Q&A with the Director of Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists.

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Q&A with the Director of Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists.

Planes

We grabbed a quick Q&A with Matt Bowler, Director of Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists.

BSS was established in 2007 in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Scaffolding Specialists provide an extensive range of scaffolding services in the industrial, commercial, residential and event sectors.

  • 2012 – How was it for you, Matt?
2012 was certainly a year to remember, and I am immensely grateful to the whole team for making it the best year yet. When we committed services to GL Events exclusively for The London 2012 Olympic Games we made a promise to stand by our mission statement (as we do for all of our customers) to surprise and delight, embrace resistance, set standards, be good corporate citizens, adopt a “can do” philosophy, integrate and innovate and without a doubt, leave our mark! The most valuable asset we acquired in 2012 isn’t reflected on our financial statement and nor will it be found in our yard or office. Why? Because this asset is experience, and the lessons we take from it are priceless – this is our competitive edge. 2012 also brought new relationships that will open doors to exciting ventures, so watch this space.
  • With scaffolding firms folding left right and centre, how have you weathered the financial storm?
In the words of Napoleon,“Victory belongs to the most persevering.” The previous few years should have been hard for a new company like us, but we have bucked the trend by maintaining our commitment to becoming the best scaffolding company, both nationally and globally. Of course, finances are an issue when running a company – especially when customers are a little less willing to part with their cash – but I do not agree that it is first priority. Taking care of our customers, staff and suppliers is my priority: growth will make you grow. Look after your customer and they will do their best to pay you on time and look after your staff. Look after your suppliers and they will give you the best deals for the best terms. It’s attitude- not asset – that maps the path for our company’s destiny.
  • Give us an overview of your year in headlines.
London 2012; a return to Buckingham Palace for the Diamond Jubilee; working to a two hour window for the Nike + 10K; Park Inn hotel and residential complex on Olympic Way in Wembley; two Banner Homes residential developments, and a nice steady stream of local domestic projects.
  • Best moment?
Definitely my holiday to Thailand with the missus! We flew the day before the opening ceremony, and athletes were actually arriving at Heathrow as I was leaving. The fact that we had easily completed our Olympic contract a week earlier made the holiday so much more enjoyable. While on holiday I managed to quit smoking – yet another victory! Last year has seen the company employ some welcome additions to the team: Safety Officer/Scaffold designer Tod Hodge, Logistics Manager Dale Pinnock and Events Coordinator Mick Elsworth, I can now enjoy a holiday with total peace of mind.
  • And the worst?
I had a knee operation in September so I won’t be able to play rugby for at least a year… and now I have no excuse not to go shopping with the missus on a Saturday!
  • What do you look forward to in 2013?
More of the same. We’ve been invited to tender for some prestigious contracts in 2013 and 2014 and I am looking forward to working and developing with my great team. I can’t tell you how much the lessons of 2012 will mould our company and the way we do what we do. The list of accolades just gets bigger and bigger. Some companies are suffering from the post-Christmas blues right now, but there is a real buzz in the air at BSS – it really is a nice place to be!
  • Anything else?
I would like to extend my gratitude to all of my staff and suppliers. Without their passion, integrity, reliability and above all “can do” attitude we would have little to talk about! Dave Jennings of QBE http://qualitybuildingequipment.co.uk/ Paul Zemelis of Deborah Services Limited (Luton) www.deborahservices.co.uk John Minton of Scafom-Rux UK www.scafom-rux-scaffolding.co.uk Bob and Terry at P.Birds and Sons http://www.pbirdandsons.co.uk/ and everyone at http://www.octainrecruitment.com/ I will always remember you going that “extra mile”, an essential quality to help us deliver what we promise. Here’s to the future ventures: let’s do some deals. And best of luck to all our competitors… Thanks Matt, and all the best for 2013  

Scaffolding van overturns in Weymouth

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Scaffolding van overturns in Weymouth
1 COOMBE Valley Road is now re-open after a scaffolding van overturned. The police closed the Weymouth road earlier following the incident at 7.25am. Police were waiting for the van to be recovered before the road could be fully re-opened. News Via: dorsetecho.co.uk

LBG – London Bridge Train Station Scaffolding, London Bridge [Video]

Jason-Gibbs
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LBG – London Bridge Train Station Scaffolding, London Bridge [Video]

httpv://youtu.be/O0URBInTWAg

LBG – London Bridge Train Station, London Bridge

A quick view of the Scaffold that i, and a good 20 other Scaffolders built during nights on London Bridge Train Station. Its MASSIVE! one of the longest scaffolds ive worked on, several hundred feet in.

Builder impaled by scaffold tube after scaffolding collapses in London

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Builder impaled by scaffold tube after scaffolding collapses in London
A builder was impaled with a metal pole when the 30ft high scaffolding he was on collapsed, while another construction worker miraculously walked away unharmed from the “carnage” in Bow, East London . The two men had been fitting a new boiler flue to the roof of a home in Tiber Close, when the scaffolding tipped away from the building and smashed into the back garden below on Thursday afternoon (January 17).newsstory1 Resident John Huxtable, who had taken the day off from his job as an animal warden for Tower Hamlets Council, said: “I was indoors when one of the men ran in wanting to know the door number because he’d dialled 999. “I hadn’t actually heard the scaffolding collapse, but when I went into the back garden it was carnage. It’s not the normal thing you expect to see in your garden. “One bloke had slipped off the roof as the scaffolding fell, but he was lucky because he just had a bruised ankle. It was actually his birthday, and some of the other men later joked he’d just had a big birthday bump. “But a pole went in the shin of the man who’d been up on the scaffold – he had a round indent where the pole had been and he needed lots of stitches. When the ambulance came they were very concerned about his back too, but we later heard that was ok.” The 54-yar-old rushed inside to grab dressings and bandaged the builder’s leg as best he could. The worker, who is thought to be in his 50s, began shaking uncontrollably and John covered him with dust blankets to keep him warm before an ambulance arrived to take both builders to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. Fire crews and health and safety inspectors came to investigate the site, but the scaffolding was later re-erected and all the building work was finished by Friday. June Morton, managing director of Old Ford Housing Association which is responsible for the property, said: “Thankfully, no-one was seriously hurt in this incident and no residents were affected. “We take health and safety extremely seriously and have asked our contractor to carry out a full investigation which we will review carefully.” News Via: eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk

The big freeze grips the scaffolding industry

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The big freeze grips the scaffolding industry
As the recent snow and ice effects many parts of the UK today, we wanted to find out how it was effecting our scaffolding industry and how it’s making a hard job.. even harder. We reached out to our twitter followers to send us your snow pics from around the UK under the hashtag # Snowyscaffs. You did not disappoint here is just a few of our favorites: @mickywatt Tweeted:  “This was the view of ISL’s yard this morning at Consett, northwest of County Durham”:-

scaffolding snow

scaffolding snow2

@JasonGibbsScaff let us know how cold it was in London on Cannon Street, McAlpine site :-

snow scaffolding london

 Meanwhile some scaffs are making light of the snow and ice with a bit of snowman buliding @GazGdavies tweeted us this scaff snowman:-

scaffolding snowman

Have you been affected by the snow ? let us know in the comments below.

This week in Scaffolding: Seven posts you may of missed

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This week in Scaffolding: Seven posts you may of missed
This Week-Calendar This Week In Scaffolding… Cape secures 3 year extension to SABIC Contract at Teeside sites Cape plc, the international provider of essential, non-mechanical support services to the energy and mineral resources sectors, announces the award of an extension to the existing multi-disciplinary site services contract for SABIC Petrochemicals at its Teesside sites.

Social Reach-  0: Facebook Likes 3: Tweets

Billy Gavin the singing scaffolder: [Video] If you have been freezing your nuts off today maybe this little video will cheer you up. The video was uploaded to YouTube by a co-worker Matthew Oneill and shows  Billy Gavin singing his own scaffolder song he wrote himself wrote this himself

Social Reach-  80: Facebook Likes 5: Tweets

Safway Group Purchases Assets of Swing Staging, Inc. & Related Companies In a move to enhance its position in the New York metro area and expand its expertise and offerings in motorized access solutions, Safway Group is announcing the acquisition of the assets of Swing Staging, Inc.

Social Reach-  22: Facebook Likes 5: Tweets

VIDEO: Horrific aftermath of helicopter clipping crane in London You probably have already heard or read about the horrific accident that happened this morning in London our thoughts are with the families of the people that were killed and the people injured. I thought I would post this video showing the scene just seconds after the helicopter crashed to ground.. A scary scene to say the least.

Social Reach-  8: Facebook Likes 3: Tweets

BTS Group acquires OBO Scaffolding firm Suffolk-based overhead power line services contractor BTS Group has broadened its scope with the acquisition of OBO Scaffolding firm. BTS, which is based at Needham Market, provides engineering and tree management support to electricity distribution network operators, being responsible for about 24,000 miles of power lines around the country..

Social Reach-  2: Facebook Likes 5: Tweets

Offshore Scaffolding Safety Alert Issued In Australia The NOPSEMA (National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) issued a safety alert after the investigation found a list of failures after a major scaffolding incident on-board an offshore platform in Australia.

Social Reach-  Facebook likes: 90 Tweets: 6

48.3 Scaffold Design launch new “Scaffolding Insights” project 48.3 Scaffold Design company have launched an interesting project called “Scaffolding Insights” that aims to provide a ‘real-time’ review of the scaffolding industry today. 48.3 have compiled a short list of questions and asked industry professionals from all sectors to answer them  – Scaffolders, Health & Safety Advisor’s, Design Engineers, Contracts Managers and Business Owners.

Social Reach-  Facebook likes: 12 Tweets: 13

 

Cape secures 3 year extension to SABIC Contract at Teeside sites

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Cape secures 3 year extension to SABIC Contract at Teeside sites
SABIC Petrochemicals Teesside
SABIC Petrochemicals Teesside
Cape plc, the international provider of essential, non-mechanical support services to the energy and mineral resources sectors, announces the award of an extension to the existing multi-disciplinary site services contract for SABIC Petrochemicals at its Teesside sites. The contract extension covers the three year period, 2013 to 2015 on a fixed term basis. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top petrochemical companies and is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilisers. Steve Connolly, Managing Director of Cape UK, Europe and CIS commented:“We are delighted to be awarded this extension to Cape’s existing maintenance contract in recognition of our commitment to continue to deliver value to SABIC’s facility through our focus on HSEQ performance, efficiency and sustainability. Through this landmark contract, delivered within an integrated alliance we are pleased to continue our successful relationship with SABIC Petrochemicals.”

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Billy Gavin the singing scaffolder: [Video]

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Billy Gavin the singing scaffolder: [Video]

httpv://youtu.be/UjZ7_5TSEMA

The singing scaffolder..

If you have been freezing your nuts off today maybe this little video will cheer you up. The video was uploaded to YouTube by a co-worker Matthew Oneill and shows  Billy Gavin singing his own scaffolder song he wrote himself wrote this himself. As always let us know what you think in the comments below.

Safway Group Purchases Assets of Swing Staging, Inc. & Related Companies

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Safway Group Purchases Assets of Swing Staging, Inc. & Related Companies
In a move to enhance its position in the New York metro area and expand its expertise and offerings in motorized access solutions, Safway Group is announcing the acquisition of the assets of Swing Staging, Inc. and related safwaycompanies – including Twin & Swing Scaffolding, Inc., Specialty Access Systems, LLC, Long Island City Trucking Corporation, and Scaffold King Inc. (collectively ‘Swing Staging’). The assets, including equipment, inventory and brand name of Swing Staging have been transferred to Swing Staging, LLC, a new Safway Group business entity. “By acquiring the leading provider of suspended access solutions in the New York metro area, we will enhance our presence in this critical market,” explained Bill Hayes, Safway Group president and CEO. “Swing Staging has built a strong reputation in the area as the ‘go-to’ provider for a wide range of suspended access solutions. For more than 50 years, they have been known for offering the most extensive, high-quality rental fleet, and delivering the right equipment in pristine condition – whenever and wherever customers need it. Swing Staging is a strong addition to the Safway Group and will help grow our motorized access business.” Swing Staging, Inc. was owned and operated by John Pantanelli, who had taken over the business from his father who founded it. Pantanelli will join Safway as vice president of Sales for Swing Staging, LLC. “Being a part of a larger company that is a major national player, like the Safway Group, is an opportunity for us to move Swing Staging to the next level of development,” said Pantanelli. “We are looking forward to leveraging our operational and management expertise in the suspended access business to a much broader market.” “We are excited about acquiring Swing Staging and having John join the team,” concluded Hayes. “This is a natural expansion of Safway’s motorized expertise and capabilities.” About Safway Group With more than 90 locations in the U.S. and Canada and a system of distributors across South America, Safway Group companies deliver efficient, high-performance multiservice solutions – The Smart Way™ – by collaborating, communicating and sharing resources. Offering experience and expertise in access, scaffolding, insulation, fireproofing, surface preparation and coatings, Safway Group companies include Redi Insulation; CL Coatings; Industrial Coatings & Fireproofing; Safway Atlantic; Safway Services; and Safway Services Canada. With the largest engineering staff, an exclusive project management system, award-winning safety excellence and a full line of products and services, Safway Group companies design and implement innovative, quality solutions at the lowest installed cost for projects of any size and scope. Safway has been an industry leader since 1936. Safway Group companies serve the petrochemical, oil and gas, power, refining, marine, manufacturing, transportation and commercial construction industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.safway.com.

BTS Group acquires OBO Scaffolding firm

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BTS Group acquires OBO Scaffolding firm
oboscaff Suffolk-based overhead power line services contractor BTS Group has broadened its scope with the acquisition of a scaffolding company. BTS, which is based at Needham Market, provides engineering and tree management support to electricity distribution network operators, being responsible for about 24,000 miles of power lines around the country. It has now acquired Ipswich-based OBO Scaffolding, which provides scaffolding services to trade, private and public sector customers across East Anglia. BTS managing director Halley McCallum, who founded the company in 1993, said scaffolding already featured regularly in the delivery of its services, for the safety of people working at height and to protect people and property below. “Bringing OBO into the BTS Group will enable us to operate more efficiently,” he said. “We can have scaffolding erected when and wherever we need it, and we will be able to pass on savings in time and money to our clients.” However, the acquisition was also seen as a commercial opportunity for BTS, said Mr McCallum, adding: “We’re excited by the chance to build on OBO’s commercial success and we’re planning to expand its reach to attract a range of new customers.” Gary Barker, formerly part owner of OBO, which was formed in 1976, and now its contract manager, said: “We are delighted to now be part of the BTS Group and we’re looking forward to contributing to an ambitious plan for the whole organisation.” Via: eadt.co.uk
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