The Altrad Story
The story begins in 1985 when Dr Mohed Altrad, then a technology executive at Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company ADNOC, bought a near-bankrupt scaffolding firm Mefran in France’s Hérault region. Few people believed it would be successful, though he quickly found that every project requires scaffolding, which led to the realisation that by extension every industry needs it too.
Altrad used acquisitions to grow in Europe and by the turn of the millennium the bankrupt scaffolder, Mefran, was part of a group generating €120 million in turnover. The strategy built a decentralised structure with a streamlined holding company and “semiautonomous subsidiaries,” allowing them to benefit from shared resources whilst remaining agile and nimble.
Altrad Group's 60th acquisition was Generation Hire & Sale UK became part of the family in 2012. Generation sold and hired non mechanical access equipment, scaffolding, system scaffolding, fencing and light access. At the time, it had approximately 220 employees, annual revenues of £37 million and operated 14 branches across the UK.
Fast forward to 2025 and Altrad Group has grown with revenues of €6 billion and 120 subsidiaries. Similarly Altrad Generation has grown by over 500%, supported by a 38 strong branch network across the UK and Ireland and boosts an expanded product range including groundworks, safety decking and edge protection.
Recognising Generation's role in the story, it was asked to create a film to celebrate Altrad's 40th birthday; reflecting on what it means to be part of the rapidly growing and evolving Altrad Group. Stepping up to the challenge we produced 'The Boy With the Tin Whistle' to capture and demonstrate the impact of vision, working together and how every part contributes to something bigger.
We hope you enjoy our telling of the Altrad Group story.
Happy 40th Birthday Altrad Group from Altrad Generation.
