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.Span Access’s TechniSpanIn addition to product compatibility, the two companies have also agreed to share design, engineering and technical capabilities. HAKI says this will optimise service for its customers throughout the project lifecycle and ensure safe, practical and economic access solutions are planned, provided and assembled on sites. Span Access, now a HAKI company, believes the acquisition of the business will add significant value to future temporary works projects. Ross Turner, Managing Director of Span Access, commented: “Span Access and HAKI share the same vision for specialist access solutions. The acquisition by HAKI will allow us to offer a comprehensive range of innovative, class-leading products tailored to our clients’ requirements.”Thomas Schüller, CEO of HAKI Group, also said: “It is very satisfying to now be able to commence acquisition activities to strengthen and expand HAKI’s operations. We have previously been partnering with Span Access, whose vision and offerings excellently complement HAKI’s product portfolio.“Span Access’ offering aligns well with HAKI’s strategic focus on solutions for safe work in complex environments. The company also strengthens HAKI’s strategy to strengthen and broaden its offering in complex solutions for both the construction and industrial sectors, in terms of products, service and support alike. The acquisition also provides opportunities for increased organic growth, as well as a clearer focus on innovation and product development.“Span Access has 11 employees, is mainly active in the UK, and has its headquarters in Scotland. The company’s products, including the proprietary Technispan platform, contribute to safe and effective solutions in complex environments. Span Access’ solutions are used beneath major bridges, on oil drilling platforms and in wind turbines, for example. “Over the upcoming months, we will focus on integrating Span Access into HAKI. At the same time, we are continuing to seek out opportunities for strategic acquisitions, to further strengthen and broaden our offering.”
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.
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.”
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.
Des Moore“I think the result is the best one the UK Construction industry could have hoped for,”said Des Moore, Group CEO of the TRAD Group.“We now have a Government that is agile, can actually govern and move the Brexit issue forward as well as removing entirely the prospect of another Referendum.“From my viewpoint there are and still will be many challenges on Trade etc but there is no doubt that both UK and international investors will now have confidence in our direction and release funds for many stalled Projects particularly in London and the South. “However, I still see significant delays in stalled infrastructure Projects such as HS2 and the 3rd Runway at Heathrow.” Helen GaworHelen Gawor, Business Strategy Director at GKR Scaffolding Ltd gave her reaction:“I think like many in the industry there is palpable relief that we now have a decisive result and therefore a Government that can lead a pathway to a smooth Brexit.”
“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.
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.”
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.”
The jib of a tower crane snapped in the wind last night on a construction site in Surrey.
The crane was positioned on a James Taylor Homes construction site in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey.
According to reports work had finished for the day when the jib snapped. There were no reported injuries from the collapse.
Residents nearby were temporarily evacuated while the fire brigade attended the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 16.15 to reports of a tower crane collapsing into a building under construction on Beaufort Road.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called shortly after 4pm on Tuesday December 10 to reports of a partially collapsed crane on a building site on Fassett Road in Kingston. Emergency services on the scene. At this early stage, there are no reported injuries. A number of local residents have been evacuated as a precaution.”
System scaffolding provider, HAKI, has added a new CISRS course to its expanding training portfolio, starting January 2020.
Following the successful launch of the CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS) at the company’s Milton Keynes-based training facility earlier in 2019, the business has now decided to introduce the CISRS BASE course for HAKI systems.
The company says the course aligns itself with the organisation’s mission to encourage scaffolding careers, improve skills in the industry, and ensure maximum safety of workers using simple HAKI structures.
HAKI course, accredited by CISRS for non-scaffolders
The HAKI BASE course, accredited by CISRS, provides industry-recognised training for non-scaffolders who erect, alter and dismantle very basic and routine scaffolding structures using the HAKI Universal scaffolding system.
Over 5-days, delegates will be familiarised with HAKI products and learn to safely construct simple structures through a series of theory and practical assessments, including a 4m high static tower, free-standing independent scaffold, loading tower and stair tower.
Delegates who successfully complete course including the theory test at the end of training will receive a CISRS BASE certificate and HAKI will apply on their behalf for a CISRS BASE card.
The card permits non-scaffolders to construct HAKI structures up to a maximum height of 6m, providing they are not in an environment with a general public interface.
Introductory offer
The standard price for the CISRS BASE course at HAKI is £725, however courses booked in January 2020 will be eligible for a 10% discount.
A record-breaking quarter of a million pounds was raised at the Lighthouse Construction Industry’s Charity lunch, held at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London on Friday 6th December.
The cash was raised through table sales, live and silent auctions, heads and tails, a raffle and event sponsorship.
All of the money will directly benefit construction families in crisis and help the charity to provide even more support to the construction industry, including mental health training, development of their helpline app and an increased portfolio of charitable services available through their 24/7 construction industry helpline.
Guests were welcomed in by live music from 1852 whose band members all work for Willmott Dixon interiors. They were awarded best fundraisers at this year’s Construction Rocks battle of the bands event and they certainly got the day off to a lively start.
Each year, the Charity awards the ‘Peter Capel’ Cup to recognise organisations that have made a substantial contribution to the Charity’s work and this year the highly coveted award was presented to two companies: Canary Wharf Contractors Fund and Heathrow Airport. Money donated by the Canary Wharf Contractors Fund was used to deliver construction focussed mental health first aid training to SME’s across the UK whilst Heathrow Airport and their supply chain, (Team Heathrow) donated funds from their hard hat recycling scheme, a dragon boat day and a hugely successful rugby day. Congratulations to both for their amazing efforts.
Lynn Way, President of the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) and Peter Capel Cup nominees, also presented the Charity with a cheque for £25,000 which was raised by members at the annual NASC awards event that was held a few weeks earlier.
Sky Sports presenters Vicky Gomersall and Julian Warren hosted the proceedings for the day and introduced top class sporting celebrities from the world of boxing and rugby.
First on stage was boxing legend and the hugely popular Frank Bruno who talked very honestly and openly about life when he was growing up and his determination to avoid a life of crime. He also spoke frankly about his struggle with mental health, how he copes with anxiety on a daily basis and his views of boxing today. Chants of ‘Bruno, Bruno’ were still ringing long after he’d left the stage.
Next up was a quartet of rugby lions legends, Brian O’Driscoll, Matt Dawson, Phil Bennett and Willie John McBride. Brian and Matt entertained the audience with ‘behind the scenes’ stories about fellow lion Austin Healey and the brutality of the South African ruts. Phil and Willie went on to remember with glee the famous 1974 lions tour of South Africa where Willie’s now famous ‘99’ call ensured a ‘one in – all in’ retaliation policy. Willie, who turns 80 next year was also treated to an early rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ by an appreciative audience.
Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said, “This has been a great day. We just can’t believe how hugely generous everyone has been because every year, our expectations are surpassed. This means that we can reach out to more construction families in crisis and continue to provide even more support at the ‘front end’ so that we can achieve our mission of ensuring that no worker should feel alone in a crisis.
Thank you too, to all the volunteers who work so hard behind the scenes to make sure that this day goes well and of course to our event sponsors and supporters.
The money raised will go towards continuing our vital helpline services and developing our Building Mental Health programme so that we can continue to support our construction families in need and make a real difference to people who have nowhere else to turn.”
The festivities continued well into the evening with guests reluctant to leave and making the most of the networking opportunities.
Event sponsors and supporters: DRS Bonds, RIFT, Gallagher Group, EEBS, Coinford Wonderland Memorabilia, Ardent Tide, GKR Scaffolding and CPA
Willmott Dixon has added to its extensive track-record of education projects in Birmingham by being awarded the £19m contract to deliver a new three-story secondary academy school in Yardley Wood.
Christ Church, Church of England, Secondary Academy – which is due to open in 2021 – is being built by the Department for Education (DfE) to create a further 1,150 school places in the region.
Designed by architecture firm CPMG Architects, the new school will comprise of a pick-up and drop-off area for pupils, a sports hall, two full-size football pitches and one FA standard 3G pitch.
When complete the school will accommodate 900 pupils and a further 250 students in the sixth form.
The contract extends Willmott Dixon’s track record in Birmingham building places where people can learn life-long skills. Other schemes include University of Birmingham’s School of Engineering and its Teaching and Learning Building as well as projects for Birmingham City University and the creation of the National College of High Speed Rail. The company’s focus on Midlands growth also saw it recently open two Birmingham-based offices in Snowhill for its construction and interior fit-out teams.
Dan Doyle, Operations Director at Willmott Dixon said: “We are pleased to be working with the DfE to create a new contemporary building which will meet the needs of the local community. This new building will enhance the current area, provide state of the art facilities for students and create an outstanding school for Yardley Wood.”
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Robin James, Managing Director of The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (
