Upright Scaffolding – Your Partners at Height in Christchurch

Since 1949, Upright Scaffolding has been delivering safe, practical, and reliable access solutions for businesses throughout New Zealand. Built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and long-standing relationships, the company has grown into one of Canterbury’s leading scaffolding providers.

The business has been family-owned since 1974, when Nick and Chris Pfahlert’s father purchased Upright Scaffolding. Growing up around the industry, both brothers developed a passion for the trade before eventually taking over the company. Today, Nick and Chris both hold an advanced scaffolding certification and proudly lead the business, combining decades of experience with a hands-on, owner-operated approach.

From a team of around 10 people to a workforce of more than 50 skilled professionals, Upright’s growth has been driven by a commitment to quality, safety, and customer service. The company works with some of New Zealand’s leading industrial and commercial organisations, including ports, processing plants, tank farms, and major construction projects, providing tailored access solutions for even the most complex jobs.

A strong workplace culture is at the heart of the business. With low staff turnover, ongoing training, and a highly experienced team, Upright understands that successful projects rely on well-supported people who take pride in their work and look out for one another.

For Nick and Chris, the company’s success comes down to trust, teamwork, and clear communication.

“Communication is key to keeping our people safe, our projects running smoothly, and our clients informed every step of the way. We want our team to trust each other, work together, and look out for one another through strong planning, risk assessment, and a shared commitment to safety.

Achieving Triple ISO Accreditation across ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 further reflects Upright Scaffolding’s dedication to quality workmanship, environmental responsibility, and industry-leading health and safety standards. In turn, our clients can trust us to deliver practical solutions for even the most challenging at-height projects.”

Nick & Chris Pfahlert | Owners, Upright Scaffolding

Guided by their core values of Solutions, Excellence, Trust, and Teamwork, Upright focuses on finding the best outcome for every client. Whether it’s scaffold hire, delivery, installation, or complex project support, the team works closely with customers to provide practical, reliable at-height solutions.

Project management can be complex, but Upright Scaffolding keeps it simple: the right crew, the right gear, on time. Their commitment to excellence, strong relationships, and practical problem-solving has made them the trusted partner at height for generations of New Zealand businesses.

In 2023, Upright Scaffolding achieved Triple ISO Certification across three internationally recognised standards — ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 — reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to quality management, environmental responsibility, and health & safety excellence within New Zealand’s scaffolding industry.

Sectors:

•  Commercial Scaffolding
•  Industrial Scaffolding
•  Infrastructure Scaffolding
• Heritage Scaffolding
•  Marine Scaffolding
• Oil & Gas Scaffolding
• Residential Scaffolding
• Events Scaffolding