Interview: A look into the future of the scaffolding trade

PERI: What do you think the key topics in scaffolding construction will be in the coming years? 

Frank Kolbenschlag: The shortage of skilled workers will continue to be a key issue. So, in future it will still be the case that having skilled staff will be more important than having scaffolding when it comes to running construction sites. In this regard, it is important that we improve the image of the sector in order to encourage more people into this line of work.  
 
In the coming years, I would also like to invest more in surveying and drones so that we can meet the demand from within our own ranks. It is also feasible that in 2-3 years' time we will be using VR goggles to view the scaffolding virtually on site based on our plans. We also want to invest more in logistics so that we can reduce the amount of manual transport on the construction site and take the pressure off my team. 

PERI: What was the decisive factor for you in deciding to invest in PERI scaffolding? 

Frank Kolbenschlag: Added value and the direction my business is heading in were always at the forefront of my mind when I was thinking of making a change. With ever-increasing regulations and standards, I then gave a lot of thought to how I could meet the new regulations regarding the leading guardrail in a forward-looking way and with as little effort as possible.

With this in mind, I tested several solutions on my yard, compared assembly times and, in the course of doing so, also put the Easy modular facade scaffolding from the PERI UP Scaffolding Kit through its paces, which I ultimately opted for. With the system-integrated construction method, I could be sure that my team would also comply with the regulations on the construction site. In my opinion, however, there is a risk that additional components will not be used. The extensive documentation with its own instructions for assembly and use and the possibility of trying out the scaffolding material at PERI’s site were also decisive factors for me. 

 

PERI: Is there a feature that was particularly compelling for you in terms of PERI or the PERI UP Scaffolding Kit? 

Frank Kolbenschlag: Primarily, I think the Easy standards and the integrated deck lift locks are the great strengths of the PERI UP system. This eliminates the need for me and my team to carry out additional work when installing the leading guardrails and securing the decks. 

Generally speaking, you can assemble everything very accurately, i.e., without any gaps or holes. The metric grid allows you to combine different bay lengths and compensate for them with small decks. This allows us to take a very flexible approach. The fact that the Flex and Easy components of the PERI UP Scaffolding Kit and the VARIOKIT steel girders can be combined seamlessly saves a lot of work.