “Working on the Our Town Hall

LEE MARLEY LAUNCHES SCOTTISH SCAFFOLDING DIVISION

project is an amazing learning experience, with the opportunity to get up close and personal to one of the oldest buildings in the city.

“I have walked past this building so many times over my lifetime without appreciating the details, including what it is like inside. From working in the Great Hall, checking out the views over the city and admiring all the statues, the whole project leaves you in awe.”

Councillor Nigel Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Creating opportunities for local young people to build firm foundations for future professional careers across a range of trades is a key goal of the Our Town Hall project and will be an important part of its legacy for the city.

“This is a building which has served Manchester for more than 140 years and through this once-in-a-lifetime scheme, it will continue to play an integral role at the heart of our civic life for generations to come.”

Lyndon SGB Managing Director Stuart Robinson added: “We are incredibly proud to have secured the scaffolding and access provision on this incredibly important national building renovation. Few firms in the UK could have been selected for such an enormous, complex and highly skilled project.”

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Lyndon SGB Operations Director, said “The newly operational single scaffolding depot at Manchester is perfectly placed to provide a slick, safe and efficient service on this enormous and iconic project.”

❖ Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd (LMB) has launched a new Scottish scaffolding division based in Glasgow.

The scaffolding and brickwork contractor has appointed Billy Dolan as its Operations Manager of their new Scottish scaffolding division based in Glasgow. It’s the next step in the company’s national expansion plan.

Billy brings over 30 years of experience in the construction industry in a management position; he has worked for a spectrum of multi-national, national and local businesses over his career.

Billy said: “I am delighted to join the Lee Marley team in Scotland and to work alongside Michael Carr.

We are extremely excited that we can now offer our clients a full package

service of scaffolding and brickwork, as well as being flexible to offer them as standalone services.”

Commercial Manager in Scotland Michael Carr added: “Billy is a great addition to our team in Scotland. In the five years that we have been operational in Scotland it has been an ambition of mine to offer a masonry and scaffold solution that mirrors our set-up south of the border.”

Investigation continues after death of Manchester scaffold worker ❖ Joint police and HSE investigation into the death of a Manchester scaffold worker is still ongoing.

Michael Harrison, 42, worked as a HGV/Hiab driver for Manchester-based 3D Scaffolding Ltd and was tragically killed after an ‘incident’ in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire on February 26th.

A joint police and Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into the incident that killed the popular and much-loved father of two.

His employers described the incident as an ‘accident’, Dwayne Seymour, Managing Director at 3D

Scaffolding Ltd told ScaffMag: “The recent accident is subject to an ongoing investigation and we are therefore unable to make any comment on events at present.

As you can imagine our thoughts and wishes are very much with Michael’s family and friends at this time.”

A HSE spokesman said: “HSE is aware of the incident and a joint investigation with Cheshire Constabulary is under way.”

Hundreds of tributes for the popular scaffold worker have been paid online since his death with over £7,000 donated via a GoFundMe page set up by family and friends.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 13

// News: Training

OVER 100 TRAINEES BENEFIT FROM NEW SWANSEA SCAFFOLDING ACADEMY More than 100 learners have passed through the CITB’s new Welsh scaffolding centre in its first three months ❖ The £1.5m scaffolding centre, at the Construction Wales Innovation Centre in Swansea, has both trained students looking to move into the sector and provided a temporary staff welfare hub during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gareth Wyn Evans, Centre Manager from the Construction Wales Innovation Centre, said: “CWIC’s activities have already supported hundreds of employers in the construction industry across Wales.

Our unique partnership is delivering world-class training and bespoke programmes for this hugely important sector to the Welsh economy.

“The new scaffolding academy provides access to leading facilities and expertise and it now gives Welsh employers the confidence to develop their employees and to recruit new entrants into the industry.”

Gareth Williams, CITB’s standards and qualifications policy manager for Wales, said: “This new centre provides training for the essential skills needed to fulfil the ambitious programme of development that is due to be completed in Wales over the next few years.”

The construction industry in Britain needs a quarter of a million new recruits in the next five years, and with scaffolding being among those critical skills, this centre will help to meet that need, also ensuring that students can train locally rather than having to cross the border to England.

“The centre opened during the pandemic, and with construction a key sector it was important that CITB, CWIC and our partners maintain

14 | SCAFFMAG.COM

training and continued preparing people for a career in the industry. Despite the lockdown, there have been a lot of applicants to train and plenty of enquiries from people looking to pursue a rewarding career in construction.”

Prior to opening, the centre acted as a staff administration and welfare hub for the Swansea Bay Field Hospital, being fitted with welfare pods to allow staff some welcome space to eat and rest while providing critical healthcare at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since opening in October, some 27 apprentices have completed their studies at the centre, along with 36 students

looking to further their studies in the field. With many more students currently working towards their commercial scaffolding qualifications, it is expected that around 350 students will pass through the centre in its first year.

While the centre is currently used for the training of apprentices and professionals continuing their development, this spring will see the launch of a ‘Get into Scaffolding’ initiative which will support those looking to change careers, including those who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with funded training and work opportunities.

NASC FIRMS TAKE ON 300 GOVERNMENT ‘KICKSTART’ YOUNGSTERS ❖ Nearly 300 young people across the UK have taken up work placements with NASC members through the government’s Kickstart Scheme.

A total of 50 NASC scaffolding contractors and suppliers have signed up to the Kickstart Scheme through the UK scaffolding trade body. Each company has committed to providing six-month work placements to out-of-work young people.

The NASC says the vast majority of these firms will take on more than one candidate under the scheme, with a handful providing over 20 positions, helping to push the combined total of vacancies to 294.

Henry Annafi, NASC Training Officer, who successfully co-ordinated the NASC’s gateway organisation bid and will support the 50 NASC members through the scheme, said: “I am absolutely delighted, but not surprised, by the fantastic interest and take-up of the scheme by NASC members.

“These members are as committed to training and

recruitment as the NASC – the UK trade body for the scaffolding industry – is and I’d like to applaud each and every one of them for their effort and enthusiasm to date.

“Through my conversations with these members it’s become clear that they’re all intending to go well beyond the parameters of the scheme and will look to place all successful participants on apprenticeships or full employment once the six-month placement ends.

“There’s a long-term commitment being made and that’s because the members aren’t just keen to provide young people with short-term jobs, they want to give them a career.”

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new job placements for young people on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Kickstart Scheme applications originally had to be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If a single employer was unable to provide this many placements, they could apply for a smaller number through a Kickstart gateway.

The writing’s on the cards ❖ CISRS has changed the wording for

The first endorsement on all cards will

longer appear on the new cards.

endorsements on the rear of all new

show the card category. Any following

CISRS cards in a bid to bring clarity to the

endorsements will show additional

influx of courses and qualifications now

card system.

training modules and qualifications held

offered by the record scheme such as

by the cardholder at the date the card was

CPD, SSPTS, System Inspections and the

certain endorsements and the order in

issued. Endorsements showing the route

like, meant that the rear of the

which they appear will change on most

of achievement for Scaffolder and

cardholder’s card was becoming pretty

CISRS cards issued.

Advanced Scaffolder cards will now no

overcrowded, CISRS said.

From 1 February 2021 the wording of

The change comes after a steady

SCAFFMAG.COM | 15

// Opinion

What does 2021 look like for the scaffolding industry?

“To survive the challenges of this year, I believe we need to be creative and collaborative,” says Des Moore, TRAD Group CEO and NASC President (2017–19)

I

couldn’t have imagined, this time last year, that I would be writing about an industry that is challenged on every front. We were planning for the potential consequences of Brexit on the business, of course, and we already knew there was an issue with workforce numbers. But the pandemic has thrown a number of new obstacles in our path, which will make for a 2021 that will require all our best efforts to navigate.

NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM

First, it’s important to say that we face these challenges with positivity – there’s no other way to do business. Our enquiries are consistent with past years, although our own orders and those of our customers are definitely coming into the business more slowly. We have noticed that projects are taking longer to complete – partially because of lockdown and Covid-safe working rules affecting speed on-site – and partly because there’s a delay in getting materials to site.

This slowdown is reflected across the construction industry, so where we deal with sub-contractors, we are seeing orders slowing down as it takes longer to get onto sites. There are also restrictions in place on sites to comply with social distancing requirements, thereby limiting available labour on-site. But most construction sites are still active, where they were not in the first lockdown in March 2020, and this is great news for the industry in general.

PREPARING FOR A SUMMER SPIKE Des Moore working at home during lockdown

16 | SCAFFMAG.COM

As we move out of the current lockdown restrictions, the construction sector is widely expecting to see a spike in activity in May and June, with the exception of the London market,

where a large number of projects seem to be stuck in a constant state of inertia. There is some nervousness about this, because expectations are that work will swing into action – but for that to happen, we need the workforce. We were already experiencing difficulties in getting skilled tradespeople for projects, and we were preparing for Brexit to have an impact on that – estimates are that, prior to the pandemic and the Brexit negotiations, 30% of the workforce in the construction industry was made up of EU labour, and that figure rose to around 50% in London and the south-east.

So while projects might be able to ramp up the work, will the workforce be there to get things done? And are businesses anticipating that need now and starting to do something about it?

DEALING WITH A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT

I think 2021 brings us a pretty toxic combination of factors that will impact the sector: • Much higher costs for raw materials • Increased logistics costs – for shipping and haulage • Delayed delivery times • Pressure on recruiting skilled labour and general labourers • Rising wage costs • General resourcing issues.

For smaller firms, there’s also the potential impact of the VAT Reverse Charge which comes into force on April 1 this year. For those companies which use these funds as additional working capital, there is suddenly going to be a drop in available cash, and this will have a knock-on effect on ordering and delivery.

How we approach these multiple challenges will set us up for the future. Our priority has to be keeping our businesses running effectively. The TRAD Group restructured last year to increase efficiencies and ensure that we have a profitable and sustainable business in the long term. Other businesses may have to narrow their offering in order to survive, or diversify as part of their income stream becomes redundant.

TAKE THE CREATIVE ROUTE

To survive the challenges of this year, I believe we need to be creative and collaborative. Looking for new ways to do things, working closely with customers, suppliers and even competitors to keep things moving. That means sharing best practice on productivity and making bold commitments that invest in the future of the sector.

I think this is a good time for scaffolding companies

to consider hiring equipment rather than buying, for example. Well-managed hire can save money and give smaller firms the flexibility they need to get on with the job. It’s also worth considering using PLETTAC METRIX system scaffolding, for example, rather than traditional tube and fitting.

Readers may be thinking: “Well, he would say that, given that’s part of his business offering,” and certainly, there are business opportunities for TRAD. But as a trader, there are many different systems for you to choose from – although I would strongly direct you to a ring system in particular.

System scaffolding offers significant labour savings, because it requires a different mix of skill sets: a lower ratio of skilled workers required in a team, compared with traditional tube-and-fitting scaffolding. This allows firms to manage costs and take on semi-skilled labour, teamed with advanced scaffolders or Gold Card holders without compromising safety or the quality of scaffolding and service supplied.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

The TRAD Group is looking at several ways to support our customers and the wider industry this year. To begin with, we have committed to at least 10% of our workforce being made up of apprentices, trainees and management scheme placements by the end of 2021.

We believe in finding, supporting and developing talent so that people see scaffolding and access as a ‘career’, not just a ‘job’. We need to play an active role in building the workforce. By encouraging more people to join the business, and by promoting those people from within, based on their skills, talents and attitude, we can meet the challenges ahead of us and create a dedicated and skilled workforce for the future.

It’s also important that we do everything we can to support our customers – something that’s always important to us, but which needs reinforcing when times are tough. We have already made a significant investment in hire stock to enable customers to trade successfully and flexibly during periods of high prices.

And, in preparation for demand later in the year, we have also increased our levels of sales stock so that our customers can be confident of getting the equipment they need when they need it.

I firmly believe that by working together, supporting each other and having clear commitments for meeting these challenges that we can get through 2021 positively, minimising the potential damage to our businesses and the wider industry.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 17

WE LEAD,

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// Business

HOW SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTORS CAN SCALE-UP IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC Business owner and entrepreneur, Greg Wilkes, who with over 20 years’ experience running construction companies from the ground up, tells us businesses can not only survive in 2021, but also grow

B

y now, we are all sick of talking and hearing about coronavirus.

While we all welcome the roll-out of the vaccine so we can get back to ‘normal’, in reality, we know for most it will not be ‘business as usual’ for a very long time ahead.

How about the scaffolding industry?

What does 2021 have in store? How can your business not only survive this year, but rapidly scale-up?

In this article, we will look at seven ways that you can scale-up your scaffolding business.

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

What does the current and near future look like for the construction industry? You will be pleased to know that things are still looking very bright. Unlike other industries, like hospitality and aviation, that have been hit really hard, the construction industry is still thriving and that is expected to continue throughout 2021.

At the time of writing, construction sites are not affected by the current lockdowns.

Also, the housing market is still strong.

While people continue to move, they will still want to renovate and extend their new homes, which means there is plenty of

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work for smaller scaffolding firms.

Combine that with Boris Johnson’s commitment to “build, build, build” announced last year during the pandemic, and you can clearly see that the government wants to ensure construction infrastructure increases, rather than deceases.

New home developments are still going strong and, as a result, main contractors will be busy providing great opportunities for scaffolders.

In summary, there is a large demand for scaffolding currently and in the foreseeable future.

This is great news. However, not all businesses feel the same. They are anxious about what the future holds for their business and are reluctant to scale-up, or unsure how to.

To follow are seven ways you can scale your business in the midst of a pandemic: 1. IF YOU’RE NOT GROWING YOU’RE GOING BACKWARDS

Many scaffolding business owners will be fearful and will start to scale back. Not because they have seen something that suggests the construction industry is going to take a hit, but because of the general fear in the population. They are worried that this industry will be next, so they err on the side of caution. Hence they go backwards.

This climate gives you the chance to get the jump on those who are fearful and scaling back.

If the work is there, take it and don’t be fearful of expanding.

2. TAKING OPPORTUNITIES

Competitors with high overheads/debt may be going bust – this will give opportunities to snap up good staff and contracts.

Always keep an eye on your competitors and what they are up to.

Find out who your target customers are using for their contracts and be sure they know who you are so that you are waiting in the wings as soon as the company either goes bust or isn’t meeting their expected standards of service.

If a company does go bust and you are looking for good staff, get in contact with the owner, offer your condolences and honestly tell them you are looking for good-quality staff, can he give you the contacts for the ones he has had to let go?

Most decent bosses would be delighted to find their hardworking, loyal team members a new job as letting go of your staff is one of the most painful parts of your business going bust.

3. ENVIRONMENT

Something we will hear about non-stop

over the next decade is the environment.

Our world is becoming increasingly aware of the damage being done to our planet, and government and businesses have strict targets to reach by 2030 in order to radically reduce our carbon footprint.

If you can find ways to make your business greener, this will give you a massive edge over your competitors when pitching to clients and trying to win contracts.

4. SCALE-UP SMART

Keep lean (low overheads) and don’t commit to hiring offices; keep remote.

Keep hold of capital in case there is a downturn, so consider leasing options rather than buying new vehicles to create a cash buffer.

5. MARKETING

Gone are the days when you could stick an ad in the Yellow Pages and business would come to you. These days there seems to be a million ways to advertise and everyone is pointing you in a different direction.

If you get it wrong and use the wrong platforms, you can spend a lot of time and effort trying to promote your business with limited or zero return.

You need to be clear on who you are targeting and where they are hanging out in the virtual world.

For example, if you are a small scaffolding firm that wants to increase your local business, then you are likely hoping to gain business from homeowners renovating. Estate agents, builders, roofers, painters and decorators, etc might be the contacts you want to network with to gain business.

Do you think randomly posting daily on your Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages will bring these kinds of contacts to your doorstep?

Unlikely.

You will need to strategically target them through email campaigns, paid (and well-targeted) Facebook ads, direct outreach through LinkedIn or

to their SM profiles. Consider joining specialist groups within these platforms, as this is where they are likely to be.

If you are a larger scaffolding firm targeting larger contracts, email marketing is likely to yield good results. LinkedIn is an amazing way to reach the inbox of the exact person you are looking to reach without having to get through that tough receptionist. You can also try leadgeneration sites like Glenigan which list thousands of projects each week along with main contractor contact details.

6. ONLINE PRESENCE

When you go to book a hotel, what is the first thing you do before you book it?

Most people would check the reviews, looking on TripAdvisor or something similar to weigh up if that hotel is as it appears. The same can be said for any business. When people are looking to use a new service, they will check the online reviews, so if you don’t have many (or any) you will likely be losing custom.

Get hold of all previous customers and ask them for a review, if they were happy with your service. Send them a link directly to it to make it easy for them.

If they are willing, get them to review you across several platforms from Google, Trustpilot, Facebook Business and Yell (these all rank highly in the Google algorithm).

7. OPERATING SYSTEMS

Having good operating systems is vital if you want to rapidly scale up your scaffolding business successfully.

From CRM systems to automating your sales and marketing, software for estimating, stock control and accountancy, it’s important to get the best systems in place that automate as much of the work as possible which leaves you more time to focus on the important aspects of growing the business rather than administration. You ideally want to be able to look at how each area of your business is operating at a glance. This will raise any red flags and you can decide which areas need improvement.

CONCLUSION

If you own a scaffolding business there is ample opportunity now and throughout the year to rapidly scale-up your business. With the right systems in place, loyal staff and a good marketing plan, you will be all set to achieve amazing results.

If you would like more information on practical ways to scale your business, I am offering Scaffmag readers a free copy of my Amazon #1 book: Building Your Future – A step by step guide to creating a £1m+ construction business.

SCAFFMAG.COM | 21

// Business

UP, UP AND AWAY Over the last 10 years, the scaffolding industry has evolved faster than at any other time in history. We now have technology at our fingertips and can visualise, strategise and improvise faster and easier than ever before, Simon Boyes tells us more

A

lthough there is one thing that has not progressed at the same pace, and that is our human ability to use our imaginations and experience to find new ways to solve old problems.

In today’s recovering market, price is the most important value that our customers are looking for when evaluating tenders or bids against one another. Safety, time and previous experience will always be considered, but for now (and the next 12 months or more) price will most often be the most important item the customer is considering. Although this poses a challenge for some scaffolding companies with high overheads and fixed costs, it also creates great opportunity.

In the words of Sir Winston Churchill: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

So, how do we make our prices go down when having a storage of cash has never been more important than it is today, while employee costs are going up and productivity is going down?

We use our imaginations and experience to find new ways to solve old problems!

I often get asked “What is your favourite type of scaffolding? Is it tube and coupler? Is it Layher?

Is it Peri?” We all know that different scaffolding systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and

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some are better suited to one industry, while another might be better suited to another. The answer to what is the best type of scaffolding depends on how you intend to use it or, more importantly, how you can best service your client with it.

If all we ever do with our scaffolding equipment is stack one standard on top of another, we are never going to use the scaffolding to its full ability and we will always be competing with other scaffolding contractors to see who has the cheapest price.

The biggest challenge scaffolding contractors face when only competing on price, is the pressure of being able to deliver the final solution and still make enough money to run a sustainable and stable workforce. The most common way that scaffolding contractors make money is, unfortunately, by taking shortcuts. Often the shortcuts are not driven by the company but more so by the workers on site who are put under strict time pressures.

Unfortunately, as we all see far too regularly in the media, the result of taking short cuts on a scaffolding site can result in multiple fatalities.

There are no second chances in a scaffolding collapse and the impact of taking a short cut lingers for the rest of our lives.

So, how is it possible to make money in today’s market? The answer is by finding new ways to solve

old problems! When people ask me what my favourite type of scaffolding is, I always respond with the all-too-common phrase, “It’s not what you have but how you use it.” I am sure most guys have used this phrase before, but in this case, it is so true.

Absolutely every scaffolding system has an advantage over one but a disadvantage of another; it is purely a case of finding what works for you and maximising the potential outcome.

To give you an example; tube and coupler scaffolding will always have its place due to its flexibility and low cost to purchase, but it is often slower to install and dismantle. If the project will only be installed for a few weeks, then the cost of the rental will often be outweighed by the additional labour required to install and dismantle. However, if the project hire period is longer than six weeks, the lower rental cost will outweigh the additional labour cost and make the overall project a lower cost.

Now we are getting into the juicy stuff, and this is the kind of thing we all need to be thinking about to find an advantage over our competition. One of my favourite ways to build scaffolding is to build it on the ground and crane it into position. This method can save countless hours of time (reducing labour costs) but also eliminate working at heights and dropped objects risks which, again, give you an

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE SCAFFOLDING CONTRACTORS FACE WHEN ONLY COMPETING ON PRICE, IS THE PRESSURE OF BEING ABLE TO DELIVER THE FINAL SOLUTION AND STILL MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO RUN A SUSTAINABLE AND STABLE WORKFORCE

advantage over the other scaffolding contractors competing for the same project.

Traditionally, scaffolding companies have only held one type (or brand) of scaffolding and have been loyal to the one supplier, but when the market demands a new way of thinking and a new way to get an advantage over our competition, are we going to see scaffolding companies owning two, three or even four different types of scaffolding systems and use them all differently in different situations? Only time will tell.

The next 12–18 months are uncertain, and the market will respond in line with the global health situation, but when it does recover (and it will) who is going to be in a position to take full advantage of the situation and be flexible enough to evolve and be ready to grow their businesses at speeds we have never experienced?

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// Business

SGS SCAFFOLDING SOLD TO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES FIRM

H

ull-based scaffolding and access contractor SGS Ltd has been acquired by a north-east-based industrial services business.

SGS Ltd has been acquired by Wescott Industrial Services Ltd, which is looking to increase its in-house capabilities and geographical presence.

The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

Established in 1994, SGS Ltd is a main supplier of scaffold access and support systems for the large industrial, petrochemical, waste to energy, and pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as providing services to domestic and commercial projects.

The NASC member firm employs around 70 people and operates nationwide for clients such as Engie, BAM Construction, Amco Griffen and Gassco Gas Terminal.

Wescott delivers a range of surface preparation and industrial blasting and painting services to sectors such as renewables, marine, oil and gas, and infrastructure, which often requires the use of large scaffold structures sourced from sub-contractors.

As a result of its acquisition of SGS Ltd, Wescott Industrial Services will be able to offer its existing

and new clients fully integrated scaffolding services, which it previously sub-contracted.

It will enable the company to better control this element of the supply chain, along with the overall delivery of projects, the company said.

Steve Gainey, SGS Ltd Managing Director, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing Wescott further develop the existing business. I have been in the business since 1974 and had SGS for 26 years.

It’s been a great rewarding industry and I wish the new owners all the success.”

BROGAN GROUP EXPANDS UK OPERATIONS NATIONWIDE The multi-disciplined access provider

nationwide and having increased their

that predominantly operates in the

logistics fleet, service crews and

away from Piccadilly train station, will

London and south-east areas is

machine numbers, mast climbers and

be a base for its Business Development

extending its powered access coverage

hoists, they can offer the same services

and Estimating Teams in the north.

to now cover Manchester, Birmingham,

in the north of the country.

Liverpool, the M4 corridor, Leicester areas and beyond.

Brogan Group says its main depot in Cambridge is set up to service projects

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To support the expansion, the firm

The office, located a stone’s throw

Brogan Group has recently secured several mast-climber projects in

opened the doors to a new regional

Birmingham and is currently supplying

office in Manchester at the start of

a number of hoists on projects in

the year.

Leicester, the company said.

The UK’s largest trade association for access and scaffolding companies The Scaffolding Association is a not-for-profit, independent trade organisation.

Membership demonstrates an ability to carry out safe design, installation and commissioning of scaffolding systems.

Our inclusive and dynamic approach has been welcomed by forward-thinking business owners who believe in our drive for high safety standards and fair access to work opportunities for all.

Join us today Call 0300 124 0470 or email info@scaffolding-association.org

www.scaffolding-association.org

Member companies, and growing

Audited contractors, and growing

SSIP accredited contractors

// Business

DEDALO.TECH EYES UK MARKET

With technology and innovation driving the world of scaffolding forward into an exciting future, one Italian company sits in the vanguard of change.

Grahame Anderson has been taking a closer look

N

ot all scaffolding is the same. Not a bland statement in any sense but a solid one based on the ingenuity of one go-ahead leader in the Italian industry, ready to break into the UK market. Why make such a claim? Well, how about a quality kit up to eight times faster to both assemble and disassemble? Smaller, lighter and easier to handle components, much cheaper to use and with the ability to facilitate better transportation in the modern world? Dedalo.Tech offers all of this to meet the needs of the most complex project to those of a simpler nature.

In fact, Dedalo.Tech solutions like U-Fast X, a 25cm beam, is seen in the sector as a true revolution.

A real resource of choice for suspended scaffolding on bridges and viaducts, allowing immediate savings of at least 50% in such installations. It’s true to say detail can make the smallest difference in any project

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across the industry. The company points out this is because functionality works hand in hand with reliability, in favour of safety and efficiency.

It’s a unique product thanks to its compatibility in five possible standard configurations with all types of decks. It’s based on both U and tubular profiles, due to the offset joint. Through the accessories developed, the beams can be used with any frame or system scaffold.

But there’s much more than meets the eye, as U-Fast even offers the traditional beam of 45cm that can save more than half of the scaffolding assembly time. The U-Fast beams are available in seven possible lengths, from one to six metres, and are made of aluminium (EN AW 6082 T6). Carrying lightness, versatility, great capacity and reversibility in one complete package means it’s suitable for the construction of suspended scaffolding where the weight factor is critical.

Dedalo. Tech is a Treviso-based company well known for the personalised nature of its scaffolding, the result of an ad-hoc engineering study enabling it to create more than 42 new products to meet any market demand regardless of the intricacy of the job. And it seems they are set to be a big hit with firms in Britain looking to meet the latest scaffolding trends while also bringing quality solutions to all manner of projects.

Working together with scaffolding companies, the Dedalo.Tech team of engineers has practical and innovative solutions to most common building site challenges. Their visionary approach intersects with theoretical insights, transforming the real situation presented to them into mathematical formulae.

As a result, everyday on-site problems can be overcome with excellent efficiency.

A company spokesperson told me: “Just as ancient Greek culture gave us chimera (a hybrid entity combined with the identity parts – and strengths – of various existences), Dedalo.Tech engineering transfers to the field of construction at height the union between the practical need for ‘problem solving’ and the constant experimentation with prototypes, fine-tuned to the competences acquired and adjusted to the specifics of each project.

“Personalised solutions, tailor-made to the particularities of each challenge, are consequently one of the major skills of the company, which is used to generating innovative formulas – adaptable to every situation and scenario, however unusual to work with.

“Take the U-Fast beam, for example. To all intents and purposes this is revolutionary. Made of a very light aluminium alloy EN AW 6082 T6, the structure, developed by our engineers, is able to accommodate decks both with a ‘U’ profile and on a 48mm diameter tube (or customisable if necessary), thanks to differently shaped bridges. This is extremely useful for creating continuous worktops without having to use additional adapting accessories.

“Shaping a scaffold clearly implies the use of large quantities of elements to fix the individual segments, and the operation takes time. To shorten the time, instead of the traditional screw-bolt coupling, an automatic solution has been created called spring pin, an automatic pin that, thanks to the harmonic steel cage, enables the pin to be withheld into the hole.

In this way, the beams can be joined up to six times faster than with traditional systems.

“In short, Dedalo.Tech is capable of designing completely tailor-made solutions for each problem, in order to satisfy any market demand.”

There’s also the brilliantly designed U-LAUNCH System – an equipment set dedicated to the

DEDALO.TECH IS CAPABLE OF DESIGNING COMPLETELY TAILOR-MADE SOLUTIONS FOR EACH PROBLEM, IN ORDER TO SATISFY ANY MARKET DEMAND

installation of the beams themselves, designed to facilitate the dynamics and optimise assembly times.

Dedalo.Tech describes it as a set-up system for suspended scaffold in which the operator is preceded by the scaffolding he is assembling in order to create, in fact, a special support point ensuring total safety.

The system ensures great speed of operation.

And we shouldn’t forget the amazing DEDALO. CHIMERA, a patented trailer that accepts unlimited configuration of scaffold structures.

Since it can be towed by any vehicle, it can be placed at any point of the building site without having to constantly dismantle and reassemble the scaffolds.

Chimera has a roll-over protection system (ballasts can be stored inside) and the main PLC-controlled functions are lateral displacement and alignment enabled to fit the targeted object/building.

Nevertheless, it automatically levels road slopes of 10–15%.

The company explained: “The customisation of the product was crucial in Pizzo Calabro, on the Angitola railway viaduct. A system was needed to maintain the kerb at night because the railway line was open during the day. Dedalo.Tech therefore specially designed the 105 FLY Bracket, which is quick to assemble and extremely safe for the operator.”

This all equates to a perfect solution for works on bridges, viaducts, parapets, pier caps, kerbs, road inspections and the construction of overpasses by virtue of the reconstruction of vaults or tunnels.

Even historical facades, buildings, boats and aircraft can benefit from this groundbreaking Italian expertise.

With an arsenal of technology, innovation, design and customisation, Dedalo.Tech are executing their skills in a practical and intelligent way in every technical detail.

Clearly, not all scaffolding solutions are the same.

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// Modular

BRIDGING THE GAP

T

he simplicity, versatility and lightweight characteristics of Layher Ltd’s scaffolding have been clearly demonstrated during a bridge-maintenance project in Scotland.

The work, which involves painting, material replacement and under-deck inspection, is taking place on the A9 bridge across the River Findhorn between Aviemore and Inverness.

“The use of Allround Lightweight minimises loading onto the ground,” says Kenneth Redman, Layher’s Technical Manager (Scotland). “This is particularly advantageous at this bridge location where soft ground conditions and relatively steep slopes are encountered on the river banks.”

The Layher system has been installed to provide access to the full height of three support piers and will play a key role in enabling access to the underside of the bridge deck. Significantly, the equipment requires a minimum amount of material and fewer tie points than would have been required with, for example, tube and fitting scaffold.

“Importantly, the inherent strength of Allround Lightweight has enabled cantilevered decked areas to be constructed at the top of each pier,

IT IS VITAL THAT SUCH WORK IS ALWAYS CONDUCTED SAFELY, QUICKLY AND WITH MINIMUM DISRUPTION AND WE BELIEVE OUR SCAFFOLD DESIGN HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN EACH CASE 30 | S CAFFMAG.COM

Layher scaffolding plays a key role in bridge maintenance across the River Findhorn in Scotland

immediately under the bridge deck,” adds Ross Brown, Director of I-Scaff Access Solutions Ltd, who have installed the structure for main contractor VolkerLaser Ltd working for BEAR Scotland – the operating company for Transport Scotland’s NW Trunk Roads.

“This avoids the need to install scaffold to the full width to the ground which, in turn, has a beneficial impact on build time, material volumes and wind loading in the exposed location,” he adds.

“The design also gained from Kenneth producing a LayPLAN SIM scheme, which enabled us to demonstrate to our client exactly what they would be getting, even before the scaffold was built.”

While access to two piers is via a scaffold built directly from the ground, the other has had to accommodate the significant slope. This has been addressed by Layher equipment being used to build a graduated support scaffold upon which a level gantry, eight bays in length, has been constructed.

In both cases, access to the full height of each pier is then achieved via eight Layher staircases.

“It is vital that such work is always conducted safely, quickly and with minimum disruption and we believe our scaffold design has played a key role in each case,” concludes Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.

Using Allround Lightweight proved advantageous at this bridge location to minimise the loading onto the ground, as the soft ground conditions and relatively steep slopes are encountered on the river banks.

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// Modular

PERI EXPANDS SCAFFOLDING TEAM PERI has made significant changes to its scaffolding team, expanding capabilities across all areas. This will enable it to offer more comprehensive in-house services for customers and impart its scaffolding expertise across all construction segments in conjunction with its well-known formwork products

I

n 2020, the company appointed Charles Stratford as Business Development Manager for PERI UP. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Charles was brought on board to grow the company’s scaffolding division.

Since then, the team has doubled in size with the addition of new site demonstrators, sales engineers and a new industrial manager, all dedicated to supporting the scaffolding market.

Charles says, “These changes have been made by the UK subsidiary to align with how our customers’ businesses operate and the challenges they face.” He adds, “We are unique in how we can support our clients because we have a great scaffolding product that can be complemented with its formwork counterpart and the existing support services that come with it. With all of these services accessible under one roof it makes the construction process simpler for our customers.”

PERI says internal growth has also given the business the opportunity to provide a competitive scaffolding offer for the UK industrial sector. Mark Holmes, previously PERI’s training instructor and

site demonstrator, was appointed as Industrial Manager for PERI UK earlier this year.

“We feel the PERI UP system scaffold has a lot to offer industrial projects, as its design lends itself to the challenging applications this sector demands.

By working in partnership with contractors on site, our aim is to improve efficiency and site safety from the early stages of projects right through to the dismantling stage.”

Sales support will be invaluable in helping the business navigate this new

journey for PERI UP scaffolding across all construction segments.

A team of two, including Gary Checketts, who brings over 30 years of scaffolding experience in a multitude of roles, will form the sales force led by Charles, servicing all regions in the UK. “Dedicated scaffolding sales support will ensure our customers liaise with experts that speak ‘scaffolding’ at every touchpoint,” says Charles.

Also joining the PERI scaffolding team with a combined experience of over 35 years in the industry are site demonstrators, Marc Torry and Chris Woodley. These application experts will equip customers with the knowledge and confidence to use PERI UP in the safest and most efficient way, even in the most complex environments, says PERI. In addition, formal training will continue to play a big part in PERI’s scaffolding journey, with Chris Woodley also delivering the company’s CISRS training courses going forward. PERI says Chris’s previous experience as an instructor at CITB will enhance the company’s training capabilities at its centre in Brentwood, which gained CISRS accreditation last year.

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// Modular

JOINING FORCES With trust and communication at the heart of any relationship between two businesses, Alan Scott, Procurement and Asset Management Director at Enigma Industrial Services, and David Probert, International Sales Director at HAKI, give insight into the Enigma and HAKI journey, the things they’ve picked up along the way and what the future holds for this collaboration

T

he longstanding relationship between HAKI and Enigma dates back a few years ago to 2013, when it was a bond between supplier and customer. Over the course of time HAKI has supplied its products to Enigma on all manner of large programmes of works such as the modern, high-profile The Ropeworks construction project at Salamander Place in the heart of the vibrant community of Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland. Enigma also utilises HAKI across the UK on key industrial sites.

United by their like-mindedness and commonality, the two organisations committed to work more closely together in March 2019 and collaborate with the very best intentions. Both Enigma and HAKI share similar values: safety, quality, collaboration and innovation.

Entering into a business partnership was, therefore, a natural step.

“HAKI and Enigma truly have a shared vision of what the here and now and future looks like,” comments David.

“It is very much a partnership; a joint initiative,” adds Alan. “We are always moving forward together!”

THE BEGINNING

HAKI and Enigma’s senior management got the ball rolling around three years ago in 2018. Since this period, the relationship has gained momentum and continues to do so. By March 2019 Enigma was the largest stockholder of HAKI Universal systems in the UK after making a considerable investment in more than

34 | SCAFFMAG.COM

2,500 tonnes of scaffold equipment.

During 2019 Enigma proceeded to invest further in HAKI Universal, purchasing £2m of equipment for its forthcoming projects. This sum was divided into two orders in accordance with Enigma’s project timelines.

By this point it was very clear that HAKI and Enigma had built solid foundations, signifying the companies’ commitment to delivering the very best scaffold solutions to various market sectors. Enigma’s significant investments in HAKI marked important steps in what would, a year later, become an official partnership. As of May 2020, Enigma became the sole distributor of HAKI’s products in the UK. The strategic partnership enables both organisations to better serve and support the market as it continues to evolve towards simpler, safer, more sophisticated systemised solutions.

THE OUTCOMES

A huge aspect of the companies’ partnership is the distribution network which covers seven Enigma industrial locations strategically situated around the UK, with sites in Kenfig (Wales), Erith, Derby, Preston and Newcastle (England), and Glasgow and Edinburgh (Scotland). “Now Enigma has distribution stock available, it is a massive assurance to HAKI and Enigma’s customers. Establishing this network took a lot of trust and had to be done sensitively, but between both companies we were able to drive the initiative to completion,” Alan comments.

WE HAD – AND STILL HAVE – TO MAKE SURE THAT COLLABORATION RUNS THROUGHOUT EACH VEIN OF EACH BUSINESS – THROUGH LOGISTICS, SALES, TO DESIGN In terms of the HAKI and Enigma partnership at large, there have been plenty of pieces to put together. It is safe to say, however, that both businesses are on a path they never even envisioned two years ago. “As with all relationships there have been challenges which we have worked through together. We’re thankful that there haven’t necessarily been any compromises – we’ve just found ways to do things differently to suit the needs of each business,” shares David.

“It is important to remember that we are two separate entities coming together, where each business had to take time to learn the culture of the other. That is no easy feat!” Alan continues.

It is why each company had to consider how the individual organisation would interoperate at different levels.

“We had – and still have – to make sure that collaboration runs throughout each vein of each business – through logistics, sales, to design, etc,” says Alan.

“It’s a learning process that will very much continue into the future,” adds David. “It’s important to make sure that the relationship between us and Enigma is

evident at all points. The next step is to deliver training sessions in different phases to 1,000 Enigma employees on the basics of HAKI’s components and applications.”

As well as juggling the logistical challenges of business partnerships, like other organisations, Enigma and HAKI had to work around the changes the coronavirus pandemic brought, particularly when the first lockdown began in March 2020. Each business had to be flexible and it is something they’ve been able to overcome resiliently. “Every organisation is tasked with the challenge of responding to market conditions – this is a fact of business established long before Covid-19. What’s important is to be proactive rather than reactive; an approach Enigma and HAKI were already au fait with!”

THE FUTURE

Both companies are keeping a close eye on the prospect of future developments and market expansions. In terms of the here and now, Alan says: “The partnership between HAKI and Enigma is strong and resilient. I’ve been very fortunate to be part of this continuing journey and am delighted by what we do and all that we’ve achieved. I’m looking forward to further progress between Enigma and HAKI as we continue along the successful partnership.”

For further information, please contact Amelia Spence, Fabrick: Email: Amelia.spence@wearefabrick.com Phone: 01622 754295

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// Tech & Support

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Raising the bar One of the men behind what has the potential to be one of the most revolutionary inventions in scaffolding is clear on the major problems facing the sector right now. There are three problems which directly informed the research and development behind LIFTBOT: “Safety, labour shortages and rising costs,” says Artem Kuchukov, co-founder of Kewazo

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// Tech & Support

A

fter completing an MA in Construction Robotics from the Technical University of Munich, Kuchukov continued to explore the possibilities of automation for another two years before officially founding Kewazo GmbH in 2018, alongside business partner Ekaterina Grib.

Skip to today, and the company has unveiled the fruits of that labour – a system that can make the transportation of materials on-site and in situ, safer and more efficient. Think steel girders sent to the 39th floor of a new London skyscraper, via robot, and you’re in the right ballpark.

“Since the early stage of our development, we’ve always been talking to the scaffolding industry. All of them lead to the same result – that there are three main challenges: safety, labour shortages and rising costs,” Kuchukov explains when we ask how the concept came about.

But the development of LIFTBOT, which benefited from €3.8m of venture capital investment and €500,000 in state support, didn’t come without difficulties.

“As with any startup, the biggest challenges for us were high uncertainty and limited resources,” he said. “Uncertainty in our case means you are doing something that nobody has done before, and so you need to be ready for questions that nobody has clear answers for.

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“Of course, people might think that there are transportation solutions already available on the market. But we found out that their adoption rate is very low in the scaffolding industry, that is why it was clear to us that we have to rethink how material handling is done in scaffolding today.”

Kuchukov went on to reveal the small team and relatively tight budget ensured the core idea was honed down to concentrate on the most significant benefits to users.

“We had to make clear decisions about features, and what we had to focus on. After countless hours spent with scaffolders, we identified three main priorities – installation flexibility, operational speed and automated control,” he said.

It’s easy to see that Kewazo achieved those goals. LIFTBOT’s 20-minute installation time, small physical footprint and simple, one-touch controls offer an affordable and easy-to-control time-saving opportunity for construction firms, many of which currently commit more than 70% of overall costs to labour.

Put simply, then, the system is a cost-effective investment that can free up staff for other responsibilities – whether that’s on the same project or another undertaking. And with an official CE-certificate from TÜV Süd, one of the leading bodies in regulating powered-access equipment, the safety aspect is already proven.

“We should be realistic about what can be done with robots.

Construction sites are a very unstructured environment that

WE SHOULD BE REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH ROBOTS. CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE A VERY UNSTRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT THAT REQUIRES HUMAN CREATIVITY

requires human creativity,” Kuchukov replies when we ask about concerns relating to increased use of automation, and its impact on the jobs market.

“Think of this: in car manufacturing, for example, you can have welding robots working 24/7, sometimes even without lighting. The main reason for this is that everything is structured and predefined; you can secure the exact positioning of all elements. Now think of construction sites.

“Every construction site is unique, there is a lot of mess and things are not clean. Because of this, it’s simply not possible to have robots fully overtaking jobs in such a complex environment.

At least in any cost-efficient manner. Despite all the progress in the areas of robotics and artificial intelligence, most probably the situation will stay like this for at least the next few decades.

“The second point is the problem of labour shortage.

Most of the companies around Europe struggle to find good scaffolders. This leads to missed opportunities and slower company growth. And as we’ve already seen in examples of other industries, automation can address this.”

While in many ways the system is a product of designers looking to other sectors for ideas on how to improve construction, the system’s functions are highly transferrable.

This means Kewazo GmbH hopes to see widespread adoption and uptake by firms in any sector that could benefit from automated transportation of materials, tools and more.

Some have already been using LIFTBOT with impressive results. As Kuchukov explains, since July 2019 the system’s impact has been studied across 30 different projects with

startling impact. Not least companies benefiting from man-hour savings of up to 44%, whether that’s relating to scaffolding assembly, the ongoing transportation of building materials, or another delivery function.

“Maintenance of gas, oil and energy plants, and shipbuilding yards… Tests and pilots on real sites have shown that with LIFTBOT a three-man scaffolding crew can assemble almost any type of scaffolding faster than larger teams relying on manual transport,” Kuchukov says of the different environments that are proven to gain from Kewazo’s innovation.

“It’s important to note here, though, that saving man-hours doesn’t mean people losing their jobs. According to the feedback of some customers in Germany, for example, today the amount of available projects is around three times higher than what they can cover with their usual resources.

“This means that if there would be a possibility to free up a certain amount of people from being involved in certain jobs, this would allow companies to cover more jobs with the same resources.”

With the next decade or so set to be instrumental in determining the nature of the following century, companies must adapt and evolve to ensure they can thrive in a world that needs to become more efficient for a multitude of reasons.

That process is destined to involve changes in how people are employed, and what they are tasked with as part of that employment as a result of robotics and automation. With that in mind, it seems LIFTBOT is very much an invention for our times.

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SAFETY IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ON TEMPORARY ACCESS PROJECTS With safety ever-critical in the scaffold and temporary access sectors, on complex projects it is essential to create quality working environments that assure workers’ and, in some cases, the general public’s security.

HAKI innovates its products in such a way that they fulfil all manner of complex requirements across construction, infrastructure, oil and gas projects.

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// Tech & Support

CLEAR FUTURE

One of the most important documents in the world of scaffolding and construction, has just gone through a major overhaul that looks to offer improved, future-proof guidance to the sector. But what exactly are the changes, and what do these mean for firms and the work they do?

Richard Trenchard finds out more

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// Tech & Support

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ASC’s TG20:21 picks up where the preceding TG20:13 left off.

Comprising four individual elements – an Operational Guide, a Design Guide, User Guide and user-friendly eGuide software – while the renewed material boldly takes some big (not to mention necessary) steps forward, fundamentally the goals remain the same.

Namely to enable the production of commonly used scaffolding structures, without the need for a bespoke design, that is designed to save hours, and expenditure, for other parts of a specific project or wider business.

“The latest version includes a number of revisions to make the process of producing compliant scaffolding – in accordance with the European standard BS EN 12811 – even simpler.

It also includes a wider range of scaffolding types to make the software even more useable,” explains Simon Robinson, NASC’s marketing manager.

“TG20:21 will include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, loading bays without beams and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards.

“TG20 compliance sheets will now be doublesided with an illustration and principal compliance criteria on the front and detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse in landscape format,” he continues, expounding on the offering.

“Users will be able to access the TG20:21 eGuide – and the associated and updated Operational and Design guides – via a link from the NASC website using a unique serial number and login credentials, rather than via a file download or CD. Printed copies of the three books will also be available following the launch.”

The software will come in a package with online access to the Operational and Design Guides, with a cost to NASC members of £75 per eGuide per year, increasing to £300 for non-members.

A three-year subscription gets a 10% discount and a five-year subscription gets a 20% reduction, and a short grace period to ease transition from the older TG20:13 to the new version. The point being that this switch is being made as easy as possible for both new and established users, taking some of the legwork out of the changeover process.

“While TG20:13 continues to be used

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effectively, the updated version has been developed by a team of NASC members and staff, together with software developers CADS, to ensure that TG20:21 builds on the success of TG20:13 to provide a much updated, expanded and more comprehensive set of guidance,” Robinson replies when we ask why now is the right time to roll out the new guidance in the midst of era-defining global upheaval and uncertainty.

“Technology has moved on since TG20:13 was released and some of the systems it relies on have become out of date. The new version makes full use of up-to-date systems to ensure continued smooth operation.”

Robinson is just as clear on the tangible ways in which TG20:21 will help the scaffolding industry, too. These include facilitating the use of a broader range of scaffolding types, the introduction of more variable designs – which is where those loading bays and inside boards come in – and more user-friendly search functionality. That means being able to find the guidance content you are looking for much faster online.

The new software also supports use across multiple devices, putting an end to the outdated notion of one-time installation that was standard in days gone by.

TG20:21 will include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, loading bays without beams and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards.

“We believe these additions will help further embed TG20 as an essential step in the development of scaffolding projects of all shapes and sizes across the UK, relied upon by both scaffolding contractors and principal contractors alike,” says Robinson, before clarifying that TG20 already set a precedent in the industry upon its initial introduction, with this revised version set to bolster that authority.

“In a relatively short period of time, TG20 has become recognised and adopted by the scaffolding industry and the wider construction industry as a whole, helping to ensure that scaffolding contractors and principal contractors are clear on what scaffolding will be erected and its suitability for the project.”

In truth, the launch can’t come soon enough.

While Robinson is clear on the biggest issue currently facing both the construction and scaffolding sectors – “keeping workers and sites safe during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic” – we are at a pivotal point in history for more reasons than a virus alone.

A rapidly changing and evolving world, with increasing pressure on companies to boost efficiency while improving the quality of work, needs up-to-date guidance in order for firms to survive and thrive. Not least in the UK.

USERS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS ALL THE GUIDES VIA A LINK FROM THE NASC WEBSITE USING A UNIQUE SERIAL NUMBER AND LOGIN CREDENTIALS, RATHER THAN VIA A FILE DOWNLOAD OR CD

“The construction industry will need to adjust where possible to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and get to grips with Reverse Charge VAT, which may cause huge cashflow problems for construction industry businesses,” Robinson says of another major factor currently impacting the sector.

While TG20:21 may not directly relate to this, the improvements in clarity of requirements, not to mention facilitating the streamlining of design processes, can directly contribute to companies being able to function effectively in a period wherein the rules, red tape and regulations around business are literally being redrawn.

Like so much else, when there is less confusion about how we do our jobs, and better information guiding our work, we are in a far better position to navigate and negotiate even the most confusing of external situations.

Whether that’s a country looking to redefine its relationship with the world, or a planet half-stuck in lockdown, and the complications and necessary changes that have been forced through as a result of the turmoil. When it comes to TG20:21, then, at least there’s one part of the industry wherein the future is looking clearer, easier to predict and, therefore, brighter.

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// Tech & Support

Friend or foe?

The question of whether technology is a blessing or a curse has become much more complex in recent years, particularly for businesses and their employees. With the rise of advanced technology, robotics, automation and artificial intelligence (AI), there’s no doubt that tech has immense potential in increasing efficiency, saving cost and improving profitability

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usiness owners and managers have some tough choices to make in this digital era. Are they transforming digitally fast enough?

Are they adopting the right software to maximise productivity? What does technology investment mean for staff whose job duties are affected by new software or equipment?

The Scaffolding Digital Outlook survey, which we conducted during the second quarter of 2020 in collaboration with ScaffMag, featured the collective perspectives of executive leaders and trade specialists from 167 scaffolding companies across Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

Approximately 85% of respondents indicated that they have more than one digital application in place. Of the 15% of businesses that are not currently using digital scaffolding technologies, the majority (57%) had it on their radar for 2020. Clearly, more and more industry leaders are discovering that digitising manual processes isn’t just an option anymore – it’s the key to survival.

Recent months of having to get the job done while taking on new health, safety and distancing requirements have only driven home the need to adapt and innovate.

In line with this is an ongoing debate

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on whether the roles played by humans are being diminished – or altogether eliminated – by technology in the race to become digitally transformed. In a recently published article in ScaffMag, The Robots Are Coming And We Are Building Them! Simon Boyes brings up the point that companies may be turning the next generation of scaffolding workers into robots – essentially killing their creative skills and allowing technology to do all the thinking for them.

Boyes writes, “In comes the introduction of technology and innovation and businesses must ask themselves: how can we make the scaffolders work faster, what materials can we use to make it quicker, how can we save transport and delivery costs, how can we use less equipment so we can do more jobs and so on. The answer to all the above questions is to plan out and design the project before arriving on site.”

When a design needs tweaking due to a client request, or a particular scaffold needs to be modified on site, scaffolders still need to think for themselves in solving these problems – a critical skill that software is simply not able to replace.

Thus, Boyes asks these thoughtprovoking questions: ‘“Are we expecting the scaffolders to use their own skills and knowledge to come up with a solution when we have been breeding a generation of scaffolders who aren’t allowed to think

for themselves and must follow what they have been shown on a piece of paper?

“Are we killing off a generation of creative thinkers who can look at a project and come up with a design in their head and then execute their idea? Are we turning human scaffolders into robots?

Where do we draw the line between creating efficiencies and building an industry of harnessing innovation and technology but not destroying the human touch at the same time?”

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCAFFOLDERS WITH TECHNOLOGY

While Boyes refers to replacing scaffolders onsite, advanced technology is also infiltrating offsite scaffold operations, particularly with the pandemic accelerating digital transformation to keep teams productive in an era of increasingly remote work.

With the wide range of design software available today, scaffolding business owners may be tempted to purchase design software reliant on traditional CAD-based approaches and hire general draftspersons to meet the increasing demand for scaffold visualisation and pre-planned designs.

But, as with robots and AI, this approach may not fully leverage and further develop the vast expertise possessed by experienced scaffold estimators and erectors. Rather than

// Tech & Support

seek to take creative control out of their hands, savvy managers can empower them with technology built to their needs.

Our survey found that many successful contractors rely on design software today to speed up the planning process. Scaffolding-specific design software is rising in popularity, as it offers ease of use and more purpose-built features for scaffolding components.

Indeed, there are several scaffolding design platforms readily available that will design the scaffold layout and generate bills of materials, all while creating stunning 3D, virtual, and augmented reality visualisations for the client.

However, replacing experts with software has its downside, which must be taken into consideration.

At Avontus Software, we believe that software doesn’t replace people or diminish their importance in scaffolding operations, but is better viewed and utilised as an aid that maximises human productivity, enhances their creative skills, and advances learning as we head deeper into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In answering Boyes’ questions above, we find that we must invest in human capital by nurturing their creative and problem-solving skills. We must adopt the mindset that software doesn’t replace experts, but empowers them.

Scaffold design is skilled work, made all the more complex by the competing priorities of numerous stakeholders and project constraints, and there is still a need for the human touch when it comes to thoughtful, effective planning and execution.

In most cases, design software is not meant to take over the entire project and cut out the human element, but rather, guide the user through key steps and increase their efficiency by eliminating some of the more tedious aspects like counting up gear lists. A designer or expert will still need to provide valuable insights to ensure a plan is practical and compliant with safety regulations while delivering what the client requires.

The same goes for sales or other client-facing personnel, who are most

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successful when they are equipped with knowledge and technology that empowers them to understand customer-access needs and craft compelling scaffold solutions proposals. Salespeople and account managers who lack that expertise – and perhaps worse, simply plug numbers into software to produce a generic ‘pretty picture’ of a scaffold without understanding the reality of the trade – run the risk of damaging their employers’ reputations and the image of the trade at large.

Design applications may solve predictable or mundane problems, but they aren’t designed for solving more complex problems that require human judgment and adaptive reasoning.

Instead of turning humans into robots, technology like design software actually frees up their time from doing manual and predictable work so they can focus on higher-level tasks and maximise productivity. Scaffold Design Engineer Ryan Scott wrote his own reply to Boyes’ article, explaining that understanding the process is of utmost importance in developing the creative mind of a scaffolder. He writes that labourers themselves must endure the process of not only supplying the components, but also watching and learning. By not enduring this process, labourers as well as those who allow these practices to happen, will

“stymie the development of creative and understanding minds within the industry”.

He makes a compelling case that we need to advance learning and cultivate creativity, ensuring that the next generation of scaffold experts are receiving the right foundations instead of taking shortcuts with technology.

Software can never fully replace a scaffold expert’s knowledge, experience and instinct, and is not designed to.

Therefore, businesses should look towards automation and other advanced technologies as a means to advance their human workers, enhance their human productivity, and empower them with tools – instead of seeking vainly to replace human intelligence.

Adopting software that still requires human input and technical know-how will advance the industry without sacrificing human potential and hindering creativity – which is still very much needed in the present and future.

For an industry that has so long relied upon scaffold plans pictured vividly inside the heads of designers, technology presents a tremendous opportunity to bring those visuals into the real world, whether in 3D, virtual reality, or augmented reality – not just to impress clients but to instruct crews and educate the next generation of leaders in the scaffolding world.

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// Mental Health

IT’S GOOD TO TALK There is no greater responsibility placed on a human being than to look after the health and wellbeing of a fellow human being

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orking in the scaffolding industry is undoubtedly both challenging and stressful. Long and demanding hours, working away from home on-site for weeks at a time, and fear and anxiety about job security in the industry, particularly following the recent pandemic, are just some of the factors contributing to poor mental health.

In a predominantly male workforce, specific risks associated with male mental health also need to be considered. The ‘tough guy’ image widespread in the scaffolding and construction industry is a big part of the problem. Asking for

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help and opening up about emotions are just not things that come naturally to many of those working in the industry.

The combination of these factors results in many suffering in silence.

Statistics show 30% of workers will experience some form of mental health problem during their working lives.

In fact, mental health problems are a leading cause of illness and disability.

Construction workers in the scaffolding industry have a 44% higher risk of suicide than in any other trade.

Teaching And Learning Kindness Ltd or TALK, was founded by Sacub Qureshi in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic to educate and raise awareness of mental health within the scaffolding industry and across the wider

construction industry. A scaffolder by trade, Sacub experienced first-hand the devastating effects of mental health when his scaffolding mentor and close friend took his own life after experiencing severe depression, followed by the suicide of another close friend, also a scaffolder.

He was also supported by none-other than Mark ‘Bez’ Berry, one of the stars of the band Happy Mondays. The group’s work bridged the Manchester independent rock music of the 1980s and the emerging UK rave scene, drawing influence from funk, house and psychedelia to pioneer the‘Madchester’ sound. Sacub explained: “I used to work in the Manchester music industry back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. It’s a small world where everyone in the industry knew each other. Bez is one of my good mates, we used to play a lot of football together. In 1993 my first son, Jacob, was born. I knew I had to get a job that enabled me to support my son so started work as a labourer on a building site.

“Bez is a top lad and he is always willing to support great initiatives.

He recently completed a wing walk for a charity called Tonic Music for Mental Health. Barry Ashworth, who is the front man of the Dub Pistols, is a patron and it’s a charity that raises awareness, challenges stigma and promotes recovery through music and the arts.

“So I asked Bez if he would like to be the patron of TALK and help me reach out to scaffolders and construction workers. The rest is history.”

Over the years Sacub heard many

LEFT: Mark ‘Bez’ Berry, one of the stars of the band Happy Mondays is the Patron of TALK, helping to reach out to scaffolders and construction workers.

OPPOSITE: Teaching And Learning Kindness Ltd or TALK founder, Sacub Qureshi.

ASKING FOR HELP AND OPENING UP ABOUT EMOTIONS ARE JUST NOT THINGS THAT COME NATURALLY TO MANY OF THOSE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY heartbreaking stories from friends and colleagues across the industry, and this drove him to change his career last year from scaffolding instructor to mental health first-aid trainer. He set up his mental health first-aid company, TALK, to focus on training and raising awareness of mental health.

Mental health first aid is all about early intervention and prevention. It gives people the skills to recognise the early warning signs of those struggling with their mental health and reach out and support their colleagues at work.

Many people don’t feel comfortable talking about their mental health to the GP, a professional or close family members but a timely conversation with a friend or colleague on-site can avert a crisis occurring that can have very serious repercussions.

Mental health first aiders are not there to diagnose or prescribe medication but to offer support, listen and help signpost to the correct professional help.

There are signs the industry is

beginning to take the wellbeing of its employees more seriously. But if we are to create a truly responsible industry caring about the people that work in it, we need to up our game in understanding and supporting people’s mental wellbeing. Mental health first aid is the perfect solution, working at all levels from company directors, managers, supervisors and skilled workers to trainees.

If you think this is something you would like to have in your company or are interested in understanding more about mental health, contact Sacub Qureshi on 07760 214321, sq@teachingandlearningkindness.co.uk or visit his website www.teachingandlearningkindness.co.uk

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// Mental Health

It’s great to know that, in terms of mental health, the scaffolding industry is putting something priceless back into the community. And as ScaffMag has previously reported there are mental health experts and a leading company not just walking the walk, but talking the talk

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WALKING THE WALK

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oth Ian Hines and Matt Hartill, representing Lyndon SGB, have never sat on the sidelines when it comes to the mental wellbeing of their work colleagues. Now their brilliantly empathetic foresight is reaching out to those who may not necessarily be from the industry. In truth, the recent pandemic has highlighted many things as well as bring people closer together. But it may also inadvertently have brought mental health to the forefront.

At the time of writing both Ian and Matt, through Lyndon, had been responsible for training more than 200 mental health first aiders. They’d also supervised 40 half-day mental health awareness courses throughout the business as they continue to educate themselves and others in how to tackle the stigma and discrimination existing within the construction industry.

Lyndon have supported training on behalf of construction giant Balfour Beatty in east London aimed at the whole community. As a result, a drop-in centre has emerged inviting anyone to come in and get some help for their problems. Matt added: “Just having someone listen and support you when things are difficult can be the difference between slipping into depression or being able to find the strength to ask for help.”

Balfour Beattie told us: “It was felt by the EWS team that not only physical

health but mental health should be looked after, therefore undertaking more training would provide the tools to arm the community to support Youth groups in Custom House, east London throughout this trying period and beyond.

“Lyndon SGB delivered two courses across a week, each with eight youth workers from various youth groups.

The training covers heavy but essential topics including recognising symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicide all of which have increased since the beginning of the pandemic.

“The attendees felt Lyndon SGB created a safe environment to speak openly but with the added complications of ensuring Covid-safe facilities.

The courses allowed each of them to gain the recognised Youth Mental Health First Aid qualification, accredited by Mental Health First Aid England.

Steph Greenway of Lendlease, was able to secure a room for two days a week at the Commonwealth project to provide a safe and confidential atmosphere used many times since by people just wanting a chat, or maybe some direction towards appropriate support and available help.

Matt now has a permanent presence on-site being available for a chat or more structured support if required.

Both Ian and Matt are also heavily involved in delivering help via Zoom and YouTube with social media also playing a big part in helping the cause.

“The fact is a lot of people tend to talk about mental health without really

doing anything positive – this is why we feel it’s so vital to attack the problem from within and ‘do something’ to help.

The pandemic has made us all more aware of how important good mental health can be, so we need to carry this message forward,” said Ian. In terms of a response to the expertise offered via the courses, feedback has been really good.

One student revealed: “Ian and Matt’s delivery of the course was the best training course that I have ever attended.

Their style and approach were supportive and professional. I liked how many breaks we had, giving us an opportunity to stop and reset, especially if the training brought up some of our own emotions. I can’t thank them both enough.”

Another satisfied customer said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learnt a lot. My knowledge on mental health has improved. Also Ian and Matt, thank you so much for the course and your time. You both created such a safe space where we could ask each other questions and share our experiences, and I feel more confident now to start a conversation about someone’s mental health. Thanks a lot once again.”

Ian added: “It’s when the chips are down that you see the quality of how a company cares about its employees’ mental health and it can only be said that in the tough times we find ourselves in, the buy-in from senior management has been excellent and not just PR or lip service.

“Both Matt and I are extremely proud of how all involved have not just talked the talk but walked the walk.”

It’s great for both the scaffolding industry and the wider community to know there’s a team of dedicated people ready to offer invaluable help and support on mental health. Ian and Matt care deeply about their mission, winning huge recognition for the way they’re reaching out to people of all ages.

The message is clear – let’s all pull together to create better overall mental health – it’s priceless.

THE FACT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE TEND TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH WITHOUT REALLY DOING ANYTHING POSITIVE – THIS IS WHY WE FEEL IT’S SO VITAL TO ATTACK THE PROBLEM FROM WITHIN AND ‘DO SOMETHING’ TO HELP

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// Products

BLOWING IN THE WIND For those tired of irritating problems associated with scaffold sheeting, help will soon be at hand thanks to a wonderful new product designed here in the UK. The ZAPTYE is set to make a dramatic entrance across the industry.

ScaffMag has been tying up the details

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eople working in the scaffolding industry will tell you the smallest detail can make all the difference on any project. Take sheeting for example.

It’s a vital part of any job, but when it comes loose in bad weather, big problems can result. In the past new ties needed to be quickly sorted – a painstaking task for the people involved. Although they are reusable to a certain extent, most of the life is stretched out of the tie in its first use.

Removing from the sheeting is also very time consuming.

What if individuals could use most existing ties to put costly sheeting back and place and secure it safely again?

Well, those prayers look to have been answered thanks to the foresight of Gavin Balue, an experienced full-time scaffolder who knows all about the headaches on most jobs, sheeting being one of them. The dad of two told me: “I first came up with the idea about five years ago after spending my Christmas holidays getting disrupted because of having to reattach sheeting to the scaffold every other day due to bad weather.

“It felt so frustrating having to go out in all weathers, but it was necessary for obvious reasons.

Once was fine, but when it happens again and again it really can become an annoying problem for all concerned.

“I then started thinking how it could be made easier and how reusable the existing ties actually are – though it did take me more than five years to get to this point. To be honest, the biggest challenge involved enhancing the strength of the product enough to comfortably pass British Safety Standards.”

The ZAPTYE is designed only to stretch with the wind. What’s more, due to grooves in the anchor point and its 360-degree rotation it’s extremely easy to attach and remove from the sheeting.

It’s made up of three parts including injection-moulded plastic, staples and bungee cord. Like most extremely useful inventions it’s simple yet brilliant in its concept, and it’s very difficult not to

see it becoming a huge success across the sector.

Gavin added: “There hasn’t been a great deal of feedback as yet, but I hope with the help of ScaffMag we can bring the product to the attention of firms in the business who may like to give it a try.

“Hopefully this will be the perfect solution for one of those everyday problems scaffolders have to face from time to time.”

It’s clear the answer to what has been a seemingly eternal problem for site workers up and down the land, is, to use the words of Bob Dylan, “blowing in the wind”. Sheet music to the ears of all our scaffolders.

A bag of 100 ZAPTYEs will cost £25 plus VAT which will be available to pre-order from Avestin Ltd www.zaptye.com.

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// Products

T

he UK-manufactured G&M Safe Deck is rapidly establishing an enviable reputation among the leading house builders in the country – with Taylor Wimpey Homes this year making G&M’s Safe Deck system and new Access Hatch product part of their approved ‘valued supplier’ network. And Breck Homes are now also utilising G&M Safe Deck as their site supplier for safety decking and hatches.

On top of this, G&M Safe Deck is a FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training) industry trade body-approved system enabling G&M FASET training courses for managers and operatives allowing you to apply for the blue CSCS card.

G&M Managing Director Mark Pickles said: “Since its launch less than a decade ago, G&M Safe Deck has been increasingly popular in the construction industry, especially housebuilding and event staging. Contractors who previously only ever used scaffolding as their access and working platform solution are recognising how much faster, safer and cheaper G&M Safe Deck is on site.

“And since we launched our freestanding G&M Safe Deck system late last year, the industry is really starting to take note, with orders flying in from some of the biggest names in the sector – all recognising the multiple benefits we offer.

“Despite the pandemic difficulties, thanks to our great G&M Safe Deck product advantages and the launch of the now FASET-approved free-standing system, we have never been busier. Orders are flying in from all over the country.”

Utilising just one simple, robust and lightweight component that is swiftly pinned onto legs, G&M Safe Deck’s free-standing system is up to 75% faster than tube-and-fitting scaffolding to erect and dismantle and does not require a supporting structure – yet is capable of taking loads up to 2Kn/m2.

And with G&M in full control over its production here in the UK, the non-slip decking surface can be company branded, or manufactured in unique company

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SAFE HANDS Leading construction access platform decking brand G&M Safe Deck is achieving record sales and hire contracts for its innovative free-standing crash deck and working platform system colours, which is proving a popular option for contractors.

Speaking about G&M Safe Deck, client Phil Smith of Domis said: “We were delighted to work with G&M Safe Deck to create our own decking. Being able to produce their system in our company colours and apply our brand was really important to us to enable us to raise our own brand awareness on site. The process was simple and working with the G&M team was an enjoyable experience.”

Ideal for housebuilding access platforms, event staging/infill, the quick, affordable and easy crash deck is also simple to provide tube-and-fitting edge protection around, to simply comply with workingat-height regulations.

And the innovative standalone working platform is incredibly hardy – resistant to rot, chemicals, UV and also manufactured in non-conductive injection-moulded HPDE panels (making it increasingly popular in the rail sector).

G&M Safe Deck is highly versatile too, available in different sizes and different leg

heights, from 1.5m, 1.7m, 2m and 2.5m (and boards can be safely cut down to bespoke sizes) allowing contractors to pick the right-sized system to fit into any area, tailored to meet exacting job requirements.

Gleeson Health and Safety Advisor Jake Iles recently said: “Making the move from our previous fall protection method of soft-landing bags over to safety decking was made so much easier by the guidance and assistance from the team at G&M. “It’s great to be able to pick up the phone and speak with a familiar face who understands the company’s needs as opposed to having to deal with different people on a regular basis. As a result we have a good working relationship with G&M and a robust decking system in place on site.”

Information on the fast-selling G&M Safe Deck/free-standing and their other innovative products – like the new G&M Access Hatch – can be found at: www. gmsafedeck.com or by calling 01606 834630, alternatively you can e-mail Chris Leggett at chrisleggett@gmsafetynetting.co.uk.

ESTABLISHED 1992

BRENT SCAFFOLD BOARDS LTD

MANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER OF TIMBER SCAFFOLD BOARDS A well established family run business that has been a major supplier and manufacturer of timber scaffold boards and system battens to the scaffolding and construction industry since 1992.

Operating 5 fully automatic endbanding machines outputting 50,000 banded boards per week.

All boards are manufactured in the UK to BS2482 under the BSI Kitemarked quality assurance scheme.

Personalised banding, branding and Fire retardant treatments to Euro class B & C. Worldwide export service.

www.brentscaffoldboards.co.uk Tel 01757 289199 Email info@brentscaffoldboards.co.uk Brent Scaffold Boards Ltd Breighton Airfield | Bubwith | Selby | YO8 6DJ | United Kingdom

// Products

Opportunity strikes Russell Tennent, Managing Director at Leach’s, discusses five scaffolding trends to watch out for in 2021 and beyond

I

t’s no secret that most of us were relieved to see the back of 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has completely transformed the way we live and work and inflicted misery on large swathes of our economy.

But, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite the latest lockdown, 2021 seems to be a year of hope and opportunity. A successful vaccine programme and the potential spring easing of restrictions has given us all a much-needed boost.

The future looks bright for the scaffolding and construction industries, too. As we look to keep the wheels of our economy turning, construction is going to be central to rebuilding many countries around the world.

At Leach’s, we’ve done a spot of future-gazing and come up with five trends we feel could significantly impact the scaffolding and construction industries in the coming months and years.

1

Becoming greener There is no doubt 2020 was a tough year. However, hardship always brings with it opportunity.

And there is perhaps no greater opportunity than to change the way we think by looking for new greener and planet-saving solutions.

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One way we can help our industry shift towards greater environmentally friendly practices is the use of eco-friendly scaffold sheeting. We have seen steady growth of eco sheeting over 2020 and believe in 2021 sales will be even stronger.

Scaffold sheeting has become a standard product in many sectors, helping all sorts of tradespersons undertake their duties safely without the risk of adverse weather disrupting productivity. But up until very recently it’s been an unrecyclable product and full of toxic chemicals.

Last year BIGBEN launched its Superclad ECO Scaffold Sheeting product which has been specially manufactured to

be recycled. It’s halogen free and has been independently tested for recyclability, and passed with flying colours. We believe for many this will be one of a number of green products that will be adopted more widely in the future.

2

Increased deployment of Scaffolding Systems Many scaffolders and users of scaffold systems have been crying out for a solution that is faster to build, easy to erect and increasingly flexible to use. That has inspired innovative businesses, such as MonZon, to pioneer new systems, including MonZon NO

LIMIT™. This state-of-the-art scaffolding system is incredibly light but strong, quick and simple to build, and doesn’t compromise on safety.

It’s set to challenge many of the existing players in the modular marketplace.

And, we wonder, could systems like these overtake the use of traditional tube and fitting in the decades to come?

3

A laser focus on health and safety Many in our sector will remember the poor safety record in years gone by. Training left something to be desired, and accidents were frustratingly frequent. Fast-forward to today and much has changed. Training has been radically overhauled and scaffold inspections have become the norm, resulting in a sharp decline of accidents and injuries.

But that doesn’t mean we can take our foot off the gas. The only way these gains will continue is if we keep focusing on ensuring all those working on-site are able to do so safely. That means greater regulation and more innovative solutions.

Health and safety doesn’t just refer to preventing physical injuries anymore.

2020 proved just how important it is to create an environment that restricts the spread of illness, too. It’s been a rapid learning curve for us all, but we should be encouraged by how quickly we’ve been able to adapt to our new normal.

What products and practices introduced in 2020 as a consequence of Covid-19 will remain on site for years to come?

4

Attracting new talent Working in the scaffolding industry isn’t just a job, it’s a career, and a good one to boot.

Yet attracting a young and more diverse range of people into the sector has been a challenge for many.

Now, more than ever, our industry must establish a culture that fosters ambition, delivers quality training, and provides support and opportunity to those interested in embarking on a career in scaffolding and construction. What can we do as an industry to encourage this?

5

Robots erecting scaffolding OK, so a shift to robots may not be on the cards anytime soon…

If you do get five minutes on your lunch break, watch this video via ScaffMag and you’ll see Nasa’s Valkyrie Robot using human tools to erect a scaffold. Admittedly it’s a little slow at the moment, but we could be witnessing something quite remarkable for the future.

TRAINING HAS BEEN RADICALLY OVERHAULED AND SCAFFOLD INSPECTIONS HAVE BECOME THE NORM, RESULTING IN A SHARP DECLINE OF ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

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// Tax

CASH BACK Through the R&D tax relief scheme, scaffolders can claim money back from HMRC for the challenging areas of their work

O

n average, scaffolders we support receive £42,000 as a cash benefit to their business, but we’ve also supported many of the UK’s largest scaffolding companies worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to them.

If you qualify for the scheme, it entitles you to money back that you have spent over your past two financial years on PAYE salaries, sub-contracting costs and wasted materials along with consumable spend. It is also something that you can claim year-on-year.

WHAT ENTITLES ME TO THIS?

To be eligible you must be a limited business, have 15+ employees (whether PAYE or sub-contractors) and have been trading for more than 12 months.

Typically, the more staff you have the greater return you will receive through the scheme. It is also important that you are carrying out challenging work.

WHAT COUNTS AS CHALLENGING WORK?

• Bridges, railways or tunnels • Commercial and historical properties

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• Tendering for projects and writing proposals • Working on one-off or unique commercial projects • Making improvements to techniques • Re-engineering scaffolding • Working to others’ designs • Enhancing safety • Testing and prototyping • Project overburn HOW DOES IT WORK?

We take care of the full process from start to finish, assigning a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Engineer to work on your claim. Together they will build a technical report – a narrative which acts as a justification as to why you are entitled to the money back. We will submit this for you and within four to six weeks HMRC release the funds directly to you. All of this is taken care of on a no-win no-fee arrangement. All of this takes less than an hour of your business time.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU?

• Success fee model, no bills, hidden or upfront costs.

• Specialists in scaffolding claims.

• 100% success rate! Every claim we have

submitted has been approved and paid out by HMRC. • The consultants we assign you have dealt with over 3,000 claims and helped companies access over £55m of funding.

• We give you access to financial advice that some of the largest and best-known brands in the UK benefit from.

• Industry experts – our team have site knowledge and experience, so they understand the intricacies of your projects.

• Full transparency from start to finish.

• Our consultants are financially rewarded for how much they get you back, this means that they are fully invested in the amount of relief you end up with.

• Clear, concise information, no confusing jargon.

We pride ourselves on our excellent level of service for every single one of our clients. Whether you are a large company with 20 years of experience, or a smaller business set up in the last few years, we are on your side.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Give us a call on 0117 403 3865 or email our Bristol Managing Director at ben.henbest@harmoneyconsulting.co.uk

R&D TAX RELIEF

SCAFFOLDING Our Average Claim for a scaffolding firm is £42,000

Your 'everyday projects' qualify for this relief!

If you are carrying out any of the following, then you are very likely to be eligible to claim: Working on bridges, railways or tunnels Commercial and historical properties Tendering for projects and writing proposals Working on one-off or unique commercial projects Working to others' designs Enhancing safety Testing and prototyping We can claim back a percentage of money that you have spent on PAYE salaries, sub-contractors, wasted materials and consumables.

You will receive a cash benefit paid directly from HMRC.

contact@harmoneyconsulting.co.uk |

0117 4033865

NOW - MORE INNOVATION FROM FAST ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL

WINNER NASC INNOVATION AWARD

ALLROUND COMPATIBLE

The past, present and future of system scaffolding

FS 554413

Approved Training Provider

EXPANSIO

Layher UK info@layher.co.uk | www.layher.co.uk

Z-8.22.64 and Z-8-22-64.1

07 P

VGS-L 10

LAYHER: FLEXBEAM

L SUPPORT

High load capacity, low height solution – for simplified construction of suspended and cantilevered scaffolds • 40% higher bending load capacity • 40% lower structural height (280mm) • No requirement for horizontal/diagonal plan bracing • Fast, easy, safe and systemised assembly

MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS

ON PARTS YEARS OF A NOV TION IN

// Projects

PROJECTS Clifford Tower, York Sheffield Arena car park ● Hartland Abbey, Devon ● Kensington High Street, London ●

●

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// Projects

Keeping history alive

With imposing views across the city, York’s Clifford Tower will remain a breathtaking North Yorkshire landmark long into the future thanks to some loving restoration and repair work along with a little help from one of the county’s finest scaffolding exponents

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W

hichever way you look the city of York makes for a dramatic vista with its a sequence of castles, prisons, law courts and many other spectacular properties. Look closely at the castle close to the River Foss and you’ll spot the now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle commonly referred to as Clifford’s Tower.

More than nine centuries of history have roots in this world-famous place, so any scaffolder would surely be proud to play a part in helping restore a past so important to York’s future.

The original mound of Clifford’s Tower, with a timber structure at the top, was constructed by William the Conqueror in 1068 as a statement of his power over the whole area.

The passage of time, however, along with huge

numbers of visitors meant restoration work was urgently needed to both conserve and repair the tower for future generations to enjoy.

English Heritage have told us: “In June 2020, City of York Council granted planning permission to enable conservation and improvements to visitor infrastructure at Clifford’s Tower, following our consultation which showed clear support among the people of York for the plans.

“Following this, separate Scheduled Monument Consent was granted in September 2020, meaning that all the necessary permissions were now in place for work to start. Work started on our project to undertake specialist care of the tower’s historic fabric in November 2020.

“The tower is now likely to have to remain closed to visitors until the project is completed in summer 2021.”

Wetherby-based Say Scaffolding were charged with the task of erecting a scaffolding design strong and safe enough to be set in place for 30 weeks, while the work was carried out by Simpson of York.

Say offer bespoke and innovative scaffolding solutions using a combination of traditional tube-and-fitting, and Layher system scaffolding.

And with Managing Director Philip Wetten both pricing up the job and also playing a leading role in its creation with Scot Nicholas, director of Raptor Scaffolding Design, English Heritage were in good hands throughout.

They chose a free-standing barrow-run scaffold fully buttressed on both sides with an attached Layher system stair tower. A 2,000kg goods hoist was attached to the end of the scaffold to help with the project. The fully external perimeter scaffold has a neat and efficient look having seen five fully boarded lifts. In short, everything required for restoration and repair work.

In fact, previous experience is invaluable on such a challenge – Say could fall back on the knowledge gained from lifts fully boarded in 2019.

It’s also important to note work involved in putting three temporary roof sections in place – one over the main entrance and another over stair cores one and two.

And when it comes to a safe and secure working platform for a new roof structure, the company weren’t found wanting. Enter a birdcage scaffold bridged two ways from a central independent to the internal perimeter scaffold. The view looking up from the bottom of those well-trodden steps is certainly impressive.

Most scaffolders would agree any project of

historical importance should blend in with the surroundings as best as possible, and this is certainly the case with the Clifford Tower.

It’s scaffolding guaranteed to do any castle proud.

But then this isn’t surprising given the history of the company involved.

Established in 2004, SAY Group of Companies / SAY Scaffolding (Northern) Ltd has established itself as a key player within the scaffolding industry, providing access, protection and support scaffolding for a broad range of infrastructure, building and refurbishment projects.

A Say in keeping history alive is worth its weight in Yorkshire gold. www.sayltd.co.uk

MORE THAN NINE CENTURIES OF HISTORY HAVE ROOTS IN THIS WORLD-FAMOUS PLACE, SO ANY SCAFFOLDER WOULD SURELY BE PROUD TO PLAY A PART IN HELPING RESTORE A PAST SO IMPORTANT TO YORK’S FUTURE

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// Projects

PULL NO PUNCHES

As sharp as the finest Sheffield Steel, the innovators from Rowland Scaffold weren’t slow in scoring points for the UK’s first drive-in boxing show. Off came the gloves to deliver an industry triumph as Grahame Anderson discovered Photography: Drone 21 UK Ltd / HCH Photography

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S

outh Yorkshire-based Rowland Scaffold has a certain ring about it.

It’s never a surprise to see their expertise open up from the very first bell. And so it proved when drive-in boxing came calling.

They are renowned for providing specialist services such as large bridge spans, raking shores, large temporary roofs and every aspect of design work and complex structures. But this was certainly a different bout in terms of a challenge, as Zac Rowland explained: “We were approached by Denis Hobson Promotions, who said they were considering a special event in the form of a ‘drive-in’ boxing show in Sheffield. They asked for our help in constructing the temporary roof above the boxing ring. The event was held in the car park of the Sheffield Arena, so the structure had to be completely freestanding.

“We worked with Creator Design to come up with a design more suitable for covering the ring, and not to be intrusive for the Eurosport television cameras. The promoter has worked with numerous world champions, so we knew only a winning result would do.”

Dennis added: “I’ve been involved in boxing at all levels and have staged shows from Rotherham to Las Vegas. Obviously, this pandemic has seriously affected everybody’s lives, and it’s been a very difficult time. The sports world has been massively hit, and

WE WERE ALL EXTREMELY PROUD OF CONSTRUCTING SUCH AN AWESOME STRUCTURE TO SHOWCASE THE UK’S FIRST-EVER DRIVE-IN BOXING EVENT

that includes boxing, with few shows going ahead with no audience and lots of restrictions.”

After numerous discussions, the suggestion was to construct four towers carrying eight tonnes of kentledge per tower. To add extra strength, one tonne blocks of concrete would be utilised, stacked on top of each other within the towers.

Setting to work with an impressive plan, the team from Rowland Scaffold were more than happy to see the concrete carefully put into place. It was a case of starting to build the temporary roof using 750mm beams all laced and braced with more than 2,400 fittings. It was delicate, intricate work for the team.

The city’s arena is one of the most prestigious venues in the north, but like any champion, the squad at Rowland quickly found their stride.

It took a full five days to finish the job, but the result was certainly worth waiting for.

Zac added: “It was great to showcase what Rowland Scaffold is all about, building something out of the norm in such a short space of time. It really did look special indeed. We are well versed in the field of technical work and this experience proved invaluable. We were all extremely proud of constructing such an awesome structure to showcase the UK’s first-ever drive-in boxing event.”

The verdict for all the judges, stronger than even the seven hills, was clear – this dynamic scaffolding champion can take on all-comers floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, when it comes to any sporting temporary roof.

We give you – Rowland Scaffolding by a majority decision!!

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// Projects

It needs an advanced scaffolding company to ensure repair and refurbishment works can be carried out safely at one of our most-loved ancestral homes.

ScaffMag reports on how one of the foremost companies in beautiful Devon set about creating the perfect temporary roof for a heavenly Abbey

UP ON THE ROOF

H

artland Abbey is one of the most historically important ancestral homes in North Devon.

The beautiful house contains much of national interest with architecture and decorations from medieval times through to Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. It houses glorious paintings, Chinese artefacts, porcelain and furniture collected over generations.

Built in the 12th century the breathtaking Grade I-listed abbey was the longest-surviving monastery in the country. In 1539 it was gifted by Henry VIII to the Keeper of his Wine Cellar, and today the house remains within the Stucley family.

When award-winning Advanced Scaffolding were asked to provide a temporary roof for the works, you can imagine how honoured the team must have felt. In fact, a large amount of new scaffolding materials were purchased to facilitate the contract.

Deliveries to the site also had to be strategically managed due to access and space restraints, working to the strictest Covid parameters.

And when it came to on-the-job challenges it was not just a question of how to secure the scaffolding into a Grade I-listed building, with minimal damage.

Due to the listed building status Advanced were limited as to what methods they could use. The team secured the scaffolding using M16 couplers recessed into the ancient stonework 40mm, securing M16 threaded ring bolts set horizontally, resin bonded into the coupler and fixed in position. Additional sleeve socks were used to minimise resin loss in the stonework voids. When the scaffolding is taken down

68 | SCAFFMAG.COM

and ties are removed the positions will be recorded before the coupler can be capped and the holes pointed in with lime mortar.

Matt Bacon, founder of the company in 1999, takes up the story: “Working together with Heddon Mill Limited, Optima Scaffold Designs LLP, Jonathan Rhind Architects Ltd and PCA Consulting Engineers, we were able to conquer the many challenges this huge project delivered. Due to the sheer scale of the project and design constraints a Ubix Temporary Roofing System was used to span across some 25m of the roof. The roof system was assembled on the ground by the team and then lifted into place with the assistance of KAS Crane Hire.

The full roof structure and weatherproof shrinkwrap sheeting was completed in under four days.”

The design was altered midway through the build after it was discovered some elevations of the abbey had been extended using a timber frame construction.

These areas required sections of beam work.

Sixteen-metre spans over fragile lower roof sections were built using 780mm lattice beams, with buttresses and vast kentledge blocks to secure the structure.

Historic England granted funds towards vital

repairs. It was a decision made while the abbey is closed to visitors due to Covid restrictions, and the perfect opportunity to make the essential repairs and replace the entire roof. Filming commitments at the abbey imposed strict time constraints on any works.

As a result, a team of six skilled scaffolders led by Senior Chargehand Stuart Robertson, worked seven days a week to ensure the project was handed over on time. Six weeks prior to Christmas were spent erecting the scaffolding around the abbey ready for the Ubix Temporary Roof System to be fitted into place in the new year. This time-sensitive project took a total of only eight weeks to complete from start date to handover.

Matt created Advanced with the ethos of providing a professional, reliable company with a reputation for excellence, currently employing 49 operatives qualified to undertake all types of scaffolding requirements. While most of their work is within Devon, they do have one gang travelling further afield completing work for various contractors across the UK. Work includes specialist scaffolding, temporary roofs, commercial contracts, housing sites and

WE WERE DELIGHTED AND EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE INVOLVED IN SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS CONTRACT. IT WILL BE EXCITING TO REVEAL HARTLAND ABBEY ONCE ALL WORKS ARE COMPLETED smaller domestic works. Matt believes in investing in his employees, and training staff to achieve their best potential. All Advanced Scaffolding (SW) Ltd operatives are regularly updating their training to stay ahead in our industry and comply with all best working practices, their reputation and exemplary safety record reflects this.

Matt added: “We were delighted to be involved in such a prestigious contract and extremely proud of all our team involved. It will be exciting to reveal Hartland Abbey once all works are completed.”

Hartland Abbey is looking forward to welcoming visitors soon, while Advanced Scaffolding continue to go up the ladder to the roof, once again reaching new heights. advancedscaffoldingltd.co.uk

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// Projects

E

ven with the reduced footfall and lower traffic levels created

by Covid-19, scaffolding an iconic building in Kensington High Street poses major challenges, including the need to minimise impact on pedestrian traffic and the requirement to ensure that store windows and access routes are not obstructed, not to mention the fact that the scaffold has to be erected during night-time possessions.

JDC Scaffolding were responsible for erecting scaffold on what was formerly Barkers Department store – one of the most iconic buildings in the Kensington Square Conservation Area.

Contracted by PAYE Stonework and Restoration Ltd, who were undertaking extensive refurbishment of the spectacular Grade II*-listed art deco façade, JDC Scaffolding knew exactly

how to fulfil the brief.

Working closely with UK System Scaffold Hire, JDC Scaffolding developed an innovative gantry design which used HAKI tripods to span over the existing lightweight canopy and support double-width access scaffold above.

TRIPODS HELPED ACHIEVE HUGE TIME SAVINGS

Each single tripod could carry a permissible load of 60Kn which reduced enormously the amount of scaffolding that had to be used at street level.

This had multiple benefits as Adam Callow, Design Manager at JDC Scaffolding, explains: “Using the HAKI tripods helped us to achieve huge time savings compared with using tube and fittings. It also enabled the pavement to

be kept open throughout the project (even allowing the free movement of mobility scooters) and also provided clear visibility of display windows while work was progressing.”

Adam also praised UK System Scaffold Hire’s approach to the project: “UKSSH were fully on board with the project from day one. They understood the requirements from a technical perspective, they responded to our needs for accurate and on-time delivery to comply with our night-time possessions and they integrated their skill sets with our overall design which involved utilising tube and fittings once the 10-metre high tripod element had provided the foundation for a working gantry above the building’s decorative canopy. The result is a project that we can all be proud of.”

Working closely with UK System Scaffold Hire, JDC Scaffolding developed an innovative gantry design which used HAKI Tripods to minimise disruption in Kensington High Street

Look smart 70 | SCAFFMAG.COM

scaffmag THE SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE

ISSUE 8, 2020 SCAFFMAG.COM SCAFFOLDER’S QUARTERLY

WELLINGTON MONUMENT Apex tops out on the world’s tallest triangular obelisk

PLUS

Tech trends that will reshape the future of construction

Business Spotlight: Enigma Industrial Services

Lynn Way: The first female President of the NASC

scaffmag

ISSUE 9, 2020 SCAFFMAG.COM SCAFFOLDER’S QUARTERLY

THE SCAFFOLDING MAGAZINE

HOW COVID-19 IS CHANGING THE SCAFFOLDING INDUSTRY The greatest crisis Britain has faced since World War 2

PLUS

CISRS Card changeover proves an uphill battle

Attracting a new generation to the sector

Coventry Scaffolding: A phoenix from the city’s ashes

The best-read quarterly magazine in scaffolding At the very heart of the scaffolding and access industry, ScaffMag has been serving the industry since 2009 by championing best practice, raising awareness of safety issues on-site and promoting business excellence.

ScaffMag delivers its mixture of news, views, trends and product updates through digital channels and in print.

ScaffMag gives businesses and brands an unrivalled opportunity to advertise their products or services 24 hours a day, seven days a week to a highly targeted audience.

To find out more about advertising, contact Jessica Norton on 01472 476024 or email jess@scaffmag.com

SCAFFMAG.COM | 71

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