Recent changes in product standards relating to non standard configuration tower builds have lead to changes in manufacturing requirements to meet the new BS1139-6:2021 standards. Two of the leading manufacturers, Lakeside Industries and Euro Towers, have taken steps to gain third party certification to meet the new standards, with support from the Test & Research Centre.

The changes have also lead to an update on training requirements for PASMA additional module training courses, so with this in mind, the two manufacturers took the decision, in collaboration with PASMA, to open their factories in Redditch and Northampton respectively to PASMA Instructors to come along and learn about their product ranges and take a tour of the factories to see how the manufacturing process takes place and how the manufacturers are meeting the new standards.

Richard said: "These type of events are invaluable as an Instructor as they not only help us to keep up to date with the latest goings on within the industry but also help us gain specific knowledge we might otherwise not learn. Its also the social aspect of it on the day, as an Instructor we usually work alone so its good to get a few of us together now and then as you'd be surprised how much you learn just by chatting with other Instructors, swapping stories and experiences."

​The main aim of these events are to broaden the knowledge of PASMA Instructors, to show differences between different manufacturers towers, such as bracing patterns, build methods, even the material they are made from. Not all towers are the same, even if they look similar or are the same heights. This is even more emphasised when you start getting into the non standard configuration builds. Instructors can then pass on this knowledge to those attending PASMA training courses.

PASMA Lead Auditor George Lopez, who attended and helped run both events, stated about the Alto event:

“This was a great experience for instructors to learn more about Alto’s products and manufacturing process, as well as understand how and why they achieved their BS 1139-6 certification. It was also a great experience for them to build the Alto Access tower, as many of them rarely get the chance to build one. This was an excellent chance for everyone to experience this and broaden their expertise in different tower brands.”

​Thanks go to Charles Wright and the team at Lakeside Industries and to Roger Verallo and the team at Euro Towers for putting on the events for the Instructors and to George Lopez and PASMA for helping organise and run them.