East Midlands based scaffolding and access firm Rilmac Scaffolding has announced the opening of a new Northampton branch following a series of new local contract wins.
The new Northampton branch close to the A45 and the M1 represents a £1 Million planned investment in the region already creating over 20 local jobs.
Announcing the opening of the new branch, Director Des Booth said “After gaining a series of new contracts we felt that, in order to provide the level of service we are renowned for, we needed a local base from which to serve our clients in this geographical area.”“This marks an important step for Rilmac in our continuing growth and emphasizes our commitment to providing our clients the best levels of service in the industry.”
Sam McSpadden, Operations Manager for Rilmac Scaffolding said “We welcome the opportunity to showcase our services to new clients and are proud to represent the Rilmac Group in developing this region”.
Rilmac Group Managing Director, Steve Baxter said “This continues an exciting year of development for the Rilmac Group as part of our program of planned expansion. It follows on from the opening earlier this year of our new Asbestos & Insulation branch serving London and the South East.”
The launch of the new branch grows the group to over 250 staff, operating from multiple locations across the country servicing major clients in the construction, industrial and manufacturing industries.
Back in 2013 the then new NASC President, Kevin Ward unveiled a grand plan to challenge it’s members to create a minimum of 400 new scaffolder apprentices during his two-year term.
NASC President Kevin Ward.
Fast-forward to the present day with just a few months left of his presidency Kevin’s challenge is well on target to become a success, not only will our industry benefit from Mr Ward’s challenge but The Teenage Cancer Trust are set to receive a minimum donation of £40,000 from participating NASC member companies.
Mr Ward who was a former scaffolding apprentice himself took time out of his busy scheduled to talk to us about his apprenticeship challenge.
Just as a recap please explain to our readers your apprentice challenge you set 2 years ago. How and why did your apprentice challenge come about? Did the NASC feel there was an inherent risk of a national shortage of CISRS trained scaffolders?
“It was an incredible honour for me when I was asked by my peers if I would take up the role of NASC President for a two year term. Indeed it was right up there with one or two of my other proudest achievements in my career within the Scaffolding & Access Industry. Aside from the day to day responsibilities expected from me in the role of President I decided early on that I would embark on a challenge of sort that could benefit the industry and be the focus of my two-year term”.
[quote_left]“Apprentices have always been the life-blood of our industry”[/quote_left]”It was apparent that the first signs of a recovery in the economy were starting to show and it made me reflect on skills shortages that were experienced across the construction sector when we came out of the last recession, when significant numbers of the workforce left the sector for good to seek other work. We were too slow to react to the turnaround in the economy and put plans in place to ensure an adequate supply of skilled labour would be available for our future requirements. With this in mind and having been employed at Scaffold Erection Services Ltd (SES) for many years where we have always been passionate and active in the CISRS Scaffolding apprentices scheme, also coupled with my being a former apprentice scaffolder myself, it was a no brainer for me to create a challenge that would hopefully help to reinvigorate the numbers of apprentices being put through the CISRS Scaffolding Apprentice Scheme by NASC Members – the ‘NASC New Apprentices Challenge’ was born and a stiff target of 400 new apprentices was set”.
“After a short period of reflection I thought that it could also be a fantastic opportunity for NASC members to give some badly needed support to people who have been less fortunate in life and I decided that we would try and raise some much needed funds for the charity ‘Teenage Cancer Trust’ by piggy-backing some sponsorship onto the the challenge”.
How does the recruitment of new apprentices help our industry ?
“Apprentices have always been the life-blood of our industry. As demand for training fell through the recent recession, the numbers of new people (especially young people) coming in to the industry followed suit and also declined. It is important that new entrants into the scaffolding industry enter it via a route that will see them properly trained and supervised, ultimately maximising the chances that they will become skilled tradesman becoming a valuable asset to the scaffolding industry and be rewarded themselves with good earnings and job security”.
“The CISRS Scaffolding Apprentice Scheme is this ‘route of choice,’ where excellent levels of support are given and the highest standards of training are delivered whilst all being set within a realistic time frame that ensures highly skilled and motivated individuals are the product.”
Nowadays the large majority of young people looking for future careers are overlooking the construction sector. How do you think our industry could improve its image to attract more young people to enrol to become apprentice scaffolders?
[quote_right]“One of the more troubling aspects has been the almost continuous cuts in funding for apprenticeship”.[/quote_right]”There has already been significant work and investment on the marketing side by the NASC and many of CISRS approved training centres. However we cannot afford to be complacent, we must continue to get the message out there that the Scaffolding & Access industry is an increasingly professional and safe environment to work in and can offer significant personal and financial rewards to the individuals we are trying to attract”.
“One of the more troubling aspects has been the almost continuous cuts in funding for apprenticeships. This has undoubtedly led to a reduction in the number of places made available by the training providers to employers for new apprentices. This is a regular complaint I hear from members all over the country so we must continue to work with other stakeholders and make sure sufficient funding remains in place to ensure our standard setting CISRS apprentice scheme continues to flourish”.
With your apprentice challenge set to be a success within the NASC contracting members, would you also urge the wider industry of non-members to lead by your example and continue to employ new apprentices.
“With just under 3 months of the challenge remaining there have been occasions when it appeared that we would not make it to the target number of 400 new apprentices. However at the last count we have very nearly got over the finishing line”.
“I have always had faith that the membership would rally and support the challenge and I am delighted and very grateful that they have collectively ‘stood up to the plate’. Whilst it is encouraging that NASC members have taken on large numbers of apprentices via the CISRS scheme it has become apparent to me that many non-member companies have also demonstrated a strong commitment to creating the skilled workforce of tomorrow and have also put through good numbers of apprentices through the scheme and they also deserve recognition for this commitment”.
“The final icing on the cake will hopefully be that we will have also raised a figure in the region of £50,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust via the very generous NASC member companies who have sponsored the challenge”.
“In summary I hope we can continue forward with this positive trend, after all it seems like a win win for all to me – Employers, Training Providers, a charitable good cause and not mention most importantly for me – The Apprentices!”
Gary Chudleigh becomes the new Marketing & Communications Officer for PASMA.
Gary Chudleigh
PASMA, the international trade body representing the mobile access tower industry, has announced the appointment of Gary Chudleigh as its new Marketing & Communications Officer.
He joins PASMA from Glasgow-based Campbell & Kennedy (C&K), award winning specialists in renewable energy installations and electrical contracting services where he was employed as a Marketing Executive from 2012.
A graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA (Hons) in Media and Communication and an HND in Communication with Media, Gary also holds a CSCS card in health and safety, and has successfully completed ISO 9001 and 14001 internal auditor training.
He will report to PASMA’s Head of Operations, Communication and Innovation, Maarten de Vries, who says: “Gary’s experience and expertise will prove invaluable to the Association.”
“His creative skills and knowledge of social media will be particularly beneficial as we seek to strengthen communication, not only with members, but with the wider work at height community. And not just here in the UK, but increasingly overseas.”
Gary Chudleigh added: “As someone committed to health and safety I very much look forward to helping PASMA advance its height safety agenda. There is nothing more important than keeping people safe in the workplace.”
Christian Brash from John Brash & Co. asks why sales of Grade A scaffolding boards are on the up when BS2482:2009 was supposed to be their death knell
Christian Brash, Chairman of John Brash.
The introduction of BS2482:2009 marked a watershed in the scaffolding industry, with new rules on board sizing, timber quality, board construction and the grading of scaffolding boards.
It replaced a British Standard that was nearly 30 years old. It introduced a new grade for 38mm boards – a 1.2m span and revised the grading requirements for 38mm boards with a 1.5m span and 63mm boards. The new 1.2m spam 38mm board was to ensure a safe and practical standard for what was the Grade A board
We thought it would spell the end of unregulated scaffold board, and for a while we were right because sales nosedived. However, Grade A boards are making a rather worrying comeback. But why is that?
We can only assume that it is because of three possible reasons.
The first is that BS2482:2009 is now six years old and although it’s an established standard, it’s probably long been forgotten. Despite the importance of these standards, I’ll bet there are very few scaffolders who can rattle off all the British Standards and specifications for the industry. And why should they? They’re all busy trying to earn a living, and paperwork is sometimes an inconvenience. There’s no point getting bent out of shape about it, as it’s just a fact of life.
The second is more concerning, as it’s clear that the standard is being ignored by some manufacturers. Again, as it’s been a while since BS2482:2009 came in, it gives some manufacturers scope to either pass off substandard boards as the real McCoy or blatantly sell Grade A boards to a section of the market that couldn’t care less, as a board is a board is a board.
That’s the Achilles heel of the British Standards Institute, which oversees the introduction of all these standards, which are designed to improve quality, health & safety and a range of other benefits. There’s no active enforcement of the standard for scaffold boards, and it’s down to individuals or a company to use a board that is ‘fit for purpose’.
It seems that the only time the authorities really get involved is when there’s an accident. And then it’s too late. Can you prove a Grade A is ‘fit for purpose’ and is graded to take the loads you require?
The final reason could be the name. For many people, the term “Grade A” indicates the best quality, but nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to scaffold boards. So it’s easy to see why the name may serve to confuse some people buying scaffold boards.
When you drill down even further, it seems that Grade A boards are flourishing because it comes down to a simple choice between price and safety.
We know that the industry is ruthlessly price competitive and that a few quid can be the difference between winning and losing a contract. Is buying the cheapest possible boards that don’t pass any safety standard tests the answer?
That’s not a question we can answer. As a manufacturer, all we can do is make the best boards we can that do comply to British Standards and hope that the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and the Health and Safety Executive keep banging the drum to promote safe working environments.
Are you David?
David, a salesman at Zeta Scaffolding, had become frustrated by the seemingly endless number of phone calls, emails, and texts he was receiving during his work day. “Getting equipment to my customer is my top priority,” he said, “but it can be hard to find 5 uninterrupted minutes to create an estimate. My customers will call me urgently, asking for equipment they needed yesterday. I figured there had to be a better way.”
David knew about Quantify, the inventory management program. Then he learned that Quantify’s Request Portal makes communication with customers more efficient. Customers can use the Request Portal to specify what they need and salespeople receive instant notifications. Now David has a streamlined way of handling his customers’ requests.
A customer’s new request
Notifications are linked to a centralised website so David can view them on his phone or laptop. Any time a request is added, changed, or deleted, David, his customers, and anyone else subscribed to the job are notified. Everyone is always up-to-date.
His customer, Melissa, loves the Request Portal. “I don’t have to spend time on the phone detailing what I need,” Melissa says. “I can quickly log into the portal, send a note, and David takes care of it. Plus, I can check the order status any time day or night. It’s great.”
A list of customer requests in the Request Portal.What do you need to know?
David can control what information he needs from his customers. For hire-only jobs, he may ask his customer to fill out a bill of materials, without needing to know what the final structure is. For other jobs, he may simply need a description of the scope of work, such as, “Need a stair tower built next to the south end of the building”. If his customer already has materials but needs a quote for additional parts, labour, etc., he can quickly convert a request to an estimate and add additional charges such as transport and consumables.
An equipment request showing a bill of materials.
Some materials at Zeta’s project in Birmingham are managed by other Zeta employees. These employees were added to the list of users allowed to manage requests so they, too, receive status updates. And, since Quantify allows unlimited users, Zeta management doesn’t need to worry about additional license costs when new users are added.
The request portal is just one feature of the Quantify Web module. David and his customers can also see detailed, up-to-date views on what’s happening at a job site as well as what’s currently stocked. For example, the shipment pivot report lists every single delivery and return from a job in an easy-to-use matrix format.
David can also use Quantify Web to effortlessly map all of his assigned jobs. If a job tracks individual scaffolds, he can instantly view them and their details. Plus, a QR code scan will provide a complete history of inspections, a bill of materials for the structure, and the ability to locate scaffolding in the field on a mobile device.
Quantify integrates with Scaffold Designer, the automatic scaffold drawing program, so you can streamline your entire scaffolding process from drawing to bill of materials, quotation of the job, and invoice. It’s a complete, end-to-end software solution and you’ll finally be able to help your customer today with what they need tomorrow.
Contact Avontus Software for a free trial.
Avontus Software Ltd
www.avontus.co.uk [email protected]
01223 926298
Following the launch of its innovative Plettac Metrix scaffold system, TRAD Hire & Sales Ltd has announced its partnership with CADS – the UK’s market leader in structural design and estimating software for the construction industry.
As part of the new partnership, TRAD will be implementing CADS SMART Scaffolder software across its nationwide network of hire and sales depots. CADS is also developing a Plettac Metrix module for use by existing SMART Scaffolder users in the industry.
John Paterson, Managing Director of TRAD Hire & Sales, spoke recently about this exciting new development.
“As part of the launch of Plettac Metrix, we recognised the importance of providing first class support alongside a first class scaffolding system, so we’ve partnered with the UK’s market leader for scaffolding design and estimating software. With system scaffolding the thinking needs to be done before the equipment is delivered to site. SMART Scaffolder is an incredibly powerful tool which now enables our depots to effectively build the scaffold first in a 3D environment, then with the click of a button we can produce material lists, drawings, 3D views and quotes. This not only dramatically speeds up our response times but also improves accuracy. Modelling the scaffold first also allows us to identify and overcome any potential issues before anything is delivered to site.We’re also working with CADS to develop a Metrix module for SMART Scaffolder. This means that very soon, existing SMART Scaffolder users will be able to contact CADS and purchase the Metrix module as a bolt on to their existing package, giving users access to a full suite of Metrix components.”
Cape plc has been awarded a new offshore Clair Ridge contract with BP worth £9.8M securing 170 Jobs.
Cape plc, a leader in the supply of critical industrial services to the energy and natural resources sectors, continues it’s current relationship with BP after being awarded a new Clair Ridge contract worth £9.8m, with further future phases added over the next 18 months.
Clair Ridge, 75km west of Shetland, is the second phase of development within the Clair field – the largest undeveloped hydrocarbon resource on the UKCS. The contract is in support of the hook-up and commissioning of BP’s two new bridge-linked Clair Ridge platforms. Effective from July 2015, the contract will secure around 170 jobs for Cape employees through the provision of core services including access, insulation, coating, passive fire protection and platform services for the Clair Ridge hook-up work.
Joe Oatley, Chief Executive, Cape plc said: “We are delighted to be awarded this further contract by BP. Cape has a longstanding relationship with BP and we look forward to continuing to work with this important client to deliver our critical industrial services to this prestigious project”.
The NASC announce update for its Code of Practice (CoP).
The CoP product compliance list, documents compliant scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members.
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) originally introduced the CoP in 2007 for system scaffolds. The scope of the CoP has since been expanded to incorporate EN39 tube, EN74-1 couplers, BS2482 timber board and aluminium beams.
TG20 compliant unit transoms and high tensile 3.2mm tube will be added in 2016.
Audits are carried out by a third party consultancy company QSI Ltd at NASC member company UK sites and in the majority of cases at manufacturing sites worldwide. The audit is specific to new product at point of entry to the UK.
The confederation have produced a list that can be viewed here of compliant system scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members. In some instances compliant products are also supplied by other NASC hire/sale members.
NASC MD, Robin James said: “The rationale behind the NASC CoP audit was to introduce a level of compliance that supplier members should adhere to, with the audit covering Quality Systems & Procedures, Product Testing, Raw Material & Components and Process Control. Where appropriate relevant BS, EN & ISO Standards are utilised.“We are confident that the scaffolding industry and the wider construction sector will find the NASC CoP compliant product list a very useful document.”
Hull based Burflex Scaffolding Ltd beats the recession and continues to expand after investing £750,000 purchasing 47 new vans.
The major investment comes after the family owned business has shown impressive solid growth over the last four years growing it’s turnover from £2M in 2011 to almost £10M in 2015.
The firm was established 12 years ago by Steve Cox and his wife Tracy and two staff, the husband and wife team now employs 147 people.
Speaking to the Hull Daily Mail, Managing Director, Steve Cox said:
“We’ve steadily grown through the recession.“The company has been developing the right management structure to make it possible for us to grow.“It was tough through the recession but we’re a proactive bunch.”
Mr Cox said his firm survived through a focus on keeping existing customers and careful management.
He said: “I think the main reason we’ve been successful in the recession is repeat custom.“There are a lot of people we’ve worked for prior to the recession who’ve kept us in work.“We’re now certainly one of the largest family-owned scaffolding firms in Yorkshire, and possibly beyond.”
The business is now rumoured to be setting its sights to expand further by breaking into the Petrochemical and heavy industry.
48.3 announce the launch of a new Northern regional office and the appointment of a new team member.
One of the UK’s leading design firms 48.3 Scaffold Design has today announced the launch of their new Northern Regional Office based in Leeds, Yorkshire. The launch comes after the company’s services, headquartered in the South has been in huge demand nationwide in recent years.
48.3 have also announced the appointment of Ivik Masek to head up the new regional office and joins the firm’s Board of Directors.
48.3 new Northern region office
Ben Beaumont, Managing Director at 48.3 commented: “Opening our second regional office is a huge milestone for the company and geographically Leeds is the perfect location to allow us to do this. Being able to personally service our central and northern UK clients and expand our reach is really exciting for us as team and we are delighted to we welcome aboard Ivik Masek to help us do this”.
New team member Ivik Masek
New team member Ivik Masek has a wealth of experience in Design Engineering. Having been lucky enough to work for Alwyn Richards for the past ten years, Ivik has had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects including power stations, new builds and shopping centres plus the well documented £8 million refurbishment of Selby Swing Bridge and Lincoln Cathedral. This experience has allowed him to develop expertise in specialised fields including Network Rail and Historical Listed Buildings.
Ivik is also a professionally qualified Engineering Technician and is a active member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). In recent years he has also become a ICE Reviewer, assessing candidates who want to become professional members and encouraging high standards in the industry.
Ivik added: “I am really excited to be taking on the challenge of running and developing the 48.3 Northern Regional Office. I have known Ben Beaumont for over ten years so when the opportunity came about to work with him and the team it was one I couldn’t turn down. We both have very similar mindsets and both strive to continuously improve the industry, there are endless opportunities for 48.3 to explore and it’s a very exciting time for both the company and myself”.
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“Apprentices have always been the life-blood of our industry. As demand for training fell through the recent recession, the numbers of new people (especially young people) coming in to the industry followed suit and also declined. It is important that new entrants into the scaffolding industry enter it via a route that will see them properly trained and supervised, ultimately maximising the chances that they will become skilled tradesman becoming a valuable asset to the scaffolding industry and be rewarded themselves with good earnings and job security”. 
David can also use Quantify Web to effortlessly map all of his assigned jobs. If a job tracks individual scaffolds, he can instantly view them and their details. Plus, a QR code scan will provide a complete history of inspections, a bill of materials for the structure, and the ability to locate scaffolding in the field on a mobile device.
Quantify integrates with Scaffold Designer, the automatic scaffold drawing program, so you can streamline your entire scaffolding process from drawing to bill of materials, quotation of the job, and invoice. It’s a complete, end-to-end software solution and you’ll finally be able to help your customer today with what they need tomorrow.
Contact Avontus Software for a free trial.
Avontus Software Ltd
www.avontus.co.uk
[email protected]
01223 926298 
David can also use Quantify Web to effortlessly map all of his assigned jobs. If a job tracks individual scaffolds, he can instantly view them and their details. Plus, a QR code scan will provide a complete history of inspections, a bill of materials for the structure, and the ability to locate scaffolding in the field on a mobile device.
Quantify integrates with Scaffold Designer, the automatic scaffold drawing program, so you can streamline your entire scaffolding process from drawing to bill of materials, quotation of the job, and invoice. It’s a complete, end-to-end software solution and you’ll finally be able to help your customer today with what they need tomorrow.
Contact Avontus Software for a free trial.
Avontus Software Ltd
www.avontus.co.uk
[email protected]
01223 926298 
