These are exciting times for Summit Scaffolding Ltd which recently opened its new Dublin office and claimed a Judges Silver Award at the prestigious Irish Construction Excellence Award.
Providing excellence in safety and service whilst building a sustainable relationship with clients since 2016, Summit Scaffolding was delighted to win the Judges Silver Award in the ‘Specialist Services Contract – Up to €1 million’ category for Harpur Lane in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Collaborating with main contractor Cairn Homes, the company used a revolutionary ring system called PLETTAC METRIX to deliver the project successfully.
The Irish Construction Excellence Awards (ICE Awards) are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland. They provide an opportunity for the industry to showcase and reward best practices across the full range of construction disciplines and project categories.
Harpur Lane is a 252-unit development of two, three and four-bedroom family homes which were designed and built to be spacious and stylish, set beside perfectly landscaped green spaces. Cairn Homes took great pride in the quality and energy efficiency of these comfortable and sustainable homes which are ideal for families big and small.
“Cairn Homes approached us with a view to growing their scaffolding supply chain,” Summit Scaffolding director Keith Dwyer explains.
“They liked what they heard which led to us negotiating a deal between TRAD UK and Cairn to buy €1.8 million worth of PLETTAC METRIX scaffolding. It’s easier to assemble, is more user-friendly and has a higher load capacity. Before they invested, we showed Cairn Homes how the system works and they were fully behind it.
“PLETTAC METRIX is a very safe scaffolding system which makes the adjustment process very efficient, almost eliminating the risk of any tampering. We showed all the trades on the Harpur Lane project how to plan their adjustments. They now have huge confidence to use it elsewhere while continuing to work efficiently. We were able to scaffold 20 houses a month and met all the targets.
“In fact, we achieved some of Cairn Homes’ highest consistent scores.”
PLETTAC METRIX is an innovative ring system, designed and produced with German engineering using the latest technologies, including 3D modelling, stress analysis software and state-of-the-art manufacturing. Being a fully NASC compliant and CISRS approved system, it exceeds all necessary British and European standards.
The system has many advantages over all other modular systems, and as the name suggests, is completely metric. With bay lengths and breadths being divisible by one another, along with the system being completely tubular, PLETTAC METRIX is a highly-adaptable modular system. The PLETTAC rosette creates an incredibly strong and rigid joint, allowing up to eight connections at various angles.
In addition, there is an exclusive optional Permanent Advanced Guardrail system that allows scaffolders to work in complete safety from the level below, while complying fully with the NASC’s guidance note SG4. Both of these unique features of the system lead to significant benefits, including reduced equipment levels, labour savings, decreased assembly times and improved safety.
Established by Keith and his brother David eight years ago, Summit Scaffolding has grown to employ a large staff across the Leinster region and to have an annual turnover of €5.5 million. Its highly-trained and professional team are supported and supplemented by the same tried and trusted subcontractors.
With offices in Dublin and Wexford, the company has built up an impressive client-base which includes some of the country’s leading main building contractors, including Cairn Homes, Sisk, Axis Construction, Kirby Group, BAM, GEM Construction, John Paul Construction, JJ Rhatigan & Co, Kercon Construction, Elite Construction, ABM, Elliott Group, Walls Construction and Clancy Construction. The brothers believe in a working partnership with their clients and provide a top-class service, regardless of the project size.
More than anything, Summit Scaffolding prides itself on its staff who undergo continuous training to keep them at the forefront of delivering unrivalled scaffolding solutions.
The scaffolding expert goes above and beyond to look after its team and has even incorporated a gym into its new premises in Rathcoole.
“Having a good work-life balance is very important. Being healthy adds value to your work. I train five times a week myself and reap the benefits of it,” Keith says.
“Our people are our greatest asset. As such, we provide them with the best training, facilities and rate of pay. We put each of our employees under the spotlight on our LinkedIn page once a month which is always well received.”
Keith’s passion for training and bringing through the next generation of scaffolders came to the fore during his three-year term as chairman of the National Association of Scaffolding and Access Contractors (NASAC). His term coincided with the setting up of the new scaffolding apprenticeship programme in Mount Lucas, Co. Offaly.
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and its affiliate NASAC, in collaboration with Laois & Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) and the National Construction Training Centre at Mount Lucas, launched the programme in 2021. Aimed at meeting the evolving needs of the sector, the apprenticeship offers a Level 5 two-year programme with apprentices working on the job with their employer, coupled with training in Mount Lucas. Year one covers modules in basic scaffolding principles and developing industry skills such as erecting and dismantling scaffolding. In the second year, the apprentice will progress to management and control of scaffolding and complex structures, culminating in a capstone module which encompasses their overall learning.
To employ an apprentice, a scaffolding company must firstly contact their Solas Authorised Officer (AO) in their local Education and Training Board. The AO will schedule a site visit to assess employers and complete the Suitability to Train form. The employer must demonstrate the capacity and the ability to provide quality, relevant on-the-job training to apprentices as per the requirements of the national apprenticeship system.
“We’re leading by example when it comes to taking on apprentices,” continues Keith, who is now chairman of the NASAC’s CSG (Consortium Steering Group).
“At Summit, we are currently putting 15 young people through the apprenticeship programme and have five already qualified. We’re constantly taking on apprentices who are eager to work and learn. Scaffolding is among the best paid sectors and is a great game to be at in my opinion.”
Summit Scaffolding Ltd
Dublin Office
Naas Road,
Keatingspark,
Rathcoole,
Dublin,
D24 WT02.
Wexford Office
Clonard Retail Park,
Ballynagee,
Wexford,
Y35 W280.
Telephone: +353 (0)87 784 7460
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October 2024, Vol 10 No 10
