Formwork and scaffolding specialist PERI has partnered with leading engineering contractor McGee on the world’s first use of the RCS MAX Shaft system. The innovative technology was successfully deployed to construct the concrete cores of two 10-storey office buildings on the landmark South Molton Triangle project in central London. The PERI RCS MAX Shaft system was implemented on site around mid-April, with the core structures completed in September 2025.
An addition to the proven RCS Rail Climbing System family of products from PERI, the RCS MAX Shaft system is a new formwork solution designed to significantly enhance efficiency and reduce crane dependency when constructing concrete cores, particularly in congested urban environments.
The key innovation on the RCS MAX Shaft system is the overhead gantry, from which all the internal formwork is suspended. The design allows the shutters to be positioned in and out of place for each concrete pour without needing crane assistance. The entire system then climbs hydraulically at the push of a button, powered by the new RCS MAX Module 2 rail system.
An evolution of the Module 1 version, where the cylinders need to be repositioned after climbing the previous pour, Module 2 features an integrated hydraulic ram with a longer 750 mm stroke that has the ability when used in its RCS-C variant to push off older, hardened concrete. This allows for faster and more flexible climbing cycles without waiting for new concrete to gain strength.
“McGee came to us with a clear problem: on a site as tight as South Molton, how could they reduce crane time?” said Nick Mills, National Climbing Sales Manager at PERI UK. “The RCS MAX Shaft system is the direct result of that kind of industry feedback. We were developing the concept, and this project was the perfect opportunity to partner with a forward-thinking contractor to prove it. Seeing it debuted so successfully is a huge validation of the technology.”
The primary benefit for the project was freeing up the cranes for other critical tasks. This crane-free operation also allowed the core to climb even in high winds when cranes are typically shut down, increasing programme certainty.
Will Jenner, project engineer at McGee, confirmed the commercial advantage: “With the RCS MAX system, we can move a lot quicker because we don’t have to keep taking shutters off and using extra hook time. On a core this size, it saves us around six or seven crane lifts each cycle, which really helps us speed up every jump. Anywhere you can save time is crucial to making sure you stay on programme, so the hydraulic system has been the perfect solution on these cores.”
South Molton Triangle’s location in the heart of the city presented immense logistical challenges as the site was extremely congested, with only one pit lane for all deliveries and just two tower cranes. This made crane time a highly contested resource and a major risk to the project schedule.
Besides the use of the RCS MAX Shaft system itself, PERI UK helped by prefabricating platforms and other key shaft components and coordinating the delivery sequence. This minimised the need for assembly space on the confined site, reduced labour requirements, and mitigated programme risk – a critical service led by PERI UK Delivery Engineer Ron Turner.
“Being the first ever deployment of the RCS MAX Shaft system, it was a huge learning curve, but the collaboration was fantastic,” Ron Turner said. “Seeing 20 tonnes of formwork and platforms rise hydraulically, with no crane hook in sight, was a proud reflection of all the planning, prefabrication, and on-site product support that made it possible — saving valuable time, streamlining work, and creating a safer, more efficient site environment.”
The successful world debut of the PERI RCS MAX Shaft system marks a significant leap forward for high-rise construction in congested urban environments. Its proven ability to streamline operations positions it as an essential technology for future projects facing similar logistical and scheduling challenges.
