Layher continues to deliver beyond Brexit

It may be the case that Brexit has dropped out of the main headlines for much of the last year, but it is still very much at the forefront across industry. The construction sector is no different in this regard, with more companies adapting and shaping operations to meet the new challenges

Some six months on from the UK’s departure from the EU, one particular organisation in the scaffolding sector – which has its feet firmly planted on both sides of the Channel – is ideally placed to reflect on how the changes have been accommodated and, moreover, have opened up new opportunities. Layher Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of system scaffolding, access and temporary protection systems, can take a genuinely balanced view, as UK Managing Director Sean Pike explains: “Our manufacturing plant near Stuttgart in Germany supplies our operations worldwide and the UK has long been a growing market for our equipment and expertise,” he says. “Importantly, this has always had the provision of local services at its core and, through careful planning and clear-cut customer commitment, we have been able to maintain this by making a smooth transition to life outside the EU.”

The organisation has long believed that customers’ decisions to utilise its modular systems are not based solely on proven designs, safety and performance, but also on the ability to access the full range of support services at a local level. Layher’s head office in this country in Letchworth is supplemented by a network of regional depots – at Eggborough near Doncaster, West Bromwich in the West Midlands and Livingston in Scotland.

“To continue to pursue this philosophy, we took the decision in late 2019 to ensure each of our depots in the UK was fully stocked in readiness for the January 1st 2021 Brexit date, thereby accounting for any potential delays during the Brexit process,” continues Sean Pike.

Pike also emphasises the role played by Layher’s support capability. Clearly an element of the company’s service that does not depend on physical material availability or delivery, it did not only operate normally during the Brexit period but, now beyond, is continuing to thrive. Indeed, gaining a full understanding of the procedures involved – and being able to help customers do likewise – has also been vital in helping to create new business opportunities.

“We have long held the view that, irrespective of a project’s type or size – from a single house construction to the provision of access for globally recognised structures – the relationship we build with each customer is the same,” adds Pike. “Our service can range from initial support on site to the creation of structural design and build programmes, and we are always looking to build operational partnerships that reflect the specific needs of each individual contractor.” In this context, he highlights the growing use of Layher’s Scaffold Information Modelling (SIM) software whereby project requirements can be assessed and build processes visualised ahead of installation.

Importantly, UK customers can continue to rely on ongoing production investment, such as Layher’s recently commissioned third manufacturing plant, continuing to underpin the company’s delivery capability. Pike also points out that Layher remains fully committed to product development, much of which is derived directly from customer feedback. “The fact that we have also been able to maintain this element of our service irrespective of potential Brexit considerations, has been extremely important to our customers,” he says.

The continuing confidence and commitment that can now be demonstrated by Layher’s operations in the UK remain fully endorsed at Layher’s head office by Principal Shareholder, Georg Layher. “The UK is a key market for us and the growth that we have been able to achieve, particularly in the last decade, reflects on both the suitability and design innovation of our products as well as the accelerating move away from traditional tube-and-coupler scaffolding,” he says. “The efficiency, versatility and safety benefits associated with our systems and our ongoing belief in using customer feedback to drive innovation will continue to be as relevant and as important in the future – irrespective of the relationship between the UK and Europe. Our belief in continuing success and growth in the UK at a local level remains as strong as ever.”

It is a view that is echoed here by Sean Pike. “Post-Brexit, and as we slowly emerge from the pandemic, our customer base is becoming increasingly active – in many cases, more so than before the events of 2020. The fact that we are able to respond to, and match, this growth pays testimony not only to our Brexit planning and ongoing equipment delivery capability – which has seen us supplying almost 5,500 tonnes of material in just the first six months of this year – it also reflects on our belief in working closely with customers to develop strategies that meet their individual needs.

“This is the optimum way to ensure their order requirements are best met – despite fluctuations such as the widely acknowledged materials supply shortage – allowing them to grow and develop their own businesses long into the future,” Sean Pike concludes.

THE UK IS A KEY MARKET FOR US AND THE GROWTH THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST DECADE, REFLECTS ON BOTH THE SUITABILITY AND DESIGN INNOVATION OF OUR PRODUCTS