ScaffMag Editor Daniel Norton sat down with Doka CEO Robert Hauser and umdasch Industrial Solutions CEO Paolo Zumaglini to discuss how their partnership has evolved into a new global force in the scaffolding industry. 

Since the initial acquisition in 2020, significant milestones have shaped the collaboration and maximise customer value. This conversation explores the journey so far, the current market position, and what lies ahead—particularly in light of new developments set to be showcased at Bauma 2025.

Laying the Foundations: Doka and AT-PAC Join Forces

Daniel Norton: Mr. Hauser, let’s go back to the start. Doka’s full acquisition of AT-PAC in 2023 followed a few years of close collaboration. What sparked that initial partnership, and what was the bigger vision driving the decision?

Robert Hauser: The initial idea was to have Doka’s own scaffolding product line and to open up a new business segment: Industry. The construction business is heavily dependent on economic and seasonal fluctuations; we wanted to make ourselves more independent of this. Industry, on the other hand, has a more constant demand pattern and offers continuous growth opportunities. In having our own scaffolding product line for Doka, we wanted to offer our construction customers scaffolding in synergy with formwork, in the sense of a one-stop shop. 

Providing both formwork and scaffolding from a single source is still a relatively new chapter for us at Doka, especially considering our more than 70-year history. 

For decades, Doka has been known as a global market leader in formwork; that’s where our roots are. However, we have consistently recognised scaffolding as an essential part of construction and saw an opportunity to enhance our offering with the same commitment to quality and innovation.  This vision led us to partner more intensively with AT-PAC, a global leader in scaffolding systems based in the U.S. Choosing a partner in North America was no coincidence. This region is one of our key growth markets. From the outset, the collaboration was highly successful, demonstrating strong synergies and customer demand. This ultimately led to our full acquisition of AT-PAC in 2023, allowing us to fully integrate scaffolding solutions into Doka’s global offering.

DN: What immediate benefits did this integration bring to Doka’s customers?

RH: The biggest advantage for our construction customers is the ability to source both formwork and scaffolding from a single, trusted provider. This streamlined approach improves efficiency on-site, reduces complexity, and saves time. Additionally, our well-established professional rental process for formwork has been extended to scaffolding, giving our clients more flexibility and reliability in their projects.

Expanding Horizons: The Birth of umdasch Industrial Solutions

DN: Mr. Zumaglini, you’ve recently taken the helm at umdasch Industrial Solutions, the new division launched in January 2025. Can you tell us more about what this division is all about and where you see the biggest opportunities for growth?

Paolo Zumaglini: Absolutely, with the acquisition we quickly recognised the immense potential beyond construction, opening new opportunities with industrial plant operators and scaffolding contractors. It became clear that industrial clients and specialised scaffolding companies have distinct requirements compared to construction companies. To serve them effectively, we needed a dedicated platform with the right expertise and focus. This is why we established umdasch Industrial Solutions, a company of the global Umdasch Group, to which Doka also belongs. This setup allows us to provide specialised scaffolding solutions under the AT-PAC brand, while Doka continues to serve construction companies with formwork and scaffolding as an integrated package.

Today, umdasch Industrial Solutions is the third division within the Umdasch Group, focusing solely on industrial maintenance service providers, scaffolding contractors, and asset owners across sectors like oil and gas, mining, maritime, manufacturing, and energy. In each setting, we aim to be a key enabler of safe and efficient work environments, providing access, structural stability, and operational flexibility. We are rapidly expanding our global presence to support this growing market, opening multiple new locations across Europe and other key regions.

Strengthening the Brand and Portfolio

DN: Are there plans to introduce additional brands or expand the division to include other scaffolding-related services or products?

PZ: Yes. AT-PAC, our dedicated scaffolding brand, is now our primary focus as we continue to expand our global footprint. We are actively establishing AT-PAC entities worldwide to create a clear distinction between businesses and provide greater market clarity for customers. At the same time, we will leverage synergies with Doka wherever strategically beneficial, particularly in terms of internal resources and expertise.

Looking ahead, we see strong potential for expansion beyond AT-PAC. As the market evolves and new opportunities arise, we are open to introducing additional brands, products, or services that complement our portfolio and support the full lifecycle of industrial projects. Our long-term goal is to further solidify our position in scaffolding while continuously enhancing the solutions we provide to our customers.

Technology and Sustainability Driving the Future

DN: How do you both see technology, such as automation and sustainability-focused products, shaping the future of scaffolding and formwork solutions within your organisation?

PZ: Technology is transforming the scaffolding industry. Weight reduction, ergonomic design, and digitalisation are becoming increasingly important—especially in Europe, where labour regulations demand safer, more efficient systems. Lightweight scaffolding systems are easier to handle and ideal for smaller crews, improving both safety and productivity.

Additionally, digital tools like Hi-Vis® are optimising site processes, boosting efficiency, and enhancing safety. While automation in scaffolding is still in its early stages, we see great potential for it to revolutionise industrial maintenance and construction in the years ahead.

RH: On the formwork side, digitalisation and automation are already making a significant impact. Our DokaXbot Lift, a semi-automated formwork robot, is a prime example. We also integrate data-driven solutions into our systems to optimise site performance and improve decision-making.

Sustainability is another critical focus for us. We are pioneering solutions that extend product lifecycles and use recyclable materials. Additionally, we are the first in our industry to provide detailed product carbon footprint data, helping our customers align their purchasing decisions with their sustainability goals.

What’s Next: Bauma 2025

DN: What can we expect from Doka and AT-PAC at Bauma this year? Any exciting innovations to look forward to?

PZ: We are introducing several new scaffolding solutions designed to improve efficiency and safety. One highlight is the Ringlock Hybrid Standard for Façade, which combines Ringlock and frame scaffolding elements for enhanced adaptability. We are also launching the Ringlock Multi-Purpose Beam System (MPBS), which can be configured for suspended scaffolding, bridging, or long spans. Additionally, our new Public Access System is a high-load stair tower designed for public spaces and emergency routes.

RH: On the construction side, we are unveiling the Ringlock Shoring Frame, which speeds up assembly by 30% and improves site access with integrated ladders. All these innovations will be displayed alongside our towering scaffolding exhibit—always a highlight at Bauma.

The Strength of Umdasch Group

DN: Doka and umdasch Industrial Solutions benefit from the strong foundation of the Umdasch Group. How do these synergies impact your operations?

RH: The strength of the Umdasch Group provides a unique advantage for all its divisions and brands. As a family-founded company with a long history of innovation and financial stability for more than 155 years, we have the resources to drive long-term growth, expand globally, and continuously invest in our people, all of which ultimately benefit our customers.

PZ: This solid foundation provides us with a strong foundation for sustainable growth, like our mentioned global expansion plans. Within the Umdasch Group, we benefit from world-class engineering know-how, digital innovation, and a strong global infrastructure. Additionally, by leveraging shared corporate services, we can focus on what matters most: delivering value to our customers. Although umdasch Industrial Solutions is still a young company, we operate with the agility of a start-up while drawing on the experience and reliability of an established company group.

Looking Forward

As Doka and AT-PAC chart their paths within the Umdasch Group, their shared commitment to customer value, innovation, and global reach positions them to reshape the scaffolding and formwork landscape. 

For those in construction and industrial services, this is a partnership that’s building not just structures—but a future.