This year marks a major milestone for Scaftec Ltd, the Glasgow-based scaffold design consultancy that has quietly grown into one of the UK’s most respected engineering firms in its field.
With three decades under its belt and a footprint stretching from Scotland to Saudi Arabia and as far as New Zealand, Scaftec is celebrating more than just longevity—it’s celebrating leadership, resilience, and world-class engineering.
Founded in 1995 by Bill Ferguson, Scaftec emerged just as the UK construction industry was preparing for the introduction of CDM regulations. “I’d started with SGB in 1984 and realised the incoming CDM regulations would mean that anything outside of a standard scaffold would now require strength and stability calculations,” Bill recalls. “Most large contractors had in-house engineering, but the smaller independents didn’t. I believed there was an opportunity to provide that service.”
What began as a niche offering quickly gained traction. “I had no clue it would grow to the extent it has,” says Bill. “Most of our early clients came through referrals or people who knew me. If you provide a good service, the word soon gets out. A large percentage of those original clients are still with us today.”
From Tracing Paper to Finite Element Analysis
Scaftec’s journey has mirrored the evolution of the industry itself. “We’ve gone from T-squares and razor blades to CAD and finite element analysis software,” says Bill. “Back in 1995, scaffold design wasn’t even really considered a proper branch of engineering, now, it’s essential!”
The introduction of the Work at Height Regulations in 2005 was a watershed moment. “That really elevated the demand for design,” he says. “We went from 5 to 13 staff in four years” and operated from 3 offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Perth, Australia. Today, the firm employs 10 engineers from the Glasgow-based office and supports clients as far west as Trinidad, as far East as New Zealand and South to Bird Island Antarctica; we are pretty much worldwide.
Among Scaftec’s proudest achievements are the people it has developed. “We’ve helped eight engineers earn their first and upper class degrees while working here. That feels like a real legacy,” We continue to bring in young engineers who work and gain their degree part-time, with two new staff starting in the summer of 25.
Services That Set the Standard
Scaftec specialises in end-to-end scaffold design and temporary works engineering, producing detailed drawings, structural calculations, inspections, and on-site consultancy. From offshore oil platforms to historic castles, their portfolio covers:
- Industrial & Energy: Formwork and falsework design, access scaffolds for refineries, nuclear facilities, and energy-from-waste plants.
- Building & Infrastructure: Façade retention, temporary roofs, bridge scaffolds, and shoring systems.
- Events & Media: Custom structures for concerts, sports events, TV and film—including a notable project for Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Bill recalls the unique challenge that a movie blockbuster presented: “We did the initial design for a motorcycle ramp in North Scotland where Tom Cruise rides off a cliff. Then they changed the location to Norway. We had to re-check everything for environmental loads. Only after the film was released did we find out which movie it was!”
Not Just Complicated—Complex
Some of Scaftec’s most challenging work happens on the world stage. A standout example? “In 2020, we designed a scaffold for a 52m cooling tower in Saudi Arabia. The client initially wanted a freestanding scaffold, but it wasn’t feasible. We explored multiple options with all end users, before ultimately tying in at every node.”
Scaftec used finite element analysis to model the structure, presented solutions to a visiting delegation of PhD client engineers, and oversaw the build across four site visits. “In the end, both the client and end user were delighted,” says Bill. “That’s the kind of result we aim for.”
Leadership With Legacy
Behind the technical precision is a close-knit leadership team with over 170 years of combined scaffolding design experience. Bill, still actively involved, is supported by Technical Directors Grant Keys and Gary Ferguson—Bill’s son, who joined the company in 2007 and earned his MEng in Civil Engineering while working at Scaftec.
“Grant a Chartered Civil Engineer, C Eng MICE, joined us from Jacobs in 2008, and both him and Gary are well placed to take the business on when I decide to retire fully,” Bill adds with a grin. “They think I’m retired now!”
The team fosters a hands-on, collaborative culture, regularly working alongside contractors and site teams to integrate scaffold designs into wider project workflows. This practical approach, backed by technical authority, has earned Scaftec an excellent reputation and fostered long-term relationships across industries and continents.
Building the Future on Experience
Scaftec’s story is one of early insight, adaptive growth, and an unwavering commitment to quality. From the days of ink pens and tracing paper to 3D modelling and global projects, the company has helped scaffold design gain the professional recognition it deserves.
“Our mission remains simple,” Bill says. “To provide technically compliant, easily understood, and cost-effective design solutions for all temporary works and access needs.”
Now in its 30th year, Scaftec continues to shape the future of scaffold engineering—proving that smart design, delivered by skilled people, will always stand the test of time.
