Update

W INTER 2009
Building the future
on innovation
Innovation – a key factor that has contributed to the success in the scaffolding and
access industry which we have enjoyed at Layher for more than 60 years. Developing
new opportunities for our scaffold and temporary roof system users to make the most of
their investment is, we believe, fundamental.

This issue of Update Layher highlights a number of additions which have now been brought to
the market. The new rolling temporary roof bearing, which offers distinct operational benefits
on site, and the new Layher Event Truss which, we believe, will be welcomed by everyone
in the sector, are prime examples. Both are the result of intensive design, development and
testing procedures at our manufacturing plant as is the new STAR Frame – also featured in this
issue – which enhances the benefits of Allround® scaffolding with a new ‘easy to fit’, highly
versatile option (see photo top right).

Yet, it is not only on the computer and in the factory that product design takes shape. By
working closely with scaffolding contractors, we can produce highly innovative solutions
on site. A prime example of this has
been seen on the banks of the River
Thames at Battersea where, working with
TRAD Scaffolding Co. Ltd., we have
developed a hoist system that is bringing
distinct advantages to the building work
being undertaken by Weston Homes plc
In this (see photo bottom right). Further details

issue... on this particular step forward are also

highlighted inside.
• In the field … from the banks of the
Thames to the North Sea, by way of the An ongoing commitment to moving product
world’s tallest and a major show award design and application possibilities forward
– Layher installations meet wide ranging
needs .................................. pages 2 – 5 has underpinned our growth in recent years
and is acknowledged by users of Layher
• Innovation and training – central to ongoing
success and helping you to make the most systems worldwide. It is an approach that
of Layher .............................. pages 6– 7
has served us and our customers well in
the past…and will continue to do so in
• Investment in Germany and investment in the future.
Scotland – taking a positive view of 2009
..................................................... page 8
See inside for the full
story from Battersea…
LADDERS AND STAIRTOWERS PROTECTION SYSTEMS
ALLROUND® SCAFFOLDING ROLLING TOWERS
SPEEDYSCAF® EVENT SYSTEM Download videos
FALSEWORK ACCESSORIES
from our website… More Possibilities
The Scaffolding System
Safety in scaffolding
construction
 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Innovation on the banks of
the Thames
Allround® scaffolding system versatility is
clearly demonstrated at ‘Bridges Wharf’ in
Battersea where Weston Homes Plc is creating
a combination of residential units, commercial
premises and a five star ‘von Essen’ hotel.
Importantly, the Layher design has also allowed
three highly innovative hoist towers to be installed.
Three individually shaped buildings, featuring
a number of radiuses, are key features at the
site. Close work with TRAD Scaffolding Co. Ltd.
has provided multiple lift access as well as the
independent materials/personnel hoists. Using
Layher Allround®, these ‘Common Hoist Towers’ the scaffold,” points out Neil Garner, Divisional the Layher tower with further specialist couplers
have been built directly from the scaffolding Director of TRAD Scaffolding. “Each hoist is transferring the loads through the tower and into
avoiding the requirement to tie-in to the building. designed to a height of 50 metres and features a the scaffold structure.
“Providing optimum access for both cladding and central cluster of six Allround® standards, allowing This major development in the area is set to
rendering work at every level, a key objective of a different combination of hoists and cars to be become a significant feature in Battersea when
the scaffolding, has been greatly aided by the clear used with each tower.” The hoists themselves completed. “The installation is not only highly
walkways with the Allround® design,” comments were supplied by Alimac via hire company effective in meeting multi-lift access needs on site,
UK Managing Director, Sean Pike. GB Access. but we believe it also demonstrates the versatility
“The use of the Layher system has enabled us Bespoke couplers, also developed jointly by Layher of the Allround® system and the ingenuity of all
to meet the tight programme for the erection of and TRAD Scaffolding, tie the hoists directly to concerned,” concludes Sean Pike.

®
Allround meets need for speed at ‘The Bridge’
Timber frame and block construction of residential units built by Taylor Wimpey in Dartford is gaining from Layher
Allround® scaffolding. Fastfix Scaffolding of Horley, Surrey have been contracted for the work at ‘The Bridge’ site
and Managing Director Danny Hall highlights key advantages of Allround® in terms of layout and erection speed.
“A typical four storey block can proceed from scaffold installation to a dry structure in two weeks, so speed is vital,” he says. “We believe Allround®
is some three times faster to erect than conventional tube and fitting and, importantly, it can also be readily adapted on site.” Layher stairtowers and
material platforms are also used to provide full access to up to ten lifts. “Narrow gaps between blocks are easily addressed while clear walkways
are a major benefit during preformed section
installation,” adds Danny Hall. Co-operation
between Layher and Fastfix has also
produced a special timber frame extension
bracket – removed after use to allow the
brickwork to be inserted.
“The advantages offered to the various
trades on site by both the speed and design
of the Layher system are significant and
overall its use has proven to be even more
beneficial than we originally thought,” adds
Paul Worrell, Production Manager for
Taylor Wimpey at ‘The Bridge’.

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. Taking care in the city Keeping up with
the world’s tallest
The City of London has gained from the
Layher Protect system during demolition
of the NM Rothschild building ahead of the
creation of a new 15 storey office block
under construction manager Bovis Lend
Lease.

Lyndon Scaffolding have used the system

to minimise the inevitable dust and
noise arising from the work undertaken
by McGee Demolition who removed the
existing eight storey building and concrete
basement slab. The Protect design – steel
ightweight
panels fixed to a lightweight
aluminium frame – also
nal
benefited from internal
sound deadening
material on the
Claimed to be the world’s tallest modern
inside face.
timber residential building, the construction of
“The installation Mike
M Langton. 28 metre high Murray Grove for Telford Homes
was dismantled “W
“We believe it has Plc, has gained from Layher’s Allround® system
after the mu
much to offer at installed by Connect Scaffolding.
completion of the loc
locations such as The structure’s pre-fabricated design meant
demolition work this – surrounded building work moved ahead very quickly,
and then simplyy by ba
banking institutions requiring the scaffold system to keep pace.
fold
re-erected on scaffold com
and commercial offices “We utilised Layher’s Allround® for the
n off the
frameworks to screen – where the disruption from external façade with the scaffold access
site for the new build operations,” such work needs to be at an staying approximately one storey ahead of the
said Lyndon Scaffolding Area Manager, absolute minimum.” construction work,” comments Oliver Cave,
Connect Scaffolding Director. “The nine week
project has seen one floor completed every
seven days which would have been difficult
with a conventional tube and fitting
scaffolding.”
The wide bay Allround® design also helped
with the offloading of the cross-laminated
timber panels, from Austrian manufacturer KLH,
whilst the precise fixing positions of the
Allround® system helped to create an extremely
tidy site in this busy north London location.

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 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Layher Protect System…at sea!
Significant protection during repair work – particularly from high wind conditions
– has been achieved offshore through the use of the Layher Protect system. The
innovative installation, on the Shell Leman Echo Platform, has seen BIS Salamis Ltd.
provide a highly effective solution to specific operational requirements.

The work scope centred on composite lighting and ventilation installed to allow
and paint repairs to a 36-metre vent stack ‘around-the-clock’ working by the rope
on the platform. Significant cost gains access teams. By ensuring the work could
have arisen from the ability of the Protect proceed efficiently, the risk of expensive
installation to allow rope access and grit weather downtime was avoided, and
blasting operations to be undertaken at the the use of available bed space while an
same time as other major scopes of work accommodation barge was alongside,
– this was particularly important as, due to maximised.
the small size of the platform, conflicting
“BIS Salamis Ltd.’s strong relationship
activities were required to be segregated or with Layher in the UK allowed us to offer an
avoided. The solution allowed the work to innovative solution on such a large scale to
be undertaken without impacting on other one of our key clients and only with Layher
planned activities on the platform, therefore support were we able to take this project
allowing the most effective use to be made of from concept to reality in the limited time
available resources. available,” comments Mick Chisholm, BIS innovative solutions to its clients and we are
The lower 22 metres of the vent stack Salamis Operations Manager. grateful to Layher for its support in helping us
benefited from the Layher installation with “BIS Salamis are committed to offering achieve this,” he concludes.

Layher
y Keder roof –
passing the university exam
An excellent site environment while allowing metal chimney structure, with an arrangement
the building to continue operation has been of steel ties was also accommodated,” he says.
achieved by a Layher temporary roof facility at Allround® was also used to create a
the University of Bath. scaffold tunnel to span a busy roadway that
Allround® scaffolding, positioned around runs along the fourth side of the building.
three sides of the accounts and administration Richard Clarke points out that the
block, has supported a Keder apex roof installation was completed in less than
system covering the flat roof area during 2 weeks – markedly more quickly than
refurbishment – part of the ongoing would have been achievable with
maintenance programme conducted by the traditional tube and fitting alternatives.
University. “The key benefit of the system from our point
“We needed to provide a well lit working of view was that the clear span nature of the
area with high quality protection against the supporting system to the over-roof meant that
elements, both for the workforce and the a safe working environment was provided
University staff who have continued to work without the need for intermediate support
within the building,” says Richard Clarke of from the structure beneath,” comments
scaffolding contractors, Clarke Brothers. Jon Down, Project Surveyor at King Sturge
“The Allround® scaffold structure was Building Consultancy who have overseen the
erected along three open sides with the Keder project on behalf of the Estates Department at
frame work and sheeting fixed above. A large the University.

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. Layher Allround ®

scaffolding takes off at

Heathrow hotel Unconventional hotel construction near
Heathrow Airport has been significantly
enhanced by the use of a scaffold system
from Layher Ltd. which has been able to
keep pace with the rapid build programme.
The project, which is seeing the building
of the 307 room Heathrow Travelodge, is
centred on the use of sea containers which,
it is claimed, represents an economical
and environmentally sound method of
construction.
Mel Archer, Managing Director at Archway
Services PLC, who have installed the Layher

Award winner on show! Allround® system, explains –

“The containers are used to create a ‘skeleton’
Acorn Event Solutions, in conjunction with Coopers Marquees, has won the prestigious first of the hotel structure which, importantly, can
prize for its exhibition stand at the recent Showman Show in Newbury – with a little help from be recycled when the building reaches the
the Layher system design. end of its natural life or requires demolition,”
A major stage structure measuring some 20 metres wide with a depth of 15 metres and he says. “However, this means that the
height of 14 metres was erected using Layher equipment. The scaffold structure was then building has risen in much less than half
encased on three sides and the roof, using the Keder protection system, whilst the new the time required to build a conventionally
Layher Truss unit was also used to provide lighting gantries above the stage area. Joint- constructed hotel which pointed us in the
exhibitors Coopers Marquees also benefited from an elevated scaffold marquee base which direction of the Layher Allround® modular
was built additionally by Acorn alongside the main stand. system. This can be installed significantly
more quickly than conventional tube and
“Our presence at the show centred on the stage facility alongside a series of ramps
fitting and could therefore keep pace with
and staircases which detailed our overall ability in this sector,” comments Andy Nutter,
the structure as it was assembled.”
Managing Director at Acorn Event Solutions – part of the Acorn Group. “The use of the
Layher system results in simplicity of construction to provide a clear stage area for a vast The Layher Allround® modular scaffolding
range of concerts, events and promotions. system comprises just eight standard

“We are extremely delighted with the award presented jointly to ourselves and Coopers Marquees, components which are fixed and secured

and very proud to have been recognised at this important exhibition for the work that we do in the to the system’s Allround ® connector. In

event and staging market,” concludes Andy Nutter – seen centre, below, with Johnny Cooper, turn, this features a rosette welded onto

MD, Coopers Marquees (left) and Show Manager/Organiser, Jeremy Lance (right). the upright which can safely and securely
accommodate eight individual connections at
varying levels and varying angles.
“With construction methods that call for an
economic and efficient approach, we believe
that the use of our system by Archway
Services PLC is very logical,” adds Layher’s
UK Managing Director, Sean Pike. “This is a
highly innovative and impressive project and
one to which we have been delighted to be
able to contribute.”

5
 Making the most of the Layh
Simple, quick, effective: our new ‘star’ is born
We are delighted to announce a major rosette connector design,” says UK Managing connector design, it further extends what
enhancement of our highly successful Director, Sean Pike. “However, because these we believe to be a highly versatile system.
Allround® modular scaffolding system. Now are pre-formed, erection and dismantling
“Because the STAR Frame concept links
available in the UK, the new ‘STAR Frame’ speeds are significantly enhanced whilst
directly to the Allround® product, users can
comprises just two additional components overall, a weight saving of some 42% against
benefit from the full range of installation
which interface directly with the Allround® comparable Allround® components – which
capability of the established system,” he
design. This results in both rapid assembly are already well known for their lightweight
concludes. “This brings together the multiple
and relocation benefits which to date have characteristics – can be realised.”
benefits of speed, simplicity, versatility and
most notably been associated with the Layher
The simplicity of the guard rail cost efficiency into a single, simple design.”
‘Speedyscaf’ system.
connection, which comprises
“The two new component a hook system that can be Key Features
elements – pre-formed assembled without tools and
rectangular frames and then securely locked with a high
separate guard rails – visibility closing bracket, is a key
feature our highly versatile factor. This means that correct
locking can be established ‘at
a glance’ although the design
means that, even when the
bracket is not closed, guard rails
are secured against accidental
removal. Only two additional main components required
42% weight saving
Importantly, any standard Layher deck can
Fast assembly
be used with the new system although
Compatible with Layher Allround® components,
there is no requirement for every lift to protection systems and accessories
be fully decked – reducing the equipment Cost effective system design
costs as a direct result. System flexibility meets a vast range of
installation requirements
“We believe this is a revolutionary design
Revolutionary guard rail fixture and closing
which will be recognised by everybody bracket design – requires no tools
that benefits from our scaffold systems,” High visibility locking check
adds Sean Pike. “Thanks to the rosette Simple storage and location

Training – central to everyone’s success

Ensuring all scaffolders using our equipment with this Layher training qualification,”
are correctly qualified is a key factor comments Layher UK MD, Sean Pike.
behind our position as a leading
“Apart from a clear legal requirement
supplier of system scaffolding.
under the Work at Height Regulations,
Our CISRS approved training centre at a fully trained workforce has been
Letchworth offers general and product proven to increase quality, technical
courses – many with independent and safety standards for scaffold
training specialists such as structures with increased productivity
Acorn Training and Simian Skill. also reported,” comments Simian Skill
MD, Simon Hughes.
“The two day CISRS Layher Allround® course
sees successful delegates receiving a “The two day SSPTS courses are best
Completion Certificate allowing them to apply explained as a ‘conversion course’ for tube
for their current CISRS card to be endorsed and fitting scaffolders,” he adds.

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er commitment to innovation
A major boost to the Layher event system
range has been announced with the New truss ”A choice of truss dimensions is available
in lengths between ½ metre and 5 metres

takes
introduction of a new truss system. which can be assembled to provide point
loads up to 2078 kg and uniform loads
The development represents distinct
up to 610 kg/m,” points out Layher UK’s

centre stage
advantages to everyone involved in
Managing Director, Sean Pike, ”whilst
the event sector and, because it offers
two and three way corner pieces and
high load capacities and a fast rigging
the connector add a degree of flexibility
design, will open up new application
which will be recognised by everybody in
opportunities. Constructed around a four the industry.”
cord configuration, a choice of dimensions
and loading capabilities is available with
only a few additional components then
required – corner pieces, connecting units
and base plates.

The new Layher Event Truss is designed

with a choice of installation needs in
mind. It is therefore fully compatible with
both system and tube and fit scaffolds
making it ideal for a range of application
environments – from exhibition stands
and display units to concert stages and
presentation areas.

New rolling roof bearing –

more room for manoeuvre
The versatility of the Layher temporary roofing system is being significantly
enhanced with a new rolling multi-directional bearing. The development will
not only allow temporary roofing sections to be moved more easily
but its design also negates any potential problems which could arise where
support scaffolds cannot be erected in perfect parallel.

“Difficulties can arise in erecting all to allow access for craned

temporary roof bays in parallel over a materials.”
long distance,” explains Layher UK’s The new rolling unit has already
Managing Director, Sean Pike. “The new provided Shell U.K.
rollers provide a limited compensation with significant
in a transversal direction making operational and
temporary roof movements simple in a economic benefits to
wider range of applications. The ability one of its sites and
to reposition temporary roof sections is now set to offer
offers distinct benefits because it can these advantages
negate the need to cover the work to a wider range of
area fully – protection is simply moved the construction and
as the work proceeds. It also offers refurbishment industry
opportunities to open sections quickly than ever before.

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New plant signals ongoing The Layher Choice
ALLROUND® SCAFFOLDING

commitment in 2009 Maximised installation versatility centred on

Layher’s acclaimed ‘rosette’ design.

PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
From ‘Protect’ containment panels to a choice
of temporary roofing systems – all designed to
help maximise efficiency and improve the
building environment.

ROLLING TOWERS
Fast to erect, easy to reposition, safe and with
a choice of decking sizes – the optimum
answer to mobile access.

SPEEDYSCAF®
Simple, manual erection using just five basic
components to create a strong, stable
The Layher commitment to product development and business growth is now being access system.
demonstrated by the announcement of a new manufacturing plant. Work has begun on the
FALSEWORK
third phase of development at our manufacturing base near Stuttgart in southern Germany.
With a few additional components, Allround®
“The new plant will be dedicated to the production of aluminium and wooden components,” can easily be converted into a falsework
system offering back-propping, crash-deck
comments UK MD, Sean Pike, “and is located close to our main premises in Eibensbach,
and load support solutions.
where the manufacture of the company’s steel scaffolding takes place. It is due to begin
manufacturing in September 2009 – less than 12 months after the ground was broken.” EVENT SYSTEM
Dedicated equipment designed to be
The move reflects a commitment to providing a ‘just in time’ facility to customers – essential, expandable and adaptable – meeting a vast
we believe, in scaffold construction – and the flexibility that this calls for will now be number of concert and sporting event staging,
enhanced by the new facility which will comprise four warehouses, three production stand and platform requirements.

buildings and office space.

LADDERS AND STAIRTOWERS
“The news builds on the anticipated completion of a further phase of development, already Direct stairtower connection to scaffold
design provides safe, durable access for
well under way, which will see a new, highly modern hot dip galvanising facility begin
multiple personnel use at any height –
operation in Spring 2009,” continues Sean Pike. together with a choice of ladder designs
“This is an important investment which will enable us to maintain our commitment to that all offer durability, stiffness, safety
and stability.
product quality and consistency. At a time when so much of the construction industry is
taking a less than optimistic view of the immediate future, we believe that this is evidence of ACCESSORIES
our belief in continued growth,” he concludes. From steel or aluminium unit beams, scaffold
tubes, couplers and castors to hoists, nets,
wall anchors and hardware, the choice of

On the move in Scotland optional accessories from Layher is innovative

and extensive – to maximise the success and
effectiveness of every installation.

Our ongoing greater space and excellent access

commitment to the which reflect developing business
Scottish market opportunities in the country. Layher’s Regional Manager, Ian
has been fully “We are paying particular attention Wilson (pictured). “We believe this
demonstrated with to stockholding capability to ensure is an important development and one
the opening of a that ordering and delivery times which provides greater direct access
brand new depot in are minimised, while the greater in a marketplace which has not only
Livingston. space available will enable us to demonstrated recent growth, but which
The 12,000 sq.m. site is close to our house a wider range of products and we are confident is set to develop
former premises but now boasts far components than before,” comments significantly further in the future.”

Layher Ltd., Works Road, Letchworth, Hertfordshire SG6 1WL

Tel 01462 475 100 Fax 01462 475 101 E-mail [email protected] www.layher.co.uk
Layher Scotland, Houstoun Industrial Estate, Grange Road, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 5DE
Tel 01506 440220 Fax 01506 440110 E-mail [email protected]
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