Scott Shaw, Petzl UK professional manager, answers Project Scotland’s questions about the firm’s innovative products for the scaffolding and access sector, standing out in a competitive field, and presence in the Scottish market
Q) What is the history of Petzl and how has the business evolved over the years?
A) Petzl’s story began in the 1930s in the French Alps, when craftsman and caving enthusiast Fernand Petzl began developing his own equipment to tackle the challenges he encountered underground. His workshop, based near Grenoble, produced increasingly innovative tools for cavers and mountaineers,. The family business grew during the 1960s, with the Petzl brand formally established in 1970.
Innovation remained central to the company’s development. In 1973, Petzl introduced the first modern headlamp, allowing users to keep their hands free — an idea that would go on to become fundamental to sport activities and professionals. The company subsequently expanded beyond caving into climbing, while also applying its expertise to professional rope access, rescue and work-at-height safety. If you need to work in the dark or at height, Petzl are the market leaders in efficiency and quality.
Today, Petzl is still family-owned and headquartered in Crolles, at the foot of the Dent de Crolles where its story began. From its origins as a small Alpine workshop, it has evolved into a global business with around 1,200 employees, four production sites and products sold in more than 55 countries. Its equipment now serves climbers, mountaineers, runners and outdoor enthusiasts alongside industry workers, rescuers and professionals. Despite that international growth, Petzl’s philosophy remains rooted in the same principle that drove Fernand Petzl: understanding a real problem and inventing a better, safer way to solve it.
Q) What are some of your standout products?
A) We take a solutions-based approach, developing integrated products that are designed to work seamlessly together, helping to improve efficiency, comfort and ease of use. A simple example is our headlamp range, which integrates neatly with Petzl helmets without compromising the fit or function of either product.
For the scaffolding and access markets, the VERTEX helmet is a standout product. Its four-point chinstrap helps keep the helmet securely in place, while the DUAL chinstrap allows the user to adapt the retention strength depending on whether they are working at height or on the ground. Petzl’s CENTERFIT adjustment system keeps the helmet centred on the head, providing a secure and comfortable fit for prolonged use. A wide range of compatible accessories, including visors, nape protectors and headlamps, allows the helmet to be configured for different working environments.
The NEWTON FAST fall-arrest harness continues this focus on simplicity and ease of use. Available in two sizes with a 60-140kg weight range, it features FAST buckles on the leg loops for straightforward fitting without the need to step through the harness, together with simple chest fastening and adjustment. The result is a secure, consistent fit that is quick and intuitive to achieve.
Q) Are you doing much business in Scotland? Do you see scope for expanding this?
A) Petzl has a long-established retailer network across Scotland, working with key local PPE specialists as well as larger national suppliers. While our heritage in the region has traditionally been closely associated with rope access and rescue, we are increasingly promoting the benefits of the wider Petzl range across the broader work at height and construction markets.
Petzl’s focus on product design, attention to detail and ergonomics is helping to open new doors, and we are seeing encouraging growth as more users discover the benefits our products can bring to their day-to-day work.
Q) How competitive is the market and how do you stand out in that environment?
A) The market remains highly competitive, increasingly however, customers are recognising the quality we bring at Petzl, based on our long history of PPE, along with the value of a complete working-at-height solution, where quality, durability and comprehensive technical support are considered alongside the initial purchase price.
Every piece of Petzl PPE is supported by a technical notice, detailed inspection procedure and inspection checklist, while Petzl’s EPPEcentre platform enables users to track equipment, inspections and usage throughout the entire life of the product. Together, these resources help customers manage their PPE effectively and provide confidence well beyond the initial purchase.
Q) What kind of equipment innovations do you offer the scaffolding and access sector?
A) One of the key innovations Petzl has launched in the last few years is the ABSORBICA compact fall arrest lanyard range that when integrated with our harnesses offers fall protection for your workforce. Knowing that every user is protected if they were to fall brings peace of mind. The ABSORBICA range comes in a range of lengths and designs for multiple working environments.
Q) How has the health and safety landscape changed over the years in which Petzl has been in operation?
A) With a 50-year history rooted in exploration and rescue, and more than 30 years dedicated to professional markets from rescue to rope access, Petzl has seen approaches to health and safety evolve in ways that could scarcely have been imagined when the company began.
One principle, however, has remained constant: the philosophy of developing better, safer products has always guided the way forward. Alongside product innovation, a key pillar of Petzl’s approach has been sharing the knowledge gained through the research and testing undertaken to solve real-world problems. Petzl’s distinctive technical line drawings, developed to clearly communicate techniques and best practice, have become widely recognised across many of the professional communities in which we work.
By actively contributing to these communities and the wider industry conversation, Petzl has remained closely involved in the evolution of standards, techniques and working practices.
