Cheltenham based Embrace Building Wraps have installed the UK’s first PVC-free printed scaffold wrap in partnership with Grosvenor Estate.
As one of the UK’s leading printed building & scaffold wrap project management companies Embrace Building Wraps have been working extremely hard to find an effective & durable PVC-free solution for their Clients.
The company’s persistence has now paid off, working closely with CMYUK – the UK’s largest independent supplier of large format digital printers, cutting equipment and materials. The credible answer moving forward is Kavalan’s Sunlight frontlit eco-friendly substrate for many of the projects delivered for their clients.
The UK launch partner is Grosvenor Estate down at Newson’s Yard, a high-quality retail and residential development located in Belgravia, London. The location will have a steel façade retention system and access scaffold in place for the duration of the project. Currently one of the two digitally printed scaffold wraps is in place to conceal the temporary structure.
The UK’s first non-PVC digitally printed scaffold wrap measures 26m wide & 4.5m high and carries high-resolution photography of a Rabanna print on cotton supplied by Fermoie, creators of beautiful and original fabrics with a local store on the Pimlico Road.
Greg Forster, MD at Embrace, said “Together with our two organisations respect the environment and are always on the lookout for fresh innovative solutions. The distinctive design on the wrap is pixel-perfect, masking the scaffold whilst maintaining a delightful streetscape for the community during the build. We lead, others follow!”
As a business Embrace continue to investigate ways to protect the environment and reduce waste, having started off in 2017 with the unique Banner Karma initiative for upcycling clients’ spent solid PVC banners into the agricultural sector.
Embrace is now able to offer clients PVC-free printed building and scaffold wraps. The goal is to reduce reliance on PVC and move to more sustainable printable media solutions as the sector’s leader in environmental positivity.
Successful in-house testing has been concluded on print quality to ensure that the material delivers the same visual appearance & manufacturing process with heat and vibration welding. To ensure the structural integrity of the material Embrace have conducted pull tests to ensure that the material is robust.
The results were that the PVC-free banners can withstand up to 774 kg on average, suitable for the considerable stresses Mother Nature throws at their bespoke installs over the four seasons.
The materials have passed fire tests reports in the UK with SGS a UKAS certified fire test centre for both in its natural state off the roll and with cured inks to BS 5867 Type B. The manufacturer of the eco-friendly Kavalan textile also has supporting fire test reports to the EN13501-1 and DIN 4102-1 standard.
The PVC-free banners are suitable for indoor and outdoor use as a solid flexible print substrate, constructed from a 56% polyester scrim and a 44% PA water-based coating. The great news is that Embrace will still send the material to be repurposed and then – even when the second life of the wrap is over – the material can be sent for energy-from-waste disposal.
Embrace Building Wraps: www.embracebuildingwraps.co.uk.
Since the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit the UK shores in late March, the UK’s construction industry has led the way in terms of attempting to operate with a degree of normality. Here we speak with Simon Hughes and Dave Randles, Directors of Simian, the country’s largest privately-owned scaffolding training provider, about the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic and the outlook for scaffolding training in the UK.
We asked Simon and Dave about the early stages of the pandemic and how Simian reacted to the initial lockdown.
Dave Randles said:“At the outset of the pandemic, Simian adopted a policy of compliance with Government recommendations and as such, we took the unilateral decision to close our training centres with effect from Friday 20 March. We were the first centre to proactively to that and as an unfortunate consequence, majority of training delivery staff were furloughed, using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – leaving a skeleton resource to hold the fort.
We were very conscious that we had learners who were partway through training programmes and these include scaffolding apprentices and those taking the traditional route of scaffolding training. We knew that the lockdown could last a while, so we wanted to be innovative and ensure that our learners remained engaged, even though our centres were closed. As a result, the team members who remained in work put a significant amount of time and effort into developing a range of online and remote training initiatives, using technology that had, up to that point, been largely untapped by the scaffolding industry. This included webinar and ‘virtual classroom’ products such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom – both of which are now commonplace in almost every UK workplace and very many homes.
Simon Hughes said:“As those who have attended a CISRS scaffolding training course will know, the skills and behaviours required for scaffolding cannot be taught or assessed solely in a classroom or through a computer screen.For this reason, our virtual sessions were intended to serve as supplementary knowledge-based learning for those looking to increase or maintain their knowledge, and they were made available to learners registered with Simian, and to the wider scaffolding community, generally.
As a professional training provider, we are always keen to explore the use of alternative teaching methods, many of which are used successfully in other occupations. Within the education sector, this approach is commonly referred to as ‘blended learning’, and it combines remote/virtual learning techniques with the more traditional classroom and workshop-based training.
Despite our best efforts throughout the initial lockdown to introduce these initiatives to the scaffolding industry and to engage with learners and their employers, participation was extremely disappointing. After several weeks of low attendance at our virtual sessions, a decision was made to suspend them and to concentrate our efforts on ensuring the COVID-security of our training centres.
Many occupations currently adopt a blended learning approach, and this is clearly a technique that can add value and reduce the time spent in a training centre, but the indicators from this experience tell us that the scaffolding industry is perhaps not ready to take this step.”
Busier times at SIMIAN pre-coronavirus pandemic
Dave Randles added:“As the initial lockdown eased, our Centres in Warrington, Weston-super-Mare, Waltham Forest and Coventry were made COVID-secure to ensure compliance with both Government guidance and CISRS’ interim licensing requirements, and they reopened gradually from 01 June. The biggest challenge we faced (and continue to face!) was reduced capacity, as a consequence of ensuring social distancing requirements were met. The physical constraints of some of our buildings means that some class sizes have had to be reduced and therefore, our overall capacity has been restricted and with this comes the challenge of reduced revenue and the viability issues this presents.
Throughout the lockdown months, we received very few cancellations, as our customers sought to reschedule their deferred bookings as opposed to cancel them and for that, we remain grateful for their flexibility and understanding. However, this created a further issue, which meant that hundreds of rescheduled learners had to be incorporated into our schedule, alongside pre-existing bookings.
We asked how trainees have adapted to the new requirements in training centres.
Simon said: “Since reopening, the conduct of our learners has been exemplary. Many of them have worked throughout the lockdown and are familiar with the arrangements we have implemented in our centres as they have experience of working under the recommendations of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and NASC guidance that has been produced to control the spread of the virus.”
Simian is confident that demand for scaffolding training courses is showing signs of recovery. However, the level of demand differs across the regions and it remains to be seen whether this is part of a larger regional economic trend.
Simon Hughes said:“In some regions, the curve towards pre-COVID levels of scaffolding training demand has been fairly steady, to the point where further Instructor recruitment is taking place, and in other regions, this has not been the case. On this basis it is difficult to identify a consistent trend across the whole UK.
In the past 18 months or so, the North West has seen 5 or 6 very large independently owned construction businesses fail and we have been concerned for some time that this may be an indicator of a general decline in the regional North West construction market. We are also mindful that with BREXIT looming on the horizon, the imminent end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and locally enforced lockdowns, that there is more uncertainty to come.
On a positive note for the construction training industry, it is pleasing to hear that the Government is planning several initiatives, such as Kick Start, the Apprenticeship Incentive and Traineeships to plug the gaps in the economy. This will inevitably result in job opportunities and with them, a greater demand for construction skills training. Some of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic will see retraining and upskilling opportunities to help bridge the construction industry skills gap.”
G-DECK, the construction safety decking specialist, has added a robust Lift Shaft Gate to its range of site safety products, providing a flexible solution to prevent falls from height with a price tag of just £475.
Designed by the expert team at G-DECK with the same safety-first approach to functionality as the company’s G-DECK, G-DECK Lite and G-DECK Dual systems, the G-DECK Lift Shaft Gate can be installed in just five minutes using a simple self-tapping concrete bolt.
Once in place, the G-DECK Lift Shaft Gate provides a sturdy barrier to prevent falls, while offering the flexibility for site workers to carry out work within the void without removing the gate.
Explains Ty Wilson, sales director at G-DECK: “On large development sites there are often numerous lift void apertures and these need to be protected to avoid the risk of falls from height. However, the lift shaft needs to remain accessible to allow operatives to work in the void when required.
“Our Lift Shaft Gate has been designed to fit any lift void aperture, with the easy addition of wings when the opening is wider than standard. It has also been fitted with stable doors to enable operatives to gain access by opening either the upper or lower half of the door while the other remains locked, or both halves together.
Ty Wilson, Sales Director at G-DECK
It is pad-lockable and strong enough to withstand any risk of site operatives falling into the void by pushing on the gate or colliding with it. All in all, we believe we have brought to market a best in class Lift Shaft Gate at a price that beats anything else available.”
Designed and manufactured to the highest standards, the G-DECK Lift Shaft Gate is compliant with BS EN13374: 2013 Class A, and has been fully tested by independent testing experts, Tesmec. A standard set size, which includes a gate and one wing, is 1800mm (w) x 2200 (h) and you can extend for bigger voids by adding wings which are 600mm (w) x 2200mm (h) to enable complete flexibility.
In addition to selling the Lift Shaft Gate direct to construction companies, G-DECK is already gaining significant interest in the product from scaffolding companies, which can earn additional revenue on projects by renting out Lift Shaft Gates as part of a complete access and safety solution.
“Scaffolding companies can acquire Our Lift Shaft Gate system at relatively low cost while creating an opportunity for regular rental income,” Ty continues. “Even at a modest rental of £10/week, the payback period for a gate and wing set up is under a year and, as site safety becomes an increasingly important element of winning and delivering projects for construction companies, demand has never been higher.
“We have already carried out a number of customer demos and it’s clear that this will be a hero safety product for the construction sector.”
Nick Geddes, Layher UK Technical Manager is celebrating two decades of successful service with the company.
When Nick Geddes joined the staff at Layher UK more than two decades ago he clearly had designs on a successful career move as a draftsperson/designer. Such was his vision and dexterity the Technical Manager to be was soon on the road to creating what are now standardised parts and equipment within the scaffolding industry.
It goes much deeper than that however, given his involvement in iconic projects ranging from the delivery of the scaffolding to the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben to structures used at the 2012 London Olympics.
Layher UK Managing Director Sean Pike told us: “In his early days Nick was key in the development, use and implementation of our AutoCAD 3D, colour coded wireframe drawings and Navis works animations, which back then proved to be a big advancement for Layher and scaffold design drawings generally for clients.
“In many ways, he accidentally became our industrial design expert, frequently visiting offshore oil platforms to scope, design and then supply our materials to the Britannia and Shell Leman Echo platforms.
“At the same time, he worked closely with myself and our clients at several of the UK’s largest petrochemical sites including a tank farm at the Grangemouth refinery, Longannet power station, BP Coryton Refinery and Fawley Refinery’s.
“This led to further works at power stations including a complex scaffold design inside Drax power station’s boilers. Back then all boilers in the UK had been completed in tube and fitting, and this was the UK’s first-ever system scaffold solution, which was highly successful, slashing build/dismantle times and boiler closure timings by a hugely significant amount.
It’s now the norm boilers are by and large completed in system scaffolding. This has included Allround scaffolding to the internal boilers at Arberthaw power station.”
Scaffmag has learned his ground-breaking contribution also took in works at BP Sullom Voe terminal with a unique design to hang scaffold to the jetty while transporting crude oil into the processing plant. This utilised Layher suspension shoes and 500mm deep U channel beams/steel decks.
We can add Sellafield to this impressive list where he created innovation schemes utilising rolling rails to reduce the amount and weight of scaffolding required, temporary shelters, access systems and very specialised scaffolds.At Hinkley Point C several innovative solutions have been proposed including the new adjustable corner deck only recently released and commissioned especially for this project with obvious universal appeal outside this site.
Sean added: “His work in the construction sector is as equally impressive and again was a key to us breaking into the housebuilding sector, with much time spent with key clients developing brickwork scaffold solutions, drawings, site support and again specifically designed components to make the Allround system successful in this industry.
The key here was the development of a suite of telescopic components, namely telescopic decks, ledgers gap deck abs toe boards.”
“What’s more house type scaffold drawings and specially developed console (hop up) bracket extenders and the development of a 1.5 m lift platform stair for this industry, have helped grow the success of this sector for Layher in the UK.
“In the events sector, we have grown with several key clients, but always with the experience of Nicks knowledge acquired through years of service, experience and practicality, he has with our materials. He was a lead designer with colleagues and clients in the delivery of a great many structures at the London 2012 Olympics, from public foot and service bridges, grandstands, stages, walkways and public stairs to numerous camera platforms and much more besides, this experience comes in handy again for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth games.”
In fact, Nick has slowly and steadily built a hugely successful team in the UK design office, now an eight-strong diverse young and experienced team spread across three of the Layher depots. In these technical offices, all are using state of the art and the world-leading Layher SIM for BIM, with many integrated programs to maximise the possibilities LayPLAN CAD has to offer their clients.
As the king of design at Layher UK, one of his crowning glories has been becoming one of the leading innovators in a party of several incredibly talented people. This stands as a beacon to the growing success of system scaffolding in the 21st century.
Nick, Sean and other colleagues decided to write and publish a UK Technical guide to cope with the growing questions asked about the Allround system and its capabilities by outside design companies, main contractors and customers.
Sean explained: “It took a lot of work and effort collating the information, making the easy-to-read tables and referring it all back to the relevant standards. As the use of our product has grown, so has the need for this book, which was first published in 2014, now in its fourth edition, with the fifth edition now being produced as a digital e-guide, with customers own password access via the Layher UK website.
“Nick’s involvement has helped us to provide numerous solutions for customers of all types throughout our full range of user sectors.”
Wages for self-employed construction workers have recovered to pre-Covid levels, according to the industry’s biggest payer of subcontractors.
Hudson Contract has said that average weekly pay rose month-on-month by 1.2% during November to £901, the highest level since February.
The best-performing regions for earnings growth were the northeast (up 8.4%), London (up 6.8%) and the southwest (up 5.3%), according to its data.
Hudson’s Managing Director Ian Anfield said: “It was business as usual for most construction firms last month as they continued to operate through the lockdown. Skilled workers who want to work are working. Others are staying at home and claiming the government’s self-employment income support scheme. Most of our clients are reporting a decent amount of activity and have already secured projects for next year.”
He added: “The housebuilding sector remains buoyant with support measures due to continue into the first quarter of 2021 and the government is committed to new infrastructure spending.”
Mr Anfield said that demand for labour on building sites has flattened off at 90% of pre-Covid levels.
The recovery in demand which started in the summer “reached the top of the V” in November, he said, and is now in a seasonal cycle ahead of the festive period.
We have all heard about robots and how they are going to steal our jobs and do everything that humans can do right?The big question we need to ask ourselves says Simon Boyes is “are we turning humans into robots?”
Some of you may have seen the videos being circulated on the internet of robots installing scaffolding couplers and delivering scaffolding components to different parts of the scaffolding structure but are the most sophisticated robots we are creating our human scaffolders?
Now you might have read up to this point of the article and thought “what is this guy talking about?” but stick with me because I think you will understand where I am coming from in a moment.
Over the last 5 years, the scaffolding industry has evolved, and we have experienced more change than any other time in our history.When any industry experiences rapid growth and advancements in techniques, materials and technology, there is often a delay in the legislation keeping up with the new way of doing things and we experience a period of confusion and misinterpretation.
Companies and individuals find new ways to solve old problems and the legislation may not have considered such methods in previous editions so we experience a divide in the industry of people who are still doing things the old way and people who have harnessed the change and finding more efficient ways to do business.Slowly over time legislation catches up with the advancements and new rules and regulations are implemented and this is where things can get scary.
Many of the older generations of scaffolders tell stories of a truckload of materials being delivered to a job site and the scaffolders would use their skills and knowledge to use the materials the best way they know-how.If they were short of some items, they would find a way to substitute different components to get the job done.This process has worked well for thousands of years and still happens in some places today with great success.The biggest challenge with this method is the guys on site are completely responsible for the success or failure of the project and the skill of the crew will impact how well the scaffolding has been built.You could send 10 different scaffolding crews to build the exact same job and all 10 crews would build it differently.All 10 crews will still get the job done and still give the client what they are paying for, but which crew will be the most efficient, fastest, safest ect?
In a competitive market where often, the cheapest price will win the job, time and efficiency is the key to the businesses success and this forces senior management to find new ways to get an edge on your customer.
In comes the introduction of technology and innovation and business 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.
“Are we turning human scaffolders into robots”?
There are many great scaffolding design platforms on the market that will help design the scaffolding layout, provide a bill of materials, generate accurate transport takeoffs and provide the client with a visual experience of the finished product to help the business get an advantage over their competition but by doing all the thinking for the scaffolders, are we turning them into robots?
Nowadays, the scaffolders arrive on site and everything is already done for them and someone has already decided on the most efficient way to install the scaffolding and what components need to go where.The scaffolder no longer needs to think for themselves and simply must follow what has been shown on the scaffolding plan.They will be given just the right amount of materials needed to complete the works and all the thinking has already been done for them so they can simply focus on the execution.
What happens in the instance where the client onsite needs an alteration to the original design or the conditions of the site have changed and the scaffolding needs to be modified, or the instance of a client has an urgent requirement and there isn’t enough time to prepare scaffolding plans?This is a great way to reduce costs and increase efficiencies but are the scaffolders losing their ability to think for themselves?
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 destroy the human touch at the same time?If the client could have used a machine or a robot to access their work area, they wouldn’t have needed scaffolding in the first place.
Will legislation eliminate the human factor and create an industry where the scaffolder is legally no longer allowed to think for themselves and can no longer erect a scaffolding without an engineered scaffolding plan?
As I mentioned earlier, the last 5 years we have felt the industry change and evolve at a rapid pace so over the next 5 years we will find the answers to all the above questions.I’m not sure if I am excited or scared to sit down and write this same article again in the year 2025.
Full members of the NASC can now gain free access to a broad range of transport-related resources and discounts from Logistics UK.
Through the scaffolding trade body’s Gold Affiliate Membership of Logistics UK, formerly known as the Freight Transport Association, NASC members will be able to pick and choose from 35 different services offered through the website. These include discounted rates on training, vehicle inspection services, tacho analysis services, shop, van and truck excellence (leading to lower insurance premiums), vehicle recovery, fuel cards and transport manager seminars.NASC members will also be given access to Logistic UK’s member to member portal to discuss any transport-related issues they may have. The NASC have said they will receive regular briefings on the latest developments in transport legislation and policy, which will be issued to its own members and added to the NASC website. The NASC will also be able to access Logistics UK’s Member Advice Centre, through which it can seek specific support and advice on behalf of members. NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “Through our Gold Affiliate Membership, the NASC has ensured that members have free access to a wide range of fleet resources, information and discounts – providing them with invaluable transport knowledge and cost savings. “We are the first construction industry trade body to take up this membership and are proud to be leading the way. Our close association with Logistics UK adds yet another benefit of NASC membership to scaffolding contractors and suppliers, building on a list that includes access to work, technical and health & safety support, the opportunity to secure a share of £280,000 in NASC training funds and discounts on a range of ancillary products and services provided by NASC Information members.”“Safe and efficient transport of goods and people is vital to the success of the nation’s economy as it recovers from the effects of Covid-19,” said Al Richardson, Head of Membership at Logistics UK. “Our partnership with NASC will allow us to reinforce and build compliance in-vehicle operation across the construction industry and provide vital support and guidance for the businesses charged with building back after the pandemic. “We look forward to a long and beneficial partnership for both parties.”
The Brogan Group has been awarded the scaffolding package for the Sweeney Corner Project in Dublin, Ireland.
The firm will be providing around 7,000m2 of perimeter scaffold along with a number of loading bays, staircases and birdcages. It’s understood that several elevations will be cantilevered out from 1st-floor level due to restrictions on space and site boundaries, the Brogan Group have said.
Sweeneys Corner is a student accommodation development located in the Newmarket area in Dublin.
On completion, the development will include 235 student bed spaces in four blocks and 37 build-to-rent apartments in a separate block. A commercial unit, café and garden will be located next to the River Poddle.
The project is scheduled for completion prior to the start of the 2021 academic year.
Does your scaffolding business have the right type of insurance? If not, you could be putting you, your staff and your business at risk, should something unfortunate happen whilst on-site. Whether you’re buying scaffolding insurance for the first time, or are looking to renew, there are a few things to consider to make sure you’re completely covered for all eventualities.
What is scaffolding insurance?
This is a good place to start, because it’s not always known what this type of insurance is, let alone why you need it. By understanding what the insurance is, you’ll see why it’s something that your scaffolding business needs.
Scaffolding is a high-risk business. Consider all the risks associated with your day-to-day job. Now consider who is at risk; you, your team, contractors, members of the public, and so on. With a lot going on, anything can happen to anyone at any time. But without insurance, should any accident occur, your business could be financially liable if the accident was caused by you.
Scaffolding insurance is therefore designed to protect you financially, against unforeseen accidents.
Why do you need it?
To mitigate risk, even the unavoidable and unknown risks. And because of the nature of the work, scaffolders are putting themselves, and others in greater risk than many other trades. From erecting the scaffolding, to working on it, maintaining it and dismantling it, consider the different types of accidents that may occur to you, your colleagues, contractors, members of the public and even the site itself should an accident happen.
For example, workers could fall, workers or the public could be hit by falling objects, the scaffolding could accidently damage property, the scaffolding or parts of it may even be vandalised or stolen. These are all risks that you may end up paying for, and the bill coming your way could be a lot more than the amount to pay for the insurance in the first place. Ultimately it gives you peace of mind that you’re covered.
Types of insurances available
Scaffolding insurance is made up of a number of different types of insurances. This is because each insurance covers a different risk:
The main type of insurance is public liability insurance. This insurance is designed to protect your business if a third party (i.e. someone who isn’t an employee or contractor) makes a claim against your company for causing an accident or injury to themselves or damage to their property. If you are found to be legally responsible for the injury or damage claim, public liability insurance will help to pay the financial cost.
Another key insurance for scaffolding businesses is employer’s liability insurance. If your scaffolding business directly employs people, whether they are full time, part time or contractors, it is a legal requirement for you to have employer’s liability insurance (other than for bona fide subcontractors). It is designed to protect an employee should something happen to them when operating and working on the scaffolding. For example, they may get injured or fall ill as a result of an accident caused by the scaffolding. If you are found to be legally responsible, employers liability insurance will help to pay the financial cost to the employee.
There are a number of other types of insurances to consider as part of scaffolding insurance. For example, Financial Loss will protect you against claims that your client has suffered financial losses as a result of your work. Additionally, Professional Indemnity Insurance will protect you against claims from a client who has lost money as a result of a perceived sub-standard service. Not least, depending on your circumstances, you should also consider protecting your tools and equipment, and if you’re a sole trader looking into personal accidental cover and accidental death.
With some insurance providers, these insurances can be combined into one package, or bought individually. In either case it is considered appropriate to obtain a detailed picture of what you’re being insured for, what your claim limits are, and how much it will cost you each month or year to be insured.
What to watch out for?
As well as obtaining a detailed picture of what your insurance will cover, you should check for restrictions. These can come in different forms, but the most obvious one for scaffolders is a height restriction. Always double-check what the height restriction is. Some providers do actually offer an unrestricted height limit, so consider your needs and requirements. If there is a height restriction in place, do not erect scaffolding or work higher than this level, as your cover won’t be valid if any accidents do occur. Other restrictions may include regional access, for example, you may not be able to work in certain locations either home or abroad, so it is worth double-checking the locations where you are covered.
Next steps
Once you have a clear idea of your needs and requirements, it’s time to obtain quotes. Be sure to choose a reliable provider that has experience in your trade. And if you’re unsure of anything, be sure you choose a provider who’ll be able to answer any of your questions.
For reliable scaffolding insurance, Trade Direct Insurance provide comprehensive policies tailored for different budgets. Visit their site for a quick, no quibble, quote.
Award-winning leading hoists specialists, Taylor’s Hoists are this month celebrating 15 years at the top of the UK construction vertical access provision sector.
The Cambridgeshire-based firm is now part of the BrandSafway/Lyndon SGB operation, offering an unrivalled, combined leading access and scaffolding solution nationwide, alongside the might of the Lyndon SGB MASTCLIMBERS™ operation.
Using their market-leading, environmentally-friendly fleet of hoists, they provide award-winning vertical access of some of the UK’s largest construction top tier projects, with a full-service of hoists support; from design conception to completion and including a comprehensive client maintenance and hoist familiarisation program.
Right at the heart of the business is Paul Price, who has been with the Taylor’s Hoist brand, since the first few days in 2005, where his career began on the tools as the company’s first and only hoist erector. He is now Managing Director.
Paul said: “I can’t tell you how extremely proud I am to be celebrating 15 years of Taylor’s Hoists and to now be part of the mighty Lyndon SGB and BrandSafway operational capacity. Together, we are now achieving more than ever. I am so proud of what we do, what we deliver, who we are and where we came from. The whole team deserves enormous recognition for what we have achieved together over the past 15 years.”
Lyndon SGB’s Managing Director, Stuart Robinson, said: “Congratulations Paul and all of the team, for 15 years of increasing success. They work incredibly hard to achieve the highest possible standards in vertical access provision for our esteemed clients. Their passion for their brand spills over into every single aspect of their work. They are a huge asset to our portfolio and an increasingly important and popular choice for our leading construction client base across the UK.”
When the Taylor’s Hoists business began in 2005, originally based at a small yard in Watford, Paul Price was its only hoist erector. Fifteen years on, Paul leads a 33-strong team from their spacious yard, storage, maintenance and office facilities behind Duxford Air Museum (strategically centrally located to serve the firm’s nationwide jobs), just off the M11/A505 corridor, which they moved to in 2011.
And the Taylor’s Hoists operation now also functions from a second site at the new Lyndon SGB single scaffolding depot in Manchester, serving leading projects in the Midlands, the North and Scotland.
Recalling the early years, Paul said: “Back in 2005, I was the first and only hoist erector. But I was soon joined by a few other guys, making up the small team of Taylor’s Hoists field engineers, plus three managers in the office. It grew quickly, as we established a reputation for expertise and an excellent track record of customer service, combined with our decision to specify only the best hoists on the market.“Back then, our facilities were very basic and we only had the one hoist when I first arrived; a goods hoist that from memory served just two landings! Being honest, I did question if I had made the right move from the national hoist business I was previously part of as a hoist erector. But, when I looked at what Taylor’s Hoists could be with the years of knowledge within such a small company, and the brand new Alimak fleet going out to the likes of Bovis, Lendlease, MACE & BAM projects, I knew Taylor’s Hoists had great potential. And I was right.“Fifteen years have not flown by at all – it has been incredibly hard work, long days and many late nights, but never done alone. Whenever I look to my side, I know I can rely on the team of great people working with me, past and present. They are a hugely reliable team that want to deliver the quality of service we offer 24:7:365. Each member of the team – from the board of directors, to depot operatives, company managers and field engineers – are proud of what they deliver.“That is what Taylor’s Hoists is… we are not just a hire company, we are a business that cares to offer the best possible access solutions, driven by our own reputation to maintain the premium standards we deliver, and we do that as a team.“Of course, we also could not have achieved this milestone without our clients, who have given us the opportunity to show what we are capable of supplying. And those clients from back in 2005 are still many of the ones we still work for today. We have a great relationship with them and they have full confidence we can deliver what they need, safely, on time and on budget.”
Greg Forster, MD at Embrace, said “Together with our two organisations respect the environment and are always on the lookout for fresh innovative solutions. The distinctive design on the wrap is pixel-perfect, masking the scaffold whilst maintaining a delightful streetscape for the community during the build. We lead, others follow!”
As a business Embrace continue to investigate ways to protect the environment and reduce waste, having started off in 2017 with the unique Banner Karma initiative for upcycling clients’ spent solid PVC banners into the agricultural sector.
Embrace is now able to offer clients PVC-free printed building and scaffold wraps. The goal is to reduce reliance on PVC and move to more sustainable printable media solutions as the sector’s leader in environmental positivity.
Successful in-house testing has been concluded on print quality to ensure that the material delivers the same visual appearance & manufacturing process with heat and vibration welding. To ensure the structural integrity of the material Embrace have conducted pull tests to ensure that the material is robust.
The results were that the PVC-free banners can withstand up to 774 kg on average, suitable for the considerable stresses Mother Nature throws at their bespoke installs over the four seasons.
The materials have passed fire tests reports in the UK with SGS a UKAS certified fire test centre for both in its natural state off the roll and with cured inks to BS 5867 Type B. The manufacturer of the eco-friendly Kavalan textile also has supporting fire test reports to the EN13501-1 and DIN 4102-1 standard.
The PVC-free banners are suitable for indoor and outdoor use as a solid flexible print substrate, constructed from a 56% polyester scrim and a 44% PA water-based coating. The great news is that Embrace will still send the material to be repurposed and then – even when the second life of the wrap is over – the material can be sent for energy-from-waste disposal.
Embrace Building Wraps: www.embracebuildingwraps.co.uk
He added: “The housebuilding sector remains buoyant with support measures due to continue into the first quarter of 2021 and the government is committed to new infrastructure spending.”
Mr Anfield said that demand for labour on building sites has flattened off at 90% of pre-Covid levels.
The recovery in demand which started in the summer “reached the top of the V” in November, he said, and is now in a seasonal cycle ahead of the festive period. 
Recalling the early years, Paul said: “Back in 2005, I was the first and only hoist erector. But I was soon joined by a few other guys, making up the small team of Taylor’s Hoists field engineers, plus three managers in the office. It grew quickly, as we established a reputation for expertise and an excellent track record of customer service, combined with our decision to specify only the best hoists on the market.
“Back then, our facilities were very basic and we only had the one hoist when I first arrived; a goods hoist that from memory served just two landings! Being honest, I did question if I had made the right move from the national hoist business I was previously part of as a hoist erector. But, when I looked at what Taylor’s Hoists could be with the years of knowledge within such a small company, and the brand new Alimak fleet going out to the likes of Bovis, Lendlease, MACE & BAM projects, I knew Taylor’s Hoists had great potential. And I was right.
“Fifteen years have not flown by at all – it has been incredibly hard work, long days and many late nights, but never done alone. Whenever I look to my side, I know I can rely on the team of great people working with me, past and present. They are a hugely reliable team that want to deliver the quality of service we offer 24:7:365. Each member of the team – from the board of directors, to depot operatives, company managers and field engineers – are proud of what they deliver.
“That is what Taylor’s Hoists is… we are not just a hire company, we are a business that cares to offer the best possible access solutions, driven by our own reputation to maintain the premium standards we deliver, and we do that as a team.
“Of course, we also could not have achieved this milestone without our clients, who have given us the opportunity to show what we are capable of supplying. And those clients from back in 2005 are still many of the ones we still work for today. We have a great relationship with them and they have full confidence we can deliver what they need, safely, on time and on budget.” 
