The global scaffolding access solutions company has donated 150,000 SEK to the United Nations Refugee Agency to support Ukraine.
HAKI, known across the world from its original base in Sweden and with a site here in the UK have also released a statement reaching out to all those currently suffering in the most serious European crisis since the Second World War.
In doing so they’ve also sent out a powerful message across the industry with both operations, suppliers and transportation in mind, in the light of the Russian invasion.
HAKI CEO Thomas Schuller.
CEO Thomas Schuller exclusively revealed to us: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe has caused unspeakable suffering to innocent people with millions feeling its impact. We are very concerned about the situation in Ukraine and stand with the Ukrainian people and those around the world condemning the Russian invasion, and we support the global demands for peace.“Supply chains globally, and especially in our industry were already in disarray because of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in massive shortages, disruptions and price inflation. The war and resulting sanctions have immediately put further strains on supply chains, prompting sky-rocketing energy prices, and even worse, fear of famine.“HAKI have no direct operations in Ukraine or Russia, and we do not procure raw material from these countries. However, we do have operations and suppliers in neighbouring nations and we are in close contact with our partners, trying to fully grasp the direct consequence of the invasion.“In the short-term HAKI has enough inventory to fulfil immediate needs and though we are looking for alternative suppliers, some disruption will be inevitable. At this point in time, it’s impossible to predict how this will affect our business in the long-term.“The war in Ukraine could drastically reshape the global transportation industry even more than the pandemic did. There will be an increased demand and limited supply that may result in goods being re-routed or having to use slower or more expensive modes of transportation.“Due to the uncertain situation, we have decided not to update our annual price list as of 1 April this year. We will keep the temporary surcharge in place reserving the right to adjust this with short notice due to the crisis.“We have made a donation of 150,000 SEK to UNHCR as a starting point, and the strong commitment and willingness to help people in need from all colleagues makes me proud as CEO.“This will have long term consequences for humans and businesses and we are carefully monitoring the situation. I ask you to stay in close contact with your HAKI representative so that we together can try to find the best solution in these turbulent times.”
For HAKI, sustainability is an integral part of their trans-global business. Always striving to provide safe and healthy working conditions, HAKI plays a key role in environmental progress and continues to strive to be a role model for high ethics and equality within the industry.
HAKI, the access solutions company, Today, in the UK, there remains not only a focus on the areas in which they operate, but also crucially in other areas where the company, as an industry leader, believes it can also have a positive impact.
Several tombs and a leaden sarcophagus likely dating from the 14th century have been uncovered after teams of scaffolders prepared to erect a huge internal scaffold for workers to rebuild the ancient church’s spire.
According to reports workers were digging the footings for the scaffold directly below the centre-spot of the spire when the tombs were discovered.
Archaeologists say the burial sites located where the transept crosses the nave are “of remarkable scientific quality.”
Among the tombs was the “completely preserved, human-shaped sarcophagus made of lead,” they said.
The coffin might have been made for “a senior dignitary” and likely dated from the 1300s — the century following the cathedral’s construction.
As well as the tombs, elements of painted sculptures were found just beneath the current floor level of the cathedral, identified as parts of the original 13th-century rood screen — an architectural element separating the altar area from the nave.
Workers at the site are currently racing against a tight deadline to reopen the devastated cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris by Easter 2024—after it was nearly destroyed in a fire sparked by an electrical short three years ago.
The benefits of Layher scaffolding systems – particularly in terms of installation efficiency and the creation of clear walkways – has been clearly demonstrated in Edinburgh.
Hard Rock Scaffolding Ltd. have made extensive use of the Layher Allround Lightweight system to provide multi-level façade access for main contractors, Graham Construction Ltd. for the new build student accommodation at Westfield Road in the city.
“The facility is designed to provide 396 rooms over seven floors, including ground level, and will be operated by Watkin Jones,” says Robert Hutchison, Graham Construction Project Manager. “The facility comprises a series of façades, many of which include recesses, so the need for the scaffolding to follow this layout is paramount and is being fully met by the Layher equipment.”
Layher’s stair access systems to all levels are designed into the structure which also benefits from the use of steel decks and toe boards throughout. Significantly, the wide choice of Layher deck designs has helped to accommodate the precise dimensions of the building, ensuring potential gaps are filled throughout.
Additionally, pedestrian walkways below on two of the adjacent main roads have been created using a combination of protective fans constructed from the Layher deck system and the company’s Protect panels to create a barrier between public access areas and the working site.
“Critically, Layher scaffolding design requires only minimal cross bracing to be installed so we have been able to include virtually clear walkways throughout,” adds George Brown, Contracts Manager at Hard Rock Scaffolding. “This is of particular note where sizeable components, such as window frames, have to be brought onto the scaffold and then moved to the correct position for fixing.” “While our scaffold systems are able to meet the installation needs of a range of structures – from bridges to industrial plants – the benefits offered are always in the spotlight with façade installations,” adds Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.
“The installation at Westfield Road in Edinburgh is a prime example and we are delighted that the team at Hard Rock Scaffolding have been able to make full use of our Allround Lightweight system to meet clear access objectives on the project.”
A multi-disciplined roofing company has been sentenced for breaching safety regulations after an employee fell through a gap in scaffolding and sustained multiple injuries, whilst working on a building in Scarborough.
York Magistrates’s Court heard that in November 2017 a labourer working for Scarborough-based Infiniti Roofing and Construction Ltd fell three meters onto an office roof below causing injuries to his left wrist.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that when the labourer was moving insulation panels on the roof, he stumbled and fell through the gap.
Although Infiniti Roofing and Construction Ltd had taken measures to reduce the risk of a fall the scaffolding did not fully extend along the roof in the area where the insulation panels were stacked and stored.
The fall caused the labourer to sustain a dislocation to his left wrist and a broken bone in his hand which has required him to undergo several operations.
Infiniti Roofing and Construction Ltd of Cayton Low Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company has been fined £22,667 and ordered to pay £7,228 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Jayne Towey commented: “The accident could have been prevented if edge protection, constructed and installed to industry standards, was in place where there was a risk of a fall from height.”
The Link is one of the many residential buildings in central London undergoing remediation since the new building regulations regarding cladding were brought into action.
Scaffolding contractor, Legion Scaffolding, required access to the facades to remove and replace existing cladding. The desired access solution had to accommodate the building’s curved geometry and be mindful of spatial limitations around the site, including live traffic flow on the main road.
Following the success and speedy installation of the PERI UP Easy system on Blake Tower, Legion Scaffolding appointed PERI to supply the same façade access system on a larger scale for this project.
The solution consisted of a full wraparound, providing perimeter access across 10 levels. Varying lift heights were accommodated by integrating PERI UP Easy and PERI UP Flex components, with PERI UP Flex enabling 1m lifts for greater flexibility.
UPD 100 cover plates were used to fill voids between decks to create seamless access platforms around the curved façade.
The main benefit of the system is its advanced guardrail, which was advantageous on a project of this size. The feature, exclusive to the PERI UP Easy system, enables scaffolders to erect the guardrail for the next working level from the platform below, preventing the risk of leading edges.
Fast connections like the guardrail combined with system integration helped outperform the estimated tube and fitting assembly time by 12 weeks.
Shaun Somerton, Director of Assemble Scaffold Solutions Ltd said: “Normally we’re averaging about 10 to 13 sqm a day to install independent scaffolds with tube and fitting. With the PERI UP Easy system, we were able to erect 35 to maybe even 40 sqm a day, making all the difference to prelims and other project costs. The splay plates in the PERI UP range worked perfectly to accommodate the curved façade, allowing us to achieve a nice flush finish at the front of the building which was important considering the site’s busy location. The way the plates could be adapted and erected around corners is actually unique and something I’ve not seen anywhere else.”
The Construction Leadership Council has issued its latest statement that warns that Steel and Timber prices are set to ‘rise significantly’.
The statement confirmed, price inflation largely caused by a shortage of raw materials, rising energy, freight, and labour costs are contributing factors. But the war in Ukraine is also likely to have an impact, particularly on the supply of raw materials used in the manufacture of steel.
Bosses from the scaffolding trade body the NASC and other trade associations met earlier this week at the Build UK Trade Association Forum to discuss the crisis.
Members reported that steel and timber prices were expected to ‘rise significantly’ as a result of direct or indirect Russian links to product production.
The CLC Product Availability Group’s co-chairs released a statement on Monday that warned: “The worldwide condemnation and imposition of sanctions on Russia and Belarus in response to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine will likely have enormous implications and an impact on global trade, particularly on commodities, for years to come.“The effect of the war on the building material supply in the UK is still to be determined. The region including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus accounted for only 1.25% of building products imported into the UK last year.“However, there are likely to be higher levels of direct and indirect exposure to some product components either through raw materials such as aluminium, copper, bitumen, and pig-iron and iron ore used in the manufacture of steel, or through higher prices in more exposed European markets. In addition, sanctions against individuals with links to the regime in Russia and firms with Russian ownership may affect the UK supply chain.”ALSO READ: Major UK scaffolding materials supplier takes a stand against the Russians
Enigma Industrial Services has introduced a new logo to “ensure the brand clearly resembles the organisation’s multi-disciplinary offering.”
The company said on Thursday the refresh represents all the services they provide when operating in multiple market sectors. It has also introduced a new strap-line ‘Embracing new ideas giving maximum advantage’ that it says captures the attitude Enigma brings to everything the company offer to all stakeholder groups, including existing and prospective clients.
The nationwide Temporary Access and Industrial Service solution provider has also added a new core value of ‘Inclusivity’ highlighting that they provide access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalised.
“We aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued with equal opportunity to succeed. Enigma actively encourages stakeholder engagement,” an Enigma Industrial Services spokesperson said.
The new visual identity will be gradually rolled out across the business nationally “using a phased transitional approach.”
Enigma Industrial Services, Managing Director Scott Hardie commented: “We originally launched the Enigma Industrial Services brand in October 2018 and continue to grow. The new logo branding has been developed to both reflect our journey since then and to support our future vision and strategy objectives, by better representing what we offer and communicating our values.”
Businesses that provide products or services to scaffolding contractors can connect with hundreds of major players in the industry thanks to a new NASC membership category.
Through NASC Services & Ancillary Products membership, businesses can reach 230+ NASC Contractor members employing 16,000 operatives between them. These members account for a significant proportion of the total spend on scaffolding in the UK each year.
The new membership comes with a wide range of benefits, including the ability to:
Promote your products and services to 850+ decision makers at NASC Contractor member businesses through the NASC’s monthly Get Connected e-bulletins. The Jan and Feb bulletins received 350 clicks through to Services & Ancillary Products member websites.
Promote your products and services in the NASC’s Scaffolding Matters magazine, published in Spring and Autumn each year. Two thousand copies are distributed to members at the NASC Regional meetings. The e-edition also receives thousands of views and downloads.
Host a stand at the NASC regional meetings – held at five venues across the UK in Spring and Autumn each year.
Populate your company profile page on the NASC website
Offer deals and discounts through the Members’ Area of the NASC website
Members also have the opportunity to advertise in the NASC Yearbook, attend the NASC Ball & Awards and sponsor an NASC Award category.
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “Through Services & Ancillary Products membership we’re giving businesses unparalleled access to hundreds of established scaffolding contractors across the UK.“The membership package comprises a number of digital, print and face-to-face opportunities throughout the year, ensuring members’ messages are clearly and regularly received by NASC Contractor members.“What’s more, Contractor members have already shown that they are incredibly receptive to these messages. To date, the two Get Connected e-bulletins have received more than 1,000 opens and 350 clicks through to Services & Ancillary Products member websites.“There have also been plenty of positive conversations between Contractor members and the Services & Ancillary Products members that have exhibited at the Spring 2022 NASC regional meetings. All in all, we’re helping businesses within the NASC membership network to connect in a mutually beneficial way.”
The new membership category has been created by splitting the previous NASC Information membership category in two. Main contractor / client members will remain as Information members, while product and service providers have been transferred across to Services & Ancillary Products membership.
More details on the revised NASC Information membership category will be revealed soon.
In the light of the current European conflict, an Immingham based supplier of scaffolding materials has cancelled all orders placed for delivery to Russia.Scaffolding Supplies Ltd has made the decision faced with its latest order due to go to Sakhalin Island. They’ve also called on a complete boycott of sales to both engineering and scaffolding companies across Russia.
Contractors across the construction sector had recently been warned to act immediately to avoid a disruption in the supply chain because of the invasion of Ukraine.
With the inevitable price rises taking hold of deliveries and materials, experts across the whole construction industry had warned some projects could come to a standstill.
Scaffmag has learned the Russian invasion could drive up inflation in the cost of products utilised on construction sites here at home. This also follows on from the fact oil prices have reached a 14-year high.
“tube is set to be in short supply with prices rising to £ 1.50/ft in the next few weeks – it’s going to affect everyone.”
A spokesperson from Scaffolding Supplies Ltd told us: “You will find the material prices are on the rise again with boards alone going up £ 2.00 each. The way things are developing it won’t be long before we see £20 per board.“What’s more, tube is set to be in short supply with prices rising to £ 1.50/ft in the next few weeks – it’s going to affect everyone.“Given what President Putin has done we feel it important to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine at this critical time.“Let’s be honest, all sectors of life here in the UK will see more price rises as the conflict continues. But we feel it’s right to take a stand and are quite prepared to see any downturns through. Freedom and the people of Ukraine are at the front of our minds.”
Only yesterday President Biden reminded the world America will do all it can to punish Russia for the conflict, but freedom sometimes comes at a price.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was creating “dire economic and humanitarian consequences throughout the world.“As a result of Russia’s actions, supply chain disruption and the reallocation of certain types of materials will intensify the situation, with oil, steel, aluminium, timber and copper all set to be some of the worst affected. At a time when costs are surging, it puts builders in the unenviable position of having to raise costs for a customer base that are tightening their belts.”
In terms of the UK, it seems the Immingham company could be the first to take such action putting people before profit.
The UK’s leading manufacturer of scaffold board end bands has posted an impressive 12% increase in volumes, thanks to a timely investment in new equipment and a switch to a 4-day working week.Chilwell Products, which is now under third-generation family ownership, has invested nearly £100,000 into equipping eleven of its power presses with the latest servo feed technology from Bruderer UK.
The company which is based in Stanton by Dale were originally looking to continue using air feeds but were convinced by experts from the high-speed press specialist to trial its MF-2P servo feeders and the results have been astonishing.
Volumes have gone from 15.6million to 17.5million over the last twelve months and, better still, the firm has managed to achieve this in just four days, making Friday a permanent day off as a thank you (whilst all staff still maintain full pay).
“We always thought that using servo feeds would mean the material would slip when oily, but these initial concerns were quickly blown away once we put the equipment through a supported trial,” explained Laura Clarke, Managing Director of Chilwell Products and the granddaughter of founder Derrick Telford.
“Through experience, we found set up times were far quicker and they run the material significantly more efficiently than our incumbent air feeds; fewer jams, less downtime, less material rejected and wasted. All making for a much more efficient production.”Image: Rob Finney Photography
She continued: “With this in mind, we began to roll-out the feeders across every press in our factory and are now up to eleven, with a twelfth on order.“Working 39 hours per week and overtime during multiple points throughout the year is now a thing of the past. We always worried that we’d have to move to a larger premises and buy additional presses, but we’ve even eliminated one of the lines as it proved to be surplus! Thanks to Bruderer UK, the outlook and future for the company really has been totally transformed.”
Laura, who took over the reins from her mother and now Company Secretary and Director Lorraine Clarke in 2019, is a firm believer in work/rest balance and ensuring Chilwell Products looks after the heart of its operation – its people.
Boosted by the new technology and changes on the shopfloor, the 30-year-old business leader has written into employee contracts that they’ll never have to work on Fridays or weekends again.
It’s also worth noting that annual salaries are remaining the same, despite staff working five hours less every week.
“We’ve made the changes and have still achieved a 45% increase in capacity, helping us increase turnover and giving us the chance to go after new opportunities,” continued Laura.
“Everyone at Bruderer has been brilliant. From the start, they understood our issues and our concerns and quickly came up with a solution that eased our fears and, instead, opened our eyes to up the opportunity.“The eleven servo feeds are all high quality and installed in a timeframe that suited our business, with the added bonus of having full support of an account manager on hand if we had any small issues in the early days.”Image: Rob Finney Photography
Adrian Haller, Managing Director of Bruderer UK, added: “We’re very used to our technology and equipment having a really positive impact on the shopfloor, but it is even better to hear we have helped introduce a new culture that has transformed Chilwell Products.”
He concluded: “This is definitely a story we are going to tell people when they visit us at MACH 2022 in April – it really underlines what a difference you can make to production and capacity if you explore different processes. Better still we’ll guide you through the entire process.”
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“Critically, Layher scaffolding design requires only minimal cross bracing to be installed so we have been able to include virtually clear walkways throughout,” adds George Brown, Contracts Manager at Hard Rock Scaffolding. “This is of particular note where sizeable components, such as window frames, have to be brought onto the scaffold and then moved to the correct position for fixing.”
“While our scaffold systems are able to meet the installation needs of a range of structures – from bridges to industrial plants – the benefits offered are always in the spotlight with façade installations,” adds Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.
“The installation at Westfield Road in Edinburgh is a prime example and we are delighted that the team at Hard Rock Scaffolding have been able to make full use of our Allround Lightweight system to meet clear access objectives on the project.” 
“Critically, Layher scaffolding design requires only minimal cross bracing to be installed so we have been able to include virtually clear walkways throughout,” adds George Brown, Contracts Manager at Hard Rock Scaffolding. “This is of particular note where sizeable components, such as window frames, have to be brought onto the scaffold and then moved to the correct position for fixing.”
“While our scaffold systems are able to meet the installation needs of a range of structures – from bridges to industrial plants – the benefits offered are always in the spotlight with façade installations,” adds Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.
“The installation at Westfield Road in Edinburgh is a prime example and we are delighted that the team at Hard Rock Scaffolding have been able to make full use of our Allround Lightweight system to meet clear access objectives on the project.” 
Shaun Somerton, Director of Assemble Scaffold Solutions Ltd said: “Normally we’re averaging about 10 to 13 sqm a day to install independent scaffolds with tube and fitting. With the PERI UP Easy system, we were able to erect 35 to maybe even 40 sqm a day, making all the difference to prelims and other project costs.
The splay plates in the PERI UP range worked perfectly to accommodate the curved façade, allowing us to achieve a nice flush finish at the front of the building which was important considering the site’s busy location. The way the plates could be adapted and erected around corners is actually unique and something I’ve not seen anywhere else.” 
Shaun Somerton, Director of Assemble Scaffold Solutions Ltd said: “Normally we’re averaging about 10 to 13 sqm a day to install independent scaffolds with tube and fitting. With the PERI UP Easy system, we were able to erect 35 to maybe even 40 sqm a day, making all the difference to prelims and other project costs.
The splay plates in the PERI UP range worked perfectly to accommodate the curved façade, allowing us to achieve a nice flush finish at the front of the building which was important considering the site’s busy location. The way the plates could be adapted and erected around corners is actually unique and something I’ve not seen anywhere else.” 
