Since its founding in 1992, George Roberts (North West) Limited established itself as a beacon of quality and reliability in the scaffolding industry.
With a focus on maintaining comprehensive stocks of high-quality products, the company has grown from a local business into a major player serving both domestic and international markets. Under the visionary leadership of Chairman George Roberts, the company adhered to a strategy that emphasised enduring personal relationships with clients and a commitment to exceptional service standards.
Operating from a purpose-built 16-acre site in Liverpool, George Roberts (North West) Limited supplied a diverse range of industries, including housebuilding, nuclear, oil & gas, formwork, defence, and general construction sectors.
The company’s extensive product range included tube, fittings, boards, and accessories, along with being a leading distributor of Genuine Layher, K/Lok, K/Stage Systems, Uniscaff Stair Towers, and System Temporary Roofs. This diverse portfolio was supported by unrivalled stock availability and a robust in-house HSEQ regime, ensuring that all products consistently met relevant standards.
The company’s success over the past 32 years is a testament to its strong brand, comprehensive product offerings, and dedicated team. With a turnover exceeding £50 million, George Roberts (North West) Limited became synonymous with quality and innovation in the scaffolding industry.
Charting a New Course with Employee Ownership
In a move that underscored its commitment to its workforce and customers, George Roberts (North West) Limited announced the formation of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) in February 2024. This strategic decision highlighted the company’s dedication to maintaining its exceptional service standards and ensuring the future success of the business through employee engagement and commitment.
Chairman George Roberts, who had led the company since its inception, explained the inspiration behind the decision: “Naturally, as the business has grown over the years, it has attracted interest from many third parties who expressed a desire to purchase it. However, as someone who has always enjoyed working at the front end with our clients, my worry was that new ownership might change the things that made the company so special—its total independence, focus on supply and hire only, and forging close personal relationships with our clients.
When the idea of the EOT was tabled, it just felt right and the perfect way to protect the legacy and soul of the company. I have always been deeply invested in the loyal team who work here, and the EOT offered an opportunity to protect and strengthen their futures as well as the company’s.”
Regarding the impact of the EOT on the company’s growth and operations, Mr. Roberts added, “The main message is that whilst the management structure will evolve over time, the business remains strong and will continue to grow. The fundamentals of stock availability, quality, rapid delivery, and excellent customer relationships are the base on which everything is built in this business.”
The formation of the EOT was met with overwhelmingly positive reactions from employees. “A third-party sale always brings a level of uncertainty, which is something I was very mindful of,” Mr. Roberts noted. “The EOT negates this and provides continuity and the opportunity to evolve over time. Feedback overall is that it has embedded people into the business and given them a feeling of security, which is fantastic to see.”
“I honestly believe that this business is set up with the customer experience front and centre of everything.
Future Plans and Employee Engagement
Under the new structure, the company plans to pursue new opportunities while promoting improved employee engagement and efficiencies. “The EOT should promote improved employee engagement and efficiencies into the organisation, and its continued success will be ultimately their own personal success,” Mr Roberts stated.
To ensure employees are fully engaged and understand the benefits of the EOT, the company has implemented several initiatives. “Although we are in the early days of the EOT and the transition will take time, a core part of the EOT is engagement and communication, and this is now starting to take shape.
I have always been really open regarding the company’s performance, but this will now be enhanced by regular meetings with departmental managers who will share information with their teams. Quarterly meetings with the Trust will also allow managers to represent their team with any questions or issues that may arise,” explained Mr Roberts.
Commitment to Customers and Quality
The EOT is expected to influence the company’s relationships with customers positively. “I honestly believe that this business is set up with the customer experience front and centre of everything. The attitude is that everyone’s role is customer-focused—from the first person they speak to on the phone right through to the drivers who arrive on site in the latest vehicles that are well-presented and efficient. We believe our customers get a level of service that goes above and beyond, and this will not change; it will only improve,” Mr. Roberts affirmed.
Highlighting the company’s commitment to quality, Mr. Roberts shared, “Quality covers many different angles in our industry. Aesthetically, it is the extra details that should be a given but often are not. Little touches like us having a golden rule that every hire tube that goes out of the yard is accurately sized and, if cut, is done so properly—things like this make the difference between a good scaffold and an impressive one that looks the part. To achieve this, you need a culture running throughout the business. The yard operatives here have really bought into the standards we insist on; without that, it simply would not be possible, and I’m always so proud of this.”
The company maintains its high standards for product quality and safety through diligent effort and documented systems embedded into daily routines. “We have a team here with significant experience, covering all aspects, from qualified scaffolders who understand what our clients expect to those who know the manufacturing processes. All of these skills mix together to give us the end result of top-quality products and the ability to understand our clients’ needs,” Mr Roberts said.
Embracing Innovation and Sustainability
George Roberts (North West) Limited continually seeks to implement new technologies and processes to stay ahead in the industry. “Environmental issues are now a real focus across the industry, and these are challenges we embrace. Ultimately, scaffolding is a pretty green industry when you think about it—a 13-foot board will be recycled until it’s eventually a sole pad, and a 21-foot tube will end up as a small butt used for a tie. It’s remodelled and repurposed all the time. We are always looking into new ways to improve our processes,” Mr Roberts explained.
The company has achieved various accreditations, including ISO9001 for quality, ISO14001 for environmental management, ISO45001 for health and safety, and a FORS-approved transport fleet. The latest accreditation is PEFC, which covers the sustainable and responsible purchase of timber products. Additionally, the company is moving to electric vehicles wherever possible, with all external sales force now using electric vehicles and efforts underway to convert forklift trucks from diesel to electric to reduce the carbon footprint further.
Reflections on the Company’s Journey
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Mr. Roberts shared, “From humble beginnings, I am still amazed at what the company has achieved. I just enjoy coming to work every day—it’s not even like going to work; I love every minute of it. It’s hard to pin down one thing, really, but a big thrill is seeing young people who have been on the tools decide to have a go and start their own business.
Over 32 years, there have been many, and it’s a source of pride that there are so many now established scaffolding companies out there who we knew and worked with at the start of their journey. If someone comes in to see me who has just started up, I love to back them and watch them grow. We all need a chance in life, don’t we?”
Mr. Roberts attributes much of the company’s success to his industry knowledge and sales experience. “First and foremost, I’ve always been a salesman at heart. Apart from watching Liverpool FC, selling scaffolding is probably my favourite thing to do! I was a Sales Rep for Palmers in the early stages of my career, before mobile phones and email, and it was a tough job—but I loved it. The things I learned in that job I still use every day,” he said.
Looking to the Future
George Roberts (North West) Limited remains committed to its core values and continues to set the standard for innovation and excellence in the scaffolding industry. As the company charts this new course with the Employee Ownership Trust, it remains focused on quality, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth, ensuring a bright future for all its stakeholders. This strategic move secures the company’s future and reinforces its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of service and quality in the industry.
In conclusion, the establishment of the Employee Ownership Trust at George Roberts (North West) Limited represents a forward-thinking approach that will benefit employees, customers, and the industry as a whole. As the company charts this new course, it remains committed to the values that have driven its success for over three decades, ensuring continued growth and shared prosperity for years to come.
This article was originally published in Issue 22 of the ScaffMag magazine.
