Spencer Bridge Engineering Wins Top Innovation Award for AeroTruss™ Access System
Hull-based firm Spencer Bridge Engineering has secured the Specialist Innovation of the Year award at the Construction News (CN) Specialist Awards 2026 for its development of AeroTruss™, a pioneering access system designed to enhance safety and efficiency in complex engineering projects.
The AeroTruss™ system addresses a critical market need by providing a flexible and scalable alternative to traditional access methods, which are often inefficient and costly. It enables contractors to reach challenging locations, such as the underdecks of bridges, facilitating essential inspections and maintenance work.
Its first application was at the Menai Suspension Bridge in North Wales, a site known for its operational complexity due to extreme tidal conditions and structural constraints. Spencer Bridge Engineering demonstrated that AeroTruss™ could be rapidly installed while reducing risks and delivering significant cost savings.
Luke Fisher, Bridges Director at Spencer Bridge Engineering, commented: “We’re delighted to see AeroTruss™ recognised for its innovation and technical excellence in these prestigious awards.” He added, “AeroTruss™ was driven by our real-world experience of using traditional access systems. We had a clear vision to create a flexible, scalable and safer solution to address the inefficiencies of conventional methods while delivering long-term value across multiple sectors.” Fisher also acknowledged the contributions of the team, stating, “This success wouldn’t have been possible without the ingenuity and dedication of all of our team members involved in the design and development of AeroTruss™, as well as the operational expertise of colleagues involved in its deployment on site.”
The CN Specialist Awards celebrate the UK’s leading specialist construction companies, recognising innovation, expertise, and technical skill. The Specialist Innovation of the Year category honours contractors who have introduced exceptional new products, services, or processes that improve productivity, business systems, or client service quality.
The awards ceremony took place at the London Hilton on Park Lane, attended by prominent industry figures. Judges praised the high standard of submissions, noting that winners had “truly raised the bar for specialist construction.” Spencer Bridge Engineering impressed the panel with a well-structured presentation and a compelling case study. The judges remarked: “Spencer Bridge Engineering delivered an outstanding, well-presented and well-structured presentation, supported by a great case study. It was a clear demonstration of innovation and of finding a safer, more efficient way of working. The presenter was clearly a subject matter expert and showed genuine enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the innovation presented.”
