The future location of ScaffChamp is unclear after key figures behind the international scaffolding competition moved on from Layher Baltic.
This year’s event in Vilnius closed after another successful competition, with 19 teams taking part across 2 rounds in front of sponsors, suppliers and supporters from across the scaffolding industry.
RNDV Industries won the title for the second year running, giving the Lithuanian team another major result on home ground.
But the event now enters a period of uncertainty.
Changes behind the event
ScaffChamp has become closely linked with Lithuania and the team at Layher Baltic, who have helped turn it into one of Europe’s most visible international scaffolding competitions.
Viktor Voroncov, one of the figures most closely associated with the event, has already left Layher Baltic after 15 years with the company.
Oleg Abramov, another central driving figure connected with ScaffChamp, is also due to leave Layher Baltic in the near future.
Speaking to Scaffmag during this year’s event, both Voroncov and Abramov said they did not yet know what was planned for ScaffChamp 2027.
Andrius Mikenas, Layher Baltic’s new general manager, said he was confident the event would continue, but confirmed that the final decision rests with Layher Germany.
“The event will continue for sure,” he told Scaffmag. “The question is where.”
Mikenas said Layher Germany controls the ScaffChamp brand and would decide where the next competition is held.
He said it was “hard to say” what would happen in 2027, but added that feedback from Layher representatives at this year’s event had left him confident the competition would continue.
Poland and Germany discussed
Scaffmag understands that Poland and Germany have both been discussed as possible future host countries.
A source familiar with discussions around the event said ScaffChamp was expected to take place next year, but suggested it may not return to Vilnius. The source said Poland or Germany were likely options.
Mikenas also confirmed that Poland had previously been considered as a possible host before the decision was made to hold the 2026 event in Lithuania.
He said moving ScaffChamp to another country would require knowledge and support to be transferred, with local partner companies needing time to prepare.
That could keep Lithuania in the conversation.
Several support companies involved in the Vilnius event already understand the format and have experience helping deliver it. Asked whether he would like ScaffChamp to return to Lithuania, Mikenas said he would be happy to host it again.
He also suggested Abramov could continue to support the event after leaving Layher Baltic, potentially through a subcontracted role.
ScaffChamp has built a strong following because it gives working scaffolders a rare public platform.
Teams are judged on safety, speed, accuracy and teamwork as they complete a timed scaffold build in front of an industry audience.
This year’s competition included teams from Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Ireland, Türkiye, Mongolia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Italy, Peru, Romania, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Canada.
For competitors, the event is a chance to represent their country, employer and trade on an international stage.
For Layher, the decision now is whether to keep ScaffChamp in Lithuania, where the support network is already in place, or take the competition to another country under the ScaffChamp brand.
No formal announcement has yet been made on the 2027 event.
