The Scaffold & Access Industry Association’s (SAIA) 2026 Scaffold Builders Competition, proudly sponsored by Layher, returned with strong momentum to World of Concrete on January 20, 2026, bringing together the best of the scaffolding trade for a day dedicated to skill, safety, innovation, and community. By Paige DeVosha
Held at one of the largest construction-specific trade shows in the world, this year’s competition once again demonstrated why scaffold builders are among the most experienced and safety-focused professionals in the construction industry. From the moment the competition floor opened, the energy was electric. Teams from across the country and around the world competed head-tohead, putting their expertise, teamwork, and precision to the test under real-world conditions. The event highlighted technical excellence while reinforcing the professionalism and pride that defines the scaffolding trade.
SHOWCASING THE TRADE ON A NATIONAL STAGE
SAIA is honored to host this event and showcase the scaffolding trade on a national scale in front of thousands of attendees at World of Concrete. Opportunities like this allow the scaffold and access industries to raise awareness of the critical role scaffold builders play in construction, maintenance, and industrial work across the globe.
The competition floor served as a powerful reminder that scaffolding is more than temporary access; it is a craft built on engineering principles, safety standards, and highly trained professionals who take pride in doing the job right.
For spectators, the competition offered a rare opportunity to witness the speed, precision, and teamwork that goes into professional scaffold construction. For competitors, it was a chance to test their skills against the industry’s best and represent their companies on a national stage.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Recognition is a cornerstone of SAIA, and the Scaffold Builders Competition continues the tradition of honoring excellence across the industry. The awards presented during the event reflect the pride and hard work behind every team’s build and dismantle. Competitors battled not only for bragging rights, but for industry-recognized honors that symbolize excellence in the trade, proudly presented by SAIA President Mike Bredl.
At the top stands the SAIA Scaffold Builder’s Championship Belt, awarded to the first-place team, Scaffold Resource out of Lanham, Maryland, who defended their title with a winning time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 55 seconds. Their performance exemplified superior skill, safety, teamwork, and execution. The belt has quickly become a coveted symbol of mastery within the Association and the competition itself, a trophy that teams train for, dream about, and proudly display in their offices for the entire year.
In addition to the championship title, teams were recognized with second- and third-place medals, honoring outstanding performances that demonstrated precision, professionalism, and dedication to the craft. This year, second-place honors were awarded to Turn Key Scaffold out of Chula Vista, California, with a time of 1 hour, 34 minutes, and 20 seconds, while Scaffold Solutions
out of American Canyon, California, earned third-place recognition and medals for their impressive performance with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 40 seconds.
Rounding out the top five finishers were AK Scaffolding out of Manchester, UK, in fourth place with a time of 1 hour, 43 minutes, and 38 seconds, and Loenbro out of Chandler, Arizona, in fifth place with a time of 1 hour, 44 minutes, and 20 seconds.
Adding to the excitement, the Crowd Favorite Award celebrated the team that captured the attention and support of attendees on the World of Concrete show floor, highlighting not only technical ability but engagement, presence, and industry pride.
This award proves that the competition isn’t just about speed; it’s about representing the trade with excellence and earning the respect of your peers. Atlas Sales out of Kapolei, Hawaii, took home the Crowd Favorite Award with an astronomical 234 votes in the online poll.
BEYOND THE COMPETITION: COUNCIL SESSIONS AND LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
The impact of SAIA’s presence at World of Concrete extended beyond the competition floor. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, SAIA’s Fall Protection Council and Permanent Installation Council hosted educational demonstrations in the Scaffold Builders Competition Area in the back of South Hall, bringing critical safety knowledge directly to show attendees.
SAIA’s Fall Protection Council reinforced an essential truth for every jobsite: fall protection is only half the story; what happens after a fall matters just as much.
Too often, workers are seriously injured or killed not from the fall itself, but from the lack of a timely rescue response. These eye-opening demonstrations emphasized the real risks of suspension trauma, panic, and delayed response, showing attendees why a rescue plan must be a core element of any fall protection program.
SAIA’s Permanent Installation Council delivered an action-packed demonstration focused on one of the most critical components of fall protection: anchors. In a hands-on and informative session, council leaders tested a variety of fall protection anchors under real-world conditions, helping attendees better understand performance, reliability, and application.
The session delivered a lasting takeaway: not all anchors are created equal, and understanding the differences can be critical.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027
As SAIA wraps up another successful year at World of Concrete, the Association continues to grow, evolve, and create opportunities to foster professional development and strengthen the scaffold and access community nationwide.
The 2026 competition raised the bar once again, and teams are already looking ahead to next year’s event with renewed determination.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor looking to reclaim the championship belt, a first-time team ready to prove yourself on the national stage, or a company wanting to showcase your talent and commitment to excellence, the 2027 SAIA Scaffold Builder’s Competition offers an unmatched opportunity to represent your organization and the scaffolding trade.
With the continued support of sponsors like Layher, the dedication of our members, and the enthusiasm of industry professionals, the SAIA Scaffold Builder’s Competition stands as a cornerstone event—one that proudly honors the past, celebrates the present, and builds toward a stronger future for our industry.
Mark your calendars now for World of Concrete 2027. The competition floor will be ready. Will you?
