Pauline Alcide celebrates 30 years at Joseph Ash

A huge congratulations to Pauline Alcide who recently celebrated 30 years at Joseph Ash Galvanizing!

Based at Head Office as an Assistant Accountant, Pauline has played a fundamental role within the Finance department and the wider Joseph Ash Group for many years.

Pauline commented on her time at Joseph Ash:

“I started with Joseph Ash Ltd when the company was called “Joseph Ash & Son Galvanizing Ltd“ and the head office was still in Birmingham. I was 30 years of age at the time.

“During this time, I have seen people come and go and I have also made lots of friends over the years.

“I have watched the business grow from strength to strength and worked under 4 Managing Directors who have made the company what it is today.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working at Joseph Ash Ltd over the last 30 years and I am looking forward to many more years to come.”

Congratulations Pauline!

We were proud to hold our own Oscars Awards Evening to celebrate the colleagues who played a role in helping create new internal Joseph Ash video content. The videos were created as part of a new induction process, to help introduce new starters to the company.

The evening served as a thank you to those who were closely involved in the making and filming of the videos. Their input was recognised and celebrated, with four people winning awards based on Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s values – Respect and Decency, Team Spirit, Learning and Improvement, and Taking Responsibility. Awards were presented by Stuart Whitehouse, Managing Director.

The winners were:

Respect and Decency: Osmond Crosdale

Osmond pulled together a meaningful summary of what he felt Respect and Decency looks like in Joseph Ash and went on camera to talk about this in the film. He also had his own “mic drop” moment with the final line of his summary:

“So if you have respect and you’re decent, welcome to Joseph Ash, we need you”.

Team Spirit: Estera Bak

Estera helped massively in ensuring that the Health and Safety element of our Induction video was accurate and covered everything we needed. She then travelled over from Telford to Walsall for just 15 minutes of filming for the Respect and Decency section of the video.

Learning and Improvement: Prakash Patel

Prakash was asked to do some acting during a segment of one of the films. He displayed perseverance despite needing a few takes, and progressively got more comfortable with the role. He won the Learning and Improvement award for his development and dedication during the filming process.

Taking Responsibility: Mick Barber

Mick was fundamental to the creation of the four films. He took it on his shoulders to advise technically and operationally; to cajole colleagues into acting; to get them to move products backwards and forwards on fork lifts; to stop the jig and move it back if the shot hadn’t gone right. Mick assumed responsibility from the start and demonstrated the kind of leadership that should stand as a model for our business.

Congratulations to those who won an award, and thank you to everybody involved in the creation of the videos!

Christmas is fast approaching, which means our sites will soon be shutting for the holidays.

To help you stay prepared, we’ve listed below the dates and times that our sites will be shutting, as well as the dates and times that our sites will be reopening in the new year.

Please note that while our Chesterfield site officially closes on the 21st December, the last day for galvanizing is Monday 18th December due to a bath changeover.

Site	Schedule
Bilston	Close: Wednesday 20th December 2023, 12:00pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024, 6:00am
Bridgend	Close: Friday 22nd December 2023, 6:00am Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024. 6:00am
Chesterfield	Close: Thursday 21st December 2023 Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024 NB. Last day for hot dip galvanizing is Monday 18th December due to a bath changeover.
Corby	Close: Thursday 21st December 2023, 4:30pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024, 7:00am
Hull	Close: Friday 22nd December 2023, 1:00pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024
Medway	Close: Friday 22nd December 2023, 2:00pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024, 8:00am
Telford	Close: Friday 22nd December 2023, 12:00pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024 NB. Last day for spin galvanizing is Tuesday 19th December due to a bath pump out.
Walsall	Close: Tuesday 19th December 2023, 4:30pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024, 8:00am
Widnes	Close: Friday 22nd December 2023, 12:00pm Open: Tuesday 2nd January 2024, 8:30am

If you have any steel that needs coating before the new year, book a collection or get a quote from us today to avoid disappointment.

Get a quote

Book a collection

Galvanized cob horse for heritage recognition in the South Downs

The Changing Chalk project is a multi-partner, multi-project initiative led by the National Trust. The project aims to restore lost habitats, bring histories to life, and provide new experiences in the outdoors.

As part of this project, Changing Chalk commissioned Jake Bowers, artist and blacksmith at Thirsty Bear Forge, to fabricate a life-size cob horse to recognise and celebrate the cultural heritage of “Gypsy, Roma and Traveller” communities in the South Downs. Jake relied on Joseph Ash Medway to galvanize the horse to the best quality, preserving it for many years to come.

The creation of Prissy

Jake took measurements for the sculpture from a real-life model: Winnie the cob, who was the much-loved horse owned by his sister Priscilla. The sculpture itself was decidedly named after Priscilla, too.

Jake also took Priscilla, Queen of the South (as the sculpture had become known) on a nationwide tour so that members of the community and public sector workers could forge part of her mane, feet and tail. Jake noted: “Our presence at Appleby Fair, for example, allowed scores of Gypsies and Traveller community members to create part of the sculpture.”

The community input into the sculpture makes the project even more powerful.

Hot dip galvanizing for an extended lifespan

As Prissy – the shortened name given to the sculpture – was set to live outside in the South Downs, a durable, long-lasting and corrosion-resistant finish was required to ensure it remained protected against the elements for many years to come. Hot dip galvanizing served as the ideal solution, thanks to the extended lifespan it provides for steel. Galvanizing also helps to keep steel looking like new – ideal for preserving the beauty of this symbolic sculpture.

Joseph Ash Medway collected, hot dip galvanized, and returned Prissy back to Jake so that the National Trust could install the sculpture as part of their project.

The outcome

Prissy now resides in the South Downs, serving as a long-lasting reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the communities who help shape these landscapes.

When asked why he chose to galvanize the horse with Joseph Ash Galvanizing, Jake commented:

“The sculpture is so intricate only galvanizing would have reached every part that needed preserving.

“I also love the way Joseph Ash treats works of art with the care and attention to detail that a work of art requires.”

Prissy is the first public sculpture to be unveiled as part of Project Atchin Tan, a community initiative seeking to include the voices of travelling communities on issues of sustainability and global warming. At least two other horse sculptures are planned, largely made from recycled steel and the skills of the community members.

You can learn more about the Changing Chalk partnership on the National Trust website. To discuss the project with the fabricator, contact Jake Bowers at Thirsty Bear Forge.

If you have a galvanizing requirement, get a quote or book a collection with one of our nine UK sites today.

Widnes Galvanising, the latest addition to the Joseph Ash Group, has just launched their new environmentally-friendly passivation process!

An alternative to hexavalent chrome passivation, Widnes Galvanising Ltd’s (also known as Joseph Ash Widnes) non-chrome 6 passivation is a fantastic step towards keeping the galvanizing process environmentally friendly, as well as making sure we deliver only the best quality finish for our customers.

What is passivation?

After hot dip galvanizing has taken place, items (on request) are “passivated”. Passivation causes a chemical reaction to occur, where a thin transparent layer of metal oxide coats the galvanized steel to help reduce the effects of wet storage stain and cool the items so they can be handled safely.

Our new passivation process does not use hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds within the process. Instead, it relies on compounds which are considered less toxic and more environmentally friendly. Our new method of passivating is a safer alternative to traditional Cr(VI) passivation, while delivering only the highest-quality finish for our customers.

Benefits of non-chrome 6 passivation

The main difference between hexavalent chrome passivation and our new non-chrome 6 passivation is its environmental impact; Joseph Ash Widnes’ passivation process is more environmentally-friendly than traditional Cr(VI) passivation. At Joseph Ash we’re dedicated to protecting the environment, so this is a fantastic change for our Widnes site.

Other benefits of passivation include:

Increased corrosion resistance: Passivation significantly improves the corrosion resistance of zinc-coated steel. This is particularly important in outdoor and industrial environments where exposure to moisture, chemicals, and pollutants is common.
Aesthetic appeal: Passivation can enhance the appearance of the galvanized surface by providing a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing finish.
Extended lifespan: Galvanized products with passivation tend to have a longer service life, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
Improved adhesion: Passivation can improve the adhesion of paints and coatings to the galvanized surface, making it easier to apply and more durable.

Contact Widnes Galvanising today to discuss your hot dip galvanizing and passivation requirements.

Imagine a museum where creativity knows no bounds, where children, young people, and families can unleash their imaginations and be inspired. Young V&A, the brand-new Victoria and Albert children’s museum, offers just that.

Seeking a fabricator that could make the museum’s exterior stand out, they contacted Factory Settings Ltd to fabricate giant letters to sit on top of the building. Factory Settings, in turn, needed a reliable hot dip galvanizing company that offered a quick turnaround time to increase the steel’s durability and give the museum exterior an eye-catching finish.

Hot dip galvanized by: Joseph Ash Medway

Fabricated by: Factory Settings Ltd

End client: Young V&A

Steel finishing service: Hot dip galvanizing

Young V&A’s requirements

Young V&A is a brand-new children’s museum in London where children, young people and families can imagine, play, and be inspired. The London-based museum wanted to enhance their exterior prior to their opening day on 1^st July 2023, and turned to Factory Settings Ltd for help. Factory Settings, also based in London, agreed to fabricate a huge sculpture of V&A’s logo to be displayed on top of the museum – increasing brand visibility and modernising the museum’s exterior.

The museum’s grand opening day was fast approaching, and there was a lot to be done. Factory Settings needed a reliable galvanizing company that offered a fast turnaround time from start to finish. Located in Sittingbourne, Kent, Joseph Ash Medway was the perfect choice for the fabricating company.

The letter’s frames needed to be galvanized to increase the steel’s durability and give it a shiny, clean finish. Galvanizing also makes the steel corrosion-resistant, so the sign stays in excellent condition even in bad weather.

Speedy turnaround times save the day

Sudden delays on steel items and a last-minute change in design meant the deadline was fast approaching without much progress. Factory Settings were reliant on the team at Joseph Ash Medway to adapt to the changing timeframes to ensure the museum’s sculpture was ready for the opening day.

Keen to deliver an exceptional service, the Medway team were swift to adapt to the last-minute collection dates. Joseph Ash Medway’s flexibility to the situation and their quick turnaround times meant that the work was returned to Factory Settings in time for them to finish cladding before the big day.

Young V&A’s grand opening

Young V&A had a successful opening weekend on 1st July 2023.

Factory Setting’s Senior Project Manager was keen to thank the Joseph Ash Medway team:

“Thanks so much for all your help getting the frames back to us quickly so we can hit our install deadline – that made a real difference for us. Can’t wait to see this signage up in the air!”

Well done to Factory Settings Ltd and everyone else involved!

If you’re in London, why not visit Young V&A for a fun and educational day out? Alternatively, if you’re in need of steel fabrication, contact Factory Settings Ltd.

Pictures courtesy of Factory Settings Ltd

Joseph Ash Medway delivers a one-stop-shop service of shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing, powder coating and duplex coatings all from under one roof. Contact the Medway team today to discuss steel treatment projects in London and beyond.

After 19 years working at Joseph Ash Galvanizing, the company said farewell to John McMahon on the 30^th of June.

To say goodbye, staff at Head Office arranged a buffet lunch and a gift collection pot. Neil Kanagaratnam presented a bottle of bubbly, and delivered a farewell speech.

John has had a number of different jobs outside of the company over his lifetime, including a job as a magistrate! But his longest role has been at Joseph Ash Galvanizing.

John McMahon left parting words for his colleagues.

“I would like to thank you all for your professionalism and support over those years and I have enjoyed working with you all.”

“Like Spock says, live long and prosper!”

We wish you all the best for the future, John!

The year 2023 has been full of long services at Joseph Ash Galvanizing, and June 6th means that Jeannette Dixon has been with the Company for 40 years!

Jeannette has had a fantastic journey though the Company. She started back in 1983, just before her 18th birthday, shortly after finishing secretarial college. There were only two plants back then – one in Birmingham and one in Telford. She was secretary to the Galvanizing Director at the time, working for him for several years before he retired.

The company expanded, and Jeannette became secretary to the Managing Director. She left after some years to have her child and worked part-time on her return, working for the Sales Manager. After another few years she went to work within Transport department before finally relocating with other colleagues to our current Head Office in Halesowen.

In her speech, she commented: “I’ve seen lots of changes, met lots of great people, seen the company develop, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Jeannette was gifted with a lovely bouquet of flowers as well as £500 which she towards a brand new laptop. She and her colleagues at Head Office will also be going out for a celebratory meal at Miller & Carter.

Congratulations Jeannette!

View the video on our TikTok page.

Just days after our Meet the Team interview with him, we’re proud to announce that David Hull has been promoted to UK Head of Health and Safety for Hill & Smith PLC (Joseph Ash Group’s parent company).

Before, David was Head of Health and Safety for the Joseph Ash Group, operating from our Head Office. David’s promotion means he will now work directly for Hill & Smith PLC. He will be looking after the health and safety for Hill & Smith’s UK companies (as well as in India and Australia). Therefore, David will still play a large role in Joseph Ash Group’s health and safety management.

David has significant experience in Health and Safety leadership in a variety of sectors. Needless to say, this promotion is well-deserved.

David begins the transition into his new role from June 1st 2023.

Congratulations David!

Looking for the widest galvanizing bath in the UK? Look no further than Joseph Ash Telford!

When it comes to looking for the perfect galvanizing service provider, bath size matters. The right size galvanizing bath will ensure your steel fabrications are evenly and sufficiently coated in zinc.

At two meters wide, the UK’s widest galvanizing bath can handle bigger and more complex projects than our competitors. Joseph Ash Telford is the ideal place to galvanize your fencing, structural steel, trailers, sculptures, or any other wide metal fabrications.

Team member fettling hot dip galvanized waste containers

Why a wider galvanizing bath is better

There are numerous reasons why the width of our Telford bath makes it the ideal place to hot dip galvanize your metal fabrications.

Increased Capacity: A wider galvanizing bath can handle larger and more complex items. This allows you to protect bigger projects without needing to downsize them, saving you time and money. We can also process more of your items at once, reducing the overall turnaround time for projects. This allows us to meet tighter deadlines so you get your projects back quicker.

Reduced Handling: With a wider bath, you can process larger items without needing to handle them as much. Less handling reduces the risk of damage to the items and increases the efficiency of the handling process.

Better Coating Quality: A wider bath allows the molten zinc to flow more freely over all surfaces, both internal and external, of the metal. This ensures consistency with the coating’s thickness and quality. This is particularly important for complex items, where getting complete coverage on all surfaces can be difficult.

Cost Savings: By being able to process larger items in a single bath, we can save you money on energy, labour, and maintenance, helping you reduce your expenses overall.

Our Telford bath isn’t just wide, though. It’s also 7.3 meters long and 3.1 meters deep, with a volume capacity of 5 tonnes. These dimensions make it capable of containing almost any large metal fabrication!

Get a quote or book a collection today to protect your fabrication in the widest UK galvanizing bath at Joseph Ash Telford.