SMART Scaffolder’s 20th Anniversary event

Celebrating 20 Years of SMART Scaffolder: A Day to Remember at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa

On a sun-drenched day in Sutton Coldfield, industry leaders, partners, and the SMART Scaffolder team gathered at the beautiful Moor Hall Hotel & Spa to celebrate a major milestone — the 20th anniversary of SMART Scaffolder. This event wasn’t just a celebration of the past, but a bold look into the future of scaffolding software innovation.

The Foundations: History of CADS

The journey of SMART Scaffolder is deeply rooted in the legacy of its parent company, CADS, a powerhouse in construction engineering software for over 50 years. CADS has long been at the forefront of innovation in civil and structural engineering, having developed more than 50 pioneering products and collaborated with standards bodies like the BSI, SCI, CRSI, and NASC.

Key Highlights in CADS’ Legacy:

Serving over 6,000 global clients in the construction sector
Providing engineering solutions like CADS RC VelVenti and A3D Max
A large detailing team with 100’s of engineers providing BIM Services to consultants and contractors globally

This solid engineering pedigree provided the technical rigor and industry insight that shaped SMART Scaffolder into the trusted tool it is today.

Reflecting on Two Decades of Progress

The celebration began at 11:30am with a warm welcome and a captivating presentation highlighting the history of both CADS and SMART Scaffolder — from its early days as a CADS initiative in 2005, through its initial release in 2007, and on to its pivotal collaborations with the NASC, Lyndon Scaffolding and SGB.

Milestones We Celebrated:

2007: SMART Scaffolder 1.0 released
2009: First version of Model IT released
2015: BIM Toolbox released
2016: Award winning apps SMART inspector and Handover launched
2020–2025: Launches of SMART Manager, SMART Compliance, and the new Cloud Enterprise Server
2025: SMART for Revit integration – the future is now

Building with the Best: Our Partnership with NASC

No story of SMART Scaffolder would be complete without celebrating our 15+ year partnership with the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC). This collaboration has helped revolutionise how scaffolding compliance and safety are approached in the UK and beyond.

It Began with TG20:08

Our first foray with NASC was the development of Check IT for TG20:08, a tool that lead to our partnership with the NASC and became the backbone of the NASC TG20:08 Interactive Guide. This software not only simplified compliance but also proved that tube-and-fitting scaffolding could meet stringent Eurocode standards.

TG20:13: Raising the Bar

In 2013, SMART Scaffolder and NASC released TG20:13, introducing:

A full-colour Operational Guide
A Design Guide packed with standard scaffolding solutions (e.g., birdcages, loading bays, and bridges)
Millions of Designs and calculations behind the scenes
An innovative wind calculation tool developed from extensive load analysis research
A downloadable eGuide platform with dynamic compliance reports

TG20:21 and Beyond

The momentum continued with TG20:21, powered by SMART Scaffolder’s SMART Compliance engine. This upgrade featured:

Visual previews of scaffold designs
Enhanced compliance for structures like external birdcages and inside boards
Seamless integration with digital workflows

TG30:24: The System Scaffold Revolution

The latest joint achievement is TG30:24, an ambitious step into system scaffolding. Highlights include:

Standardised performance specs for cup, pocket, rosette, and wedge-type systems
Thousands of calculations to support various configurations
A brand-new ePortal, compliance sheets, and accompanying design documentation

🍽 Lunchtime Conversations & Connections

As the aroma of a delicious lunch filled the venue, guests mingled over a relaxed two-hour break. It was a great opportunity for industry professionals to connect, share stories, and reminisce about how SMART Scaffolder has shaped their work over the years.

🔮 A Glimpse into the Future

At 2:30pm, the second presentation took the audience into what lies ahead for SMART Scaffolder — and it was nothing short of exciting. From freeform birdcage design capabilities in SMART Estimator to the upcoming SMART Forms app, the future promises greater flexibility, speed, and intelligence.

Some highlights include:

SMART Forms: Including tie tests, toolbox talks, and PPE acceptance forms – Join the waiting list here
Free form Birdcages: A dramatic usability improvement in SMART Estimator
Full product integration: Moving towards a single data platform for scaffolding in coming years
TG30:24: Delivering new industry standard solutions for system scaffolding
New Design Software and services – Coming in 2026

🎥 Memories Made — Captured and Shared

Throughout the day, the excellent Jamie Maguire from JM Media documented every special moment — from emotional speeches to spontaneous laughter. These memories will form a lasting record of how far we’ve come — and how much more we can achieve together.

🎊 Thank You for 20 Incredible Years

As the day ended, one thing was clear: SMART Scaffolder has grown not only as a product but as a pivotal partner in the scaffolding industry. With over 3,500 global users, more than 4.5 million inspections and handovers, and continuous product evolution, the journey is far from over.

We’d like to thank our incredible customers, partners like the NASC, and everyone who has supported us over the years. Here’s to the next chapter of innovation, collaboration, and continued growth.
As well as extra special thanks to all our customers who were willing to give a testimonial to Jamie on the day!