Caspian Group purchase new three-acre site

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Caspian Group purchase new three-acre site

The Caspian Group, a leading producer and supplier of scaffolding access equipment continues its investment and expansion with the acquisition of an additional Scunthorpe based site. 

Situated on Scunthorpe’s Grange Lane North, this recent purchase is the result of the group’s continued growth over the past 18 months and becomes the fifth site within its operations, the firm has reported.

Managing Director Neil Garrison said “This is an exciting development for us. The new site will enable us to provide even higher levels of service for our customers and will allow for the future growth of the products and services we provide.” 

Mr. Garrison adds “This is also a great opportunity for us to reinvest in our local area, we will be regenerating a site that has been unused for quite some time, and with our continued growth and development we anticipate further job creations across our sites.” 

Having recently invested significantly in their Scunthorpe manufacturing facility, this ongoing expansion further demonstrates their commitment for sustained growth and bolsters their position as a leader within the industry.

Three new Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks keep George Roberts in top position

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Three new Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks keep George Roberts in top position

Liverpool-based scaffolding specialist George Roberts (North West) has enjoyed first class support from Mercedes-Benz truck sales executive Richie Rainford for a quarter of a century. No surprise then, that the latest additions to its fleet also wear the three-pointed star.

Supplied by Dealer Roanza Truck & Van, the three 8×2 Arocs rigids are fitted with dropside bodies by PPS Commercials, of Bury, and Fassi 485 cranes with a maximum outreach of more than 28 metres.

All are 3246 models with 10.7-litre straight-six engines which produce 335 kW (456 hp) and drive through Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions – two of the trucks have ClassicSpace M day cabs, the other an aerodynamic StreamSpace sleeper.

Direct replacements for a trio of 6×2 Mercedes-Benz rigids stood down after providing four years’ reliable service, they have lined up alongside another three six-wheelers and are George Roberts’ first four-axled delivery trucks. The operator resolved to upgrade its fleet from 26- to 32-tonners to stay on top of increased customer demand, and a growth in the number of larger contracts requiring deliveries of heavier loads.

Transport Manager Andy Roscoe said: “In terms of performance and reliability our Mercedes-Benz trucks have always been superb. They’re also well-appointed and popular with our drivers. If a scaffolding delivery is late an entire construction site can grind to a halt, so it’s crucial that our vehicles are up to the task. Experience has taught us that Mercedes-Benz trucks can be relied on to deliver on time, every time.”

George Roberts (North West) is a leading provider of tube and fittings, scaffold boards, system scaffolding, formwork and related products for hire and sale worldwide. Its trucks deliver loads of scaffolding to sites across Britain – these include new-build housing and commercial developments, as well as more specialised domestic and commercial renovation projects.

George Roberts Scaffolding

George Roberts’ latest Arocs are the subject of a Mercedes-Benz Finance contract hire agreement. Those with day cabs typically deliver to large building sites – if their presence is required for more than a day, operatives stay overnight in local hotels. For multi-day jobs in more remote locations with no accommodation nearby, the truck with StreamSpace sleeper cab provides a roomy and comfortable ‘home from home’.

The muscular Mercedes-benz Arocs is purpose-designed for construction and related applications. “The Arocs is ideally suited to operation on rough sites, being both rugged and reliable,” confirmed Mr Roscoe. “Meanwhile, Roanza’s Richie Rainford has put together another excellent package for us. He knows our business inside out, and has always looked after us very well.

“We have a great working relationship too, with the Dealer’s Service team. One vehicle goes in each week for its six-weekly check. We’ll drop it off at Roanza’s workshop in Wavertree on a Friday evening, and it’s always ready to be picked up on the Saturday morning. This means we can load the truck on a Sunday ready to go out again first thing Monday morning, thereby virtually eliminating any downtime.”

The latest release of SMART Inspector saves hours

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The latest release of SMART Inspector saves hours

Scaffold estimating software developers CADS have launched a new update for the SMART Inspector app, saving users hours of work.

Load all your scaffolds from an Excel spreadsheet

SMART Inspector and SMART Handovers already do away with the need for paperwork, for example weekly inspection reports, handover certificates or variation instructions can all be completed on a mobile phone or tablet that creates an auditable trail back at the office via a web console.

With the latest release you can save even more time on large sites, be that a housing development or an industrial contract, as all the scaffolds to be built or inspected can be instantly loaded from an Excel spreadsheet. Just upload the file and all your scaffolds are ready to be handed over or inspected.

Top inspection defects report

There is also a new chart in the desktop console showing the top defect types reported, which you can filter to show them across your business, per site or per customer. As an example, you might find that, for a particular customer or site, you have a lot of instances of brick guards being removed. It’s a great feature because it allows you to find instances where tradesmen are interfering with the scaffold (which can be reported to the main contractor) or instances where your scaffolders are making mistakes and need training.

Monitor activity across your sites

A new activity screen auto-refreshes, so you can use it on a monitor up on the wall to see activity coming in from site. When you click on an activity (for example when a handover, variation or dismantle is completed) you see the details including the photos and signatures. You can click again to download the Handover Certificate or Variation Instruction, making the web console a virtual ‘mission control’.

Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “our latest release is part of our ongoing plans to constantly respond to our customers’ requests for additional features. This release makes uploading scaffolds on larger sites possible in seconds and also gives a new level of visibility across all a scaffolder’s sites.”

To see how you can save time, improve visibility across your sites and improve safety while tracking and charging for any extra hire or variations please visit www.smartscaffolder.com.

Leading social housing provider officially opens Arbroath affordable housing

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Leading social housing provider officially opens Arbroath affordable housing

AN attractive £8.1 million development of 71 much needed affordable homes in Arbroath is to be opened by local MSP Graeme Dey.

Cairn Housing Association has worked in partnership with Angus Housing Association to help create 36 of the new homes at Railton Crescent.

The affordable development, comprised of one, two and three bedroom homes, was built by Persimmon Homes and supported by a £4,542,580 grant from the Scottish Government.

Mr Dey will open the new development alongside Cairn and Angus tenants and staff on May 31.

Jason MacGilp, Chief Executive of Cairn, said: “We pride ourselves on providing great homes and services and we’re proud to have worked in partnership with Angus Housing Association to develop much needed affordable homes in the local area.

“Angus has a proven track record as a developer and detailed knowledge of the local market which has made for a great example of how partnership work like this project can be so effective.

“We always put our customers first so I’m excited to see our new tenants at Railton Crescent officially open the development alongside Graeme Dey.

“Cairn is fully committed to building excellent, quality housing as part of our five year development plan to build 400 homes across Scotland by 2022/23 which will help meet the needs of communities across the country.”

Work on the project began in October 2017 and demand for the 71 homes has proved very high.

The partnership work between Cairn and Angus Housing Associations has seen homes built across Angus, where there is a great need for affordable housing across the region.

Cairn provides the repairs and maintenance for the 36 properties while Angus Housing Association carries out tenancy management which includes tasks like property sign-ups and ensuring homes are filled.

Ron McArthur, Asset Manager at Angus Housing Association, said: “Angus Housing Association is delighted to be involved at the forefront of the development at Railton Crescent. Working closely with Cairn Housing Association and Persimmon Homes, this is an excellent example of how associations can jointly deliver high quality housing.

 “One of the features of the development is the spacious  internal living space standards and pleasant external surroundings. Our tenants deserve the best and we are determined that tenancies can be sustained in this pleasant, quite area.”

Cairn Housing Association has over 30 years’ experience of creating quality, affordable housing with a property portfolio of 3200 houses across 24 local authority areas.

It works closely in partnership with other housing associations to provide high quality affordable homes across Scotland.

Scaffolding boss wins tribunal claim

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Scaffolding boss wins tribunal claim

An ex scaffolding boss has won an employment tribunal claim after he missed out on a £20,000 bonus when he took his son to hospital for an operation.

Network Scaffolding Contractors, part of Taziker Industrial in Horwich accused Will Webb of failing to work his notice at the firm.

A Manchester employment tribunal was told that management at Network Scaffolding claimed he had left work early on March 22 last year and then failed to attend work the following day. However, Mr Webb insisted he was allowed to leave work as he was accompanying his son while he had surgery to remove his appendix.

The scaffolding firm told him he was not entitled to a £20,000 bonus for the year, as he had failed to complete his full notice period. Mr Webb told the hearing he believed he had been placed on gardening leave, as he was asked to hand in his company car and site keys.

According to the Bolton News the manager was in charge of the company’s Salford branch before being moved to Bolton, in October 2017, where was made responsible for one of their regions.

His salary rose from £45,000 to £55,000 but he argued, as he had to take on the duties of a departing commercial manager, he should be paid more.

Though the parties disputed this, he says they agreed to eventually pay him £60,000, with a £20,000 bonus.

Ruling in Mr Webb’s favour, employment judge Pauline Feeney said he was a “credible witness”, who had produced Facebook messages supporting his claim he was placed on gardening leave before he left.

Major Edinburgh Development Approved by Local Council

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Major Edinburgh Development Approved by Local Council

Plans for the future supply of homes in Edinburgh have been given the go-ahead by Councillors at a hearing.

The 655-home development at Cammo Estate is a consortium project by CALA Homes and David Wilson Homes and includes 164 much-needed affordable homes. The development will provide a unique mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, terraced homes, colonies as well as detached family homes. A spokesperson on behalf of the consortium, said: “We must thank the local community first and foremost for engaging with us throughout, helping us to shape the final proposals which have evolved over the past two years. “We fully understand how important the junctions at Maybury and Barnton are and traffic was a key concern for many people at the outset. “We feel the improvements made through Planning Gain contributions will benefit the wider community and those commuting in or out the city. “Following yesterday’s decision our focus now turns to assisting the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure a timely delivery of these improvements” A key component of the site is the extent of publicly accessible green space – which totals over a third of the entire development and includes linear parks, a seven-hectare park, and over 700 new specimen trees. In addition, a half kilometre 20-metre wide green corridor at Maybury Avenue will feature a much-needed cycle and footpath detached from Maybury Road. Further improvements to the walking and cycling network will be made from Planning Gain contributions the developments will make. In line with the Local Development Plan these routes will connect to the land at West Craigs, and as part of that development connect onwards to the Gyle and Edinburgh Park. The spokesperson added: “At the heart of the design solution has been the delivery of an outstanding landscape environment along with significant investment to improve public transport, education and health care and the delivery of an excellent pedestrian and cycle network. “Within the development site we will deliver new bus infrastructure in addition to making contributions to public transport connections to the site. “In addition, there is an exceptionally wide range of homes that will help to ease the supply shortfall that features throughout the market.” As part of the 655 homes, 25% of the development units will be of affordable tenure delivered with our Registered Social Landlord partner; comprising a wide range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and terraced homes. The affordable housing will commence as part of the initial phase of development.

Trade body partners up with SMAS Worksafe

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Trade body partners up with SMAS Worksafe

SMAS Worksafe (Safety Management Advisory Service) has formally joined in a professional partnership with scaffolding trade body The Scaffolding Association with members of both organisations set to benefit.

With the aim to improve health and safety within the scaffolding industry, both SMAS and The Scaffolding Association bring years of experience to the partnership which formally began in May 2019. With SMAS Worksafe becoming the SSIP scheme of choice for The Scaffolding Association, members will be able to benefit from a 20% discount off SMAS Worksafe full assessment* as well as a Health and Safety helpline and increased visibility to the SMAS Worksafe client base, which includes of over 45 of the biggest house builders in the UK as well as many other organisations in construction. Likewise, scaffolding companies that are members of SMAS Worksafe will be able to benefit from a discounted fee of 20% for membership of The Scaffolding Association at Assessed and Audited Level. Head of Client Relations at SMAS Worksafe Hollie Baxter said of the partnership, “It’s great news to be able to formalise a partnership with another organisation that promotes the safety and wellbeing of workers, in this case the scaffolding industry. I look forward to a long last relationship between us.” The Scaffolding Association Chief Executive Robert Candy says “This new partnership with SMAS Worksafe supports our efforts to drive standards across the industry, enabling us to help develop a business framework that scaffolding contractors and clients of all sizes can benefit from, and help us all in our quest for a safer, stronger and more professional industry.”

HAKI grows training portfolio with CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS)

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HAKI grows training portfolio with CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS)

System scaffolding and temporary access provider, HAKI, will start delivering the popular 1- day CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS) to customers from June 2019 onwards.

The COTS course, accredited by CISRS, enables people who are new to scaffolding to learn about basics of the industry and how to work safely with scaffolding and access equipment. Knowledge is then assessed at the end of the course through a short test paper. All delegates who successfully complete the practical & theory assessments of the scheme will receive a CISRS Certificate. HAKI will also apply on their behalf for the CISRS Scaffolder Trainee or CISRS Scaffolder Labourer card, allowing them to take further training and progress their scaffolding career. HAKI technician and trainer, Chris Partridge said: “The addition of the COTS course to our training portfolio is just another example of HAKI’s dedication to providing safe working conditions, by helping train scaffolders to high standards at an early stage of their career. “It’s also great that we can help get more people working in the scaffolding industry by delivering entry-level courses, like COTS, too.” The COTS course will be delivered at HAKI’s CITB-accredited training centre in Milton Keynes. For more information or bookings, please visit HAKI.com or call 01908 580420.

NASC & TWF to hold Temporary Works seminar

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NASC & TWF to hold Temporary Works seminar

The NASC and Temporary Works Forum (TWF) are co-hosting a free Temporary Works seminar in Birmingham next month.

The half-day event will cover a broad range of temporary works topics, with a particular focus on scaffolding, and is aimed at both contractors and clients.

Speakers include John Underwood, HSE Inspector, Simon Hughes, Managing Director of Simian Risk, Duncan Reed, Digital Construction Process Manager at Trimble Solutions Limited, and Robin James, NASC Managing Director.

Simon Robinson, NASC Marketing Manager, said: “The purpose of this seminar is to bring all interested parties together in one room to learn more about temporary works, particularly how we can all work more efficiently and collaboratively to ensure works are carried out as safely as possible and to the highest possible standards.

“We hope scaffolding contractors and anyone involved in the procurement and management of scaffolding contractors will join us in Birmingham for this informal half-day event.”

The Temporary Works seminar will take place at the Crowne Plaza NEC on Wednesday 26 June from 9am to 1pm. Spaces are limited.

For more information and to reserve your seat please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/temporary-works-seminar-scaffolding-tickets-62135243185?aff=ebdssbeac

Seminar speakers

Robin James, Managing Director, NASC

Title: Raising safety standards in scaffolding

Synopsis: The NASC is the national trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK, established in 1945 with the aim of promoting high standards of safety within the industry. Nearly 80 years later, raising and maintaining safety standards remains at the heart of the NASC’s objectives – driving every activity it undertakes. How is the NASC continuing to raise safety standards in the industry in 2019?

Simon Hughes, Managing Director, Simian Risk

Title: TG20:13 – what it does and why it’s such a useful tool

Synopsis: Scaffolding in the context of Temporary Works and how TG20:13 fits into a BS 5975 management system.

John Underwood, Inspector, HSE

Title: You are not alone – scaffolding is an important part of the temporary works family

Synopsis: Temporary works don’t manage themselves do they? What does HSE expect to see when work is being planned and carried out?  And why is this important?

Duncan Reed, Digital Construction Process Manager, Trimble Solutions Limited

Title: Integrated Digital Temporary Works

Synopsis: Building Information Modelling (BIM) has long been seen as a design and construction process for permanent works. So what are the digital solutions for the temporary works industry? In this presentation Duncan will outline what’s available and why businesses should consider them.

Welsh firm reaches new heights with mental health pledge

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Welsh firm reaches new heights with mental health pledge

Absolute Scaffolding Wales (ASW), a Neath-based business, last week pledged its commitment to Time to Change Wales, a social movement that aims to improve attitudes and change behaviour towards mental health in society in Wales.

Some 30 guests including Wales & Ospreys player Paul James and representatives from Hafal and Mind Cymru, the two mental health charities behind the campaign, attended the event which saw ASW’s MD Carl Hendy make and sign his pledge on behalf of the company.

ASW joins Neath Port Talbot Council and scores of other businesses around Wales in announcing their commitment to the initiative which is funded by Welsh Government alongside Big Lottery and Comic Relief.

According to Time to Change Wales, mental health problems are extremely common with one in four of us affected at any one time; yet they are often misunderstood and people with mental health problems can be subjected to stigmatising attitudes and discriminatory behaviour.

Karen Roberts, Programme Manager for Time to Change Wales says: “We are delighted that ASW have signed our organisation pledge and are taking positive steps to help tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. Our campaign message is simple; we want to get people talking about mental health in order to normalise conversations with friends, family and in the workplace. We have worked with ASW to develop a comprehensive action plan which we hope will help give everyone in the organisation the confidence to talk about mental health in the workplace, and are very much looking forward to engaging with their Employee Champions in the coming months.”

ASW is one of south Wales’ leading scaffolding businesses and part of the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) which supports high growth businesses in Wales.

With its HQ in Resolven and employing around 15 staff, it is the principal contractor for a number of high-profile companies and organisations including SSE (Rail Works), Tai Tarian, Trivallis, Cadw and Trinity House.

“I am proud to make our pledge to Time to Change Wales and pleased so many people were able to join us today,” says Hendy.

“Changing the way we think and act about mental health problems is extremely important especially in the workplace where without empathy and understanding from employers, the problems are unlikely to go away and may even get worse.”

Hendy explains that mental health issues are particularly prevalent within the construction industry where men, predominantly young, can find themselves struggling to cope with family and relationship issues as well as financial concerns.

“At ASW we regard good mental health just as important as good physical health and so without prejudice or discrimination, encourage openness and make it clear that help is available,” he adds.

“We are delighted to welcome ASW Scaffolding on board and thankful to Carl and his team for making this commitment which is particularly timely as it coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week,” comments Roberts.

For more information on Time to Change Wales visit:

www.timetochangewales.org.uk/

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