Scaffolder Callum Jones is due to appear on ITV’s hit TV show Love Island.
The 23-year-old scaffolder from Manchester is employed by Connolly Scaffolding Ltd. He is set to enter Love Island’s swanky Cape Town villa this coming Sunday.
Scaffolder set to enter dating reality TV show
Trade body appoints new Technical Advisor
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has appointed Dennis Braithwaite as its new Technical Advisor
Mr.Braithwaite has extensive scaffolding and access knowledge within the industry with 40 years of experience, predominantly working for Cape Industrial Services Ltd. He has a wide and varied experience which includes involvement within the oil and gas, chemical, power generation, and offshore sectors both in the UK and overseas. The trade body has said Mr.Braithwaite has already a wealth of first-hand experience of the NASC, having sat on a number of the trade body’s committees. He is also currently part of the team working on the new forthcoming TG20:20 guidance.Speaking about his new role, Mr.Braithwaite said: “I am really looking forward to getting started and would encourage NASC members to get in touch if they have a technical query they need help with.
“It’s great to join the NASC’s executive team, which plays such a key role in supporting the NASC membership as well as the scaffolding industry as a whole.”
Mr.Braithwaite replaces Ken Johnson, who held the role for more than seven years.
Robin James, NASC Managing Director, said: “I’d like to welcome Dennis to the NASC team. He has extremely large shoes to fill in replacing Ken but we’re sure if anyone can carry on the outstanding work Ken undertook on behalf of the confederation then it’s Dennis.”
Omega Access North plans major business upgrade
Warrington based Omega Access North Ltd is planning a major upgrade to its headquarters in Woolston creating 10 new jobs in the process.
The scaffolding company has applied for planning permission from Warrington Borough Council to renovate its office and yard, reports the Warrington Guardian. Plans submitted involves the demolition of existing office buildings and outbuildings for the storage of materials. These will be replaced with the construction of a new two-storey office and new storage space. The firm hopes that the scheme will ‘remove poor quality, inefficient old buildings and regenerate the site’ and allow for expansion. Ten new jobs are set to be created as part of the plans. Planning application documents stated: “It is proposed to upgrade the existing scaffolding facility – the modular office building will be replaced with modern, high-quality accommodation. “The new offices will provide a central area to support the continuous growth of the business.”ScaffMag’s most read stories of 2019
As the year edges closer to an end, and before we pack up and close for the traditional Christmas break we take a look back at what most attracted your attention during 2019.
The last twelve months have been another busy news-filled year for the scaffolding industry as ScaffMag continues to keep you updated with what’s going on. Either on desktop, mobile, tablet or in our quarterly magazine available in digital and print, we have you covered. During the holiday season, we will update the site with any major breaking stories but our full news service will be back on 6 January 2020.Most Read Stories of 2019
1. Louie Bates (Pageviews/Reads 15,734)
The heartbreaking story of young Scaffolder Louie Bates who struggled with depression and took his own life, sparked mental health discussion’s across the industry. Young scaffolder who struggled with depression found hanged by mum2. Female Offshore Scaffolder (Pageviews/Reads 11,637)
Scaffolder Vicky Welch became the first UK female offshore scaffolder for Stork after completing her first trip in the North Sea. Vicky Welch becomes the first UK female offshore scaffolder for Stork3. Scaffold Collapse in North London (Pageviews/Reads 7,918)
In March a scaffold collapse left a mass of bent and twisted scaffold tubes and broken boards on a street in Hampstead, London. Major Scaffolding Collapse in North London4. Accident Leaves Worker Hanging Off Building (Pageviews/Reads 7,025)
Three people were injured, one critically after a scaffolding and construction elevator collapse in downtown Fort Worth, Texas USA. Scaffolding collapse leaves worker hanging off building and pedestrian critically injured5.Highest Scaffold In Europe (Pageviews/Reads 6,778)
GKR Scaffolding successfully completed the build of what is currently the highest scaffolding in Europe on the construction of the UK’s second highest skyscraper. GKR Builds Highest Scaffold in Europe6. Scaffolding Championships in Lithuania (Pageviews/Reads 4,541)
Scaffolders competed in the first-ever international scaffolding championships held at RESTA the countries largest trade fair in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Lithuania holds first ever Scaffolding Championships
7. Robot Scaffolder (Pageviews/Reads 3,834)
Video showed NASA’s Valkyrie robot is able to use human tools to erect scaffolding and plot itself a path across difficult terrain. VIDEO: NASA’s Valkyrie Robot Can Erect Scaffolding8. LA Scaffolding’s Video FAIL (Pageview/Reads 3,635)
Funny outtakes from a scaffolding company’s promotional video have become their actual corporate film, and users of Linkedin loved it. Corporate video goes wrong but scaffolding firm benefits9. Big Carl starts at Hinkley Point (Pageviews/Reads 3,544)
‘Big Carl’ The world biggest crane was shipped over from Belgium to help build the new power station. Worlds biggest crane starts work at Hinkley Point10. HP Sauce dons new scaffolding label (Pageviews/Reads 2,025)
After 123 years HP sauce changed its label to reflect the work going on at Big Ben in London. Scaffolding on Big Ben inspires new sauce labelScaffMag 2019 Overview
ScaffMag has enjoyed another year of growth through the website, magazine and social channels. Google Analytics show ScaffMag.com receved between Dec 2018 – Dec 2019: 878,993 pageviews from more than 242,000 users
ScaffMag has the largest following of any scaffolding related page on Facebook. Our social media community on Facebook alone now stands at a massive 80,961 likes with more than 135,000 followers from around the world.
Twitter: @ScaffoldingNews 7,148 Followers
Instagram: @scaff_mag : 3,680 Followers
The ScaffMag quarterly magazine’s digital version has also enjoyed increased readership with just under 28,000 reads and over 90,000 impressions on issuu.
Our daily and weekly rundown email newsletters now have over 7,400 subscribers.
If you are interested in booking an ad campaign with us in 2020 and join our growing band of advertisers please contact us at [email protected]
We would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year. See you in 2020. HAKI acquires access specialist firm
System scaffolding supplier, HAKI, has announced the acquisition of UK based Span Access Solutions Ltd.
The latest development follows years of partnership between the two companies; each benefiting from collaborative working and integration of product lines. HAKI has said the strategic move is aligned with its commitment to provide the safest working conditions in complex environments. The introduction of products like Span Access’s TechniSpan™ – a safe and efficient alternative to under-deck scaffolds – into HAKI’s portfolio will see the business offer more solutions for safer practices during temporary works.
Bilfinger bags major maintenance contract with top UK fertiliser manufacturer
Industrial services provider Bilfinger has secured a maintenance deal with global agricultural fertilisers manufacturer CF Fertilisers (UK) Ltd.
The three-year agreement includes mechanical, access, insulation and painting (MSIP) services at its two UK manufacturing facilities. It covers CF Fertilisers’ nitrogen complexes at Billingham in Stockton-on-Tees and Ince in Cheshire.
Employees of existing on-site contractors affected by this change will transfer to Bilfinger to create a consolidated multi-discipline maintenance delivery team for each site.
Phill Maurer Managing Director at Bilfinger UK said: “This award is a strategic win for Bilfinger and a key part of our ongoing drive to become the multi-disciplinary partner of choice within the process industry for intelligent and innovative maintenance programmes.
“CF Fertilisers is a prestigious name in UK industrial manufacturing, and an important addition to our client book in the sector.”
David Hopkins, Managing Director at CF Fertilisers said: “Our Billingham and Ince sites are both multifaceted facilities consisting of multiple production plants and supporting infrastructure. Maintaining these assets efficiently and with the highest standards of health and safety is a complex challenge, and Bilfinger’s track record in successful delivery of this kind of contract made the business our partner of choice.”
CF Fertilisers makes 1.5 million tonnes of fertiliser per year in the UK, supplying 40 per cent of the country’s demand, as well as half a million tonnes of related chemicals annually.
Now is the time to get Britain building, says FMB
Todays’ historic result must draw a line under years of crippling uncertainty that has been so toxic for UK construction, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to the General Election result.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The new Conservative Government has a golden opportunity to sort out Brexit and set out its new vision for the UK. Building the homes and infrastructure that this country needs has to be a key priority to help drive the economy forward.”
Berry concluded: “The Government needs to back the nation’s army of small builders, by delivering on the promised £3bn National Skills Fund, investing in quality through a licensing scheme for the whole UK construction industry, and supporting local builders to retrofit the millions of homes that need to be upgraded to low carbon.”
General Election Result 2019: Industry Reaction
The Conservatives have today achieved a historic victory in the UK General Election, but what’s been the reaction within the scaffolding industry?
As it stands so far today (13 December) the Conservatives have won the General Election with a huge majority. They have won 364 seats – an increase of 47 seats on the last election in 2017. Many believe within the scaffolding industry the key to the Tories winning campaign was the ‘Get Brexit Done’ warcry, which seems to of also struck a chord with millions of voters across the country. Its been the Conservatives’ strongest performance for decades. The Labour Party, on the other hand, took a hammering at the polls by losing 59 seats, securing just 203. While SNP bagged 48 seats becoming the third biggest party. The Liberal Democrats who aimed to stop Brexit won just 11 seats.Readers Poll
We ran our own poll on social media days before the General Election to judge the feeling amongst some of our readers. The results showed the Conservatives had a huge lead.Industry Reaction
This morning I spoke to some leaders and members of the scaffolding and access industry on today’s result.
“The fact the financial markets have responded positively is an indicator of greater confidence, especially seeing the lift in shares for housebuilders.
“We are optimistic the construction industry will benefit from the Conservative manifesto pledge to build more homes, create more apprenticeships and crackdown on late payments.
“As a business, we hope the reduction in uncertainty will help to stabilise the market we work in. However, we are realistic that there are still a couple of difficult years ahead post Brexit.”
Robin James, Managing Director of The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) told me: “The election result will free up the gridlock as the uncertainty around Brexit has now been removed,” said Robin.
“But clearly the detail now needs to be worked out. The industry as a whole will no longer be plagued by political division as there is now a clear mandate to proceed with Brexit. This will enable everyone to move forward,” he concluded.
Welsh scaffolding contractor enjoys “best-ever year”
A scaffolding company is reaping the awards after winning new contracts and achieving a 50% increase in turnover.
BGB Scaffolding has enjoyed its “best-ever year” by growing its workforce to 26 people and receiving top industry prizes.
Led by Managing Director Ben Badham, the Kinmel Bay-based firm was named Business of the Year (Under 100 staff) at the second annual Welsh SME Business Awards in Cardiff.
They also took home the overall winner prize, and in past weeks trainee Jamie Hargraves won the Apprentice of the Month title at the CITB National Construction College (NCC) in Birmingham.
BGB Scaffolding has also reinforced its partnership with Orsted, the global leader in offshore wind, supplying and constructing scaffolding on the world’s two largest windfarms – Walney Extension off Barrow-in-Furness, and Hornsea One off the east coast of Yorkshire.
Looking ahead to 2020, the 38-year-old is aiming for a further 20% turnover rise and revealed the business is now operating on three further sites on the southeast coast.
They have also just received an order from a leading cable supplier for an ‘access package’ on another new project in the region in 2020.
“It’s been an amazing year, our best-ever,” said Ben.
“To be nominated at the Welsh SME Business Awards was a huge honour, and to win two prizes was fantastic.
“It gives you a real sense of achievement to be recognised outside of the scaffolding sector and to be in the company of so many great Welsh businesses.
“I’m also delighted our apprentice Jamie has been given recognition for his efforts; his attitude to work is exemplary and I see a fantastic future for him with BGB. He is aware of the career and training path that we set out for all employees and is developing into a really great person as well as a competent scaffolder.”
Ben added: “It’s been an outstanding 12 months; turnover was up 50% and we are targeting another 20% increase next year.
“We are also looking to expand further into Europe and are exploring possibilities in Belgium and Holland on top of our existing partnerships in Denmark, Germany and across the UK.
“If growth continues at this pace, we will be looking to take on more staff in 2020 and, most importantly, continuing to provide our clients with the safest, highest-quality service possible.”
Previously a roofer and tower crane operator, Ben founded BGB Scaffolding in 2007 and has led the business to become one of the country’s leading independent scaffolding firms with an emphasis on health and safety in the workplace.
Eighteen of his team are GWO (Global Wind Organisation) and HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) qualified, a selling point which has enabled them to clock up tens of thousands of person hours without a single Lost Time Injury.
“Since day one my attitude towards the customer and the health and safety of my team has never changed – they are paramount and at the heart of every decision,” said Ben.
“We keep learning, keep working hard and won’t ever take that for granted.
“To win such a prestigious award brings that into focus, so thank you again to the judges for this accolade.”
Irfan Younis CEO of the Awards’ organisers Creative Oceanic added: “Congratulations to all winners and finalists. We salute you for all you do to create jobs, service your industry and the Welsh economy.
“We’re excited to see how the SME campaign evolves over the coming years.”
Jobs saved after Acorn Scaffolding falls into administration
Over 130 Staff safe after Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd calls in administrators.
The North Yorkshire based specialists Acorn, provided scaffolding services to housebuilders and the events sector. Past projects included the awarding-winning ‘Steel Yard‘ structure used at Creamfields.
Howard Smith and David Costley-Wood from KPMG’s Restructuring practice were appointed as joint administrators to Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd on 2 December 2019.
According to a statement seen by ScaffMag, Acorn had absorbed the impact of several key customers’ entering administration, the company was unable to withstand cash flow pressures resulting in insufficient working capital to trade through the quieter winter season.
As a result the company’s directors took the necessary steps to place the company into administration.
Upon their appointment, the administrators concluded a sale of the business and the majority of its assets to Acorn Construction (Yorkshire) Ltd, a connected party.
As a result of this transaction, a total of 132 employees were transferred to the purchaser under TUPE regulations.
Howard Smith, associate partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said: “The company’s directors explored all avenues before reluctantly placing the business into administration. However, the sale secures a future for the business in Yorkshire and saves jobs in the region.”
