RNDV has been crowned ScaffChamp 2026 champion after winning the international scaffolding competition for the second year running.
The team retained the title in Vilnius, Lithuania, after completing this year’s scaffold build against a field of 19 international teams.
Judges assessed speed, safety, accuracy and workmanship, with teams also facing time penalties for any faults found during inspection.
The result brought the 2026 event to a close after 2 days of competition, industry networking and live demonstrations at the ScaffChamp arena.
This year’s contest opened on Friday with team presentations, the official draw and the reveal of the structure that competitors would have to build on competition day.
The draw placed the teams into 2 rounds.
Round 1 began with RNDV, followed by Stabil, N-Projects, Scaff-Tech, A-Team, Skyline Scaffolding, Team Türkiye, NBIK, Muehlhan and MTL Group.
Round 2 brought Teknopont, Talim, AlpAccess, AK Scaffolding, Air Tek Group, Bilfinger, Gerüstbau Samiez, Volken Group and Groupe Vermeren into the arena.
Competition day saw each team race to complete the required scaffold structure before dismantling it safely and cleanly.
Times were then reviewed alongside any faults or penalties identified by the referees.
RNDV finished with a final time of 02:05:08, securing victory ahead of Bilfinger in second place and Volken Group in third.
The result gives RNDV back-to-back ScaffChamp titles and confirms the team’s place as one of the standout competitors in the event’s recent history.
The 2026 structure quickly became one of the main talking points around the arena.
Several teams were unable to complete the build within the allotted time, with the technical demands catching out even experienced competitors.
One competitor told Scaffmag the structure was “one of the most technical ScaffChamp builds we’ve seen, with very little margin for error once you got behind on the sequence”.
Event organisers had not expected the build to catch out as many teams as it did, with the final standings shaped by completion, accuracy and penalty control as much as outright speed.
One of the most closely watched teams was A-Team, a young squad made up entirely of apprentices from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The team received eight minute penalty from the judges, but provided strong result in a contest where accuracy mattered as much as pace.
But they were unable to complete the build within the time limit.
Their performance still drew attention around the arena, with the apprentices keeping their standards under pressure against experienced international teams.
The weather also played its part across the 2 days.
Wet conditions affected parts of the event, including the opening day, but the rain did not stop the draw, briefings and partner activities from going ahead.
By Saturday afternoon, the sun came out for Round 2, giving the arena a very different feel as the second group of teams began their build. However, the brighter conditions did not make the structure any easier.
Speaking after the result, one spectator watching from the arena said: “The build looked incredibly technical this year and you could see teams having to think through every move. Even when things weren’t going to plan, the atmosphere was brilliant. The crowd stayed engaged all day and there was a real sense of respect for what the teams were trying to achieve.”
ScaffChamp brings together scaffolders from across Europe and beyond, giving teams the chance to compete under pressure in front of industry figures, suppliers and supporters.
For competitors, the event is also a rare chance to show the skill, judgement and discipline involved in scaffolding to a wider audience.
The 2026 competition again drew teams from across the international scaffolding community, with competitors travelling to Lithuania to test themselves against some of the best in the trade.
Scaffmag covered the event from Vilnius, with updates, images and reaction from the arena throughout the 2 days.
More reaction from the winning team and organisers will follow.
After Friday’s team draw and structure briefing, competitors are now putting planning into practice as they take on the scaffold build challenge that will decide this year’s champion.
The competition day follows a wet opening programme on Friday, when teams were introduced, the running order was confirmed and the build design was revealed to competitors.
This year’s competition is split across 2 rounds.
Round 1 begins with RNDV from Lithuania, followed by Stabil Épít? from Hungary, N-Projects from Poland, Scaff-Tech from Poland, A-Team from Scotland and Northern Ireland, Skyline Scaffolding from Ireland, Team Türkiye, NBIK from Mongolia, Muehlhan from Greece and MTL Group from the Czech Republic.
Round 2 will feature Teknopont from Italy, Talim from Peru, AlpAccess from Romania, AK Scaffolding from the United Kingdom, Air Tek Group from Spain, Bilfinger from Germany, Gerüstbau Samiez from Germany, Volken Group from Switzerland and Groupe Vermeren from Canada.
For the UK industry, attention will be on AK Scaffolding, which enters the arena in Round 2.
The teams are being judged on more than speed. Accuracy, safety, teamwork and clean execution all matter, with referees inspecting the structures and applying time penalties where errors are found.
The scaffold design, revealed during Friday’s briefing, includes several sections and working levels including a roof, giving teams a technical task that will test planning and communication as well as pace.
ScaffChamp has become one of the few international events where working scaffolders compete directly in front of an industry audience.
The format puts practical skill at the centre of the event, with teams required to build quickly while still meeting the standards expected on site.
Scaffmag is in Vilnius covering the competition throughout the day through its live blog, website and magazine.
ScaffChamp 2026 opens today in Vilnius, with the team draw and the reveal of tomorrow’s build task set to be the main focus of day 1.
Scaffmag is on the ground in Lithuania and will be running a live blog throughout the event, bringing updates, photos and reaction from inside the venue.
The opening day is largely about setting the stage for tomorrow’s competition, when teams from across the world will be tested on speed, safety, planning and scaffold craft.
Over the next few days, we’ll be your eyes and ears on the ground, providing real-time updates, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights into the competitions, innovations, and industry discussions that make ScaffChamp 2026 a must-follow event.
HAKI Safety has signed an agreement to acquire selected operations of Combisafe, the fall protection brand best known for temporary edge protection and catchfan systems used on construction and infrastructure projects.
The deal is expected to complete at the start of the third quarter of 2026.
The acquisition will see HAKI take on selected Combisafe assets, including the brand, product portfolio, patent and design rights, customer relationships and certain operating assets. Operations and staff will transfer to HAKI Safety.
The purchase price is USD 2m, around £1.5m, for the net assets. The sellers will also contribute around USD 2m, again about £1.5m, to cover possible change-related costs.
Combisafe is currently owned by PIP Global Safety. It has annual turnover of about SEK 80m, around £6.4m, and employs more than 30 people across 6 countries. Its products are sold in about 20 countries.
HAKI said the deal will broaden its work zone safety offer and increase its presence in Europe. Combisafe’s product range includes edge protection and catchfans used to protect workers and the public on high-rise, public building, renovation and infrastructure schemes.
Sverker Lindberg, President and CEO of HAKI Safety, said the acquisition would give the group access to more markets and make it “a real player in the European fall protection market”.
He said: “It is with great confidence that I look forward to welcoming Combisafe to the HAKI Safety family. We have previously acquired fall protection companies and therefore find it very gratifying to acquire the Swedish pioneering company, with its unique product portfolio and brand.”
But HAKI has also acknowledged the work needed to improve the business. Combisafe has been unprofitable for the past few years.
Lindberg said: “It is evident that the company has challenges with its profitability. But we know the products and see the synergies. Once the acquisition is completed, we will immediately begin extracting both sales and product synergies. Our ambition is a fast integration process and to regain profitability in this fine business within a short time.”
Curt Holtz, CEO of PIP Global Safety, said Combisafe had a “rich history” but edge protection was no longer central to PIP’s strategy.
He said: “This brand is a good fit for the HAKI Safety team, and we believe they will be the right owner going forward.”
Combisafe was founded in Sweden in 1987 and has changed ownership several times since 2008. HAKI Safety has already bought other fall protection businesses linked to the same market, including Vertemax in 2021 and Novakorp Systems in 2022.
Those companies now sit within HAKI’s Work Zone Safety business area under the HAKI brand.
NASC has appointed Rob Boardman as its new Head of Training and Education.
He will take up the role from Monday 8 June 2026, joining the trade body after nine years with 3B Training, a CISRS-recognised training centre.
Boardman most recently worked as Operations Director at 3B Training. NASC said his experience gives him a strong understanding of scaffolding training, training centre operations and the standards used to support workforce development across the sector.
The appointment comes at a busy time for scaffolding training, with continued industry focus on competence, skills shortages and the future structure of CISRS training routes.
NASC said Boardman’s role will support its work around training and education across the scaffolding and access industry.
Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob to the team. He brings a wealth of relevant experience and expertise and joins us at an important time for training and education across the scaffolding and access industry. I look forward to working with him.”
The move also gives NASC a senior training appointment with direct experience from inside the CISRS training centre network.
Boardman’s background at 3B Training is likely to be relevant as the sector continues to discuss access to training, employer support and the skills needed to bring new entrants into scaffolding.
Rising fuel costs are continuing to hit scaffolding businesses across the UK, with many firms absorbing the increases rather than passing them on to clients, according to a new NASC industry survey.
The survey, carried out among NASC members and wider industry stakeholders, found that 49.2% of respondents had seen fuel costs rise by more than 20% so far this year.
A further 44% reported increases of between 11% and 20%, underlining the pressure on companies that depend heavily on vehicle fleets, site visits and material deliveries.
Respondents rated the impact of higher fuel costs on their businesses at an average of 7.2 out of 10.
Transport and vehicle costs were the main concern, cited by nearly 94% of respondents. More than half also said fuel prices were affecting profit margins and site visits, while delivery logistics and project pricing were also being hit.
Despite the scale of the increases, many firms said they had been unable to recover the added costs from clients. Some 57.1% said they had not passed on any of the increase, while just 1.6% said they had passed on the full cost.
Instead, companies said they were absorbing the pressure, planning delivery routes more carefully, cutting site visits where possible, and reviewing estimating and pricing.
The survey also found concern about further fuel rises, with businesses rating their level of concern at an average of 7.9 out of 10. More than 30% gave the highest possible rating.
Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said the findings should concern the wider construction supply chain.
“Scaffolding businesses play a vital role in enabling construction, maintenance, refurbishment and infrastructure projects across the UK, yet many are being forced to absorb substantial increases in fuel costs at a time when margins are already under pressure,” he said.
“We are seeing a worrying number of insolvencies across the sector. Rising operating costs, combined with intense competition and limited ability to recover additional expenditure from clients, are creating real challenges for many businesses.
“The scaffolding and access sector is fundamental to the Government’s ambitions for economic growth, housing delivery and major infrastructure investment. If the UK is serious about meeting its building targets, it must recognise the pressures facing the businesses that make those projects possible.”
Mr Dickin said NASC wanted the Government to consider practical relief for construction and access firms, including fuel-related support, targeted tax measures or other support to help businesses remain resilient.
The findings add to wider concern about cost pressure across the scaffolding and access sector, particularly for firms with large fleets, labour-heavy site operations and contracts priced before recent cost rises took hold.
Scaffolders in Jersey can now access CISRS training locally after Scaffold Training Academy Ltd gained approval as an official CISRS Training Centre.
The centre is the first approved CISRS Training Centre in the Channel Islands.
It means scaffolders based in Jersey will no longer need to travel to the UK mainland for some nationally recognised training, including the CISRS Operative Training Scheme and Basic Scaffold Inspection course.
The approval follows nearly 2 years of work between Scaffold Training Academy Ltd, CISRS, NASC and the Government of Jersey.
The new centre has opened at a time when the Health and Safety Inspectorate in Jersey has made CISRS cards the accepted test of competency for scaffolders working on the islands.
Kelly Keating, Director of Scaffold Training Academy Ltd, said the approval was a major step for local scaffolders and employers.
“This has been a long time in the making and we are incredibly proud to have reached this point,” she said.
“Scaffolders in Jersey have always had to travel to the mainland to access nationally recognised training, and that has been a barrier for many.
“Having an approved CISRS centre here changes that. We are committed to raising the standard of scaffolding training across the Channel Islands and this is just the beginning.”
The centre launched its first courses in March and April 2026.
Two programmes are currently available.
The CISRS Operative Training Scheme, known as COTS, is the first step on the CISRS pathway. It must be completed before candidates can move on to further training, including Part 1, Part 2 or Advanced scaffolding qualifications.
The CISRS Basic Scaffold Inspection course is aimed at experienced scaffolders, supervisors and site managers who inspect basic scaffolding structures.
Funding support is also available for eligible candidates through Skills Jersey.
The approval gives the Channel Islands’ scaffolding and access sector a local route into structured training, while helping employers meet competency requirements without the extra cost and disruption of sending workers to the mainland.
CISRS and NASC said they were pleased to welcome Scaffold Training Academy Ltd into the network of approved training centres.
Researchers have demonstrated an autonomous drone system capable of placing bricks and applying adhesive in mid-air, in a development that could shape future approaches to construction work at height.
The system uses two unmanned aerial vehicles working together. One drone carries and positions bricks, while a second drone applies bonding material between them.
According to the paper, the system is designed to show how aerial robots could carry out coordinated masonry tasks without direct human control during the construction sequence.
The researchers said the work is, to the best of their knowledge, the first experimental demonstration of fully autonomous aerial masonry construction using different types of drones, with separate aircraft assigned to brick placement and adhesive application.
The brick-carrying drone was fitted with a ball-joint mechanism to improve placement control. It used onboard vision, ArUco markers and pose estimation to align the bricks during the build.
The second drone was fitted with a servo-controlled valve and extruder nozzle to apply adhesive material between the bricks.
The drones were coordinated through a reactive mission planning system, allowing the aircraft to manage task dependencies, respond to feedback and work as part of a single construction process.
The development adds to growing research interest in construction robotics, particularly in areas where drones could move beyond inspection, surveying and progress monitoring into physical site tasks.
However, the technology is not yet ready for use on live construction sites. The demonstration was carried out in a controlled research setting, and several major barriers remain before autonomous aerial masonry could be used commercially.
These include payload limits, battery life, wind conditions, flight stability, site safety, regulation, adhesive performance and the structural requirements of permanent masonry.
For the scaffolding and access sector, the research is unlikely to alter short-term demand for scaffold-based access or skilled masonry work.
Its more immediate relevance is in showing how autonomous systems may eventually support difficult or hazardous tasks at height, particularly in controlled environments where conventional access is complex or costly.
The paper suggests aerial robots could become part of a wider mix of construction technologies, working alongside traditional access methods rather than replacing them outright.
For now, the system remains a research milestone rather than a practical site solution. But it underlines the direction of travel as construction robotics becomes more capable, more specialised and more closely linked to work at height.
NASC has updated its TG30 system scaffolding guidance to include a new range of birdcage configurations for cup, wedge and rosette systems.
The update expands the TG30 eGuide to cover 5 birdcage setups, including several configurations that NASC says were not previously available through TG30 or manufacturer user manuals.
Until now, contractors using these layouts would usually have needed a bespoke design.
NASC said the change is intended to reduce the time and cost involved in planning compliant birdcage scaffolds, while giving contractors a recognised route for standard solutions.
TG30 is NASC’s guidance suite for the safe design, supply and compliance of system scaffolding. It includes an Operational Guide, a Design Guide and an eGuide for generating compliance sheets.
All 3 are available through the NASC ePortal.
The new release covers freestanding birdcages, birdcages tied or butted in 1 direction, birdcages decked at the top 2 lifts, fully decked birdcages, and birdcages decked at the top lift with perimeter decking at all other lifts.
The configurations are available across cup, wedge and rosette systems.
NASC said the Operational Guide has also been updated to support the new configurations, giving users practical guidance alongside the new compliance sheets.
Mark Collinson, Head of Technical at NASC, said: “This update will make a genuine difference to scaffolding contractors working with system scaffolding.
“Many of these birdcage configurations were not previously covered anywhere, which meant bespoke design was the only option.
“Having them available as TG30 compliant solutions removes that burden, saves time and cost, and ensures contractors can proceed with confidence that they are working to the recognised industry standard.”
The full TG30 guidance suite and compliance sheets are available through the NASC ePortal.
Everything is now in place for ScaffChamp 2026, the international scaffolding championship that returns to Vilnius, Lithuania, on 5–6 June.
Now in its seventh year since 2019, the contest brings together 20 teams from across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas to compete on speed, accuracy and safety, all watched live by a global audience online. Reigning champions Lithuania’s RNDV will be back to defend the title.
Here is everything you need to know, from the line-up and the format to where the venue is and how to watch from home.
When and where is ScaffChamp 2026?
ScaffChamp powered by Layher 2026 takes place over two days, on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June. The main competition and awards fall on the Saturday, with the build-up, registration and briefings on the Friday.
The event is held at the Baltic Scaffolders Association headquarters on Salinink? g. 82 in Vilnius, the same site that has hosted recent editions. It is co-organised by Layher Baltic and the Baltic Scaffolders Association, with support from Layher Germany.
What actually happens at ScaffChamp
ScaffChamp is a live skills competition rather than a trade exhibition. Teams are set the same scaffolding structure to erect against the clock, working to a supplied design and under close supervision, before the build is inspected and scored.
The competition runs on Layher’s Allround system, so every team works with identical equipment and the result comes down to planning, technique, communication and discipline under pressure.
The opening day typically covers team registration, an official welcome and a technical briefing in which competitors are walked through the design, the judging criteria and the safety requirements before they build.
How the competition is judged
The 2025 edition ran to a two-round format, with 10 teams competing in each round. Each team is timed during the erection phase, after which referees scrutinise the finished structure and apply penalties for any faults or safety breaches.
Speed alone does not win it. Teams are assessed on a combination of time, technical accuracy, teamwork and crucially safety, with design reading and clear communication often proving decisive. That balance is why a fast build can still be beaten by a slower, cleaner one.
Who is competing in 2026?
ScaffChamp confirmed its full 20-team line-up in February, after roughly five months of registrations. The 2026 field features a record number of new regions.
Australia and Peru will make their first appearances, while the United States returns to the competition. Europe sees the largest expansion, with new entries from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Greece and Spain.
Returning European teams include Romania, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Estonia, the last of which has not competed since the inaugural 2019 event. Asia is again represented by Mongolia, a returning side that has proved popular with spectators.
No African team will take part in 2026, although organisers said discussions had been held with teams from the region and that they hoped to see Africa represented in future. Layher Baltic’s Oleg Abramov said the selection process had been deliberately rigorous to keep the contest fair and professional. The individual company names behind each country had not been released at the time of writing.
The reigning champions
Lithuania’s RNDV go into 2026 as defending champions. At ScaffChamp 2025 the team took the overall title and the Health & Safety Award, a double honour earned through a disciplined, methodical build.
It was not a one-off effort assembled for the competition: RNDV’s championship squad is drawn entirely from its day-to-day operational staff, and the team had finished fourth on its debut in 2024 before refining its approach to design interpretation, time management and working under pressure.
What is at stake: the belt and the awards
The headline prize is the ScaffChamp championship belt, awarded to the overall winning team. Alongside it sit a small number of category awards, four main awards in the 2025 edition, including the Health & Safety Award, which recognises the cleanest and safest build rather than simply the fastest.
For competing companies, the appeal is as much reputational as it is the silverware. ScaffChamp has become a recognised benchmark for technical standards across different countries, and a strong showing is widely treated within the trade as a mark of professional credibility.
The venue
All of the action is concentrated at the Baltic Scaffolders Association HQ in Vilnius. Capacity is limited by the site and by crowd-safety requirements, and organisers warned that tickets could sell out, so anyone planning to attend in person is advised to book early. Tickets are sold online through Paysera, and discount codes are expected to be released through event partners in the run-up to the competition.
Vilnius: the host city
Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, is a compact and walkable city of around 600,000 people in the south-east of the country. Its medieval Old Town is one of the largest surviving in Northern Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its baroque churches, narrow cobbled streets and the hilltop Gediminas’ Tower overlooking the centre. The self-declared “republic” of Užupis, a bohemian quarter just across the river, is a popular detour for visitors.
For practical purposes, Lithuania is in the eurozone, so the currency is the euro, and card payment is accepted almost everywhere. English is widely spoken, particularly among younger people and in hospitality. Early June is one of the better times to visit: days are long and mild, with temperatures typically in the high teens to low twenties Celsius, though it is worth packing for the odd shower.
Getting there and getting around
For UK readers, the most straightforward route is a direct flight to Vilnius International Airport (VNO). Ryanair and Wizz Air both fly direct from London, principally from Luton and Stansted, with a flight time of around two hours and forty minutes.
Direct fares are often very cheap if booked early. From elsewhere in the UK, or if direct flights are sold out around the event, connecting options run through hubs such as Riga with airBaltic, Frankfurt or Munich with Lufthansa, and Warsaw with LOT.
Vilnius airport is unusually close to the city, only about four miles south of the centre, which makes transfers quick and cheap. A train links the airport to the central station in roughly eight minutes for under a euro, and there are also regular buses. Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Bolt is widely used in Lithuania) are readily available from outside arrivals and are inexpensive by UK standards.
The competition venue sits on the southern side of the city, on the same side as the airport, so it is easily reached by taxi or ride-hailing in a short hop. If you are staying in the Old Town, allow a little extra time on the Saturday morning, as competitors and spectators will be heading to the site ahead of the 10:30 broadcast start.
The stream covers the full event, including team presentations, commentator analysis, interviews, partner segments, the results and the awards ceremony. The live broadcast has become one of the few platforms where the wider trade can watch competitors work under pressure and compare standards across countries; the 2025 stream drew more than 10,000 viewers worldwide.
How ScaffChamp grew from a regional contest
ScaffChamp began in April 2019 as the First International Scaffolders Championship, with nine teams from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. The planned 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, before the contest returned in 2022 with six teams and around 200 guests.
The event was rebranded as ScaffChamp in 2023, when it drew 15 teams and more than 400 guests, and it has continued to widen its international reach since. The 2025 edition brought together 20 teams from 17 regions, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Mongolia, Chile and the United States.
The full two-day agenda
All times are Baltic (EEST). Lithuania is two hours ahead of the UK in June, so for British Summer Time, subtract two hours — the Saturday broadcast start of 10:30 is 08:30 in London.
Friday 5 June — first day
11:00–11:45 — Registration and opening
12:00–12:10 — Official start, greetings and introduction to the event
12:10–14:00 — Activities and contests for participants and guests, run by partners
14:00–14:30 — Team presentations
14:30–14:35 — Dr Alan Osborn’s donation fund for men’s health
14:35–15:00 — Teams draw
15:00–15:30 — Participant briefing and introduction to the structure and tasks
15:30–16:30 — Free time and partner activities
Saturday 6 June — ScaffChamp day
09:30 — Team registration, equipment inspection and safety briefings
10:30 — Start of the broadcast
10:35–10:50 — Team parade and presentation
10:50–13:00 — First round of 10 teams
13:00–13:15 — Short break and partners’ section
13:15–15:25 — Second round of 10 teams
15:25–15:35 — Dr Alan Osborn’s fund section
15:35–16:00 — Results and awards
16:00–18:00 — Afterparty with DJ
ScaffMag will be following ScaffChamp 2026 throughout the weekend, with coverage of the results and reaction once the belt has been decided.
