U.K. Edition
SGB Wins Major Scaffold Contract Worth £13M
SGB Scaffolding is back on the scene after the announcement of a huge £13 million four-year deal with Countryside.
The once legendary industry giant SGB has today revealed details to ScaffMag on this significant new deal. The scaffold contract sees SGB appointed as the sole scaffolding provider to Countryside’s North West division. SGB which is part of the Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services group will now provide scaffolding services to Countryside.
SGB say the negotiations were led by SGB’s Business Development Manager, Jason Milner. “We are extremely proud and excited to be partnering Countryside on these schemes,” he said. “We currently have 23 live sites in progress with more set to follow, and this will make a great contribution to our planned growth strategy over the next 4 years.”
The Countryside work will be focussed on SGB’s Manchester depot, where General Manager Alan Arthur added: “We have proved to Countryside the we have the size, strength and capabilities that few other scaffolding providers, if any, can match, but which are essential to fulfil a major contract such as this.”
SGB has told us they already have a well-established relationship with Countryside. In 2014 the company was chosen from a list of five scaffolding suppliers to be Countryside’s sole provider, under a two-year deal, which saw the volume of business grow to an annual order value of £3.5m
“This new deal is a result of all the hard work and commitment from the team in Manchester, with particular praise going to our site teams led by Operations Manager John Woodcock,” adds Jason Milner. “John and his teams have delivered some 3,400 units of scaffolding over the last five years, successfully meeting challenging build programs in a very fast-paced environment.”
SGB is now working with Countryside to extend the contract model to other areas of the UK. It has already secured contracts covering two new sites developed by Countryside’s Midlands office, with more set to follow.
Scaffolding Of The Future From Lynch
Certified by Lloyds British and trending in the industry
Streamlined For Better Productivity
This streamlined system can speed up and ease erection on base settings and revert back whenever required. The designers claim productivity can be improved by a full 100 per cent, saving massively on labour costs.Innovation In Action
As a tool package it’s completely unique because according to the designers, it’s the only type of scaffolding to facilitate the attachment of transoms to ledgers before the attachment to the upright standards. This enables bay sections of transoms and ledgers to be stored or transported while remaining attached. It all makes for much greater stability in creating safer working platforms. Tests have already proven this is incredibly quick scaffolding to either erect or dismantle, reducing work time by 30 per cent over traditional scaffolding systems Lynch say.
Smarter Safer Working For The Industry
In terms of advantages, bay sections can be attached complete or as individual components, and there are no height restrictions offering much greater stability overall to working platforms. Uneven ground isn’t a problem, and much smaller scaffolds can actually be both lifted and moved comfortably and easily. What’s more, connections of ledgers are more securely attached by couplers, not internal or external joints.
Stocking For Success
The new Lynch system doesn’t require adjustable jack plates on ground surfaces. Also, the designers maintain there’s no need for re-stocking of materials and no need to buy costly uprights – tube and fitting scaffolding users can purchase a few bay sections to improve towers, mobiles and base settings. In fact, it would seem the makers have thought of everything. This thoughtful Lynch System is yet another example of the scaffolding of the future it would seem. The system is certified by Lloyds British BS EN 12811 BS EN 74 For more information vist www.lynchscaffoldingsystem.co.ukBircham Newton to Close After Major CITB Shake-Up
‘An end of an era’, Bircham Newton Construction College is set to close by 2019.
The 50-year-old Bircham Newton base in Norfolk has been the must go-to training college for thousands of scaffolders over the years. Sources say the CITB management called a meeting and broke the news to staff yesterday. The news comes after the CITB training body laid out plans to streamline its business operations as part of a major shake-up was revealed. The CITB, which is funded by a levy on construction firms, will no longer carry out direct training. In future, the body will oversee training by external private sector training providers. A recent government review of the CITB found that although construction employers and trade associations voted for the industry levy to continue, there was heavy criticism of how it currently operates. Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB, said: “Construction needs to modernise and CITB is no exception. We accept the challenges laid down by industry and Government and we will deliver a future-fit training body by adapting and updating our business model. “Some really tough decisions could be made under these proposals but I’m confident in our commitment to becoming a more representative, accountable and reliable ‘levy in, skills out’ organisation. We now have a clearly defined path, and we see a bright future for a modern, engaged CITB. We look forward to working with our industry and Government to build a better Britain.” Job losses are rumored to be on the cards among the CITB’s 1,300 staff, but no official comment has been made available. CISRS Scheme Manager Dave Mosley said “It’s the end of an era and a great shame. CITB has played a huge role in establishing the CISRS scheme and Scaffolder training over the years. It’s a real blow to the scaffolding industry, although we are being assured by CITB/NCC that they will not pull out of training until there is alternative provision, I can only see this having a negative effect whilst the requirement for a skilled labour force continues to increase”.Rilmac Scaffolding Highly Commended at Business Awards
Lincolnshire based Rilmac Scaffolding have been Highly Commended in the Fastest Growing Business category at the annual Midlands Family Business Awards.
CN Specialist 2018 Finalists Revealed
The Construction News Specialist Awards has announced it’s 2018 finalists.
- Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding
- Controlled Scaffolding
- GKR Scaffolding
- JECS Offshore Scaffolding
- PHD Modular Access Services
- Premier Technical Services Group
- QFS Scaffolding
- WellMax Scaffolding
AIS Training Becomes Fully Accredited CISRS Scaffolding Centre
AIS training has become fully accredited by the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme.
This means Scaffolders across North East England can get all the training they need in one place. Despite a national scaffolding skills shortage, there are currently no other scaffolding training centres across Tyneside, Wearside, Durham and Northumberland, and only a handful of centres across the North of England. Now, everything is set to change as the final piece in the scaffolding course portfolio of AIS is put firmly in place.Delivering A World Class Course Package
The highly reputed trainer with a world class facility based in North Shields, but with branches in both Aberdeen and Grimsby, can now deliver a full package of courses. These range from basic level courses to apprenticeships, NVQs and advanced level scaffolding and inspection programmes. AIS has invested £1million into its scaffolding training provision in the past year, to create the very best in scaffolding tuition. Paul Attrill, head of training and education at AIS Training, said: “We are delighted to receive this approval from CISRS. “Recent reports show the construction sector is suffering huge skills shortages with scaffolding cited as a key area. Our scaffolding centre is tackling these shortages by providing high quality, industry approved training from basic through to the highest levels. We’ve delivered hundreds of commercial courses for businesses across the region and have also successfully trained 39 scaffolding apprentices with another 78 on our books. Scaffolding really is a phenomenal success story for AIS Training.”Meeting The Demands Of Modern Construction
In an age where safety and efficiency is of paramount importance, there’s little doubt quality specialist training can meet the demands of modern construction. AIS Training’s reputation as a leading provider of scaffolding training across the North of England is growing rapidly. This can clearly be seen in the number of scaffolding companies approaching the company. From our state-of-the-art industrial training facilities throughout the UK, their courses are endorsed by the world’s leading trade associations including IRATA, OPITO, SPRAT, MCA, IOSH, ECITB, CompEx, GWO and RenewableUK. CISRS Accreditation Auditor, Trevor Donoghue said: “AIS Training has developed a fantastic facility for scaffolding skills here in the North East. The centre is now accredited to deliver the full suite of CISRS scaffolding courses from basic through to advanced qualifications and inspections. This is a fantastic asset for local companies, where they can get all the training they need to keep their teams safe and competent.”The AIS Winning Initiative
Those working in the scaffolding and access platform industries can look forward to gaining the best possible experience thanks to the AIS initiative. They deliver world-class specialist training for the offshore oil and gas, wind energy and industrial sectors to thousands of delegates each year.Generation UNI Roof makes history with Kew Gardens
Generation UK demonstrate why Generation UNI Roof is the Market leader in Temporary Roofing.
Generation UK were tasked to provide all access and Temporary Roof equipment for a project to bring the amazing Royal Botanic Kew Gardens Glasshouse back to its former glory! Kew Gardens Temperate House opened in 1862 and to date is the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world.
10K Fine After Scaffolder Fell Three Meters
A Scaffolding company has been fined after a worker fell three metres and lost consciousness.
Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard how, in February 2016, a scaffolder of HI-Pro Scaffolding Ltd was dismantling a temporary roof scaffold when he fell about three metres through the temporary roof, onto the fixed roof below. The scaffolder was knocked unconscious, spent two days in hospital and suffered a broken thumb which required metal pins to be fitted. In total, he was off work for two months. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that Hi-Pro Scaffolding Ltd had not planned the work properly. There was a lack of communication and the employee was not trained or experienced in this type of scaffold. The company also failed to provide suitable personal protective equipment to prevent a fall. HI-Pro Scaffolding Ltd of Old Ford House, Old Ford Lane, Stonely, Kimbolton, has been fined £10,000 for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and been ordered to pay costs of £3621.00. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector John Berezansky said: “This case highlights the importance of following industry guidance to plan the safe erection and dismantling of scaffolding”.The New Industrial Revolution Is Here With Industry 4.0
A range of exciting collective technologies known as Industry 4.0 is set to launch the new industrial revolution.
This fourth industrial age however, could see more than 600,000 existing construction jobs automated by 2040, freeing up individuals for essential re-training, according to a report released from international consultancy and construction company, Mace. It’s all part of intensive research exploring how the construction industry will need to change in order to meet future 21st century challenges. Their findings also cited the need for a major re-skilling of the workforce, in order to meet the demands of this new technology. They also warn the industry will lose out on potential productivity benefits worth £25bn, if it fails to train a new generation of hi-tech savvy workers.The Important Figures
It’s a fact output per worker has remained flat in construction in the past decade. Contrast this to a 30 per cent improvement in the service sector, and a booming 50 per cent increase in manufacturing.Transforming Technology
The transformational technology making up Industry 4.0 is already available, and some businesses are already seeing the productivity benefits of using cloud computing and robotics. We can add to this, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles to help form a clear picture of where things are going. The whole way in which buildings are constructed will change, with quality of life, safety, industrial output, and the environment all being improved over time.