Ranjit Singh Dale, founder and chairman of SCP Group, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton for his contributions to business and his efforts to improve the lives of people in the city.
Over the last 25 years, Dale has provided numerous job opportunities through SCP Group and played an active role in supporting his community.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dale helped raise more than £25,000 to provide vital safety equipment for the NHS. This fundraising effort enabled the distribution of 1,600 work overalls and 2,000 hand sanitisers and dispensers to frontline workers.Reflecting on the honour, Dale said, “I feel very proud, especially being born and bred in Wolverhampton, and coming to Wolverhampton University to receive these honours is a massive thing. It’s a huge personal achievement, especially for my family, who are all here in the city.”The University of Wolverhampton presents Honorary Fellowships to individuals who have made significant contributions in their field. Dale’s entrepreneurial journey with SCP Group, which includes several successful brands like Scaffolding Products Online and Safelinx, played a key role in his recognition. His charity work, including his role as chairman of Punjab United Football Club and raising funds for local causes, has further solidified his positive impact on the community.Reflecting on his experiences, Dale added, “What we have in England is a massive opportunity. If you want it, you can get it. You’ve just got to be strong and determined to reach your goals.”Dale’s Honorary Fellowship serves as recognition not only for his business achievements but also for his ongoing commitment to improving lives in Wolverhampton.
The NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) has announced the highly anticipated shortlist for the prestigious ScaffEx24 Scaffolding Excellence Awards.
The awards, which will be presented at the ScaffEx24 Ball and Gala Dinner, which will be held at the Belfast International Conference Centre on Friday, 29 November 2024, aim to celebrate innovation, excellence, and outstanding contributions across the scaffolding and access industry.This year’s nominees include individuals and companies that have made significant strides in areas such as safety, design, service, and project execution. The awards span several categories and recognise both seasoned professionals and the next generation of talent in the industry.
Apprentice of the Year
The shortlist for Apprentice of the Year highlights the next generation of skilled scaffolders, with nominees including:
Albie Cooper, Benchmark Scaffolding Ltd
Harrison Mapley, Star Scaffolding Ltd
James Joseph Aicken, K2 Scaffolding (NI) LLP
Lacey Maclean, Everlast Scaffolding Ltd
Scaffold Design of the Year
Companies have also been recognised for their excellence in design, including:
Buckley Design Solutions for their work at Blackburn College
Lyndon SGB for the New Register House project
Scaffold Erection Services for HM Prison Birmingham
SRK Scaffolding for their work on an industrial storage tank
Product of the Year
Innovation continues to drive the industry forward, with nominees in the Product of the Year category such as:
GKR Scaffolding Ltd’s Soterdevice
Layher Ltd’s FW System
PERI Ltd’s PERI UP Cladding
Service of the Year
Services that have transformed project management and training are also recognised, including:
Footprint WFM Ltd’s Interactive Project Tracking
Safety & Access Ltd’s Scaffold Training Programme
Costain/Skanska’s Scaffold Request App, developed for SCS Railways
Lifetime Achievement
Honouring individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry, the Lifetime Achievement Award nominees are:
Lee Rowswell
Tom Gent
Alwyn Richards
Ray Johnson
Project of the Year
In recognition of outstanding projects across varying scales, the shortlist for Project of the Year is divided into four categories:Small:
Advanced NI Scaffolding Ltd – Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Ingleford Scaffolding Ltd – St Mary’s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay
Shield Services Group – Cathedral Park, Bristol
Malvern Scaffolding – Worcester Cathedral
Medium:
Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Ltd – Market House, Penzance
Everlast Scaffolding Ltd – City Exchange, Leeds
Inner City Scaffolding Ltd – Parkside Court, Chelmsford
Scaffolding Access Ltd – Former Somerfield Store, Newhaven
Large:
Lyndon SGB – New Register House, Edinburgh
SCA Group Ltd – Centenary Quays, Southampton
SRK Scaffolding Ltd – Inovyn Runcorn Power Station
The winners will be announced at the ScaffEx24 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, marking the culmination of ScaffEx24 in November. This prestigious event will bring together the scaffolding industry’s best and brightest to celebrate their achievements.A NASC spokesperson said: “These awards not only showcase the incredible talent in our sector but also highlight the ongoing commitment to safety, innovation, and quality. We congratulate all of the nominees and look forward to revealing the winners at ScaffEx24.”
In an exciting development for young people in the North East, a new initiative is opening doors for school leavers to enter the scaffolding industry, significantly boosting apprenticeships and local employment.
W@H Solutions, with support from Procure Plus and the Newcastle United Football Foundation, is leading this effort to offer school leavers the chance to gain hands-on experience and potentially secure apprenticeships through Northern Regeneration at the Construction Skills Village.
The innovative program offers participants a 5-day comprehensive training course, introducing them to the fundamentals of scaffolding. Afterwards, they embark on a 5-day work experience placement with a local scaffolding company. If both parties are satisfied with the fit, participants can enroll in an apprenticeship program, providing them with a direct pathway into the trade.
With over 80 young people already signed up, this initiative has gained significant interest. The Newcastle United Football Foundation’s promotion of the program has led to over 30 individuals, including a 47-year-old, signing up for apprenticeships. The diverse range of applicants underscores the program’s broad appeal, offering opportunities to both school leavers and older individuals.
Building a Skilled Workforce for the Future
Speaking about the initiative, a representative from W@H Solutions said, “We are excited to offer a pathway into scaffolding that is accessible to young people who may not have considered this trade before. By combining training with real-world experience and creating a structured apprenticeship route through Northern Regeneration, we are helping to close the gap between education and employment.”
The program’s unique structure allows companies to assess potential apprentices while giving participants a real taste of the working environment. Northern Regeneration ensures that those who proceed into apprenticeships receive high-quality, industry-standard training, setting them up for long-term success in the scaffolding industry.
This initiative is seen as a vital step toward securing the future of the scaffolding industry, while also offering young people in the North East a chance to embark on rewarding careers. With strong financial backing from Ofsted, the program is expected to have a lasting and positive impact on the region’s workforce.
Subcontractors across the UK’s scaffolding sector have seen a significant rise in earnings, reflecting the growing demand for skilled labour in key trades.
According to data from Hudson Contract, a leading payroll provider for the construction industry, scaffolding subcontractors enjoyed record weekly pay in August 2024, with earnings up 2 per cent to £975 on average.This increase places scaffolders alongside other key trades, such as insulation and bricklaying, which also experienced notable growth. Insulation workers saw the most substantial rise, with earnings surging by 7.3 per cent to £1,218 per week. Bricklayers followed closely, with a 4.6 per cent increase, bringing their average weekly earnings to £1,032.Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson Contract, highlighted the ongoing demand for self-employed subcontractors, particularly those with specialist skills like scaffolding. He noted, “Our latest figures demonstrate the continued demand for the most highly skilled, safe, and productive tradespeople in construction. Scaffolders are increasingly essential to maintaining high safety standards on complex building projects, and their wages reflect their critical role.”The data is based on payments made on behalf of around 2,600 construction SMEs across England and Wales. Year-on-year, scaffolding earnings have risen by 1.6 per cent compared to August 2023, as the demand for skilled workers in the sector continues to grow, even amidst relatively flat housebuilding activity.Anfield cautioned that while there is increasing pressure to ramp up housebuilding, especially with government targets aiming for 300,000 new homes annually, the solution lies in maximising existing skills rather than simply increasing the number of tradespeople. “Construction is cyclical,” he said, “and companies will adapt and reorganise their resources to maximise the skills available to them on-site.”Scaffolding has been identified as one of the most critical trades for ensuring safety and efficiency in the construction sector. As the industry faces fluctuating demand, scaffolders are well-positioned to benefit from sustained wage growth as construction firms prioritise highly skilled labour over-rapid expansion of the workforce.Hudson Contract’s pay trends analysis offers one of the most accurate snapshots of subcontractor earnings across the UK, with data provided to the Bank of England to help inform economic policy and decisions regarding the construction workforce.With the scaffolding sector continuing to see strong wage growth, the outlook for skilled subcontractors remains positive amidst shifting economic conditions.
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has called on the UK Government to step in and protect small and medium-sized scaffolding contractors following the sudden collapse of ISG, one of the country’s largest construction firms.
The administration of ISG has left hundreds of subcontractors, particularly SMEs in the scaffolding and access sector, facing financial uncertainty and the risk of insolvency.The NASC, which represents scaffolding and access companies across the UK, has voiced concerns about the impact of ISG’s collapse, which could leave many firms unable to recover debts and equipment tied up at various construction sites.
Comparisons with Carillion
The collapse of ISG has drawn comparisons with the failure of Carillion in 2018, a major contractor whose insolvency caused widespread disruption in the construction industry. Smaller subcontractors were disproportionately affected by Carillion’s downfall, and the NASC fears the same could happen again.NASC Chief Executive Clive Dickin said: “The collapse of ISG represents not only a financial blow to subcontractors but also a logistical nightmare for scaffolding companies who now face weeks of uncertainty over the fate of their equipment and contracts.”
Call for Action
The NASC is urging the Government to take immediate steps to provide financial support to scaffolding firms affected by ISG’s administration. It is calling for a financial safety net for SMEs in the construction sector and measures to ensure the swift return of scaffolding equipment from halted construction projects.The organisation is also pressing for greater oversight of large construction companies to prevent similar collapses from happening in the future.“The Government must act now to avoid a repeat of the Carillion disaster and protect the thousands of workers and small businesses who are crucial to the UK’s construction industry,” said Mr Dickin.
Industry Concerns
Many scaffolding firms operate on tight margins, and the loss of a major contractor like ISG could have significant consequences for these businesses. The NASC has highlighted the logistical challenges of retrieving equipment from multiple construction sites, with some firms potentially facing weeks or months of delays in resolving outstanding issues.The NASC is issuing guidance to its members on how to navigate the legal challenges associated with the administration process and is offering debt recovery support through its services. It says it will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with industry partners and government agencies to safeguard the interests of scaffolding contractors.For many in the industry, the collapse of ISG has raised wider concerns about the fragility of the construction supply chain and the vulnerability of SMEs when large firms fail. NASC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that scaffolding firms receive the necessary support during this difficult period.
TDes Moore
hroughout my career working with system scaffolding – predominantly Layher – I’ve had approaches from manufacturers with ‘copied’ products. These are companies that essentially supply poor copies of original manufacturers’ components – whatever they say, this is what they do. It’s their business model.
Obviously traditional tube, fitting and boards are a commodity – but system scaffolding is not. All the original system scaffolding manufacturers I know do far more than just supply the equipment. They are investing in support and service to make sure their clients get as much value as possible out of their investment.
Companies that promote mixing simply can’t – or don’t want to – do that. Their price is cheaper because they just want to sell the kit. They don’t want to help scaffolding contractors succeed and they have no interest whatsoever in your business doing well. Their marketing strategy is simply to get in ahead of the original manufacturer with a cheap and substandard copy and cast doubt on whether or not your current supplier can meet demand at short notice.
My own experience is that of course there can be a supply issue. I have experienced this when using another manufacturer’s equipment. I’ve had jobs that were partially built and had to be taken down, or where projects were nearly complete but couldn’t be handed over because of the lack of components required to complete them – leading to several week’s delay. Is this what you want? In the 25 years that I used Layher system scaffolding as part of my equipment mix, I never ever had a problem with supply.
If you choose to go down the mixing route – which I clearly wouldn’t advise – you will end up polluting your stock. Instead of using 100% genuine components from a single supplier, you will have a combination of equipment that’s not all manufactured to the same quality or tolerances. There are certainly obvious technical difficulties with copies – a subject for a different article, perhaps.
Your clients will not like this. Would you? They need you to be accountable for the reliability and safety of the scaffold you erect, and they want to be completely confident that you’re using authentic equipment on their site.
What’s more, polluting your stock means a lower resale value when you need to sell some components to rebalance your stock. For example, Layher’s market penetration means there is a long-established market for good-quality second hand Layher system scaffolding – but if your stock is contaminated with copy equipment, you won’t be able to realise the full resale value – if you can sell it at all.
As I’ve said, I was regularly approached by companies offering mixed product when I was MD at TRAD Scaffolding. Although the base product was certainly cheaper, I would never buy it. I knew my clients wouldn’t want me to mix scaffolding products and I was convinced that there was no good reason to dilute the quality of my stock.
In fact, using mixed equipment makes no business sense whatsoever. To me, it’s like buying a cheaper version of a luxury brand: you know it’s not the real deal, and you know it’s probably going to stop working, or fall apart. If you bought your partner a cheap copy of some designer gear from Del Boy rather than an original, what would happen? Maybe you’d find yourself locked out with your bags on the pavement!
Just like fake designer goods, buying copy system scaffolding looks like a saving in the short term – and perhaps it is. But in the long term, it has the potential to damage your business, your relationships with clients and your reputation – all of which you’ve worked hard to establish.
Instead of going for the cheap option, take a long-term view and choose carefully from the genuine original manufacturers on the UK market. I’d always say that your best choice is Layher, but of course it’s up to you which system you choose. But once you’ve made a choice, you need to stick with it. You want to be completely confident in the reliability, quality and supply of the system you choose.
Why would I promote Layher’s systems above the others available? It’s because of the complete service offering they have. With depots across the UK, a specialist sales team with in-depth knowledge and experience of system and its benefits, and constant innovation to help your business deliver more efficient, safe and cost-effective projects, it really is the best choice in my view.
Layher’s in-house design team supports you to make the best use of your equipment, and the company has immense stock levels across the UK at any one time – well in excess of any other system scaffolding manufacturer. If the equipment is not in the UK, it can be delivered in just 2-3 days.
As an example of Layher’s manufacturing capacity, it can produce 35,000 ledgers in one day. The company has also just built the largest galvanising plant in Europe. So you’re not just buying the kit – you’re buying innovation, engineering expertise, training, product support and ongoing customer service. In fact, Tier 1 and 3 contractors regularly approach Layher direct to ask about using system on their projects.
Layher has great brand awareness – there’s no getting away from the fact that it is the JCB of the scaffolding world – and will support your business to make the most of your system scaffolding option. It also has dedicated schemes to help you buy your equipment in a manageable way.
You only get what you pay for – so to support your own business growth, choose a sustainable, reliable original manufacturer, and never be tempted to mix.
Independent Design House Group Ltd (IDHG), a leading engineering design consultancy, has acquired Clarkebond (UK) Ltd, a strategic move that significantly strengthens its position within the engineering sector.
The acquisition will increase IDHG’s workforce to 140 employees and expand its reach to seven locations globally, contributing to an expected turnover of £10 million.
The acquisition marks a major milestone for IDHG, which now operates across offices in Bristol, London, Ireland, Poland, and Maidstone. The company’s newly expanded capabilities position it as a multi-disciplined consultancy, able to offer comprehensive engineering services from concept through to on-site construction.
Clarkebond’s integration will enhance IDHG’s expertise, particularly in permanent works design, alongside its well-established strengths in temporary works.
Tim Burt, CEO of IDHG, will continue to lead the group, with Wojciech Wisnowski as partner, Ian Fernandes-Johnson as managing director of the UK division, and Michal Rzaski overseeing IDHG Poland. The senior team also includes Neil Marks, Clarkebond’s commercial director, and Brian Davis, head of finance.
Reflecting on the acquisition, Tim Burt said, “We are extremely pleased with the acquisition of Clarkebond and look forward to the collaboration between both companies. This is about mutual development and growth for the benefit of our clients, employees, and the wider IDH Group.”
Founded in 2011 by Burt and Wisnowski, IDHG initially specialised in temporary works design. With the addition of Clarkebond’s expertise in permanent works, IDHG is now positioned as a complete design partner for a wide range of engineering sectors.
Ian Fernandes-Johnson, managing director of IDHG, remarked, “This move is a game changer for IDHG. Clarkebond’s strengths align perfectly with our existing services, and together we will provide an end-to-end solution for our clients. It’s an exciting time for both teams.”
Neil Marks, commercial director at Clarkebond, added, “This deal offers exciting opportunities for our staff and clients. With IDHG’s infrastructure, we are well-positioned to grow, compete, and continue delivering outstanding engineering services for communities.”
The acquisition underscores IDHG’s ambition to further its presence in the global engineering sector, offering a broad range of services and expertise across various disciplines.
Scaffolders have been named the third highest-paid trade in the UK, according to new data from Tradefix Direct.
With an average annual salary of £38,365, scaffolders have emerged as one of the most lucrative professions in the construction industry, following closely behind carpenters and gas engineers.Tradefix Direct’s analysis, based on data from job site Indeed, reveals that carpenters top the list of highest-paid trades, earning £45,482 per year, while gas engineers take second place with an average salary of £39,395. Scaffolders, known for their essential role in supporting large construction projects, are now cashing in on the demand for their skills.However, regional salary differences within the scaffolding trade are dramatic. Scaffolders in Chelmsford enjoy the highest earning potential in the UK, pulling in up to £48,199 annually. Meanwhile, those in St Albans are seeing a much lower average wage of £21,744, a striking difference of £26,455. This vast regional disparity highlights the importance of location when it comes to earning power in the trades.The study also explored the broader landscape of UK trade salaries, revealing a patchwork of pay across various professions and cities. Welders in Plymouth take home the highest average salary for any trade, earning an impressive £58,268. At the same time, roofers experience the greatest salary fluctuations, with wages varying by as much as £40,967 depending on location.Though many trade professions show significant regional pay gaps, some, like electricians, have more consistent salaries across the UK. For example, electricians in Westminster earn £40,386 annually, while those in Ripon earn £30,420—a difference of just £9,966 compared to the large swings seen in other trades.
Demand for Skilled Scaffolders Drives Up Pay
The rise of scaffolders into the top three highest-paid trades reflects the growing demand for skilled labour in the UK. As large construction projects and housing developments continue to expand, scaffolders have become indispensable, not only ensuring the safety and efficiency of construction sites but also securing substantial paychecks for themselves.As salaries in the trade sector rise, more and more professionals may find themselves considering a career in scaffolding. For those looking to earn top wages in this field, location seems to play a critical role, with key cities offering significantly higher earning potential than others.
For the latest jobs in scaffolding, visit our Scaffolding Jobs Board
Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding has been crowned Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year at the prestigious Construction News (CN) Specialist Awards 2024.
The accolade was presented during a gala ceremony held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, where over 650 industry leaders gathered to celebrate the achievements of the UK’s finest specialist contractors.This year’s CN Specialist Awards, hosted by comedian Andy Parsons, recognised excellence across 23 categories. With more than 300 submissions reviewed by an independent panel of 83 judges, Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding emerged victorious in the highly competitive Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year category, standing out for its impressive work on the Lloyds Bank project in Penzance.The project involved providing complex scaffolding solutions for the renovation of the historic Lloyds Bank building in the heart of Penzance. The judges commended Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding for tackling this technically demanding project, which required precision and expertise due to the building’s age and architectural intricacies. The team’s ability to execute the work with minimal disruption to the public, all while maintaining the safety and structural integrity of the iconic site, was a key factor in their success.In their remarks, the judges highlighted the pride, knowledge, and passion evident throughout Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding’s operations. “The company has built its success on a foundation of developing and investing in its workforce and systems,” they noted, pointing to establishing a new training centre and using innovative interactive training tools. These initiatives and a strong focus on sustainability and community engagement made Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding a deserving winner.Competing against strong finalists such as Allied Access, Connolly Scaffolding, and GKR Scaffolding, Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding stood out not only for its technical capabilities but also for its commitment to leaving a lasting positive impact on both the local community and the scaffolding industry as a whole.Construction News editor Colin Marrs praised the essential role of specialist contractors in the construction sector, stating: “Without our skilled specialists, there would be no building industry. The tradespeople on sites across the country are the engine of our sector, turning dreams into reality. The CN Specialists Awards is a time to celebrate the dedication, craftsmanship, and expertise that these individuals bring to the world.”
Following the final report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and a recent fire at a residential block in Dagenham, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has released an important Safety Bulletin.
The bulletin provides key guidelines to scaffolding contractors, aiming to ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022 and HSG168, the Health and Safety Executive’s fire safety guidance.With this release, NASC reaffirms its dedication to improving safety standards within the scaffolding industry and clarifies the role scaffolding plays in fire risk management.The Safety Bulletin highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to fire safety on construction sites while noting that scaffolding poses a very low fire risk. It emphasises that external factors, such as the activities of other contractors often influence fire hazards. To address these risks, NASC encourages collaboration across all aspects of construction projects.
Key Points from the NASC Safety Bulletin:
Compliance with Legislation: NASC stresses the importance of scaffolding contractors adhering to the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 and HSG168 fire guidance.This ensures that all scaffolding practices align with the latest safety regulations.
Risk Management: The bulletin emphasises proper management of combustible materials, recommending that contractors ensure all materials meet approved safety standards. It also calls for preventive measures to be put in place, including close cooperation with other trades to address potential fire risks throughout the construction process.
Enhanced Safety Protocols: To reduce fire hazards, the bulletin advises the integration of robust fire safety protocols into scaffolding practices.This includes ensuring proper material storage, maintaining clear access routes, and conducting regular inspections to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Training and Education: NASC has updated its CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) courses to include fire safety management. These updates aim to ensure that all scaffolding personnel, including managers and supervisors, are knowledgeable about fire risk management and fully compliant with updated safety regulations.
Commitment to Safety
NASC remains committed to supporting its members with clear and actionable guidance on fire safety, reinforcing its position as a leading authority in scaffolding safety. By following the updated safety guidelines and incorporating enhanced training, scaffolding contractors will be better equipped to manage fire risks effectively, helping to ensure safer construction environments.
The program’s unique structure allows companies to assess potential apprentices while giving participants a real taste of the working environment. Northern Regeneration ensures that those who proceed into apprenticeships receive high-quality, industry-standard training, setting them up for long-term success in the scaffolding industry.
This initiative is seen as a vital step toward securing the future of the scaffolding industry, while also offering young people in the North East a chance to embark on rewarding careers. With strong financial backing from Ofsted, the program is expected to have a lasting and positive impact on the region’s workforce. 
Just like fake designer goods, buying copy system scaffolding looks like a saving in the short term – and perhaps it is. But in the long term, it has the potential to damage your business, your relationships with clients and your reputation – all of which you’ve worked hard to establish.
Instead of going for the cheap option, take a long-term view and choose carefully from the genuine original manufacturers on the UK market. I’d always say that your best choice is Layher, but of course it’s up to you which system you choose. But once you’ve made a choice, you need to stick with it. You want to be completely confident in the reliability, quality and supply of the system you choose.
Why would I promote Layher’s systems above the others available? It’s because of the complete service offering they have. With depots across the UK, a specialist sales team with in-depth knowledge and experience of system and its benefits, and constant innovation to help your business deliver more efficient, safe and cost-effective projects, it really is the best choice in my view.
Layher’s in-house design team supports you to make the best use of your equipment, and the company has immense stock levels across the UK at any one time – well in excess of any other system scaffolding manufacturer. If the equipment is not in the UK, it can be delivered in just 2-3 days.
As an example of Layher’s manufacturing capacity, it can produce 35,000 ledgers in one day. The company has also just built the largest galvanising plant in Europe. So you’re not just buying the kit – you’re buying innovation, engineering expertise, training, product support and ongoing customer service. In fact, Tier 1 and 3 contractors regularly approach Layher direct to ask about using system on their projects.
Layher has great brand awareness – there’s no getting away from the fact that it is the JCB of the scaffolding world – and will support your business to make the most of your system scaffolding option. It also has dedicated schemes to help you buy your equipment in a manageable way.
You only get what you pay for – so to support your own business growth, choose a sustainable, reliable original manufacturer, and never be tempted to mix. 
Just like fake designer goods, buying copy system scaffolding looks like a saving in the short term – and perhaps it is. But in the long term, it has the potential to damage your business, your relationships with clients and your reputation – all of which you’ve worked hard to establish.
Instead of going for the cheap option, take a long-term view and choose carefully from the genuine original manufacturers on the UK market. I’d always say that your best choice is Layher, but of course it’s up to you which system you choose. But once you’ve made a choice, you need to stick with it. You want to be completely confident in the reliability, quality and supply of the system you choose.
Why would I promote Layher’s systems above the others available? It’s because of the complete service offering they have. With depots across the UK, a specialist sales team with in-depth knowledge and experience of system and its benefits, and constant innovation to help your business deliver more efficient, safe and cost-effective projects, it really is the best choice in my view.
Layher’s in-house design team supports you to make the best use of your equipment, and the company has immense stock levels across the UK at any one time – well in excess of any other system scaffolding manufacturer. If the equipment is not in the UK, it can be delivered in just 2-3 days.
As an example of Layher’s manufacturing capacity, it can produce 35,000 ledgers in one day. The company has also just built the largest galvanising plant in Europe. So you’re not just buying the kit – you’re buying innovation, engineering expertise, training, product support and ongoing customer service. In fact, Tier 1 and 3 contractors regularly approach Layher direct to ask about using system on their projects.
Layher has great brand awareness – there’s no getting away from the fact that it is the JCB of the scaffolding world – and will support your business to make the most of your system scaffolding option. It also has dedicated schemes to help you buy your equipment in a manageable way.
You only get what you pay for – so to support your own business growth, choose a sustainable, reliable original manufacturer, and never be tempted to mix. 
The rise of scaffolders into the top three highest-paid trades reflects the growing demand for skilled labour in the UK. As large construction projects and housing developments continue to expand, scaffolders have become indispensable, not only ensuring the safety and efficiency of construction sites but also securing substantial paychecks for themselves.
As salaries in the trade sector rise, more and more professionals may find themselves considering a career in scaffolding. For those looking to earn top wages in this field, location seems to play a critical role, with key cities offering significantly higher earning potential than others.
For the latest jobs in scaffolding, visit our Scaffolding Jobs Board 
In their remarks, the judges highlighted the pride, knowledge, and passion evident throughout Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding’s operations. “The company has built its success on a foundation of developing and investing in its workforce and systems,” they noted, pointing to establishing a new training centre and using innovative interactive training tools. These initiatives and a strong focus on sustainability and community engagement made Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding a deserving winner.
Competing against strong finalists such as Allied Access, Connolly Scaffolding, and GKR Scaffolding, Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding stood out not only for its technical capabilities but also for its commitment to leaving a lasting positive impact on both the local community and the scaffolding industry as a whole.
Construction News editor Colin Marrs praised the essential role of specialist contractors in the construction sector, stating: “Without our skilled specialists, there would be no building industry. The tradespeople on sites across the country are the engine of our sector, turning dreams into reality.
The CN Specialists Awards is a time to celebrate the dedication, craftsmanship, and expertise that these individuals bring to the world.” 