SAFE ERECT SCAFFOLDING LIMITED

Executive Summary

Safe Erect Scaffolding Limited operates as a micro-scale scaffolding contractor within the highly competitive UK construction sector but has very limited financial and operational scale. Its minimal asset base and short trading period suggest it struggled to establish a sustainable business amid rising costs and workforce challenges impacting the scaffolding industry. Compared to typical sector players, it lacks the capital resources and operational breadth necessary to compete effectively.

SAFE ERECT SCAFFOLDING LIMITED - Analysis Report

Company Number: 14934609

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 16:14 UTC

1. Industry Classification

Safe Erect Scaffolding Limited operates within SIC code 43991, classified as "Scaffold erection." This sector falls under the broader construction industry, specifically focused on the assembly and dismantling of temporary scaffolding structures used in building and civil engineering projects. Key characteristics include high reliance on skilled labor, adherence to stringent safety regulations (e.g., PASMA standards in the UK), and sensitivity to construction sector cycles. The industry typically features a mix of micro and small enterprises alongside a handful of larger specialist scaffold contractors.

2. Relative Performance

Given Safe Erect Scaffolding Limited was incorporated in mid-2023 and ceased trading by November 2024, its financial footprint is minimal. The latest accounts show net assets of only £100, current assets of £1,290 (mostly debtors), and current liabilities of £1,190, indicating a very small working capital base. The company reported no tangible fixed assets at year-end, consistent with disposal of plant and machinery during the period. Compared to typical scaffolding firms, which usually maintain fixed assets such as scaffolding equipment and vehicles valued in tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds, this company’s financial profile is extremely modest and indicative of either a start-up phase with limited activity or a wind-down process. Industry benchmarks for scaffolders show average turnovers ranging from £500k for micro firms to several million for established small-to-medium enterprises, with corresponding asset bases and positive net working capital. Safe Erect’s figures fall well below these norms.

3. Sector Trends Impact

The scaffolding sector is closely tied to the broader construction market, which has experienced mixed conditions recently. Inflationary pressures on materials and labor have increased operating costs, while public and private infrastructure investment remains a key growth driver. Health and safety compliance costs have also risen, demanding investment in training and equipment upgrades. Post-Brexit labor shortages have constrained skilled workforce availability, impacting smaller scaffolders disproportionately. Additionally, the sector is seeing gradual adoption of modular and system scaffolding techniques to improve efficiency. Given Safe Erect Scaffolding’s very limited scale and recent cessation of trading, it likely struggled to establish a foothold amid these challenging market dynamics that favor companies with established client bases, capital resources, and operational scale.

4. Competitive Positioning

Safe Erect Scaffolding Limited appears to be a niche or micro player with minimal capitalization and no fixed assets at the balance sheet date, suggesting limited operational capacity. Unlike sector leaders or established SMEs which invest in owned scaffolding equipment and vehicles to control costs and improve service reliability, this company’s lack of such assets is a significant weakness. Its sole director and 100% shareholder, Paul Duncan Cannon, controls the company entirely, which can facilitate agile decision-making but also concentrates business risk. The company’s small workforce (2 employees on average) and brief trading period further indicate a start-up or minimal-scale operation that likely could not compete effectively on contract scale, pricing, or safety certification credentials. In comparison, competitors often leverage larger asset bases, stronger financial reserves, and broader client networks to secure contracts and absorb industry volatility.