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The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008 | U.K. Edition
Harsco sells it’s scaffolding business
The website vertikal.net has reported that Harsco Infrastructure will be no more after the company has agreed the sale of its Infrastructure division.
The news article from the vertikal.net website reports:
Harsco has agreed the sale of its Infrastructure division to a new business that will combine it with Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services. Harsco Infrastructure was created by Harsco from the merger of SGB, Hünnebeck and Patent Scaffold.
The new merged business is being put together by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, which is acquiring Brand from its current private equity owner First Reserve. The combined business will trade under the Brand Energy & Infrastructure name.
Harsco will receive $300 million in cash and a 29 percent stake in the new venture which will have revenues in the region of around $3 billion. Around two thirds of that will come from the energy sector.
Brand’s current chief executive Paul Wood, will lead the combined company, and headquarters will remain at its current base in Atlanta, Georgia. The board of directors will include representatives from CD&R, Brand and Harsco.
Wood said: “The integration with Harsco Infrastructure directly aligns with our company’s strategy to expand our specialty service offering. The combination of these two groups of strong local operating companies and management teams creates a true global leader in both specialised industrial services and forming & shoring. The resulting global footprint will enable us to offer best in class operating capabilities to our customers in the growing energy and infrastructure markets.”
“We are excited to help build a global leader in both specialised industrial services and infrastructure services,” added Nathan Sleeper, a CD&R Partner. “We believe that the combined company has a well-positioned global platform, very favourable growth prospects and a deep set of capabilities to serve customers across its diverse end markets.”
Harsco chief executive Patrick Decker said: “This transaction is the first major step in the strategic transformation of Harsco. It follows a period of extensive consideration and offers a number of compelling benefits to our shareholders. First, it immediately strengthens the financial profile of the Company while providing the financial flexibility to pursue higher return, higher growth opportunities. Second, it reduces the complexity of our business, consistent with our objectives for internal simplification and greater operating efficiency. Third, by maintaining an equity position in a stronger and more profitable combined business, Harsco stands to benefit from the additional value that will be created by the new venture.”
The transaction is expected to close before the end of this year, subject to regulatory approvals, as well as satisfactory conclusion of the relevant works council/trade union consultation procedures.
The SCCR closes its doors permanently
The SCCR (Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights) today released a statement with a shock announcement that the confederation will be closing permanently at the end of this month (September 2013)
The statement released reads:
It is with great regret that I must inform you that the Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights will be closing permanently on September 30th 2013. The Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights has worked hard to represent the whole of the scaffolding industry tackling issues regarding training, guidelines, clarity on the way work is undertaken, and becoming recognised as skilled tradesmen. Over the years we have worked with companies & individuals alike. The SCCR has made ground on quite a few issues that have affected all of us. However, due to the pressure & the need to work full time on representing the membership the committee have made the reluctant decision to close the organisation. This is not a decision we have made lightly, and the committee would like to thank you all for your continued support and effort over the years. I have had the opportunity to meet with The Scaffolding Association, and discuss with them their aims and objectives. They were open and honest, and I believe that they will be able to continue with the work that we started. I am fully supportive of what they are trying to achieve within the industry. You can contact them through their website:http://www.scaffolding-association.org/ It has been a pleasure to work with you all. Stewart Quinney, Chairman, Scaffolders Confederation for Consultation Rights
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The Scaffolding Association Hits The Road
- Sixways Stadium, Worcester, 24th September 2013
- Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield, 1st October 2013
- The Hilton, Dartford, 8th October 2013
Innovations: The AnchorBloc
The ease of construction, integrity and stability of scaffolding, gantries and other temporary structures are crucial to the costs and safety of construction and events. Yet there has never been a purpose-engineered system for anchoring and stabilising these structures. That was an omission that Anchorbloc decided to put right.
After two years in development work, the guys at Anchorbloc succeeded in designing and engineering a high quality product that was structurally sound, mechanically versatile and environmentally sustainable due to its very long service life, flexible use/re use and high recyclability.
The South Nottinghamshire company is Independent and privately owned, They manufacture the unique product from its own premises but are also developing capabilities to manufacture from satellite facilities. Anchorbloc can also arrange manufacture local to client via our partnership with a leading ready-mix concrete supplier.
Part Of The Structure
A few Anchor Blocs provide 100% secure anchorage – even for sheeted structures. Anchor Bloc adds mass to the structure and also rigidity because the anchor blocks can be mechanically integrated into the framework. Safety markings or padded covers can be used on Anchor Blocs that are close to walkways or pedestrian areas.
Anchorage
Anchor Blocs incorporate multiple ways of connecting to the scaffold structure. Here, the block forms an anchorage for strapping providing lateral support.
Kentledge
Anchor Bloc provides anchorage through sheer weight: no need for footings or stakes, etc. This provides huge cost and speed advantages when working on hard or paved services.
Integration
The precision drillings through the blocks are sized to accommodate standard sized scaffold poles with a tolerance of less than 5mm. This provides rigid support for the scaffolding with minimum clamping or strapping.
For more information head over to http://www.anchor-block.com or phone: 0800 122 3304
Scaffolding Uses:
Part Of The Structure
A few Anchor Blocs provide 100% secure anchorage – even for sheeted structures. Anchor Bloc adds mass to the structure and also rigidity because the anchor blocks can be mechanically integrated into the framework. Safety markings or padded covers can be used on Anchor Blocs that are close to walkways or pedestrian areas.
Anchorage
Anchor Blocs incorporate multiple ways of connecting to the scaffold structure. Here, the block forms an anchorage for strapping providing lateral support.
Victory For Kings Cross Roof Regeneration
Keder Roof Sheeting from Industrial Textiles and Plastics Selected for Europe’s Largest Temporary Roofing Project.
Fundamental to the Olympic Games redevelopment programme designed to showcase London at its very best was the £500 million refurbishment of Kings Cross station.
Initiated in 2007, the project spanned 5 years with completion in March 2012, four months ahead of the Games. With a stringent success criteria including maintaining a fully operational rail timetable throughout the works, the scale and the scope of the project posed numerous challenges.
Designed by Lewis Cubitt in 1852, the Grade 1 listed building had grown tired and its former glory overshadowed by neighbouring St Pancras. With the design integrity fiercely protected by English Heritage, the challenge of uniting the modern transport efficiency required by record number of rail passengers with the elegance of the original Victorian design was safeguarded by Kier Construction.
Perhaps the most heralded of its design elements, the barrel-vaulted glazed roof at Kings Cross required a complete overhaul implicating a temporary roof structure on a scale previously unseen across Europe. To deliver the ambitious roofing project, Kier co-ordinated the services of Norford Scaffolding and the Combisafe UBIX roofing structure.
With passenger safety and comfort a primary consideration, another critical element of the temporary roof solution was the sheeting system for encapsulating the structure and providing weather protection. Satisfying the broad and rigorous criteria, Powerclad KR1100 from Yorkshire based Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP) was selected. Incorporating beaded hems, the tailor-made sheets are run up a special aluminium track, much like a yacht’s sail. Offering exceptional light transmission with high tensile strength, Kings Cross was able to maintain a 24 hour rail schedule as the works progressed.
Managing Director at ITP, Marc van der Voort explained “Our Powerclad Keder Sheeting is manufactured using an engineered full-width material without welded seams to provide a stronger sheet. This, in conjunction with its light transmission properties singled it out as the optimal material for this challenging project”.
“In addition to supplying our Keder Sheeting, we were proud to be involved in the work on the internal platforms for which we provided our Powerclad Scaffold Sheeting”.
London undoubtedly triumphed with the success of the Olympic Games, and for its part in the capital’s regeneration project, Kings Cross station’s majestic return to glory clearly claimed the gold.
Cape secures term contract at Longannet Power Station
Dixon Scaffolding Sold For £2M
Scaffolding Apprentices Success In NCC Awards
- NCC London and South:
- NCC Midlands
A Mixed Message by CISRS Says Industry Insider
Safety concerns affecting the Canadian scaffolding industry have been identified in a recent comprehensive study into the practise of mixing modular system scaffolding components. The article published by the Scaffold Industry Association of Canada (SIAC) outlines the risks of mixing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) components.
Meanwhile, here in the UK the CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) are making major changes to its SSPTS (Systems Scaffold Product Training Scheme). In a recent NASC/CISRS newsletter to its members CISRS reported that it will be splitting its SSPTS courses into just two “Generic Training” groups.
ScaffMag interviewed a current industry source for views on this subject: –
“This is a well written article from across the pond, that highlights many of the same issues and problems we are currently facing within the UK scaffolding and access industry. The NASC has simply chosen to ignore historically and more recent OEM complaints and requests for clear guidance on product mixing, surrounding concerns at the antics of many “copyist” product manufacturers operating in the UK.
There are clear cases of blatant marketing propaganda campaigns being executed, by some of these copy product manufacturers and even product hire/sales organisations, are now exploiting this same situation. They claim their respective modular system products are compatible with and fully “approved” to allow the mixing of their products, with those of OEM’s in the UK.
These statements are of course blatantly misleading and deliberately created to take advantage of the current industry confusion and lack of a clear statement from the industry decision makers. The blanket statement issued from sources such as the NASC, CISRS, HSE & MCG members is simply: – “Refer to the manufacturers guidance!” The guidance from OEM’s such as Haki, Layher & Peri is very clear: – “Our original manufactured products MUST NOT be mixed with other similar “copy” products!” It seems this particular piece of manufacturers guidance is not worthy of due notice or enforcement, within the UK scaffolding and access industry at present!?
This situation has been further exacerbated most recently by ASITO (Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation) who are backing the CISRS in its latest decision to re-categorise system scaffolding product training.
No longer is it necessary to undertake SSPTS training on a product by product basis. “Generic Training” is the new terminology adopted for these training courses, which enables a scaffolder to undertake a 2-day course in for example, Plettac and can then be deemed competent to install other rosette type systems such as: – Layher Allround/Peri-Up/Ringscaff/Metalusa/AT-PAC etc.
However, the rationale behind this decision is critically flawed, demonstrating a distinct lack of understanding and appreciation of OEM product differences & modular system configuration in general within the UK industry.
There can be no argument or difference of opinion regarding the facts that the rosette type modular product ranges are all very different from each other, in both design, load bearing capacity and the respective variables that exist amongst the OEM’s products & component ranges, regarding structural configuration versatility and abilities.
Therefore specific training must be undertaken on a “product by product” basis as it is NOW and NOT on a “Generic Training” type basis for these type systems.
Similarly only one training course will now be required to achieve competency for the installation of modular systems such as Cuplock/Tradlock/Genlock etc.
On balance, there are only two manufacturers that produce the modular “cup type” products range which is then individually labelled and marketed as: – Cuplok/Tradlok/Genlok. In essence, there are no technical differences between the aforementioned individually labelled products from an installation viewpoint, but obviously respective standards and deviations may exist between the two manufacturers.
Therefore from a product training perspective, the rationale applied of only one product training course being required, to achieve competency for the installation & dismantling of this type product is understandable in this case.
It will be interesting how ASITO/CISRS intend to categorise the Kwikstage and Haki products, which are neither “cup” nor “rosette” type modular systems?
The various product copyist and hire/sales outlets operating within our industry will no doubt seize upon this “mixed” message being delivered by those aforementioned organisations. That marketing message will be the mixing of product training lends support and advocates the mixing of different OEM products here in the UK.
As the use of modular system scaffolding products in the UK is very much on the rise, it would seem prudent for the industry decision makers to address these problems now, rather than later. This is certainly a case of the proverbial ticking bomb regarding accident(s) just waiting to happen!”
Read : The article published by the Scaffold Industry Association of Canada (SIAC) which outlines the risks of mixing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) components.
On balance, there are only two manufacturers that produce the modular “cup type” products range which is then individually labelled and marketed as: – Cuplok/Tradlok/Genlok. In essence, there are no technical differences between the aforementioned individually labelled products from an installation viewpoint, but obviously respective standards and deviations may exist between the two manufacturers.
Therefore from a product training perspective, the rationale applied of only one product training course being required, to achieve competency for the installation & dismantling of this type product is understandable in this case.
It will be interesting how ASITO/CISRS intend to categorise the Kwikstage and Haki products, which are neither “cup” nor “rosette” type modular systems?
The various product copyist and hire/sales outlets operating within our industry will no doubt seize upon this “mixed” message being delivered by those aforementioned organisations. That marketing message will be the mixing of product training lends support and advocates the mixing of different OEM products here in the UK.
As the use of modular system scaffolding products in the UK is very much on the rise, it would seem prudent for the industry decision makers to address these problems now, rather than later. This is certainly a case of the proverbial ticking bomb regarding accident(s) just waiting to happen!”
Read : The article published by the Scaffold Industry Association of Canada (SIAC) which outlines the risks of mixing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) components.
Safety & Access Open The First Scaffolding and Access Training Centre in South Korea
Safety & Access are extremely proud to announce that they have become the first CISRS UK registered training providers to gain overseas accreditation for a commercial scaffolding and access training centre in South Korea.
The centre will primarily be serving Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) business from the Geoje Site in the south of the country with an additional management training facility located within the nearby city of Busan. Joint Managing Director Rick Statham commented: We are delighted to have achieved a long term partnership status with SHI for the delivery of scaffold and access related management and skills training. Work at height is a high risk occupation and we are committed to the delivery of safe, quality training standards. To be the first in Korea to achieve CISRS status is a huge boost to the independent credibility of our delivery and one that will only strengthen the commercial position of all involved.
Courses that are now available include:
CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Level 1 Course – 5 Day
CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Level 2 Course – 5 Day
CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Level 3 Course – 5 Day
CISRS Overseas Scaffolding Supervisor Course – 3 Day
CISRS Basic Scaffold Inspection Course – 2 Day
All training will initially be delivered by full time UK registered instructors and successful completion of the training will result in the Issue of CISRS official Certification and Skills Cards.
An Independent CISRS audit took place at the sites in Korea by Mr David Mosley (CISRS Scheme Manager) visiting from the UK which resulted in successful accreditation of the facilities for the CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS).
Mr Mosley commented: Whilst CISRS has been the recognised standard for Scaffolding training and qualification in the UK for 40 years the CISRS Overseas Training Scheme (OSTS) is still in its infancy as such we are extremely pleased to be working with a major international business such as Samsung Heavy Industry. We applaud their commitment to implementing scaffolding training standards which far exceed current practices in their region. It’s heartening to see an organisation that views investment in training which will in turn improve safety and efficiency on site as an added value to their company rather than a cost. By working with long established UK CISRS provider Safety and Access, we are confident that good practices delivered in training will be transferred to the scaffolding standards on site
Also pleased with the results and representing the ship owners using SHI construction facilities is Mr Jim Quaile CPF HSE Scaffolding Supervisor on the Ichthys Project for INPEX. Mr Quaile commented: “We have seen a significant improvement in the standard of scaffold which is directly related to the training package delivered on site by Safety & Access. We are looking forward to a continued commitment to raising even further the standards of quality and safety on site regarding scaffolding.”