The event opened this morning, Thursday 10 September, with contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, training providers and industry bodies gathering in Manchester for the third edition of ScaffEx.
This year’s show is visibly larger than previous editions, with NASC President Sarah Klieve telling delegates during the opening session that there were more suppliers, more sectors and more products and services represented across the exhibition.
The conference programme began alongside the exhibition, with host Sophie Long setting out three main themes for the next two days: “skills, safety and success”.
Klieve used her welcome address to encourage visitors to make full use of the event, meet suppliers, ask questions and share experiences with others across the industry.
She also pointed to the continuing skills shortage as one of the biggest issues facing scaffolding businesses.
“We need the good people coming through,” she said. “We need to give them the right skills and support, and we need to show that scaffolding can offer a genuine, rewarding and long-term career.”
Drawing on her own experience at family-owned High Peak Scaffolding, Klieve said the business had put at least 45 apprentices through the programme during her time with the company, with many still working there.
She said apprenticeships remained important, although the industry would need to look at a wider range of routes to bring people into scaffolding.
The opening session also included remarks from Layher Managing Director Sean Pike, principal sponsor of ScaffEx26, before the conference moved into a discussion on the commercial pressures affecting the scaffolding supply chain.
Topics included payment terms, the allocation of risk, workforce pressures, safety expectations and relationships between contractors and clients.
A recorded message from Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey also paid tribute to former NASC President Wayne Connolly and called for greater recognition of scaffolding as a skilled profession.
Away from the conference stage, the exhibition floor is hosting companies from across the scaffolding and access sector, with new equipment, digital tools, safety products and training initiatives being presented during the show.
Several launches are taking place across the two days.
Scafom-rux is introducing its new VECTA aluminium temporary roof and beam system, while SMART Scaffolder is using the event to present its AI Voice Reporting technology.
CISRS has also announced a new Train the Trainer programme aimed at creating a route for experienced scaffolders to move into training.
Live demonstrations form another major part of the event.
AT-PAC is due in the Demo Zone this afternoon with its Weather Protection Solutions presentation, including the Scaffix temporary roof system.
NASC will then demonstrate the latest changes to the TG20 ePortal, including support for 1.5m lifts and scaffold returns.
Conference sessions continue throughout today and Friday, covering skills, safety, business pressures, technology and technical development.
ScaffEx26 will conclude tomorrow evening with the Scaffolding Excellence Awards at Manchester Central.
Scaffmag is reporting from the event throughout both days, with further news, interviews and product coverage to follow.
