Can Scaffs UK Take on the Big Boys in scaffolding supplies? | Gary Micallef

In this episode of The Scaffolding Industry Podcast, I sit down with Gary Micallef from Scaffs UK Supplies to talk about building a scaffolding supply business, competing with larger suppliers and the changing way scaffolders buy materials, PPE and equipment. Recorded live at ScaffEx 2026, we spoke about the Scaffs UK journey, the early setbacks they had to deal with and what it takes to establish a new name in a market dominated by some very well-known scaffolding suppliers. Scaffs UK supplies a wide range of scaffolding materials, fittings, boards, ladders, sheeting, height safety equipment, PPE, workwear, tools and scaffolding accessories, with nationwide delivery and branch collection. ScaffsUK A big part of the conversation was around competition. How does a smaller scaffolding supplier compete with businesses that have been established for years? Price? Service? Stock? Speed? Brand? Or all of the above? We also spoke about wider trends in the UK scaffolding market and how buying habits are changing, particularly when contractors can now compare prices, products and suppliers far more easily online. And then there is social media. Scaffs UK have built a very visible presence on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, using short-form video, humour, product content and personality to get the business in front of scaffolders. That opened up an interesting conversation around whether social media is becoming just as important as traditional sales in the scaffolding supply market. We also talked about: • Scaffolding materials and fittings • PPE and height safety equipment • Scaffold boards and accessories • UK scaffolding suppliers • Competing with larger suppliers • Pricing and customer service • Early business setbacks • Building a scaffolding brand • Instagram and TikTok marketing • Social media for scaffolding businesses • Buying trends in the UK scaffolding industry • ScaffEx 2026 Scaffs UK currently stocks more than 160 products across categories including fittings, boards, height safety, workwear, sheeting, ladders, accessories and scaffold equipment. ScaffsUK A really interesting conversation about building a business in a competitive market... And whether being smaller can sometimes be an advantage. 👇 FIND OUT MORE & CONNECT 🟠 Scaffs UK Supplies https://scaffsuk.co.uk/ 🛒 Scaffs UK Shop https://scaffsuk.co.uk/shop/ 🦺 Workwear & PPE https://scaffsuk.co.uk/products/workw... 🧰 Scaffolding Accessories https://scaffsuk.co.uk/products/scaff... 👤 Gary Micallef on LinkedIn   / gary-micallef-aa196b52   🎪 ScaffEx 2026 https://nasc.org.uk/ems-event-calenda... 🎙️ The Scaffolding Industry Podcast https://www.myvertex.org/podcasts/the... 🍎 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... 🔵 Vertex Training & Consultancy https://www.myvertex.org/ 👋 Isaac Morrison on LinkedIn   / isaac-morrison-671a1763   🎙️ The Scaffolding Industry Podcast Real conversations with the people shaping scaffolding, access and temporary works. If you work in scaffolding, construction, access or safety, subscribe and join the conversation. What matters most when choosing a scaffolding supplier — price, stock, service or brand? #ScaffEx26 #ItHasToBeNASC #Scaffolding #Scaffolders #TSIP #Podcast