June 2021 newsletter
Read our latest newsletter – hot off the press today!
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It’s always good to get a different perspective, and that’s just what happened when we were presented with some drone photos of our plant at Bilston. The photos were provided by Iain Smith from Berry Systems (one of our Hill & Smith sister companies).
- The team at Bilston are very proud of their plant, including how neat, tidy and organised it looks! Here’s some other reasons why they are proud:
- The Bilston plant has the deepest bath in the country. Dipping to 3.6m the team can vertically accommodate a lot of work which may be sloped or a double dipped elsewhere.
- Bilston is one of the few plants in the UK with a semi automated system, allowing technology to pickle your work. This means turnaround times are super quick.
- Bilston has an enclosed acid house. This means that the emissions from the chemical cleaning process are captured, cleaned and then released to the atmosphere as clean air.
- The plant is categorised as low risk by the Local Authority, making the plant the UK’s most environmentally friendly Galvanizer.
(Photos courtesy of Iain Smith at Berry Systems.)
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Patrick Fromant has joined our Corby plant as the new Commercial Manager, responsible for the commercial activity and the sales team.
No stranger to the construction industry, Patrick brings with him a wealth of experience as a Graduate Trainee Manager, a District Sales Manager and Territory Sales Manager at Hanson UK, where he was responsible for several different concrete plants.
Patrick is driven, strategic, analytical, solution-focused, and customer-centric.
When asked why he joined the Joseph Ash Group, he said “After meeting the leadership team, it felt like a fantastic opportunity to join a great business with forward-thinking management. I am keen to utilise and develop my skillset to bring commercial success to the Group.”
In his spare time, Patrick is a regular gym goer and a food fanatic.
Please join us in welcoming Patrick to the Joseph Ash Group.
Great to have you with us Patrick!
You can reach Patrick on 01536 409818 or at patrickf@premiergalv.co.uk.
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In 2020 a new structure was erected at the busy new commercial office district of Stratford’s International Quarter London. The design – known as The Living Room – was commissioned by Lendlease to create a multi-use, free co-working space for the workers and broader communities of Stratford. It was fabricated by one of our valued clients – Cake Industries – and hot dip galvanized by Joseph Ash Galvanizing.
The ethos behind the new International Quarter at Stratford, is encouraging people to work where they feel most inspired, and The Living Room certainly lives up to this goal. Designed by YOU&ME Architects with Cooke Fawcett Architects, it allows nearby office workers and the public to comfortably work outside, for fresh air and a change of scenery. Equipped with power sockets, lighting and WiFi, it can be used by up to 30 people.
The structure looks like a house on its side, forming a sheltered pitched canopy – should the weather prove inclement – with tiered seating.
It is made from hot dip galvanized steel and clad in glue-laminated larch timber.
Powder-coated aluminium shingles cover the exterior in a bright and colourful pattern of pinks and greens, which creates a sculptural shelter from every viewpoint. The fixed furniture made from bespoke, hot dip galvanized and powder-coated steel continues this vibrant theme. There’s also a 7m long communal table and durable hardwood seating.
A project to be proud of
Cake Industries were chosen as the fabricators of this project because they have a reputation for bringing concepts to life, working with the finest materials, and taking a design-focused approach to all projects, from sculptures to staircases, cabinetry to pavilions.
As a long-standing supplier to Cake Industries, Joseph Ash Galvanizing was chosen to manage the hot dip galvanizing process, and the vibrant powder coating.
Hot dip galvanizing is imperative for a project such as The Living Room because it provides a long-life, low-maintenance corrosion protection which safeguards the steel from atmospheric attack, which causes rust. Powder coating also provides a robust, colourful layer to architectural steel.
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To book The Living Room, visit IQL.
Photos by Peter Landers.
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We’re delighted to announce that a date has been set for the RIDBA Building Awards 2021! The Awards – which are held every two years to celebrate the best in rural and industrial building design and fabrication – will be held on Thursday 30 September at the Macdonald Hotel in Manchester.
The evening will be black tie and will include a drinks reception, a three course meal, and the all important handing out of the coveted RIDBA awards! (Tickets are available direct from RIDBA.)
Not only has the date been set… the shortlisted entries have also been announced. The shortlist in the various categories are listed below:
Education and leisure:
AFC Harrogate – Indigo Fitness (with United Products)
Estate Bridge – S&A Fabrications
Innovation Centre at the University of Essex – A.C. Bacon Engineering
Sybil Andrews Academy – A.C. Bacon Engineering
The Nest – Norwich City FC, Community Sports Foundation – A.C. Bacon Engineering
The City of Cambridge Rowing Club – M D Anthony
Industrial and Production
Aerotron Composites – M D Anthony
Bryan Salads – Wareing Buildings
Martin Commercials – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Project Horizon, Mustard and Mint Factory – A.C. Bacon Engineering
Tobi Produce – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Public Services
Darlington Farmers Market – S&A Fabrications
Dick White Referrals – Veterinary Centre Extension – A.C. Bacon Engineering
Gateway Auctions – Wareing Buildings
Interserve Cardigan Integrated Healthcare – Shufflebottom
The Grand Lodge at Oaklands – Colley Farm Buildings
Wicstun Veterinary Hospital – Colley Farm Buildings
Storage: Farm
Beaumontcote Farm – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Beaumont Otes Farm Multipurpose Building – Johnstruct
Machinery Shed – Ampton Hall Estate – A.C. Bacon Engineering
Roberts D. S & Son – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Robert Nelstrop Farms – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Livestock
Elms Farm Poultry – Powell & Co Construction
Gt Horwood Cattle Building – L F Pearce & Son
Lower Trederwen Farm Broiler Units – Powell & Co Construction
New Farm Steading in North Yorkshire – Glendale Engineering (Milfield)
University of Nottingham, Centre of Dairy Science Innovation, New-Born Calf Building – Haston Reynolds
Wharton Cattle Shed – S&A Fabrications
Residential & Offices
Barn Conversion – Industrial Building Solutions
Ben Jurin Islay Road – Wareing Buildings
College Court – Industrial Building Solutions
Holton Studios – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Lingwood House – New Office Facility & Warehouse – M D Anthony
Retail & Distribution
Fox Electrical Supplies – Timmins Engineering & Construction
Group First – Wareing Buildings
Henco International – Wareing Buildings
Jones Brothers Home Bargains – Shufflebottom
Mainsgill Farm Shop Extension – S&A Fabrication
Training
Shufflebottom
A.C. Bacon Engineering
Glendale Engineering
Joseph Ash Galvanizing is a proud sponsor of the Awards.
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Read our May 2021 newsletter from Joseph Ash Galvanizing – hot off the press today!
To read a copy, click here.
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We’re looking for additional hot dip galvanizing operatives for our Bilston, Bridgend, Chesterfield, Corby, Hull, Medway, Telford and Walsall plants. Are you interested?
We’re searching for reliable, flexible, self-motivated and hardworking individuals, to be employed on a full-time basis (after successful completion of a probationary period).
The plants operate 24 hours with team members working on a rotating shift system (including some weekends) to meet customer demand.
The role ensures the safe and efficient processing of work, from receipt through to the galvanizing process to finished product ready for despatch.
We offer a structured training programme for all team members.
Applicants must be physically fit and work well in a team within a fast moving production environment, where excellent customer service and high product quality is the key to our continued success. An excellent attitude towards health and safety is a pre-requisite of the role.
For further information please email:
Rob Nelson (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Bilston)
Kevin Williams (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Bridgend)
Mark Payne (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Chesterfield)
David Prattis (Divisional Manager at Premier Galvanizing Corby)
Alex Camp (General Manager at Premier Galvanizing Hull)
Tim Palmer (General Manager at Joseph Ash Medway) or Joel Fletcher
Stuart Cobourne (Divisional Manager Joseph Ash Telford)
Charlie Singh (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Walsall)
Discretion assured. No agencies please.
Next pageRead our latest newsletter – hot off the press today!
To read a copy, click here.
To receive a copy of the newsletter in your inbox each month please
subscribe. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the
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Galvanized steel is an integral part of everyday life and is all around us. But how does its prevalence today affect the environment of the future? How sustainable is it? What role does it play in the circular economy? And is the galvanizing process itself environmentally friendly?
Steel is essential for housing, infrastructure, transport, manufacturing, and agriculture. Used as frames for our buildings, safety on our roads, and support for the bridges we cross, we must never waste the resources used to produce it by throwing it away when the original function is no longer valid. Instead, we must repurpose steel, especially if the world wants to move away from traditional business models of use-throw-away-remake to a more environmentally friendly, sustainable circular economy that aims to eliminate waste and repurpose resources.
What is a circular economy, and how can galvanizing play a part?
A circular economy encourages materials to be made, used, reused, remade, and recycled.
Hot dip galvanizing fits perfectly into a circular economy because it optimises the durability of steel (enabling it to be used again) and facilitates the ease of reuse. It can be recycled if there’s no immediate need to repurpose it. Here’s how:
Optimising durability
When steel is galvanized, it is immersed in a bath of molten zinc, where it alloys with the iron in the steel to form zinc/iron alloy layers. These layers form the basis of the coating, which is covered with free zinc as the steel lifts from the galvanizing bath. The result is a robust, durable, corrosion-protective finish that will last many years.
Without a galvanized coating, steel corrodes rapidly, leading to a short lifespan. However, with a galvanized coating, steel can last for decades before the base steel is exposed, giving long term protection. This means that steel can be used for the original purpose for which it was fabricated, and – once the project is dismantled – the steel is still good enough to be used elsewhere.
Facilitating ease of reuse
Once a structure – such as a house or fencing – reaches its end of life, the steel can easily be repurposed if it has been hot dip galvanized. The galvanized coating protects the steel from impact and abrasion when disassembled and reassembled.
Recycling
Finally, hot dip galvanized steel fits nicely into a circular economy because it can be melted and used repeatedly without losing quality if there is no immediate need for repurposing.
The zinc coating can also be reused. Zinc and steel are recycled in well-established steel recycling processes. The zinc particulates are returned, without loss of properties, to zinc production plants, where they are incorporated into zinc ingots and reused in the galvanizing process.
How else does the galvanizing process enhance sustainability?
A hot dip galvanized finish gives steel a long life and durability. In addition, it creates a maintenance-free finish, which lessens the carbon emissions usually associated with the upkeep of non-galvanized steel.
Mick Jackson from Joseph Ash Galvanizing says: “Imagine a bridge made from non-galvanized steel. It would need maintenance every year to protect it from rust and corrosion. It would also need repainting at regular intervals. This requires paint, a workforce, transport for the workers and a means to protect the land or water below from paint contamination. This maintenance is not required if the same bridge is made from galvanized steel, therefore carbon emissions are greatly lessened.”
Is the galvanizing process environmentally friendly?
Galvanizing plants are self-contained, with steel going in at one end and the final product coming out at the other.
Modern galvanizing plants also use zinc very efficiently throughout the galvanizing process. For example, excess metal from the dipping process deposits back into the galvanizing bath. Zinc that oxidises on the surface is removed as ash and recycled, and dross from the bottom of the bath is routinely removed and has a high recycling value.
Other process consumables, such as hydrochloric acid and flux solutions, have important recycling or regeneration routes. Spent hydrochloric acid solutions are used to produce iron chloride for treating municipal wastewater, for example. Closed-loop flux recycling is also used in many plants, and improved monitoring and maintenance of flux tanks reduce the volume of solids for disposal. Compared to other coating technologies galvanizing uses low volumes of water, with plants rarely discharging wastewater. Any wastewater generated can be treated and reused, with only small volumes of stable solids requiring external disposal.
While not considered a particularly energy-intensive sector, the galvanizing industry also has set targets for energy efficiency and improved energy management. New technology has seen improvements in burner efficiency, bath lid efficiency, and reuse of waste heat to warm pre-treatment tanks. Plant emissions are also carefully controlled to ensure neighbouring communities are not adversely affected.
A strong commitment to the circular economy
The Managing Director at Joseph Ash Galvanizing, said: “We count ourselves fortunate to be involved with such a sustainable product, playing, as it does, a critical role in extending the life of steel structures by decades. In addition, reducing our environmental impact has been close to our hearts for many years, hence our heavy investment in fume capture and recycling by-products.”
We firmly believe in a circular economy, where the needs of present-day society are met, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Get in touch to find out more about hot dip galvanized steel or the sustainability processes at Joseph Ash.
You can view the new EGGA guide – ‘Galvanized Steel and Sustainable Construction: Solutions for a Circular Economy’ here.
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We’re pleased to announce some long-time service achievements at Joseph Ash Galvanizing over the last quarter.
Please join us in celebrating Edwin Smith, Kate Webster, Wayne Smith and Joanne Winfield as they have all reached 15 year’s at the Company.
Edwin Smith (15 years at Joseph Ash Walsall)
Eddie joined Joseph Ash as a yard worker, working in the fettling area. He has worked his way up to be a key team member in our loading/unloading team in the busy yard at Walsall. As an experienced loader/unloader, Eddie understands the importance of safe, secure loading for our customers, colleagues, and visitors. Eddie adds a significant knowledge to our yard team, and is a loyal, hardworking employee. We are all the better for having him on our team.
We hope Eddie continues with us for many more years!
Kate Webster (15 years at Joseph Ash Walsall)
Kate joined Joseph Ash Walsall as an administrator on a part time basis in 2006. Kate has excelled in her role at all times, consequently being promoted to office manager in April 2014. Since her promotion Kate has built a fantastic team and has put systems in place to ensure the department runs smoothly and efficiently.
Kate is a loyal, hard-working employee who is well respected and liked throughout the Company, and who is seen as a model employee. We hope Kate continues to flourish within her department and with the business for many years to come.
Wayne Smith (15 years at Joseph Ash Chesterfield)
Wayne is a production operative at our Chesterfield plant. He has been a key member of the shift and is an experienced acid man. Wayne is a Manchester Utd supporter and a reliable member of the team. Congratulations on reaching 15 years Wayne!
Joanne Winfield (15 years at Joseph Ash Chesterfield)
Joanne has been a key member of the sales team working at our Chesterfield plant, supporting both Martin Hall (Commercial Manager) and Matthew Phillips (Customer Service Manager). Joanne is very well-liked by our MRS customers and is able to support the business in numerous roles if and when needed. Congratulations on reaching 15 years Joanne!
(Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash.com)
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