Two previous directors of Beaver 84 have purchased Presco for an undisclosed sum.
The Walsall, West Midlands based scaffolding manufacturer has been acquired by Steve Tysoe and Ian Smith both of which were previous directors of Beaver 84 a leading supplier of tempory fencing, scaffolding and edge protection solutions for hire and sales.
According to TCI, the deal comprises all the intellectual property, trademarks and brands associated with Presco as well as its Presco’s 10,000 sq ft factory and distribution centre in Walsall, its 14 employees and its supply deals with half a dozen factories in China.
The new owners plan to take Presco into bespoke scaffolding systems. Additionally, they also plan to sell directly to end users but without undercutting existing distributors. Key customers will also be offered bespoke marketing plans and some stock will be available to hire.
Steve Tysoe said: “Presco was a company at the top of the supply chain with a name not rivalled by any other in its market. We intend to refocus and return it back to its rightful place as well as expanding it to ensure that a great British business name is not lost as many others have been over the years.
“Our intention is to grow the business through partnerships, a more focused approach to the client, either distributor or end user, to add products that enhance the current range and to bring back the bases of UK manufacturing where appropriate.”
Forgeco in partnership with Raptor Scaffold Designs has created a video series to showcase the many benefits of the patented Klawz Scaffold Fitting.
Over several months the collaboration tested the use of the Klawz fitting within many different access applications. Forgeco has said their investigation has found that the use of the Klawz fitting allows the saving of both materials and time with other benefits being highlighted throughout the process.
One aspect they found for further consideration was the environmental impact of materials being transported into areas such as central London where there are a number of fees like the Congestion Charge. Today companies are becoming more responsible for their environmental footprint, Klawz can reduce the number of fittings needed and the weight of a scaffold says Forgeco.
The technical aspects of the Klawz fitting show how it can be used to replace several pieces of equipment saving weight and time for the user. The Klawz beam video showcases how it can be used with system scaffold and aluminum beams to simply space out the beam from the rosette or cup thus avoiding timely beam installation.
The Klawz fitting is currently tested to EN71-1:2005 Class B but after investigating its uses it will be going through further testing to showcase further advantages it can bring.
Group Technical Director Samuel Crowley said: “It is great to investigate a product like Klawz further and keep developing it to bring further benefits for the customer. I think the videos really highlight some great benefits of the product”.
View the Klawz youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFZacn6lI-E05h_XJ2pjx5Q/videos
Connolly Scaffolding Ltd has been awarded the Manchester Airport transformation programme contract. The Greater Manchester-based firm will be providing scaffolding access solutions for the transformation of Terminal 2 into the Airport’s new ‘Super Terminal’.
Over £1 billion is being invested into the programme managed by Laing O’Rourke over the 5 year project period. The reconfiguration programme which is one of the largest construction projects in the North of England will see Terminal 2, one of Europe’s busiest terminals, become the airport’s primary terminal building when it is extended by 150%.
At the peak of the project, at the beginning of 2019, it is expected that nearly 1,500 people will be working onsite, with a target of 150 apprentices. According to Manchester Evening News, 75% of workers onsite are from within a 35-mile radius of the project.
The ‘Super Terminal’ will include an all-new international departure lounge, providing passengers with luxurious and functional waiting spaces. There will be 60 new food, beverage and retail outlets across 167,000 square feet of retail space. Enough to service 27 million annual passengers.
Connolly Scaffolding Managing Director, Wayne Connolly, said: “The selection process to find a scaffolding partner for this major project was very thorough and we are delighted that we were able to successfully demonstrate our ethos of providing scaffolding services on time, safely and within budget.
We are extremely proud to be part of such a transformation of a facility that will greatly benefit the North West and will be used by millions of travelers from across the globe.”
Two construction workers fell to their deaths on Wednesday morning after falling seven stories from collapsed scaffolding near Walt Disney World in Florida. A third worker managed to hang on and climb to safety.
The accident happened at a JW Marriott hotel that is under construction, in Orange County just outside the Disney property, according to Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles.
He says there were about 18 workers at the scene when they got the call about the accident at 4:15 a.m. They were working at the top of the hotel, above the sixth floor, where concrete is being poured. Jachles says that the support structure gave way, sending two workers plummeting to their deaths. The third worker sustained minor injuries.
Fatal construction accident: 14900 blk Chelonia Pkwy./Hotel under construction/several workers on scaffold/support structure, working between 6 & 7th floors when, for reasons unknown, scaffold gave way. 2 workers fell to the ground and died on scene (more) #BREAKINGpic.twitter.com/g0OLvH3dfW
An industrial site in Manchester that once housed a historic engineering works has been acquired by a tenant company, Cheshire based BB Scaffolding, in a six-figure deal part-funded by a loan from Mercia Fund Managers.Dukinfield Iron Works was formerly the headquarters of J Bown & Co, a world leader in the manufacture of pressure vessel components, which was founded in 1877 and run by six generations of the Bown family before it ceased trading in September 2017.The site, which houses 16 buildings, was acquired in a private sale from the Bown family. The new owners, who have been actively promoting the site in the run-up to the sale, have already signed eight new tenants ranging from vehicle repairs and conversion firms to a recycled plastics manufacturer.BB Scaffolding provides scaffolding and steel erection services for the chemicals and telecoms sectors. Founded by Brett Downs and Bradley Wosahlo in 2009, it currently employs 11 staff on the site. The acquisition will allow it to extend its yard area and generate income from tenant companies.Brett Downs said: “We are pleased to take control of this historic site. As tenants for nine years, we saw the potential to provide cost-effective industrial premises close to the M60. The rapid take-up demonstrates the strong demand. The acquisition has not only helped secure the future of our own business but provided others with the space to grow and create new jobs in the area.”Andy Heaton, Investment Manager with Mercia, said: “Dunkinfield Iron Works has been a centre of industry and employment for 140 years. The sale has given it a new lease of lifeand the BB Scaffolding team are committed to revitalising the site and giving a new generation of businesses the opportunity to expand.”Paul Mak of Pomegranate Commercial Finance provided fundraising advice to BB Scaffolding.
Simian Risk continues to expand their training reach after signing a memorandum of understanding with Anglesey-based Grwp Llandrillo Menai.
The signed agreement which was made at the Anglesey Agricultural Show will enable Simian’s scaffolding training courses rolled out at Grwp Llandrillo Menai new world-class training facility. The Construction Infrastructure Skills Training Centre (CIST) will be fully operational and running by early 2019, the centre represents a £2m investment by Grwp Llandrillo Menai and Welsh Government.
Established in 2012, Grwp Llandrillo Menai was formed following the merge of Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. With over 27,000 students across Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd.
CEO of Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Dafydd Evans, said of the agreement, “I’m delighted to be working closely with Simian to develop the provision of Scaffolding and Rigging courses at Llangefni, this can only be good news for the local construction industry”.
Managing Director of Simian, Simon Hughes, added: “We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Grwp Llandrillo Menai, who are constructing a world-class scaffolding training facility as part of the CIST at the Llangefni campus.
Image credit: Simian Risk
This new facility will not only serve the skills requirements of the region for the planned major infrastructure projects and the local community needs, but we hope will become recognised as a national centre of excellence for specialist construction skills training and qualifications in Wales.
The signing of the MOU at the Anglesey Show is the culmination of over two years planning and hard work by all of the parties involved to bring this exciting project to fruition. We are already able to offer entry-level qualifications in Llangefni and welcome interest from individuals interested in a career in the access industry.”
Taiwan News has reported that two people have died and one person was severely injured after being hit by falling scaffolding from a 20-story-tall building under construction in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The incident happened as strong winds were buffeting the area amid a tropical storm which has caused flooding and traffic disruption across the region.
According to reports at around 3 p.m., a strong gust of wind hit the scaffolding structure pulling it away from the building and falling to the ground, burying three people in the street.
Police cordoned off the area while a rescue team removed the wreckage from the scene. Underneath they found one man and two women who showed no signs of life, local media reported.
After they were transferred to hospital, one woman was reported in a serious condition, while another woman and her son were pronounced dead. All three had reportedly been passing by the site on motorcycles.
Dramatic images show scaffolders running for their lives after a fireball explosion at an oil refinery in Cheshire.
Massive plumes of thick black smoke could be seen for several miles after a large fire broke out at the Stanlow oil refinery on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in Oil Site Road, Ellesmere Port at 2.16pm on Wednesday.
Images sent to ScaffMag from inside the oil refinery show the terrifying fireball coming from the SHOP chemical plant area of the refinery site. Bilfinger and Cape pre-shutdown scaffolders on site had been working in the area but were fortunately cabined up when the explosion happened.
Scaffolder running from onsite cabins at Stanlow Refinery
All staff and contractors had been accounted for and evacuated from the affected area.
The Stanlow refinery owned by Essar Oil UK employs more than 900 staff and 500 contractors on site and supplies 16% of all road transport fuels.
A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service told local media: “Shortly after 2pm today emergency services received reports of a fire within the SHOP chemical plant at the Stanlow site in Ellesmere Port.
“Crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service along with onsite firefighters from Essar quickly brought the fire under control and it was fully extinguished within three hours.
“The fire caused a large plume of smoke above the site, which has now dispersed.
“The incident was confined to the manufacturing area of the site and did not affect the refinery. All staff within the affected area were evacuated as a precaution and there were no reports of any injuries.”
Investigations are now underway for what caused the fire.
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has published a new safety guidance note SG5:18 Overhead Power Sources and Earthing of Scaffold Structures.
The industry trade body has also recently updated it’s guide to the Design and Construction of Tempory Roofs and Buildings TG9:18. The flurry of updates comes as part of the NASC’s ongoing efforts to ensure all reference materials are both current and streamlined.
SG5:18 Overhead Power Sources and Earthing of Scaffold Structures includes updated content derived from SG3:14 Earthing of Scaffolding Structures and SG5:11 Overhead Power Sources, both of which have been discontinued NASC say.
Both guidance notes are available to download for free or purchased through the NASC website.
Commenting on the updates Adrian Rooney, Chair of the NASC Health and Safety Committee and Managing Director of Midland Scaffolding Services Ltd, said:
“SG5:18 combines two existing guidance notes covering similar topics into one, making it easier for contractors to source information relating to electrical issues.
“We’re constantly looking at ways to improve and expand the range of safety guidance notes and plan to publish two further notes in the coming months.”
Andy Heaton, Investment Manager with Mercia, said: “Dunkinfield Iron Works has been a centre of industry and employment for 140 years. The sale has given it a new lease of lifeand the BB Scaffolding team are committed to revitalising the site and giving a new generation of businesses the opportunity to expand.”
Paul Mak of Pomegranate Commercial Finance provided fundraising advice to BB Scaffolding. 
Andy Heaton, Investment Manager with Mercia, said: “Dunkinfield Iron Works has been a centre of industry and employment for 140 years. The sale has given it a new lease of lifeand the BB Scaffolding team are committed to revitalising the site and giving a new generation of businesses the opportunity to expand.”
Paul Mak of Pomegranate Commercial Finance provided fundraising advice to BB Scaffolding. 
