What TRAD Scaffolding does

TRAD Scaffolding Company Limited is a UK-based scaffolding contractor founded in 1971 and headquartered in Dartford. The company designs, supplies and erects scaffolding and access solutions for demolition, refurbishment, new-build, and infrastructure projects, serving enterprise main contractors including Bouygues Construction UK, Sir Robert McAlpine, McLaren Construction, Keltbray, Wates Living Space, Walter Lilly and Seele. Its operating fleet comprises 19,000+ tonnes of system scaffold and 66,000+ tonnes of traditional tube, fitting and boards — the largest reserve held by any UK scaffolding contractor per the company's own claim — enabling simultaneous execution of multiple major projects. TRAD is the exclusive UK supplier of Altrad Plettac's Plettac Metrix ring-based system scaffold, a German-engineered product that is being progressively rolled out across the fleet to replace legacy Layher Allround stock.

The business operates three interconnected lines. The contracting line (TRAD Scaffolding) executes project-based scaffolding works; TRAD Hire & Sales (now rebranded as TRAD UK alongside TRAD Safety Systems after a 2021 merger) provides equipment rental, export and design support to other scaffolding firms and industrial groups; and MTD Midlands, acquired in 2016, services the social-housing sector from three Midlands depots. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific, with multi-year contract structures and 80% of revenue derived from repeat business. The group employs more than 1,000 people across 17 UK locations, is a member of NASC since 1991, and holds sector pre-qualifications including SSIP Safe Contractor, CISRS registration, TG20/SG4 compliance, and RoSPA Gold and City of London Considerate Contractor Gold Awards.

Since September 2013 TRAD has been a wholly owned subsidiary of ALTRAD Group, a French multinational (150+ subsidiaries, 22,000 employees worldwide) led by founder Mohed Altrad. Parent investment stated at more than £10–15 million funded the group's stated doubling in size, the MTD Midlands acquisition, the Plettac Metrix fleet migration, and the 2021 launch of the unified TRAD UK brand. Leadership has long tenures — Group CEO Des Moore (former NASC President 2017–19), and managing directors Peter McShane (Scaffolding Contracting) and Colin Dobson (TRAD UK) — reflecting the group's promote-from-within culture.

Name

TRAD Scaffolding

Legal name

TRAD Scaffolding Company Limited

Website

https://tradscaffolding.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

TRAD Scaffolding is a UK scaffolding contractor providing system (Plettac Metrix) and traditional tube-and-fitting access solutions for major construction, demolition and refurbishment projects, serving enterprise main contractors across 17 locations with 1,000+ employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Scaffolding Services

NAICS

Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing (3331), Building Equipment Contractors (2382)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Access & Scaffolding Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Site Services & Temporary Infrastructure Rental/Leasing (Portable Toilets, Fencing, Storage Containers) (TLABAFAH)

Keywords

• Scaffolding contracting services
• System scaffold hire
• Fall safety solutions
• Temporary roof systems
• Construction access services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bromley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Scaffolding Contracting Services: Core scaffolding services providing access solutions for construction projects of any size. The company undertakes projects throughout the UK including demolition access, refurbishment, new builds, and infrastructure projects. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with construction companies and main contractors.
2. Hire and Sales Business: One of the UK's leaders for hiring, selling and exporting scaffolding products, as well as complementary services such as design support. Serves other scaffolding companies including large industrial groups.
3. Safety Systems: Market leader in the Design, Manufacture and Supply of Fall Safety Solutions for the Construction, House Building, Roofing and Maintenance Industries.
4. MTD Midlands Operations: Scaffolding contractor primarily working in the social housing sector throughout the Midlands, trading out of depots in Oldbury, Telford and Loughborough.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TRAD Scaffolding designs, constructs and supplies scaffold tubes, fittings, boards, temporary roofing systems and associated equipment for construction projects of any size throughout the UK. The company is the exclusive UK supplier of the Plettac Metrix system scaffold and delivers access solutions for demolition, refurbishment, new build and infrastructure projects. Complementary services include TRAD UK equipment hire and sales (formerly TRAD Hire & Sales plus TRAD Safety Systems) providing fall safety solutions to construction, house building, roofing and maintenance industries.

Product overview

TRAD Scaffolding operates as a scaffolding and access solutions provider offering a portfolio of interconnected services and proprietary products. The core offering is TRAD Scaffolding contracting services, which leverages the exclusive Plettac Metrix System Scaffold as its primary system for rapid, safe access solutions. Supporting services include TRAD Hire & Sales (equipment rental and sales, now combined as TRAD UK) and TRAD Safety Systems (fall safety solutions, also now under TRAD UK brand). Additional offerings include ALTRIX temporary roof systems, Scaffolder Catch Net Fans safety equipment, and internal programmes such as the Play it Safe behavioural management initiative and Knowledge Inspired mentoring scheme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRAD Scaffolding: Scaffolding contracting services for construction projects including traditional contracting and specialist fall prevention
• TRAD Hire & Sales
• TRAD Safety Systems

Products and services

• TRAD Scaffolding Contracting Services Project-based scaffolding contracting services providing access solutions for construction, demolition, infrastructure, and residential/commercial projects throughout the UK. Services include scaffold encapsulation, temporary roof systems, demolition access, and complex structural scaffolding for any project size.
• Plettac Metrix System Scaffold Exclusive UK-supplied ring-based system scaffold manufactured by Altrad Plettac in Germany. Features unique divisibility allowing bay lengths to be broken in length and width, with built-in safety features including perforated steel decks with lifting handles, wind-locks, anti-tilting devices, and optional Permanent Advanced Guardrail. Used for rapid access scaffolding on construction projects.
• ALTRIX Temporary Roof System Temporary roof covering system used for weather protection during construction and refurbishment projects. Capable of covering complex shaped roofs at alternate heights.
• Scaffolder Catch Net Fans Safety equipment providing an added layer of protection during demolition and construction operations, particularly useful in busy areas with public access.
• TRAD UK (Hire & Sales plus Safety Systems) Combined equipment hire and sales business serving other scaffolding companies and large industrial groups with traditional tube and fitting solutions, Plettac Metrix system scaffolding, and complementary fall safety solutions. TRAD UK is one of the UK's leaders for hiring, selling and exporting scaffolding products, with design support services.
• MTD Midlands Scaffolding Services Scaffolding contracting services primarily serving the social housing sector throughout the Midlands, delivered from three depots in Oldbury, Telford and Loughborough. Provides scaffolding access for residential maintenance, refurbishment and external works programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% reduction in falls from height since SG4 inception (NASC data)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MTD MidlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRAD Group acquired MTD Midlands, a scaffolding contractor primarily working in the social housing sector throughout the Midlands. The business was founded over 20 years ago and currently trades out of three Depots in Oldbury, Telford and Loughborough.
• National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRAD Group has been a member of NASC since 1991. CEO Des Moore served as NASC President from 2017-2019. NASC membership demonstrates high qualification, professionalism and capability with over 75% directly-employed staff and 90% registered to CISRS.
• Altrad PlettaccoreTechnology or IntegrationPlettac Metrix system scaffold is manufactured by Altrad Plettac in Germany. TRAD is the exclusive UK supplier of Plettac Metrix, which is considered the foremost system available and dramatically cuts cost of scaffold projects.
• Build UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDes Moore joined the board of Directors for Build UK, a UK construction organisation which provides a strong collective voice on key industry issues.
• CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDes Moore serves as Director of CISRS, the industry recognised Scaffolding Training Scheme. Over 90% of TRAD staff are registered to CISRS.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BrandSafway: One of the world's largest scaffolding and access solutions providers, serving commercial construction, infrastructure, and industrial maintenance. Directly comparable to TRAD in providing system scaffolding, traditional tube & fit, and access services to enterprise contractors globally, including the UK market via its SGB brand.
• HAKI: Manufacturer of the HAKI system scaffold and provider of access solutions for construction and infrastructure projects. Directly comparable to TRAD's Plettac Metrix-based system scaffold offering and competing for similar UK and international scaffolding contracts.
• PERI Group: Global formwork and scaffolding manufacturer and contractor, providing system scaffolding, formwork, and access solutions for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Comparable to TRAD across both product (system scaffold) and contracting service lines.
• Layher: German manufacturer of the Layher Allround system scaffold — historically TRAD's primary system before the Plettac Metrix switch. Directly comparable as a system scaffold supplier and competitor whose products are used across the UK scaffolding contracting market.
• AT-PAC: Global scaffolding manufacturer offering the AT-PAC Ringlock system, serving industrial and commercial construction with system scaffold and access solutions. Comparable as a system scaffold competitor targeting similar enterprise contractors and projects.
• Lyndon Scaffolding: UK-based scaffolding contractor serving commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects. Directly comparable as a UK scaffolding contracting peer competing for similar enterprise construction clients and major project tenders.

Emerging players

• Instant Upright: Manufacturer of modular scaffolding systems (Instant Ringlock, Quikstak) for construction and industrial access. Comparable as a system scaffold manufacturer competing for share of UK contractor specifications alongside Plettac, Layher, and HAKI.

Broad incumbents

• Sunbelt Rentals: North America's largest equipment rental company, with a UK scaffolding and access division. Comparable to TRAD's TRAD UK hire/sales business as a broad access equipment rental provider, though Sunbelt's portfolio extends well beyond scaffolding.
• Acrow Group of Companies: UK-based supplier of formwork, scaffolding, propping, and access solutions to construction, infrastructure, and industrial markets. Comparable to TRAD as a UK construction access specialist with overlapping scaffolding and formwork offerings.

Regional players

• Mabey Hire: UK provider of temporary works, propping, and access solutions to construction and infrastructure markets. Comparable to TRAD as a UK-focused access and temporary infrastructure specialist serving similar enterprise customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TRAD_Scaff

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TRAD Scaffolding