AK Scaffolding will represent the UK at the 2026 Scaffold Builders’ Competition, taking place at the World of Concrete Expo in Las Vegas.
The event, organised by the Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA) and sponsored by Layher, is recognised as one of the scaffolding industry’s leading contests. It challenges teams to build and dismantle complex scaffold structures within strict time limits, while being judged on safety, accuracy, and teamwork.
AK Scaffolding, led by Aaron King, earned international attention after competing at ScaffChamp in Lithuania earlier this year. The company will now step onto one of the industry’s biggest global stages in the United States.
Mr King said: “We’re delighted to be heading to Las Vegas to compete on such a huge platform. We’re proud to be a force for good — all the work we do with prisoners and ex-offenders, paying for their training courses and giving them that second chance, sets us apart. We’re the only scaffolding specialised labour-only company doing this, and we want to show what’s possible when you invest in people.”
Paige DeVosha, Operations Administrator at the SAIA, added: “The SBC brings together some of the world’s best scaffold builders to showcase their skill, safety, and innovation. We wish AK Scaffolding the very best as they represent the UK.”
The 2025 edition of the competition saw Scaffold Resource, Inc. of the US take the top prize, with Leading Edge Scaffold finishing second and Bechtel Equipment Operations in third. That event featured 18 teams, including international entries from the UK.
The World of Concrete Expo attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and is among the largest construction trade shows in the world. Alongside the competition, the 2026 event will also feature training sessions, equipment demonstrations and industry awards.
