SECTOR FOCUS aCcEsS ALl AReAs
Harder, better,
faster, stronger
Temporary structure suppliers have reported increased
sales in 2017. Top event profs share their views on the market
THE business of staging outdoor events fl ourished
in 2017, and temporary structure companies
are bucking the trend. Neptunus, GL events,
Losberger De Boer, and Acorn Event Structures
– leading companies in the sector – have reported
an increase in the number of contracts during last
year. Th ey have also pointed out that the ability
to provide bespoke solutions has been crucial in
reaching success.
Competition continues to be tough. Organisers
want an event space fi t to provide the ultimate
experience to the public and the pressure on
suppliers to provide a solution that is cost effi cient,
of the highest standard, and unique. Th e latter
seems key to standing out from the crowd.
“In 2017 we have completed projects in UK,
Ireland and Europe and as far afi eld as the
Caribbean,” says Acorn MD Andy Nutter, noting
that the company saw a large increase in staging
work for international touring artists in addition
to regular events.
Stronger than steel
Th e Leeds-based fi rm provided ground levelling
platforms for events such as Frieze London, and
temporary structures and scaff old infrastructure
for events such as Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Nutter explains having invested £1.8m in its
Super Structure in 2016, our fully weather-proof,
inter-changeable temporary structure, boasted an
even bigger footprint in 2017.
Th e Super Structure made its debut as the
Steel Yard at Creamfi elds 2016. Nutter says it
ACCESSAA.Co.UK
immediately caught the attention of many on
the festival scene and the world of staging as it
scooped three industry awards in 2017, including
the Innovation Award at the National Access and
Scaff olding Confederation conference (NASC),
Best Stage at Festival Supplier Awards and Best
Staging Supplier at the Event Production Awards.
It off ers 6,000sqm of space with over 100-tonne
production loading and 10,000 capacity. “Our
Super Structure has generated a lot of interest
worldwide, from the staging world to the TV &
fi lm industry to aviation,” Nutter says.
Nutter says the company will continue to invest
in new products. Acorn is currently developing
and engineering a number of bespoke structures
for 2018 to meet growing demand including
unique stages, temporary theatres, pavilions and
exhibition structures to name a few.
Acorn continues to invest in new products and
is currently developing and engineering a number
of bespoke structures for 2018 to meet growing
demand including unique stages, temporary
theatres, pavilions and exhibition structures to
name a few.
The personal touch
John Cochrane, sales director of Losberger
De Boer UK, says the staff is responsible of
the success they saw in 2017. “We have great
structures of course, but so do our competitors.
However, no other company has our Losberger De
Boer team of people. It is our team of experts in
every discipline required to make a structure sales
and rental company that work so well.”
Last year, Losberger acquired structures
supplier De Boer, and the merger was completed
in the second quarter. He explains: “Losberger
and De Boer are in the early stages of integration,
so naturally this will take time to settle and
organise, but we are making great progress on that
front. Th e main challenge is to ensure the work we
are involved in is profi table, well executed and safe
- normal business.”
Cochrane points out that Losberger De Boer is
lucky to have such a varied inventory and so 2017
was a very good year in the round.
“Th ere have been highs and lows, but thankfully
the highs have outweighed the lows by some
margin.”
Losberber De Boer portfolio is extensive and
includes the 50m wide Jumbo Halls to the circular
Panorama. Cochrane says that the ever popular
and fl exible Delta structure was the star performer
of 2017.
Delta is characterised by its modular
construction and roof system. It can be built
to a height of 3.5m to 10m. Th e shape of the
roof allows for individually designed structure
shapes in units of 5x5m. Th e options are virtually
limitless, making it possible to hold a wide variety
of events under this roof.
Cochrane points out that occasionally suppliers
can off er exactly what a customer is looking. “Th at
is the easy deal,” he says. “Sometimes, however,
customers don’t really know what they might
require, and that is when we have to help design
and form ideas, which evolve through the process
FEBRUARY 2018 41