Aldridge firm celebrates 90 years of bringing structures to life
A major player in the construction industry, based in Aldridge, has celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Altrad RMD Kwikform (Altrad RMDK) - which is recognised for engineering excellence, reliability and innovation in the temporary works sector - marked the milestone on Thursday June 12 with festivities laid on for staff past and present and invited guests.
Employees, ranging from a 19-year-old apprentice to their longest-serving staff member of 60 years who still rolls up for work aged 82, were treated to a barbecue and a glass of non-alcoholic fizz at the company's Foundation House headquarters in Brickyard Road.
The celebratory event, attended by Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton, looked back at the firm's legacy and achievements over nine decades.
Founded in 1935, the company has evolved from its early days as a British scaffolding business to become a global leader in above and below-ground temporary works supporting major construction projects worldwide including providing a large-scale temporary works solution for the HS2 railway project in Birmingham.
UK managing director Mark Pickard said: "For nearly a century, RMD Kwikform has been at the forefront of engineering excellence, providing trusted solutions for projects across diverse sectors such as transport and highways, ground works and utilities, commercial and residential developments, to name just a few.
“Celebrating 90 years is a remarkable achievement, and our journey has been defined by our dedication to pushing boundaries and the trust we've built with our partners and customers globally. We are proud to be a trusted name in the temporary works industry – recognised for engineering excellence, reliability and innovation. We owe our success to our employees, past and present, who have driven our mission to deliver world-class solutions with integrity and expertise.
“Looking ahead, we remain committed to driving innovation through digital solutions, sustainable practices, and collaborative partnerships to continue delivering the highest quality of service to the construction industry. We will also continue to build on our strong foundations and maintain our well-established reputation as a trusted leader in temporary works.”
Wendy Morton MP said: "I know how important the company is to Aldridge and the wider community. It's a lovely company that's doing a lot nationally and globally. It's a great success story; 90 years is quite an achievement."
Altrad RMD Kwikform’s roots stem from two pioneering firms: Mills Scaffolding (Kwikform) and The Douglas Group (RMD).
Mills Scaffolding, founded in 1935, became known for its innovative and safety-focused scaffolding solutions and after being acquired by GKN plc in 1983 it was rebranded as GKN Kwikform and introduced the iconic Kwikstage modular scaffolding system, revolutionising construction site efficiency. Later acquired by Bandt Plc in 1995, it became Kwikform UK Ltd.
The Douglas Group (formally R.M. Douglas Holdings Ltd), founded in the 1930s by distinguished engineer and industrialist Sir Robert McCallum Douglas OBE, excelled in temporary works solutions through its subsidiary R.M. Douglas Construction Ltd, which engineered an innovative steel shuttering system in response to post-war timber shortages. The development led to the formation of Rapid Metal Developments Ltd (RMD) in 1948. RMD expanded globally and developed renowned products such as Rapid Ply, Superslim Soldiers, and Megashor, earning industry recognition which led to the business receiving the prestigious Queen’s Award to Industry for engineering excellence in 1975.
In 1999, RMD and Kwikform UK Ltd merged to create RMD Kwikform, combining expertise to focus on comprehensive temporary works solutions. The company expanded globally throughout the 2000s and introduced 3D visualisation technologies in 2013 to enhance customer support. In 2015, RMD Kwikform entered the ground shoring market, broadening its capabilities further.
In 2021, RMD Kwikform was acquired by the Altrad Group, bolstering its global presence, and it now operates as Altrad RMD Kwikform.
Longest-serving employee Mike Hathaway has been there for much of the firm's history - having worked there for 60 years.
He started out with the company when it was based in Perry Barr and moved across to Aldridge in 1965, he said.
For many years he was a draughtsman, a job he loved - creating detailed technical plans, and some of his highlights have been working on projects including the M1 & A1(M) road scheme in Yorkshire, the Channel Tunnel rail link and road improvements to the A45 near Birmingham Airport.
Now, aged 82, Mike, from Lichfield, still enjoys working one day a week for the company which employs more than 1,200 people.
He said it "gives me something to aim for" - adding: "I've made a lot of friends and colleagues over the years. I don't know how I'd be if I didn't have a job."
These days he works on checking materials to be used in projects comply with regulations and standards.
At the other end of the spectrum is the newest employee - 19-year-old Kayleigh Dale.
Marketing apprentice Kayleigh, from Lichfield, has been with the company for eight months and is currently studying for an apprenticeship which includes learning on the job.
Involved in internal marketing and communications, plus social media content, she said: "It's a great company to work for and it's nice to see its successes. At the moment I'm co-ordinating our awards and it's brilliant to find out about about the people in the company."
