HAKI Safety has reported lower third-quarter earnings in its scaffolding business, with UK demand remaining weak and larger orders postponed.
The Swedish group’s July–September 2026 report, published on 20 October, shows Scaffolding Systems sales of SEK 152 million, down from SEK 158 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITA fell to SEK 9 million from SEK 14 million, while the division’s margin declined from 8.9% to 5.9%.
HAKI said demand for products used in UK new construction and property renovation remained soft. It attributed the division’s lower earnings to higher sales and development costs and lower sales following the postponement of a couple of larger orders.
The company did not identify those delayed orders as UK projects. Its Scaffolding Systems division, which includes HAKI and EKRO, supplies several markets, with the UK accounting for 16% of sales over the latest rolling 12-month period.
Conditions elsewhere were mixed. Demand from Norwegian energy projects remained healthy, while Swedish construction and renovation demand improved. Denmark saw increased renovation demand and seasonally strong festival-related activity.
UK weakness also affected the separate Work Zone Safety division, which supplies fall-protection products, catchfans, barriers and access platforms. HAKI said delayed construction starts linked to changes in fire-prevention regulations for high-rise buildings and healthcare facilities continued to affect UK fall-protection demand.
Acquisitions lifted Work Zone Safety sales to SEK 113 million from SEK 91 million, but adjusted EBITA halved to SEK 5 million. HAKI said lower fall-protection sales, a suspended planned order and the initial losses at newly acquired Combisafe weighed on earnings.
Across the group, quarterly sales rose 8% to SEK 311 million, driven by acquisitions, while organic sales fell 4%. Adjusted EBITA declined to SEK 14 million from SEK 24 million.
The results also update the financial impact of the Combisafe integration announced in September. Restructuring and integration costs are estimated at SEK 26 million, of which SEK 17 million affected the third quarter.
Reported operating profit nevertheless rose to SEK 37 million from SEK 30 million. It included a SEK 36 million gain because the value of the acquired assets exceeded the purchase price.
HAKI expects restructuring of Combisafe and its UK fall-protection operation to continue affecting the fourth quarter before integration is complete. Outgoing chief executive Sverker Lindberg said profitability remained a priority for each business area.
