The Scaffolding Association has appointed seasoned industry leader Mark Parkin as its new Strategic Director, in a move set to bolster the organisation’s ongoing efforts to improve safety standards, elevate industry recognition, and support its growing membership base.
With a career spanning 37 years, Mark Parkin brings a wealth of frontline experience to the role. His journey through the scaffolding sector has included positions as an advanced scaffolder, supervisor, managing director, CEO, and operations director. This extensive background gives him a unique perspective on the sector’s challenges and opportunities—from the ground up.
Mr Parkin is expected to play a central role in shaping the Association’s strategy and furthering its mission to promote scaffolding as a highly skilled and essential industry.
Robert Candy, CEO of the Scaffolding Association, welcomed the appointment, describing it as a “perfect fit” for the organisation’s goals.
“Mark’s extensive industry knowledge, hands-on experience, and strategic mindset align perfectly with the Association’s mission,” said Mr Candy. “His expertise will help the Association continue its work in supporting members, driving innovation, and ensuring the scaffolding industry gains the recognition it deserves.”
Mr Parkin, who has long championed professional development and operational excellence within the sector, said he was eager to take on the new challenge.
“I’ve spent 37 years in the scaffolding industry—not just working within it but striving to understand it at its core: its challenges, its opportunities, and the people who make it what it is,” he said.
He added that one of his key ambitions is to help businesses reframe their thinking to overcome common hurdles.
“All too often, I see businesses struggling because they can’t see the options available to them,” Parkin said. “Using the right approach for each challenge requires an open mind and the ability to think outside the box. Sometimes, you just need to reframe what’s in front of you to get a different perspective.”
In his new role, Parkin will work closely with the Association’s leadership team to strengthen member support, champion best practice, and cultivate closer collaboration across the sector. His focus will also include helping to future-proof the industry by encouraging innovation and a more unified voice for scaffolding professionals.
The Scaffolding Association has grown steadily in recent years, becoming one of the UK’s leading trade bodies for the access and scaffolding industry. With Mr Parkin now in post, the organisation hopes to accelerate its progress in building a stronger, more resilient future for the sector.
With the help of laser positioning and mobile devices, teams can now ensure that what’s planned digitally is executed precisely on the ground—minimising errors and significantly reducing the need for paper drawings.
“This is about turning the digital twin into a real-world reality,” said Sean Pike, UK MD, representing Layher and who gave Scaffmag a stand tour. “SIM2Field brings planning accuracy and transparency to the frontline of scaffolding operations.”
By using a total station aligned with reference points from the model, SIM2Field allows scaffolders to project scaffold layouts onto the construction site floor, aligning base spindles and ensuring accurate height and placement.
It is particularly effective for complex or high-precision installations, such as in industrial facilities or intricate restoration works.
Complementing this is the new SIM2Field XR App, which uses augmented reality to visualise 3D scaffold structures on-site via tablets. The app provides detailed part breakdowns, interactive material lists, and even an ‘exploded view’ for clearer assembly guidance—offering a paperless, connected approach to work preparation and quality control.
These innovations are part of Layher’s wider digitalisation strategy, which also includes tools for CAD planning, virtual reality walkthroughs, and 3D laser scanning—positioning the company at the forefront of digital transformation in scaffolding and construction.
As digital workflows become increasingly vital to the scaffolding industry, SIM2Field marks a significant step toward turning virtual plans into tangible, time-efficient builds. 
A centrepiece of the joint stand is a 30-metre scaffold tower, constructed using AT-PAC’s Ringlock system and Doka’s UniKit heavy-duty platform. The structure features a walkable viewing deck and houses several new products developed jointly by the two firms.
Among the innovations are:
MPBS (Multipurpose Beam System): A modular system offering longer spans and fewer components, compatible with Ringlock and ideal for complex scaffolding geometries.
PAS Escape Stair System: A steel staircase solution for high-traffic environments, including public infrastructure and industrial sites, offering child-safety features and full Ringlock compatibility.
Ringlock Hybrid Standard: Designed for façade and refurbishment works, combining the benefits of frame and modular scaffolding for greater flexibility and ease of use.
Ringshore: A new frame shoring system built on the Ringlock platform, boasting faster assembly and reduced labour requirements.
Each system has been developed to align with the needs of both industrial and construction clients.
Mr Zumaglini emphasised the importance of synergy across the group.
“Our internal collaboration means that every innovation is grounded in real-world application. The aim is always the same – to make scaffolding faster, safer and more efficient,” he said.
Its presence at bauma marks a pivotal moment in its international growth strategy as AT-PAC continues expanding its European footprint, ambitioning to become one of the top 3 global scaffolding brands.
DN: What sets the IXI Truss apart from traditional truss systems?
It delivers high load-bearing performance while remaining light and modular. This unlocks a broader range of solutions for our clients — especially for long-span platforms, suspended scaffolds, and temporary roofs.
DN: How does the system’s compatibility with both multidirectional and tube-and-coupler systems benefit contractors?
It offers total flexibility. Contractors working with mixed systems or on non-standard builds can integrate the IXI Truss easily. Pre-configuration and intuitive design keep assembly quick and straightforward.
DN: Can you give examples of where the IXI Truss provides clear operational advantages?
Certainly. The system excels in:
Temporary Roofing – Allowing pinpoint load placement on a structure’s strongest points, reducing or eliminating the need for scaffolding towers or steel beams.
Temporary Walkways – Its long-span capability and light weight make it ideal for bridging roads and public spaces without disrupting traffic.
Suspended Platforms – Especially useful in bridge and viaduct maintenance, where under-deck access is required without bringing in heavy equipment.
Pre-Fabricated Installation – Full beam sections (e.g., 25m) can be shipped to site in parts, assembled in just hours, and lifted into position without any tube-and-fitting.
DN: How important was the “designed by scaffolders for scaffolders” approach in developing the IXI Truss?
It was essential. The beam was created by seasoned scaffolders with over 35 years of experience. The focus was on ease of handling, strong and simple connections, and minimal components. That’s why it feels so natural to work with — it was designed on the ground, not just at the drawing board.
DN: Looking ahead, do you see the IXI Truss becoming a staple in hybrid scaffolding systems?
Absolutely. The industry is moving toward smarter, hybrid setups — and the IXI Truss fits perfectly within that evolution. It’s fast, strong, and adaptable. Its compatibility with ringlock, tube-and-clamp, and other systems means it’s already ready for the future.
DN: And what does this mean for the UK market specifically?
We’re heavily invested in supporting scaffolders in the UK. There’s strong appetite for lighter, more versatile solutions that reduce time on site. Systems like the IXI Truss, P75 formwork, and Flydeck reflect this demand — and offer safe, compliant, and cost-effective answers to increasingly complex site needs.
As seen on the show floor, Pilosio’s approach is clear: combine technical innovation with practical thinking, and design systems that genuinely improve the way scaffolders work.
The IXI Truss Beam might be the clearest expression of that ethos yet — and it’s likely to be one of a number of most talked-about technologies at Bauma this year.
Bauma 2025 runs through to the 13 April in Munich, Germany. Pilosio is exhibiting at Stand B3-103. 
Developed in collaboration with Canada-based Optimal Access Solution Ltd, the IXI Truss Beam will make its debut as a modular, lightweight truss system for constructing wide-span platforms and temporary structures.
With a load-optimised design and components weighing just 18.5 kg/m², the IXI beam is compatible with both multidirectional scaffolding and traditional tube-and-coupler systems, allowing for complex hybrid structures on demanding sites.
Aluminium Fly 105 Bracket
A significant advancement in cantilevered scaffolding, the new Aluminium Fly 105 Bracket builds upon Pilosio’s trusted steel model. The bracket’s lightweight construction enables faster installation, while its reversible design supports both tube and U-profile board connections.
Its Z-shaped frame incorporates a sliding walkway on the lower level, providing a cantilevered platform for bracket installation without interrupting pedestrian or road access—ideal for maintenance on bridges, cornices, and facades.
P75 Lightweight Aluminium Formwork
