High winds have been forecast for this evening (27th October) across the southern half of the UK
A Met Office amber alert for high winds in southern Wales, southern England, much of the Midlands, the East, and London and the South East is in place.
Now is the perfect time to think about the dangers of high wind and the precautions to take with scaffolding structures over the coming days.
The scaffold designers at 48.3 Scaffold Design have put together a great article that’s very informative on the subject of Scaffolding Precautions for High Winds Warning: High winds expected in the UK
High winds have been forecast for this evening (27th October) across the southern half of the UK
A Met Office amber alert for high winds in southern Wales, southern England, much of the Midlands, the East, and London and the South East is in place.
Now is the perfect time to think about the dangers of high wind and the precautions to take with scaffolding structures over the coming days.
The scaffold designers at 48.3 Scaffold Design have put together a great article that’s very informative on the subject of Scaffolding Precautions for High Winds The Scaffolding Association adds free seminar on Scaffolding Ties to roadshow
Rumours Confirmed: Altrad NSG announces acquisition of Spectra Scaffolding Ltd
Altrad NSG have today confirmed the rumours and officially announced the acquisition of Spectra Scaffolding Ltd
Scaffolding and industrial access specialist Altrad NSG has announced the acquisition of Greater Manchester-based Spectra Scaffolding Ltd for an undisclosed sum.
Spectra Scaffolding Ltd is an NASC accredited company which has been in operation for nine years, working across major construction projects, restoration, refurbishment and civil engineering project work. The firm also holds preferred contractor status with leading contractors such as Kier Construction and Morgan Sindall.
All employees of Spectra Scaffolding – previously owned by directors Colin Dean, Alan McDonald and Kevin Jennings – will continue to work in the business, which will now operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Altrad NSG from its current base in Bury, Greater Manchester.
Deeside headquartered Altrad NSG works across the UK, providing specialist scaffolding and industrial access solutions as well as insulation, painting, coatings, blasting and industrial cleaning.
Mike Carr, Altrad NSG Managing Director, said: “I am extremely pleased with this acquisition; the directors of Spectra Scaffolding have over 100 years’ combined experience in the scaffolding industry. Their wealth of experience will further complement the offering of Altrad NSG Ltd to clients within the construction industry and other markets.
“The team at Spectra Scaffolding share our ethos of delivering high quality work with a commitment to excellent health and safety practices. They have completed some very prestigious projects to date – including historic restorations with the National Trust and the CTP Office Development in Manchester City Centre – and we look forward to exploring further opportunities across their key markets.”
Mr Carr added: “There is a tremendous opportunity for Altrad NSG to expand in the UK organically or through strategic acquisitions of companies with similar activities to provide customers with full UK coverage as well as the Altrad international support that already exists.
“With the support of our parent company Altrad SA which has over 70 subsidiaries worldwide, Altrad NSG is well positioned to continue to grow and trade profitably throughout the current financial year.” Safety & Access offer Free Scaffolder Rescue Training
Leading CISRS Scaffolding training and Work at Height training and consultancy provider Safety & Access Ltd are offering a Free pilot course in Humberside.
Safety & Access have teamed up with Honeywell Safety Products, experts in fall protection and rescue to present a day focusing on rescue planning and compliance to SG4:10, and the Working at Height Regulations 2005.
Many firms make the mistake of believing that a generic rescue plan is sufficient without understanding the consequences of poor planning.
The Free training course will focus on the effectiveness of correct planning for emergencies at height, the reality of it going wrong, and how to prevent mistakes being made.
Course start date : 23rd October 2013 (AM & PM Sessions)
The session will be ideal for those people responsible for:
- Writing rescue plans; or
- Approving rescue plans as part of a method statement.
Rumour: Altrad adds yet another firm to it’s portfolio Spectra Scaffolding Ltd
Rumours are emerging that French firm Altrad have added yet another scaffolding firm to its portfolio of businesses
Manchester based Spectra Scaffolding Ltd is rumored to have been sold to Altrad for £1.2m, this acquisition comes just weeks after Altrad bought Trad Scaffolding Ltd.
Spectra Scaffolding Ltd was formed in 2005, and operates primarily within the Construction, Restoration, Demolition and Commercial Service Industries, providing general access requirements, temporary roof structures and specifically designed integrated access systems.
Previous UK acquisitions by Altrad include Trad, BarOmix, Belle Group, Beaver 84, NSG, Generation and MTD. Trad Scaffolding Sold To Altrad
Trad Scaffolding group has been sold for an undisclosed amount to the French company Altrad.
Trad Scaffolding was the largest privately-owned scaffolding contractor in the country was formed in 1971.
The firm employs 450 people and has a turnover of £45m from its focus on scaffolding work across London and South East alongside a national hire network.
Reports suggest Trad will continue to operate from the current locations around the UK and be run by the existing management team.
Trad Group Chairman, Hayden Smith said:
“Opportunities have been numerous over the years to sell the Trad Group but were never seriously considered as it would have led to changes in our successful management team followed by the loss of our long established and well respected identity.
“The Altrad Group offer made it very clear that they wanted the Trad Group but were very insistent that the team stayed intact long term to continue with our successful strategy of providing quality service and materials which is instrumental in both client satisfaction & retention.
“I am very impressed on this focus by the Altrad Group and my team and I are all very motivated going forward to continue our profitable growth with the knowledge that we have the full support of not only a major manufacturer of access products but a successful group with the same ethos which creates success”.
Ray Neilson MD of Altrad Belle UK said: “This acquisition forms part of the bigger plan to provide the large UK market with products and services from Altrad who specialise in the manufacturing and sales of scaffolding, cement mixers and wheelbarrows, together with providing additional contracting services in the scaffolding sector”
Previous UK acquisitions by Altrad include BarOmix, Belle Group, Beaver 84, NSG, Generation and MTD.
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.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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.
