ORGANISERS of ScaffEx25 have described the event as an ‘important and potentially defining moment’ for the global scaffolding and access industry.
Trade body NASC hosted the exhibition and conference in Manchester last month. Delegates from 19 countries were in attendance to witness the latest sector products and innovations, and debate some of the biggest issues currently facing the sector. The event was even covered by the BBC in the organisation’s flagship TV breakfast show.
Derek MacHale, who leads on ScaffEx for NASC, told Project Scotland that having all aspects of the industry gathered under one roof for the first time ‘felt like a pivotal moment’. He described the way exhibitors embraced the event as ‘incredible’, highlighting the sheer scale of some of the stands.
“The amount of new, innovative products and services launched and shown off in the demo zone was great,” Derek stated. “Overall, the positive atmosphere and buzz throughout the two days was a definite highlight. The air of collaboration, the real sense of deals being done was everywhere. Having BBC Breakfast broadcast live from the event on Friday morning was obviously a nice bonus.”
The future of scaffolding was debated across two days in the conference hall at Manchester Central. Issues including skills shortages; attracting new talent; health and safety; how the industry is embracing technology; training and education; and the changing nature of procurement were among the featured topics.
“The consistency of the message about the talent crisis was a standout,” Derek added. “While it’s a known challenge across the industry, it was striking how often is cropped up in the Q&As, discussions, and interviews. And the recognition that we need to recruit from as wide a talent pool as possible. There was also a surprising amount of focus on the importance of leadership across the industry and the role such leadership plays in building businesses with a safety-first culture.”
Derek believes trade events such as ScaffEx are massively important. He revealed that the general perception across the entire event was that this was exactly what the industry needed and has been waiting for, adding that feedback from delegates has been ‘powerfully and overwhelmingly positive’.
“We are still collecting responses from the post-event survey, so we only have anecdotal feedback,” he added. “But for an audience that doesn’t shy away from being vocal in its criticism, we have only heard upbeat and positive things. There has also been a very strong uptake for re-bookings for next year, with lots of exhibitors expressing a desire to go even bigger next year.”
ScaffEx25 followed the inaugural event in Belfast last year, which was on a much smaller scale. Derek said next year is going to be ‘even bigger and bolder’. “The expo will be larger, the conference even better, and the awards more glamorous again. There are lots of plans for new zones and areas of interest, but it’s probably too early to share details. Look out for a focus on innovation is all as much as we can say at this stage.”
The winners of the Scaffolding Excellence Awards 2025 were announced at a star-studded event to mark the end of ScaffEx25. The ceremony was co-hosted by Alex Jones and Clare Balding, with contributions from comedian Leigh Francis, England rugby legend Mike Tindall, and singer-songwriter Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays.
The biggest winner was the so-called ‘Beast of Blenheim’, with Allen & Foxworthy winning two awards for Design of the Year and Project of the Year – Large. Judges singled out the Blenheim Palace roof restoration for its ‘innovation, creativity and problem-solving on a job that demanded genuine out-of-the-box thinking’.
JMAC’s Rhys Bennet was named Apprentice of the Year and Benchmark Scaffolding’s Rob West was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The judges said, “Rob has played a transformative role in shaping industry standards, safety culture, workforce development and innovation. Through his commitment to safety, professionalism and technical excellence, he’s earned Benchmark a reputation as a nationally respected provider trusted by clients in the commercial, rail, infrastructure and heritage sectors. He has also made contributions beyond the business, shaping industry thinking and empowering others to drive improvements across scaffolding.”
Other winners included Leach’s (Service of the Year); Proplant Scaffolding (Project of the Year – Small); Staht (Product of the Year); Rose System Scaffolding (Project of the Year – Medium); and ISS (Project of the Year – Major).
Clive Dickin, group CEO, NASC and CISRS, said, “The Scaffolding Excellence Awards is always a brilliant night. It’s a great opportunity for the industry to get together and celebrate the achievements of the brilliant people in the industry. The winning projects are remarkable examples of what this industry can and does achieve every day. Well done to all the winners and anyone highly commended.”
ScaffEx25 was also the venue for the inaugural meeting of the International Access and Scaffolding Association (IASA). The new global trade body has been hailed as ‘one of the most significant international developments’ in the industry for half a century. The organisation brings together leading trade bodies from the UK, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia, United States, and Canada, uniting under one banner to represent the scaffolding and access industry on the world stage.
For the first time, the sector has a single international voice dedicated to ensuring scaffolding and access is recognised as a vital enabler of construction, infrastructure, and industrial projects globally.
IASA has identified five key areas of collective action to transform the scaffolding and access sector:
• Improving the Image of Scaffolding – repositioning the industry as a professional, skilled, and essential trade.
• Developing Global Talent – creating pathways to attract, train, and retain the next generation of scaffolding professionals.
• Driving Innovation – sharing best practice, advancing technology, and embracing sustainable solutions.
• Strengthening Compliance – raising standards of safety, quality, and professionalism worldwide.
• Standardising Training – establishing consistent, high-quality training approaches to support global workforce mobility.
Speaking on behalf of IASA, Wayne Connolly, president of NASC, said, “The formation of IASA marks a turning point for our industry. For the first time, the world’s leading scaffolding and access associations are working together with a united purpose: to champion our sector, elevate standards, and secure its rightful recognition as critical to the success of projects everywhere.”
By combining knowledge, expertise, and influence, IASA aims to become a hub for collaboration across continents, fostering stronger relationships between industry leaders, contractors, educators, regulators, and clients. The International Access and Scaffolding Association will now begin outreach to other nations, encouraging them to engage in this ‘unprecedented opportunity’ to advance the sector collectively.
