Dragon protection for Phoenix Forge
Take a look at these amazing dragon sculptures! They were recently hot dip galvanized at our Joseph Ash Bridgend plant, for Phoenix Forge.
The dragon in the top photo is made from over 4000 individual scales each painstakingly welded to an armature, giving the dragon a life of its own. It took a little over five weeks to construct.
We’ve proudly galvanized a number of Phoenix Forge dragons over the years and it’s always a pleasure to help protect these wonderful works of art.
It’s fun to see these cheeky creatures around our plant too!
Thanks for sending them our way Phoenix Forge. We can’t wait to do some more.
About Phoenix Forge:
Phoenix Forge specialises in making beautiful handcrafted ironwork to enhance people’s homes or gardens. All of their work is designed by award winning artist blacksmith William Holland.
The Company opened in June 2010. They aim to breathe new life into iron through the ancient art and craft of traditional blacksmithing.
For those interested in learning the craft, the Company also runs creative courses such as the Blacksmith Taster Day.
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As Spring has sprung and it feels like a newly invigorated year, we’re pleased to announce the delivery of some new trucks at Joseph Ash Medway.
The new trucks arrived recently, and they have been part of a transport overhaul initiative by Rob Haynes, the Transport Manager at our Kent plant.
Since Rob joined Joseph Ash Medway three years ago, he has streamlined the fleet of lorries from 16 11 x 18ton Rigid’s, 1 x 7.5ton and four Artics) down to 12, (8 x 18 tonne Rigid and four x Artics). The purpose of the streamlining was to utilise all available space on each vehicle rather than running ‘half empty’ vehicles, maximising the number of deliveries and collections each vehicle can achieve, without compromising service.
Safety has also been a key goal for Rob. In November 2019 the plant received four new Mercedes Benz Actros tractor units, with the latest mirror cam technology and additional safety features, including intelligent breaking systems and lane control. The dash and driver controls are all touch screen for ease of use and hi-spec CCTV was fitted. Left turn and reverse audible warning systems were also added, and Rob is currently looking to add live cameras to view the rear of the vehicles.
In February 2021 Medway received the first of their new Mercedes Benz Antos rigid vehicles, to replace the 2016 fleet. These have the same specification, including the same safety features fitted, as the new tractor units.
Between now and April the plant will also be replacing two more of the Rigids. A further three will be replaced in November.
Finally, not only is health and safety important for our drivers, but ease of use. To this end Rob re-designed the rear of the trucks with lighter side doors, more durable hinges and catches, stronger posts and access doors either side, with drop down steps and grab rails.
He is currently in talks with Herrings Trailers, to replace Medway’s existing trailers, due for renewal in November 2021. These will be built to the same specification as the rear of the rigid vehicles.
For more information about the transport initiatives at Medway, please get in touch with Rob Haynes on Mob: 07734 875249 or Email: robh@josephash.co.uk. You can also email: transport@medgalv.co.uk.
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Whitby is a seaside town on the North Yorkshire coast. Full of maritime, mineral and tourist heritage, it is a popular destination for visitors all year round. To celebrate the town’s fishing and cultural heritage, and to encourage visitors to explore its streets, a group of local people and partner organisations recently commissioned a new art project: the Whitby Walk with Heritage Trail. Emma Stothard was the appointed artist, and our Hull plant (Premier Galvanizing) protected the steel.
The Whitby Walk with Heritage Trail – funded by the Government’s Coastal Revival Fund and Scarborough Council – is a series of stunning sculptures dotted around the town telling the story of Whitby’s fishing and cultural history. The sculptures start at the Whitby Swing Bridge and end at the Band Stand leading people through some of the lesser frequented areas of Whitby to try to support local businesses in those areas.
The sculptures include a fisherman mending a net, a fisher wife, a knitter at work on a gansey, a herring lass and a crow’s nest.
There are also sculptures which pay homage to two of Whitby’s famous residents: photographer Frank Meadow Sutcliffe, and Dora Walker, a North Sea skipper during WW2.
Emma Stothard, a renowned North Yorkshire sculptor, created the sculptures from wire steel. Because the sculptures need to stand the test of time and withstand the harsh environmental conditions of a coastal town, Emma sent the sculptures to Premier Galvanizing Hull so that they could be hot dip galvanized.
You can see photos of some of the sculptures at the Premier Galvanizing plant here:
Hot dip galvanizing is important for steel because it provides a long-life, low-maintenance corrosion protection which safeguards steel from atmospheric attack which causes rust.
Even though we regularly protect the steel used for sculptural works of art and we’re experienced in handling unusual pieces of steel, Emma’s project was a challenge at first because of its size and shape. It was a test our Hull plant overcame however, as Emma worked alongside Karl – Hull’s Works Manager – to ensure the sculptures were suitable for the hot dip galvanizing process.
Proud Yorkshire people
As a Yorkshire based galvanizing plant the team at Premier Galvanizing were pleased to be chosen as the galvanizer for this project. It was a privilege to work with Emma, and to play our part in celebrating the culture and history of Whitby.
To find out more about Emma Stothard, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
Emma has spent most of her adult life living and working in Whitby, and her works can be found across towns and stately homes worldwide. Emma also frequently exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show.
If you’re planning on a visit to Whitby and you’d like to know more about the heritage trail, follow the Facebook page Walk with Heritage. The page shows photos of Emma’s progress as she built the sculptures. It also shows the sculptures in their final place in Whitby.
Work is also being carried out to create an app to support the trail. When people follow the walk, they will be able to see information about their location and each statue’s/character’s story.
(Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash)
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We’re pleased to announce that Daniel Lyons has recently joined our Joseph Ash Medway plant.
With 15 years experience in Sales, Business Development and Customer Service, Dan brings a huge amount of customer service experience to the team.
We asked Dan what drew him to Joseph Ash Galvanizing. He said: “The chance to work for a market leading steel galvanizing company and manage and develop an already successful sales team was too good an opportunity to miss. I am a highly motivated and experienced Senior Manager who believes in providing a quality service environment, and I’m confident my inter-transferable skills from working in different sales environments puts me in good stead for this role.”
Dan is a keen football and rugby player and enjoys spending time with his family.
Welcome to the team Dan!
Next pageStunning animal sculptures fabricated from horseshoes by Tom Hill, and hot dip galvanized by our sister plant, Premier Galvanizing Corby
In February 2021, Premier Galvanizing Corby was asked to treat a range of unique and stunning animal sculptures fabricated by artist Tom Hill. Everything from a stag, a doe, a horse and a hare. Most of the animals were commissioned by the owners of a soon-to-be-launched wedding venue in Devon, set on farmland.
Based in Hertfordshire, Tom is an unusual artist as he sculpts with recycled horseshoes to create life size animal works of art.
Tom specialises in equine sculpture but also sells hedgehogs, squirrels, ducks, herons, swans, pigs, badgers, different breeds of dogs, lions, cheetahs, stags, camels and elephants, all of which are life size. You can see more of these on his website.
As a self-taught sculptor, Tom utilises a gas forge and hammer as well as various welding techniques to heat and shape the horseshoes to craft his projects.
Once he has built his sculptures, he needs to ensure their longevity by having the steel treated with a galvanised finish – a service provided by Premier Galvanizing.
Hot dip galvanizing is important for steel because it provides a long-life, low-maintenance corrosion protection which safeguards steel from atmospheric attack.
Premier Galvanizing Corby has treated many projects for Tom over the last few years. Another notable project was a sculpture of a horse and jockey for the Injured Jockey’s Centre which opened in Newmarket in October 2019. Tom books Premier Galvanizing Corby due to our location, excellent reputation and bath size. We are also able to collect the projects, galvanize them, and deliver them back to Tom, taking away all the transportation logistics.
We enjoy working on Tom’s fabrications. It’s especially great to see them arrive at our Corby plant as untreated steel, watch as they are carefully dipped into the baths of zinc, and then be amazed as they emerge with a new silver zinc coating.
Bryony Crowden from Premier Galvanizing Corby said, “We have really enjoyed working alongside Tom, and we can’t wait to see what future works come into the plant from him’.
We look forward to receiving your next projects Tom!
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Danielle joined us recently to work alongside Lucy Foster-Bowen at Joseph Ash Bilston. With a long career in the galvanizing industry, predominantly looking after new business and customer care/sales, we’re pleased that Danielle will now be utilising her experience as part of the Joseph Ash team.
Before working in galvanizing, Danielle worked for a security company (Allegion UK – formerly known as Ingersoll Rand) as a service process coordinator. She has always been in customer service/sales roles and has a passion for building and maintaining relationships with customers.
Danielle said “I am thrilled to be part of the team here at Joseph Ash as the galvanizing industry is where my heart lies. I’m looking forward to helping drive the business forward and maintaining strong relationships with existing customers. I’ve fitted it so well in the last few weeks and already feel right at home here.”
Danielle has two daughters who take up a lot of her time. She also loves to walk, swim and socialise (roll-on the end of lockdown!).
Welcome to the Joseph Ash team Danielle!
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If you can make it – we can galvanise it!
For the last two years, Godbold Blacksmiths has been exclusively sending projects to our Premier Galvanizing team for steel finishing.
The Hull plant has been the lucky recipient and it’s been an honour and a privilege to protect the steel produced by this amazing team of artists and makers.
About Godbold Blacksmiths Limited
Godbold Blacksmiths was set up in 1985 by James Godbold. Based in Whitby, North Yorkshire, it began with a few commissions and grew from there.
Fast forward 36 years and the Blacksmiths has a large workshop employing nine people, trained in both traditional skills and modern techniques.
The Company now produces everything from gates, railings, candlesticks, staircases, signs and sculptures – pieces which have often been inspired by the local scenery: the Yorkshire Moors and the rugged coastline. Hear more about this from James himself.
Hot dip galvanizing
As Godbold’s works with iron and steel, and metals need to be protected from the elements (to prevent against rust and corrosion), the Company sends their projects to Premier Galvanizing Hull for hot dip galvanizing.
Hot dip galvanizing is important because it provides a long-life, low-maintenance corrosion protection which safeguards steel from atmospheric attack.
Works of art
Over the last couple of years, the team at Hull have been proud to hot dip galvanize sculptures, gates, railings, benches and even door handles on behalf of Godbold’s. They also treated the steel for the now famous Godbold Fin the Fish sculpture, which was used as an environmental awareness campaign by Yorkshire Water, Scarborough Council and the University of Hull in 2019.
Long may this partnership continue.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the projects we have worked on:
‘If you can draw it – we can make it’
When Godbold Blacksmiths receives a commission from a new customer, no job is too big or too small. In fact, their motto is ‘If you can draw it – we can make it’.
Because the Hull plant is proud to hot dip galvanize for this talented team, their response is: ‘If you can make it – we can galvanize it.’
Find out more:
To read more about Godbold Blacksmiths, visit their website or view their social profiles (Instagram and facebook).
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Read our latest newsletter – hot off the press today!
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We’re always looking for interesting articles in the steel industry too!
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