Scaffolding & Construction Products Limited (SCP), the UK’s leading supplier of Acrow props and general construction products, has been acquired by Metal Spraying (UK) Limited (MSUK Group) for an undisclosed sum.
In a statement MSUK have said the move will give certainty of supply of safety critical access and scaffolding products and ensure job security
SCP was established in 1998 and is a respected supplier of non-mechanical construction equipment which is used widely in scaffolding, demolition, formwork, falsework and temporary staging sectors. SCP’s Acrow Props are the brand leader with a unique design that is FULLY tested under BS 5507 to the BS 4074 standard.
Wolverhampton-based MSUK Group is a major manufacturer and distributor of more than 1,000 products covering access and formwork equipment, scaffolding, groundworks and events. The Group is the sole approved manufacturer of the innovative Klawz scaffold fitting, ScottiClip, Tamer and Safelinx scaffold board retaining systems.
MSUK Group managing director, Dale R Dale, said: “We’ve worked closely with SCP for almost 20 years and have made this investment to ensure job security and certainty of supply. SCP will integrate seamlessly with the current products and services we offer at MSUK Group. Moving forward we plan to develop and expand this range and help our customers improve performance both locally and in the export market.”
City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Bilson, added: “It is excellent news for the city and the Black Country, in terms of investment and jobs, to see MSUK Group’s growth. It demonstrates the business environment in Wolverhampton remains buoyant. There is an excellent business support structure in the Black Country accessed through a wide-range of partners and programmes such as the AIM (Black Country Advice Investment and Markets) programme.”
SMART Scaffolder are constantly adding new functionality to their design, estimating and TG20:13 compliance software. In their latest release, they have added some exciting and innovative features. For example, to allow scaffolding to be modelled against photographs of buildings and to enable scaffolds to be traced onto a ‘Google Maps’ satellite image!Ian Chambers, Sales and Marketing Director at SMART Scaffolder, said “We always listen to what our customers tell us and have an ongoing development programme to make sure we not only meet their needs but add new functionality that surpasses their expectations”.In addition to most leading brands of system scaffolding SMART Estimator now fully supports the Turner OCTO scaffolding system so you can set-out your scaffold automatically and create professional drawings and accurate material lists.Ian Wilson, Managing Director of Turner Access said “Over the last 18 months Turner Access has been working closely with SMART Scaffolder to ensure that Turner OCTO is fully supported within the software. This collaboration has worked well for us and we are very happy with the finished product, which is now ready to launch and will be a big benefit to us in our own contracting business as well as to our customers who use the Turner OCTO product throughout the world.”There are plenty of other improvements too, including significantly faster performance, advanced guardrails for Plettac Metrix, alternating “checkerboard” decks for system birdcages and HAKI stair components are available when setting-out tube & fitting scaffolds, all of which make SMART Scaffolder the most comprehensive estimating software scaffolders can buy.For more details, visit the SMART Scaffolder website.
Cape Scaffolders at Eggborough power station in Goole have voted unanimously to go on strike.
According to Unite union The first 48-hour strike by the scaffs will begin on Thursday 17th August. There will then be a further 48-hour strike starting on Monday 21st August.
The scaffolders will then begin continuous strike action from Tuesday 29th August. An overtime ban will also begin from Wednesday 16th August.
The dispute concerns payments under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry the (NAECI agreement). The scaffolders are striking as they are only receiving category 4 payments of £15.12 an hour.
The Unite union says that there are local agreements in place that state that when power stations are undergoing maintenance work (which is undertaken at Eggborough from April to September) the normal NAECI rate of £16.97 an hour, plus an hourly bonus of £2.37, should apply.
Workers employed by other contractors on the power station are paid the full NAECI rate for the entire 12 month period, Unite said.
Unite regional officer Chris Weldon said: “It is highly disappointing that Cape has so far refused to enter into serious negotiations to resolve this dispute. Our members simply want Cape to create a level playing field and pay our scaffolding members on the same basis as other workers on the site.“If the proposed strikes take place then everyone involved at Eggborough power station should brace themselves for widespread disruption.“Our members are taking industrial action as a last resort. This dispute could be easily avoided, if Cape accepts our members are currently underpaid and introduces measures to resolve this matter.”
The NASC has announced the availability of version 1.2 of the TG20:13 eGuide, released in July 2017.
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) say the update incorporates a number of enhancements and is supplied as a free upgrade to registered users of the TG20:13 eGuide on Windows, Mac and Android computers and devices.
The upgrade is available as a download from the NASC website or, for the Windows and Mac versions, as a CD available on request from the NASC.
The upgrade has been developed by the NASC, in association with software developers CADS, in response to feedback received from a consultation held with the NASC membership and purchasers of TG20:13 in 2016.
The principal features of the software upgrade are as follows:
Automatic site reference. The site reference displayed on the TG20 compliance sheet now automatically defaults to the address for the location selected on the wind map screen, providing that an internet connection is available.
Checking a compliance sheet. A new option has been provided to indicate that a suitable person has checked that appropriate data input options have been selected in the TG20 eGuide when generating the compliance sheet, for integration with temporary works management processes.
Reporting the permitted seasons. The TG20 compliance sheet now specifies the season(s) during which the scaffold will be standing, either ‘during any season’ or ‘during the spring and summer’ depending on the option selected for the compliance sheet.
Company logo. A company logo may now be added to personalise the TG20 compliance sheet header, including any accreditation logos relevant to the company.
Compliance sheet illustrations. A ‘TG20 compliant’ stamp has been super-imposed on the illustration in the top left corner of the TG20 compliance sheets. This is to clarify that the illustration, although representative, is not intended to be a construction drawing.
Build UK support. The NASC is pleased to announce the continued support of TG20:13 by Build UK, whose logo is now included on the header of every TG20 compliance sheet.
Rob Lynch (Chair of NASC TG20 Working Group and CEO Lyndon Scaffolding plc) commented: “The NASC has worked closely with CADS to develop this latest upgrade. Feedback from the industry-wide consultation in 2016 was carefully analysed. Version 1.2 represents a significant enhancement.”
Ian Chambers (CADS International Sales and Marketing) added: “This latest release marks another chapter in the development of TG20:13, and underscores the benefits to the scaffolding industry arising from this collaborative venture between NASC and CADS.”
Robin James (NASC Managing Director) commented: “Few can have imagined the penetration which TG20:13 has achieved since launch in 2014. More than 2,000 copies of the eGuide have now been issued by NASC. The TG20 working group will continue to refine and develop this widely-adopted and increasingly iconic product to meet the needs of the temporary works sector.”Help and support
To coincide with the launch of version 1.2 of the TG20:13 eGuide, support with installation or activation of the eGuide is available directly from CADS, authors of the TG20 eGuide software at [email protected]
To download the upgrade as an existing TG20:13 eGuide user, or for further details regarding version 1.2 please consult the TG20 page on the NASC website www.nasc.org.uk
As part of the continuing growth in London and across the South East Rilmac Scaffolding have enhanced their estimating team with the appointment of former Tone Scaffolding estimator Andrew Taylor.
Andrew Taylor
Andrew, who hails from Maidstone in Kent, will be based at the Rilmac offices in Waltham, London and working not only in estimating, but also as a business development manager. Having 18 years experience previously running his own scaffolding business, Andrew is well versed in the different roles he is taking on.
A confident and enthusiastic communicator Andrew will act as an ambassador for the whole Rilmac Group in the Southern Region alongside the core Scaffolding elements of his role.
He is looking forward to getting stuck in exploring exciting new sectors and developing a wider customer base, using his experience of large scale, high profile projects.
Andrew is also a high flyer in his free time, as he holds a helicopter license and enjoys flying in his free time. When he has his feet firmly on the ground he also finds time to play piano for a funky soul band.
TRAD Southern is supporting Axis in the removal of cladding from Success House in South East London, by erecting system scaffolding to the full height of the block.
Success House, on the Old Kent Road, is an 8-storey residential block, comprising of social and shared ownership housing. TRAD Southern were successful in securing this project due to the capacity of access materials that are held within the TRAD Group, as well as the speed in which they were able to provide these services – essential due to the nature of this project. TRAD is using 1,600m2 of system scaffolding over the 30 week timeframe, with residents remaining in their properties throughout and a solicitor’s office on the ground floor also remaining operational. Chris Smith – Divisional Director, TRAD Southern said: “We have taken the needs of ongoing occupancy fully into consideration; to ensure that there is minimal disruption for all residents, employees and our client.”TRAD Southern and MTD Midlands are part of the TRAD Group of Companies. The TRAD Group have nationwide coverage – they currently hold over 19,000 tonnes of System Scaffold in addition to 66,000 tonnes of traditional Scaffolding (tube, fittings and boards) – ensuring that they have the capacity to fulfil many large, complex projects; including tower blocks. No other UK scaffolding contractor has TRAD’s level of equipment or capacity. Since joining the Altrad Group of Companies in 2013, the TRAD Group has enjoyed unprecedented but steady growth and offer a comprehensive nationwide service.
The NASC announced today with immediate effect all NASC Health & Safety and Technical guidance titles, other than pocket guides and the TG20 suite of publications, will be available to download free of charge from the NASC website.
In a statement, The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) say they publish a comprehensive and expanding range of industry guidance titles, all of which are regularly reviewed and updated by its Health & Safety and Technical committees. Copies of these titles have always been available to purchase in hard copy format from the NASC website www.nasc.org.uk.Health & Safety and Technical guidance titles now as free downloads
Until now free downloads have been restricted to NASC member companies only, with one notable exception.
In 2015, and by agreement with HSE, the confederation issued the latest version of its iconic management guidance titled SG4:15 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations. This 60-page A4 management guide has been freely available to download from the NASC website ever since publication. In the foreword of SG4:15 the then HSE Chief Inspector of Construction, Peter Baker commented:
“It is encouraging that the NASC continues to fulfil their commitment as a trade organisation to develop guidance for their industry.“In taking ownership and establishing good practice it has enabled scaffolding contractors to better manage the risk and demonstrates improved safety performance through their membership.”
The confederation has now taken this a step further and made all of its Health & Safety and Technical guidance titles freely available to the scaffolding industry, other than the pocket guides and the TG20 suite of publications.
NASC President Alan Lilley commented: “By continuing to refine and develop new and existing guidance titles the NASC recognises its responsibility to raise industry standards, not just for its membership, but for the scaffolding industry and the construction sector as a whole.“By making this Health & Safety and Technical guidance freely available to the industry the confederation is again demonstrating its commitment to making the industry a safer place in which to work.”Copies of all NASC guidance titles will continue to be available to purchase in hard copy format from the NASC website www.nasc.org.uk
International scaffolding and access contractors Brogan Group have been awarded the scaffold package for Dukes Court in the West End of London.
The £32M project is for the demolition of two buildings that will be replaced by a new 7 storey commercial office in the heart of St James in London.
The plans propose the creation of 36,000 ft2 of new modern office accommodation, from the first to sixth floor, and flagship retail and restaurant space at ground and basement levels.
Brogan Group’s reemit includes perimeter scaffold to all elevations, a main reception bird cage and pedestrian walkways. Work is due to start summer of this year and will run for 2 years.
Generation UK demonstrate once again why they believe the future of scaffolding lies in the system scaffold Futuro, with their brand new system scaffold calculator; The Futuro Challenge.
The Futuro Challenge estimates how much time, money and effort you could save by using the ultimate Altrad Futuro; compared to tube and fitting and other modular system scaffolds. The challenge works by calculating how much money you could save on labour costs*, due to the quicker erection time.
Generation are asking you to consider a scaffolding scenario and demonstrate how many scaffolders you would use and how much time it would take to replicate the Generation scenario.
In the ever-changing world of scaffold, Futuro is fundamental to the future of scaffolding; 50% quicker to erect than Lok systems and 300% faster than tube fittings and boards.
Not only does Futuro offer the benefits of saving time, effort and money, it is also an imperial system. Generation pride themselves on offering the best quality at the best prices on hire or sale basis.
Take the Futuro Challenge and speak to our experts today to see how much you can save with Futuro!
*Based on the 2017 average scaffolder wage
Tottenham Hotspur FC has selected GKR Scaffolding as its Official Scaffolding Supplier for its new stadium.
A specialist in large scale constructions projects, GKR has supported the demolition of the existing White Hart Lane stadium as well as the new stadium development.
GKR’s initial role in the project began with the construction of the largest single staircase in the UK as part of the demolition of the North East corner of White Hart Lane.
The Club’s new state of the art stadium is due to open in 2018. It will be the largest football club stadium in London, with a capacity of 61,559. Designed for atmosphere, it will also host other major sport and entertainment events such as NFL and music concerts.
Matthew Collecott, Director of Operations, Tottenham Hotspur said, “We are delighted to announce GKR Scaffolding as a key supplier to the stadium project. GKR Scaffolding are experts in undertaking large projects such as ours and they are committed to creating innovative solutions that meet our requirements.”
Lee Rowswell, Group Director, GKR Scaffolding added, “We are immensely proud to be part of this innovative world class stadium development. As a business, we are committed to innovation and there is no doubt that this project offers us a unique opportunity to showcase our ability to deliver complex and diverse projects.”
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of Turner Access said “Over the last 18 months Turner Access has been working closely with SMART Scaffolder to ensure that Turner OCTO is fully supported within the software. This collaboration has worked well for us and we are very happy with the finished product, which is now ready to launch and will be a big benefit to us in our own contracting business as well as to our customers who use the Turner OCTO product throughout the world.”
There are plenty of other improvements too, including significantly faster performance, advanced guardrails for Plettac Metrix, alternating “checkerboard” decks for system birdcages and HAKI stair components are available when setting-out tube & fitting scaffolds, all of which make SMART Scaffolder the most comprehensive estimating software scaffolders can buy.
For more details, visit the SMART Scaffolder website. 
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of Turner Access said “Over the last 18 months Turner Access has been working closely with SMART Scaffolder to ensure that Turner OCTO is fully supported within the software. This collaboration has worked well for us and we are very happy with the finished product, which is now ready to launch and will be a big benefit to us in our own contracting business as well as to our customers who use the Turner OCTO product throughout the world.”
There are plenty of other improvements too, including significantly faster performance, advanced guardrails for Plettac Metrix, alternating “checkerboard” decks for system birdcages and HAKI stair components are available when setting-out tube & fitting scaffolds, all of which make SMART Scaffolder the most comprehensive estimating software scaffolders can buy.
For more details, visit the SMART Scaffolder website. 
The Club’s new state of the art stadium is due to open in 2018. It will be the largest football club stadium in London, with a capacity of 61,559. Designed for atmosphere, it will also host other major sport and entertainment events such as NFL and music concerts.
Matthew Collecott, Director of Operations, Tottenham Hotspur said, “We are delighted to announce GKR Scaffolding as a key supplier to the stadium project. GKR Scaffolding are experts in undertaking large projects such as ours and they are committed to creating innovative solutions that meet our requirements.”
Lee Rowswell, Group Director, GKR Scaffolding added, “We are immensely proud to be part of this innovative world class stadium development. As a business, we are committed to innovation and there is no doubt that this project offers us a unique opportunity to showcase our ability to deliver complex and diverse projects.”