The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008 | U.K. Edition
Altrad Group To Partner For The Reconstruction Of Notre Dame Paris
Mohed Altrad has announced the Altrad Group will ‘materially’ support the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The world watched in horror on Monday 15th of April as the roof and spire of the 850-year old Paris landmark collapsed after it was engulfed in flames. Although still unconfirmed the fire could be linked to major renovation works at the medieval cathedral. Watching the incident unfold Altrad Group’s president, Mohed Altrad ‘immediately decided to work for its restoration’, according to a press release published today. The statement reads: Like every woman and man in France and abroad, Mohed Altrad, president of the Altrad group, has been particularly affected by the fire that damaged Notre-Dame de Paris on April 15, 2019. He has therefore immediately decided to work for the restoration of the monument. The proposal of the Altrad group is to accompany materially, during all the necessary time of the works, with its expertise and its technicality, the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris. “Our group has always been driven by humanistic values. We are, in the world of scaffolding, the direct descendants of the communities who built these great monuments like Notre-Dame de Paris, allowing us to progress and move upwards. Together, with all stakeholders, we will meet the time and restoration challenges”, explained Mohed Altrad.Interview with CEO PHD Group Alan Brockhouse
Founded in 1984 by Bernard Dwyer, London-based PHD has established as one of the go-to construction access firms in the country, providing scaffolding solutions to a broad range of projects. In recent years those have included One Hyde Park, the London 2012 Olympics, the Cutty Sark’s restoration, Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster, and both Kings Cross and Marylebone stations.
Expanding from an entirely scaffold and modular access business to now include a range of other solutions, in 2019 PHD is looking to create a national network of firms across the UK. All of which would be held to the same standards, with contracts distributed to the best in their respective fields within the respective regions. Localised work on a national level. Keen to learn more, we asked Alan Brockhouse, the firm’s CEO, what this means for the company and end customer alike.
“Our clients are important to us, and we want to be able to service them on a national scale. Many of the firms that we service are national and multi-national companies, that have access requirements across England and Wales,” he explains.
“Having established excellent relationships with these firms and produced cost-effective, high-quality access solutions for them, they inevitably want to use our services further afield. This is where our concept of our national network originates from.
“By setting up key hubs across the UK, we are looking to acquire businesses in other regions of the country, with focus across the infrastructure, commercial and residential sectors.
“We have already established an office in Manchester, and are looking for another in Cambridge, where we are currently providing access solutions to the AstraZeneca campus. We believe Cambridge’s ever-expanding technology sector means it will act as an excellent base for us to establish new sources of work.”
It’s a logical idea. Strength will always be found in numbers, and while the world continues to become more globalized, specialist knowledge of particular locations and areas is growing in importance. That goes for everything from leisure and recreational services to property development.
At the same time, by expanding to incorporate, rather than replace regional counterparts, local economies can be bolstered, as oppose to it simply being a case of job creation during a project’s lifespan, and employment depletion when that project ends and the company charged with delivery moves on to the next, perhaps in the opposite end of the country. And when there’s less upheaval, costs can be reduced.
“The network will also allow us offer cheaper solutions for our clients. With access equipment being sourced locally and less transport costs, we can offer a faster, greener and more efficient service,” Mr Brockhouse added.
“Another benefit of providing regional hubs is guaranteeing work for local labourers for sustained periods in identifiable geographical areas. We will be able to give workers financial stability and the reassurance that they can work in their preferred locations.”
Change is certainly a hot topic in the UK right now, as uncertainties over Brexit and the future of a country attempting to pave its own way forward continue. Conversely, PHD’s plans boil down to unifying and pooling resources in order to safeguard its future, and the great unknowns of Britain post-March 29 are precisely the reason why now is the time for this to happen.
“Strangely, it is the current uncertainty in the industry which we feel makes it the right time for expansion,” Mr Brockhouse explains. “We are confident in our ability to create cost-effective solutions for clients based partly on the fact that we already have an efficient, streamlined business model.
“It’s my belief that as the market tightens others won’t possess the same confidence in their business and will be looking for a way out. The continuing uncertainty caused by Brexit is another reason that many access firm owners may be willing to cash their chips in now. It’s a cliché but the uncertainty can bring opportunity.”
If the idea proves to be successful the next five years could be transformational for PHD and its partners, with eyes firmly set on cementing the brand name as the gold standard for cost-effective access solutions domestically, while also expanding beyond the current territories into more overseas locations.
A courageous step forward that evidences both determination and a clarity of vision, we wouldn’t be the only ones to point out the irony of a company acting in this way as a direct response to circumstances brought about by a government that seems unable to follow suit. Exciting times for all involved, it’s a welcome example of industry confidence at a time when we need it most.
This article was first published in ScaffMag Issue 5
Scaffolding Association joins the Temporary Works Forum
As part of its continuing strategy to improve the standards of scaffolding and access within the construction industry, the Scaffolding Association has become a member of the Temporary Works Forum (TWF).
The TWF is a not-for-profit company that was established for the benefit of the construction industry, and aims to promote best practice and encourage open discussion of any matter related to temporary works.
The Scaffolding Association, which has a membership of almost 400 companies and has been building partnerships with a wide range of industry organisations over the last 12 months. It views the TWF as a valuable platform in which to influence future practices within the industry, and represent its members to key industry stakeholders.
Following their attendance at the first open TWF meeting Robert Candy, Chief Executive said “One of the key aims of the Scaffolding Association is to ensure that industry standards are continually being raised, and the Temporary Works Forum seeks to promote best practices and improve standards. There is a synergy between the organisations and we look forward to being active members of the Temporary Works Forum”
CISRS OSTS Continues to Expand in UAE
The Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme (OSTS) is growing in the UAE in terms of both availability and demand, CISRS have said.
CISRS management was in Abu Dhabi last week to carry out a pre-accreditation visit at Safety & Access and Aecor’s new training centre. The new facility will deliver Level 1, 2 and 3 scaffolding training, Basic Scaffold Inspection, Supervisor training and CPD courses once it becomes operational in four to six weeks’ time.
In a statement released by the scheme, they also reported, whilst in the region, CISRS held meetings with two major construction companies to promote the CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) and the new centre.
CISRS officials met with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), the largest engineering and construction company in the Middle East with more than 110,000 employees, and Target Engineering Construction Company, which is involved in projects in civil, mechanical, marine construction, electrical – power and instrumentation/control works and MEP works for both onshore and offshore-based oil and gas sectors and the commercial sector.
In Dubai, Simian Skill passed the CISRS OSTS annual accreditation visit with flying colours.
Training numbers are up year-on-year at the facility, which delivers Level 1 and 2 scaffolder training, Basic and Advanced Scaffold inspection, Scaffold Supervisor training and even a CPD course for UK ex-pats.
David Mosley, CISRS Managing Director, said: “It’s great to see increased interest in CISRS OSTS both in the UAE and further afield. It’s a real positive step that major clients are becoming more aware of CISRS OSTS and looking to implement it for their workforce.
“I look forward to seeing the new centre in Abu Dhabi up and running when work has been completed.”
Safety & Access and Aecor currently operate training centres in Nepal and Qatar. As well as Dubai, Simian Skill instructors are delivering training around the globe, including in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Nigeria.
Wood wins key role on Hinkley Point C project
Wood has secured a new contract to provide a construction design management advisor service for the Hinkley Point C new build nuclear power station project in the UK.
The new contract gives Wood a key strategic role in the project’s Technical Management and Acceptance team, which is responsible for implementing construction regulations and managing design risk assessments.
Effective immediately, the contract with station developers EDF Energy will see Wood engineers working to help mitigate design risks and prepare for site implementation, achieving safety through design, better value for money and greater efficiency.
Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions business, said: “We are looking forward to working with EDF Energy on another aspect of this project which is so vital to the UK’s future energy security. Our nuclear business has played a key role in every UK nuclear new build and this contract supports our strategy to increase our involvement at Hinkley Point C, where we already provide safety case and engineering support, equipment qualification services in several key areas, and are sole suppliers for independent verification of ultrasound inspections on safety critical components.”
PERI Delivers First Ever BASE Course
Last week, PERI delivered its first 5-day CISRS-accredited BASE course to apprentices from J.MAC Scaffolding.
The course, which took place at NETA’s training centre in Middlesbrough, is one of many ways the business is helping to increase the number of skilled operatives in the industry and demonstrate the benefits of system scaffolding. PERI’s Scaffolding Instructor, Mark Holmes, who led the course, believes that the BASE training course in particular will help meet the growing demand for skilled scaffolders. He added, “I feel this course gives apprentices a good insight into system scaffolding as they embark on their scaffolding careers, including the opportunity to erect basic structures. It also gives them an understanding of Working at Height Regulations 2005 and safety guidance from NASC SG4.15 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations. Seeing the apprentices learning and grasping the PERI UP system concept by the end of the course gives me great job satisfaction, and I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction for PERI.” The BASE course is designed for non-scaffolders looking to pursue a career in the industry. It prepares them by replicating real-life site situations during training. Trainees are taught the fundamentals of scaffolding, which provides them with the basic skills and knowledge to erect, modify and dismantle system scaffolding in just five days. Non-scaffolders gain practical experience by training with the PERI UP Flex system, which is the formwork and scaffolding provider’s response to high quality, flexible and safe system scaffolding. Successful completion of the BASE course meant the apprentices from J.MAC Scaffolding qualified for a BASE scaffolding card endorsed by CISRS. This will enable them to carry out basic scaffolding operations on most project sites. Recognition from CISRS will also open up further career opportunities in the field.
With easier assembly and disassembly operations, PERI believes system scaffolds are the way forward for any access solution. In addition to the BASE course, PERI are offering advanced CISRS-accredited courses, such as the inspection course, enabling qualified scaffolders the chance to enhance their technical skills. CISRS Increases CPD availability
Due to industry demand, the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has increased the availability of its CPD courses.
The scheme says the increase in CPD training will be generated by now allowing core scheme centres, those that offer Part 1, Part 2 and Advanced Scaffolder CISRS courses at their main training centres. These will be able to deliver CPD at their network of facilities across the UK.
According to a CISRS statement, ‘These centres must have sufficient space to house the inspection structures and carry out the mobile access tower module, suitably qualified instructors, and approval from CISRS prior to any training taking place.’
The availability increase comes after a recent review of course availability and centre capacity, in which a shortage of CPD courses was identified in some areas.
The scheme says this increased availability is expected to alleviate this issue. However, CISRS will continue to review the situation.
PHD says investment in staff is key after latest award success
As previously reported the PHD Group retained this year’s prestigious Access and Scaffolding Specialist award. Reflecting on the win the access firm has said much of its success is put down to its continued investment in staff development and welfare.
The much-coveted title comes from the Construction News Specialist Awards 2019 evening, held last month at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Judges described PHD Group as ‘setting the pace in an incredibly tough sector’ and highlighted the complicated scaffolding work the company has carried out around Big Ben as the iconic 96 metre tall tower undergoes an extensive restoration programme. But the judging panel was equally impressed by the business’s commitment to its staff. The judges commented: ‘While Elizabeth Tower was a flagship project in 2018, the firm also provided innovative solutions on high-profile jobs such as Harrow Square (working for Barratt) and Deptford Foundry (Anthology/John Sisk), both of which were adjacent to live rail lines and had restricted access. ‘For staff, the firm offered free health checks, regular mental health talks and flu jabs. It also handed out 25 of its own health and safety awards for operatives last year. ‘The group invests in training and professes to offer clear career-development paths, while promoting fairness, inclusion and respect in the workplace.’ Danny Dwyer, Managing Director of PHD Group, said he was delighted that the judges had highlighted the investment the company makes in its staff as well as the access solutions it provides to complicated projects. Mr Dwyer said: “Any company is only as good as its staff and its an important part of our ethos that employees at all levels have the best possible training, welfare and working conditions. “We believe that by investing in our employees we are helping to create a happy, productive workplace that ultimately benefits the customer as they have a highly motivated team working on their projects. “Because we are an innovative firm that comes up with specialist solutions to difficult problems its important that our staff are trained in a particular way and buy into that ethos. We took on 22 apprentices in 2018 and hope to take on a further 30 this year. We’re delighted that the judges recognised our commitment to people and building up a good company culture.” Earlier this year PHD Group announced that it planned to create a national infrastructure of access companies across Britain through an acquisitions programme. The company plans to create regional hubs in key geographical areas and is already targeting Cambridge, The Midlands and the Northern Corridor. Alan Brockhouse, CEO of PHD Group, said: “It’s a huge achievement to win this award for consecutive years and we feel that it puts us in great stead as we look to start creating a national infrastructure for the company in 2019. “One of our key considerations when looking to buy a company is that they will have the ability to take on and adopt the company ethos that we have created. “All the staff have worked incredibly hard and deserve huge credit.”HAKI Secures Multi-Million-Pound Investment From Enigma Industrial Services
