China-based scaffolding producer Leader has started distributing globally

Leader has high hopes for its modular scaffolding range, and with the help of its Hong Kong-based sister company and international certifications it is beginning to distribute around the world. AI reports

Leader GN50 modular scaffolding is an aluminium product manufactured in China and sold internationally by Avion Access Co based in Hong Kong. Sales of the product are currently generating between US$3.5 million and US$4 million annually but the company is anticipating 50% growth in sales over the next five years.

The first Avion Group of companies were established in1979 by Jeffery Lau and supplied machinery, polyester fibre and industrial chemicals amongst other things to Hong Kong and China.

Both Leader Equipment Ltd. and Avion Access Co. Ltd. are subsidiaries of the Avion Group: Leader manufacturing scaffolding and machinery while Avion Access represents Leader in their export markets. Avion Access is currently selling the Leader scaffolding to, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and South America.

Load distribution

The design of the Leader modular system is based around a ring connector which grips the aluminium tube, as opposed to being welded to it. Leader says that this has the advantages of changing the load distribution and reducing energy used in manufacture.

All the load on the horizontal or diagonal braces is transferred to the ring connectors instead of into the vertical standard. The ring allows a greater load capacity and prevents damage to the vertical standards at the connecting points through external impact. At the joint the ring connector transfers most of the vertical load to the centre of the aluminium tube, giving a firm connection.

The ring (rosette) connector also allows multi directional bracing so is suitable for creating coplex scaffolding geometries.

The Leader GN50 modular scaffolding which is one third the weight of a steel equivalent, and, said Victor Lau sales executive of Avion Access, “is much more sturdy and safe compared to a conventional Aluminium Scaffolding System.

“This light weight brings less labour fatigue and facilitates fast erection, fast dismantling, less transportation and less storage costs. Leader GN50 scaffolding system is a Tubular Design system which also saves storage cost and the amount of space required for storage,” adds Lau.

The GN50 system design is patented and, says Leader and compliant to European and British standards. The system has been awarded the safety GS Certification by TUV Rhineland and the factory is ISO9001 certified.

Industry range

Mr Lau says, “The major challenges associated with marketing the products are to reach and educate the potential customers to understand, accept, adopt and adapt utilisation of Leader new innovative, extraordinary products.

“As Leader GN50 is designed as a universal omni-function scaffold system it can be utilised in all kinds of industries with infinite applications. But, since Leader Equipment is also supplying aluminium shoring and slab and panel formwork systems for the construction of high rise towers then scaffold, façade scaffold, and suspended scaffold for construction industries is the most active market.”

Currently all Leader GN50 products are dispatched directly from the factory with delivery times for standard products currently standing at between 30 and 60 days. Mr Lau says that high order levels has made it necessary for Leader to add more assembly lines which will be starting operate in the next few months and reduce delivery time.

New products

The factory is currently processing between 600 and 800 tonnes of material a year and holds a stock of material between 30 and 50 tonnes at any given time.

The company continues to develop new products and accessories for the line, the latest being Rosette Ring Lock Scaffolding System which is more sturdy and anti-rolling on floor, it says. There will also be a new BF90 Beam Free Prop and Panel Slab Formwork System, which will be exhibited in Bauma Shanghai in November 2012.

Avion Access provides a full sales and rental service with the Leader GN50 range and will advise customers in choosing the most suitable products and help them design scaffold configurations and use the GN50 range cost effectively.