Joseph Ash Chesterfield achieves FORS Gold
A huge congratulations to our Joseph Ash Chesterfield site, who has recently achieved the FORS Gold Accreditation for their transport fleet. The accreditation makes the site the first galvanizer in the UK to achieve the Gold level of the accreditation.
The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary scheme that businesses can undertake to demonstrate their commitment to safe road transport. The accreditation is no easy achievement, being the highest level the scheme achieves. Gold accreditation confirms that the business employs good practice, including dedication to driver and vehicle safety, combined with improving operating practices through effective monitoring of fuel and tyre usage.
Martin Hall, Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Chesterfield, commented:
“This is a major achievement considering a significant number of dedicated transport companies are yet to achieve this esteemed level of certification.
“FORS Gold is becoming the new standard for a number of our contracts that require deliveries into our major cities. Major improvements have been made to our fleet including trailers and articulated vehicles which utilise some of the latest technology available.
“Chesterfield boast a bath size of 16.5m long by 1.7m wide and 2.65m deep, and can undertake all your collection and delivery needs anywhere in the UK.”
Well done to all involved!
Next pageSokari Douglas Camp’s ‘The Three Graces – The Dialogue’: galvanized and powder coated by Joseph Ash Medway
On Sunday 30th June, in the Kleurenbuurt neighbourhood of Zaandam, Netherlands, a powerful sculpture by artist Sokari Douglas Camp, was unveiled. Named The Three Graces – The Dialogue, the artwork was created in commemoration of Keti Koti.
Keti Koti, meaning “broken chains,” is an annual event held across the Netherlands to mark Emancipation Day in Surinam, a former Dutch colony. The celebration, held on 1st July, commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1863 and serves as a moment to honour those who lived in bondage while reflecting on the significance of living in freedom. In this context, The Three Graces takes its place as a focal point for healing the wounds of the past and encouraging dialogue about a shared and often painful history.
The sculpture and its meaning
Sokari Douglas Camp, renowned for her artistic work with steel, designed The Three Graces – The Dialogue as a symbol of resilience, healing, and unity. The sculpture draws direct inspiration from an 18th-century piece by abolitionist William Blake titled Europe Supported by Africa and America. (A print of this can be seen in the library at the Victoria and Albert Museum.) Blake’s piece depicts three women – an African woman and American Indian woman shown unclothed, and a European woman, partially clothed. The difference in clothing signifies the imbalanced power dynamics of that era. Sokari, however, sought to reclaim and reframe this narrative.
In her vision, the three figures are African women, fully clothed, sitting as equals. Their elaborate and voluminous skirts, a nod to the fashion of Surinamese women, are rich with cultural meaning. Surinamese women, known for wearing multiple layers of clothing at once, developed this style partly due to the lack of storage space but also as a protective measure against the risk of assault.
The Three Graces – The Dialogue shows the women engaged in an imagined conversation about their shared history of slavery and the continuing struggle for reparations and justice. This dialogue is a visual and symbolic centrepiece for Keti Koti’s annual remembrance and reflection.
Craftsmanship and preservation
The sculpture was welded from 3ml sheet steel, blending the industrial toughness of metal with the fluidity and grace of human forms. Joseph Ash Galvanizing was commissioned to galvanize and powder coat the work to ensure its durability and protect it from the elements. The galvanizing process involved coating the steel with a layer of zinc, providing a robust and reliable defence against corrosion. This ensures that the statue, much like the history it represents, will endure for generations.
The unveiling and community reception
The unveiling ceremony in Kleurenbuurt attracted around 200 people, including Sokari Douglas Camp herself. The community gathered in a spirit of remembrance, reflection, and celebration, marking The Three Graces as a focal point of collective healing.
In the tradition of Keti Koti, the piece serves as a catalyst for conversation – an essential dialogue about history, memory, and the need for reparations.
A lasting legacy
Sokari Douglas Camp’s The Three Graces – The Dialogue stands as a testament to the enduring impact of slavery, the strength of those who survived, and the continued efforts toward healing and reconciliation. Its ongoing and permanent presence in Zaandam’s Kleurenbuurt ensures that the story of Keti Koti and the voices it represents will continue to resonate with all who see it.
This piece, galvanized and protected, will remain a lasting symbol of the power of art to inspire reflection, conversation, and healing.
To see more of Sokari Douglas Camp’s work, visit her website.
You can also visit galleries such as the V&A, The Smithsonian Institute and The October Gallery where she has permanent pieces of art on display.
To see more of Sokari’s work galvanized by Joseph Ash, read Celebrating the Heritage of Carnival and Jonkonnu.
Special mentions
When Sokari fabricated The Three Graces – The Dialogue she had help in her studio from her assistant, who deserves a mention. His name is Luke Chin-Joseph.
A company called MDM Props also deserves a mention as they transported the finished sculpture from Joseph Ash Medway to The Netherlands. MDM Props deals in art manufacture, scenic construction, and prop making, and regularly works with both Sokari Douglas Camp and Joseph Ash Galvanizing.
Finally, a special mention goes to the municipality of Zaandam who made this commission possible.
Next pageJoseph Ash Galvanizing recently collaborated with GBT Steelwork, a family-run steel fabrication company based in South Ockendon, Essex. Under the leadership of Andy Thompson, GBT Steelwork took on an ambitious project to fabricate 26 balconies for a high-end apartment block in Knightsbridge, London.
The project scope
Commissioned by Collins Construction, the project demanded exceptional quality and precision, reflecting the upscale nature of Knightsbridge. The balconies, weighing approximately 13 tonnes in total, needed a robust and durable finish to ensure their longevity and resilience against the elements. To achieve this, GBT Steelwork relied upon Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s Medway plant to hot dip galvanize some of the steel balconies.
Galvanizing process
Hot dip galvanizing was the coating method of choice thanks to its ability to provide a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant finish. The galvanizing process involves immersing the steel in a bath of molten zinc, creating a tough, protective layer that bonds with the steel at a molecular level. This scientifically-backed coating method ensures its reliability at protecting steel against atmospheric attack.
Our team at Joseph Ash Medway undertook the galvanizing process with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that each balcony met the highest quality and durability standards. The hot dip galvanizing not only enhances the steel’s resistance to rust and corrosion but also provided an aesthetically pleasing finish, aligning perfectly with the high-end requirements of the Knightsbridge development. Galvanized steel is reliably used for construction and infrastructure projects thanks to its corrosion-resistant properties.
Transportation and installation
Once galvanized, the balconies were carefully loaded and transported to the Knightsbridge site, ensuring they arrived pristine and ready for installation.
Andy and his skilled team at GBT Steelwork then undertook the installation process. The whole project spanned nine weeks. Each balcony was meticulously fitted, contributing to the apartment block’s design and functionality. The galvanized finish not only provided the necessary durability but also complemented the building’s architectural design.
Working collaboratively
Galvanizing expertise, combined with intricate steel fabrication and installation, ensured balconies were delivered that are both beautiful and built to last.
Andy Thompson’s leadership and his team’s dedication were crucial in bringing this project to fruition. Their commitment to excellence ensured that the balconies not only met but exceeded the expectations of Collins Construction and the residents of the Knightsbridge apartments. We were proud to contribute to this project, and help protect these well-crafted balconies for many decades to come.
Your trusted galvanizing partner
Joseph Ash Galvanizing is trusted by many companies to deliver exceptional hot dip galvanizing, powder coating, and spin galvanizing services.
If you have a steel coating requirement, get in touch with one of our nine UK sites today.
Next pageThe end of the month sees the Joseph Ash Group bid farewell to two long-serving colleagues today.
Bob Preston has been the General Manager at Widnes Galvanising for the past few months, but has been with the company for many years and has had numerous roles since he first started at Premier Galvanizing. From 1st August, Dan Durn will be taking up the role of General Manager at Widnes.
David Prattis, General Manager at Premier Galvanizing Corby is also retiring and has been with the company for 6 years. From 1st August, his role will be fulfilled by Christoph Boueke who will be the new General Manager at Corby.
We wish both Bob and David all the best in their retirement!
Next pageHill & Smith PLC, Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s parent company, celebrated their incredible 200 year anniversary in June.
Founded in 1824, the group was founded by Edward Hill and was originally known as Hill’s Ironworks. Hill & Smith went on to acquire Joseph Ash Galvanizing in the year 2000, around the same time that Ash & Lacy PLC – a company founded by both Joseph Ash and John Pierce Lacy – underwent a public takeover.
To celebrate this landmark occasion, each site got to decide how they celebrated the occasion, with different events being held throughout the month of June. We’ve highlighted some of the events that took place across Joseph Ash below.
Widnes
Our Widnes Galvanising site had a retro burger van visit them, serving gourmet burgers and pancakes covered in fruit and chocolate. Their day was held on the 6th June.
Hull
Our Premier Galvanizing Hull site opted to host a fish and chip and ice cream van, with their celebrations on the 7th June. A great way to end a week!
Telford
Our Telford site opted to book a fish and chip van to the site and ordered cupcakes with Hill & Smith’s 200 Year Anniversary logo. They also held their own quiz with questions themed around the year 1824, and history about the industry and the company. There were over 30 entries in total, with prizes up for grabs including chocolates, alcohol, and a blender. Their day was held on the 24th June.
Bridgend
There were no food vans at Joseph Ash Bridgend; instead, they held a lucky dip raffle with many exciting prizes, including a 32″ TV, a 40″ oscillating fan, a deep tissue massager, alcohol and chocolate gift sets, vouchers, and even an extra day’s holiday.
They held the raffle at 6am on Monday 24th June to make sure that both day and night shifts could take part and no one missed out. Pizzas were also served throughout both the day and night. The team thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was a great way to start another week.
Congratulations to everyone who won a prize!
Chesterfield
Joseph Ash Chesterfield had an American-style burger van visit the site.
Bilston
Coming towards the end of the month, our Bilston site held a BBQ arranged by a catering company. They also had a visit from their local ice cream van. Their day was held on the 26th June.
Head Office
Finally, Head Office also celebrated on the 26th June, with a buffet breakfast arranged by Jason Anderson, Managing Director.
That’s not all though, as colleagues were also surprised with their own anniversary roses to take home for the occasion.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is an annual show to see cutting-edge garden design, new plants, and garden ideas, drawing a global crowd year on year. This year it took place from 21st-25th May 2024.
Ian Gill Sculpture, an award-winning metal sculptor based in Lincolnshire, is a regular attendee at these shows, crafting beautiful horticultural stands to be featured and displayed. Premier Galvanizing Hull has been proudly galvanizing Ian’s sculptures for 3 years, and were delighted to assist with Ian’s display at this year’s show.
We had the opportunity to speak to Ian about this year’s show, his inspiration for the stand, and why he can rely on Premier Galvanizing to hot dip galvanize his work.
About the project
Ian has been sculpting for over 25 years, and has been fabricating for the Chelsea Flower Show since 2008, attending every show since.
Ian’s stand featured multiple sculptures of different plants and shrubbery, including gunnera (giant rhubard), giant corten fern, and pond reeds. The stand incorporated a mixture of real and steel foliage, and included some stunning water displays. The real greenery was grown by Ian’s partner.
When asked about his inspiration for the project this year, Ian said:
“I got my inspiration for this year’s display from studying organic plant matter and nature. I had a lot of fun manipulating the steel to make it look soft and more like a real plant.
“Gunneras were going to be banned from the show because they were recently classified as an invasive species. But they didn’t know I was going to be bringing one – just one made out of steel instead.
“It took about 6 months total, working 10-12 hours on the project every day. All of my effort went into the display during those 6 months.
“There was about 25 tonnes of materials in total required to build the stand, including the flooring and surrounding materials.”
About this year’s show
2024 marks the 17th Annual Chelsea Flower Show that Ian has featured at.
There were about 250 stands at the show this year, and only around 40 got a 5 Star Tradestand Award by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Ian earned one of these 5 Star ratings during the show this year – an incredible (and well-deserved) achievement.
Some of Ian’s water features were displayed outside of his stand and were featured around the wider show, including a giant cascading waterfall which was displayed on the Malvern Garden Buildings stand.
Premier Galvanizing delivers a high quality finish
Ian started using Premier Galvanizing Hull 3 years ago, when he moved from the south up to Lincolnshire.
Ian recalls having poor experiences with another galvanizing company in the past. Moving up north provided him with an opportunity to find a new galvanizing company who understood the delicate nature of his sculptures, and could reliably galvanize them to a high quality without damaging his craftmanship.
“It’s devastating when you spend 3 months full-time producing a sculpture, just for a galvanizer to mess it up in 30 minutes. But since switching to Premier Galvanizing, I’ve been very happy. The team there are easy to reach out to and I can rely on them to look after my work.
“Talking to other metal artists at these kinds of shows, one of the first things that gets asked is, “Who does your galvanizing?”. Other metal artists often complain about how much of a nightmare it is to find a good galvanizer, and I used to join in with the complaining in those conversations, too. But I can’t anymore, because the quality I get with Premier Galvanizing is brilliant.”
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s priorities in recent years. Ian ensures the elements of his stand don’t go to waste.
“I’ll reuse the flooring on the stand as the slabs can be lifted up. I’ll also go on to sell the sculptures to the public after the show as ex-display. My partner will also take the real plants back and replant them to be used in other projects.”
Hot dip galvanizing is a sustainable practice, fitting into a circular economy. The high-quality galvanized finish provided for Ian’s sculptures means that they are protected from corrosion caused by atmospheric attack. The customers who will go on to buy these sculptures can be sure they will last for many years to come; and, should the sculptures need to be recycled, this can be done without loss of properties.
Another good year at the Chelsea Flower Show
Overall, this year’s show was another success, both for Ian and for the Royal Horticultural Society.
When asked about future projects, Ian concluded:
“I’m going to continue to make bigger, better, and crazier projects in the future.” We can’t wait to see them!
Ian Gill is the founder of Ian Gill Sculpture. More photos from this years show, as well as his stands from previous shows, can be found on his website www.iangillsculpture.com. Pictures supplied by Ian Gill.
Joseph Ash Chesterfield has successfully met the Bronze level requirements of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).
FORS is a voluntary scheme that covers all aspects of vehicle emissions, fuel efficiency, economical operations and safety.
Achieving the Bronze level means Joseph Ash Chesterfield‘s HGVs and practices meet the scheme’s requirements and the team are committed to maintaining the scheme’s standards, not just during the audit.
The Bronze audit is also the gateway to future Silver or Gold accreditations.
Well done to all involved!
Last week was sustainability week at Joseph Ash Galvanizing; a week for colleagues to focus on all things sustainability.
It can be easy to forget about sustainability when busy with day-to-day tasks, so the week serves to encourage colleagues to focus on environmental impacts and engage with the natural environment.
As part of the wider Hill & Smith PLC Group, Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s Technical department developed several activities and initiatives for the week to boost our site’s green credentials, have fun, and compete for prizes.
Take a look at some of the activities that took place across our sites below:
Biodiversity initiatives
Some of our galvanizing sites have large spaces of land surrounding them, which could be rewilded to encourage biodiversity. Managers were encouraged to let nature reclaim some of this excess land by allocating sections to be reclaimed by nature and scattering wildflower seeds to encourage new plant growth.
The new areas reclaimed by nature also serve to give colleagues a change of scenery, and potentially allow for new break areas for colleagues as we get closer to the warmer months.
Our Telford site was particularly keen to share their rewilding activities, fencing off a section of land using galvanized steel and dedicating the land enclosed to wildflower growth.
A competition to make the best birdbox was also held to further encourage biodiversity, with vouchers up for grabs for the winner.
Litter picking
Our Telford and Walsall sites have been busy taking part in some litter picking. The litter picked up can be correctly recycled instead of being left out and harming the environment.
Energy saving treasure hunt
To reduce carbon footprints at each of our sites, colleagues were encouraged to form groups and walk around the sites and and evaluate their environment, keeping sustainability in mind. This could include turning off lights, machines and other resources and questioning if they need to be used.
The energy saving treasure hunt is not a new concept; it was developed in 1999 by Toyota, and is a great activity for all companies to conduct, regardless of industry.
Competitions and prizes
There’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition, especially if it helps the environment! Prizes will be awarded for colleagues on a number of different categories:
- “Best Birdbox” award for the colleague who makes the best birdbox, with a voucher up for grabs for the winner – congratulations to Team Premier Galvanizing Corby!
- “Greatest Reduction in Energy” award for the site with the greatest reduction in CO² emissions per ton of galvanized steel for the month of May.
- “Most Sustainable Site” award for the site with the lowest year-to-date CO² output relative to galvanizing output.
Winners will be confirmed in the next few days/weeks.
Karl Hicks, Environmental and ESG Advisor at Joseph Ash, commented on the week:
“It’s been a great Sustainability Week where all the sites I’ve been to have shown real enthusiasm for getting involved, with dare I say a bit of competitive spirit. I am particularly chuffed with the fusion of “sustainability” & “galvanizing” that I’ve seen this week that demonstrates that the two are interconnected within the circular economy.
“My initial ideas for how sites could get involved have been improved on. I know that other things are in the pipeline across the sites in the next few weeks, and I’m looking forward to seeing those and dishing out awards for them accordingly.”
Overall, the week has been a huge success. Thank you and well done to all for your efforts in improving our sustainability and environmental impact!
Interested in learning more about our sustainability initiatives?
Whether you frequently arrange for steel be galvanized, or have yet to consider hot dip galvanizing for steel, it’s important to make sure you understand the process and what to look out for when choosing a galvanizing service provider.
We interviewed Mike Worth, Head of Technical and ESG, to find out all about his expertise with the galvanizing industry, what makes Joseph Ash a great place for high-quality galvanizing, and points for customers to be aware of when booking work in for galvanizing.
Can you give us an overview of your role?
As Head of Technical & ESG, I am responsible for supporting the plants with ensuring both the chemistry of process tanks, and the metallurgy of the galvanizing baths, are operated within given parameters. This is to ensure a consistently high level of product performance and quality is achieved. The Technical department offers guidance on legislative and standard changes and provides technical advice – both internally and externally – regarding the design, processing and quality of products sent for galvanizing.
The department is also responsible for managing the business’ environmental and energy management systems and its transition to a Net Zero future. The department assists with project management support within these areas, where existing equipment is replaced or new technology is installed.
What should customers be aware of when looking to galvanize their steel?
Steel composition
It’s important to ensure that the steel supplied is suitable for galvanizing. When specifying or sourcing steel for fabrications, the steel supplier should be made aware that the steel will be galvanized and supply accordingly. This should be plain carbon, low alloy steels. Where high strength, hardened/cold-worked or high alloy steels are specified, the galvanizer must be consulted at the design stage to ensure any potential concerns can be addressed at the earliest possible stage.
Steel condition
The pre-treatment stage of the galvanizing process involves thorough cleaning of the steel to remove light oils/greases, rust and scale. This allows the characteristic coating growth synonymous with hot dip galvanizing. Whilst robust, this cleaning process cannot remove all potential contaminants that can be present on fabricated steelwork. Paints, wax crayon, labels and weld anti-spatter that is not water-soluble are examples of products that will not be removed by normal processing. Where these products are used, they should be ground off prior to sending material for galvanizing to prevent uncoated areas during the process.
Another common problem can be laser or flame cut edges. The heat-affected zone created by these processes has a dissimilar chemistry to that of the main body of steelwork which can create a very thin (unreactive) coating with poor adhesion. These areas should also be ground prior to sending material for galvanizing.
Design
The steel’s design should also be considered. This includes:
- Dimensions – Can the material fit in the bath? Will it need to be double-dipped?
- Weight – Is the work too heavy for cranes or FLTs?
- Venting and drainage – Have sufficient venting and drain holes been placed? Can the steel be dipped safely, with all internal areas suitably vented to allow air to escape and process chemicals and zinc to drain?
- How will the work be suspended by the cranes – are there suitable lifting points for the lifting equipment?
- Section size – No part of the fabrication should be more than 2.5x the thickness of any other, as this can cause distortion as the heat transfer of these sections will be different.
We have a venting tips and tricks poster to help our customers with designing their steel for galvanizing.
How does Joseph Ash take pride in the quality of their galvanizing?
I have, on a number of occasions, been asked by existing and potential customers to comment on the quality of galvanizing by another supplier. I take great pride in the extensive work that both myself, the department, and colleagues with a technical aspect to their role have completed to refine the chemistry and metallurgy of our processes and deliver a high standard of coating finish. In my experience, this level of finish is not achieved by other galvanizers.
Hot dip galvanizing has traditionally been an industrial corrosion protection system, where aesthetics were once a secondary consideration. Through our work we are able to not only deliver a product which performs to the highest expectations of corrosion resistance and durability but also with an aesthetic that is incredibly pleasing.
Why is quality important when looking for a galvanizer?
Industry standards
BS EN ISO1461 states a certain level of product quality must be achieved for general hot dip batch galvanizing to be supplied to the marketplace. The coating must be continuous, with no bare areas that would corrode if not repaired. It must also be relatively smooth, with no sharp edges or zinc build-up that could cause harm or prevent the article from being installed or used. The coating must also be above the specified minimum mean coating thicknesses detailed within the standard.
Installation and use
Steel articles that come for galvanizing are products. The design is critical for ensuring these products are suitable to install and use by our customers and end clients. If the galvanizing process is not considered at the design stage, a product could be returned with zinc build-up on critical faces (i.e. plates that are bolted together), meaning the product cannot be installed. Hole tolerances/threaded components also may not be usable after galvanizing. A product may have to be suspended a certain way through the process, leading to holes being required on visible faces which reduces the aesthetic appeal of the product.
How does the quality of the galvanized finish impact the steel’s lifespan?
If the galvanizer is consulted early on in a product’s design phase, the product can be designed suitably based on considerations regarding steel composition and condition. If the galvanizer pays particular attention to their process chemistry and bath metallurgy then hot dip galvanizing can last, maintenance free, for decades. In some cases, it can last for over a century.
Where these considerations are not given – for example, if the galvanizer skips or rushes stages of the process; or doesn’t operate within parameters – there will be areas on uncoated or under-coated steel. These areas will corrode prematurely, resulting in additional maintenance. In worse cases, articles may need to be disassembled to be reprocessed or replaced. This becomes an expensive and time-consuming task for the customer. That’s why it’s important to make sure your galvanizer understands the important of good quality control and is equipped and able to deliver this.
How does Joseph Ash maintain high standards for quality and stay ahead in the industry?
Joseph Ash operate a high level of factory production control. All stages of the chemical pre-treatment are analysed fortnightly – and the bath metallurgy analysed monthly – using chemical titration and optical emission spectrometry. These processes are then adjusted accordingly to remain within optimum parameters at all times. On top of this, the business operates a Quality Management System certified to ISO 9001 to ensure our quality aspects and impacts are assessed and controlled accordingly.
The business is a member of the UK Galvanizers’ Association and I myself sit on the Technical Committee. This allows us to keep abreast of any upcoming industry risks and have input into standards development. We not only have high standards in the Technical arena but also Health & Safety and Environmental considerations. We are certified to both ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 to manage all of our business risk and impacts, both internally to our colleagues and externally to customers, contractors and the local communities we operate in.
Any extra advice for anyone who may be reading?
Consult with your galvanizer as early and as often as possible regarding design and specifying products for galvanizing.
Next pageA huge congratulations to Gurpal (Charlie) Singh, who celebrated an incredible 40 years at Joseph Ash Galvanizing!
Gurpal is our General Manager at our Walsall site and has been invaluable to the company since he joined.
Colleagues from throughout the site gathered for the occasion. Jason Anderson, Managing Director, visited the site and congratulated Gurpal on his long service achievement.
Congratulations Gurpal, and thank you for all of your hard work over the past 40 years!
