German robotics company KEWAZO is establishing its first dedicated UK sales team as it looks to support growing demand for its LIFTBOT material transport system across the scaffolding sector.
The company has appointed James Ball to focus on the industrial market, with Fil Osmolski due to join from 1 September covering commercial scaffolding.
Until this summer, KEWAZO’s UK sales activity had been managed from its headquarters in Germany.
Jonas Lerchenmüller, Head of Sales Europe & UK at KEWAZO, said demand from UK contractors had reached the point where the company needed people based directly in the market.
“Increasing demand in commercial and industrial scaffolding, particularly from clients like Bilfinger UK, MR Scaffolding, Rowecord Total Access and TRAD Scaffolding, underlined the need for a change,” he said.
Industrial experience for Ball
James Ball brings 17 years of scaffolding and industrial experience to the role.
He began his career on the tools before working across major turnarounds, outages and capital projects. He later became Site Manager for Altrad Services UK at Dow Silicones UK in Barry.
Ball first encountered KEWAZO’s LIFTBOT in 2021, when the system was introduced to the Dow site during a major project.
“Back then we were looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce manual handling and keep our existing workforce healthy,” Ball said.
“Once the robot arrived on site and training was done, we could immediately see the potential.”
The initial deployment developed into a longer-term arrangement, with the LIFTBOT remaining on site for more than 3 years and being used on projects above 10 metres.
Ball said the system helped reduce the physical load on scaffolders while also cutting reliance on traditional rope-and-wheel material handling.
“We had our client’s buy-in right away, and it made us look great compared to competitors who were still using rope and wheel, while my guys went home significantly less tired every day,” he said.
The project later received an innovation award from Dow Silicones.
Ball joined KEWAZO this summer following the announcement that the Dow site was to close.
“I am convinced that the LIFTBOT is a great solution on any larger industrial setup,” he said. “I want to share my experience with the industry, and I am excited to support KEWAZO’s growth even further.”
Osmolski to focus on commercial scaffolding
Fil Osmolski is due to join KEWAZO on 1 September, bringing more than 16 years of scaffolding industry experience.
Much of his career was spent with Altrad Generation, where he progressed through internal and external sales before becoming Sales Manager and Business Development Manager.
He also spent 2 years running an independent scaffold inspection and consultancy business.
Osmolski first encountered KEWAZO at a demonstration day in Walthamstow.
“Scaffolding is a traditional industry,” he said. “So to see a German company bringing innovation to the market, having success in the UK, and offering a genuine solution with immediate value, that was of huge interest to me.”
His background covers system scaffolding, tube and fitting, temporary roofs and recladding.
KEWAZO has also been developing the use of LIFTBOT with tube-and-fitting scaffolding contractors. The company said projects involving MR Scaffolding and Chorley Scaffolding had helped expand the system’s use in that part of the market.
Osmolski said: “It’s a humble opportunity to be trusted with helping build a serious, strong and stable presence for KEWAZO in the UK from this stage.”
The appointments give KEWAZO its first sales team based specifically in the UK and come as the company prepares to exhibit at ScaffEx in Manchester in September.
Both Ball and Osmolski are expected to attend the event alongside KEWAZO’s wider team, where the company will demonstrate its latest LIFTBOT technology.
