Meet our new Commercial Manager at Corby

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.

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.

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)

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!

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!

Celebrating our team members across our plants

As we approach the end of the year – and what a year it’s been! – we’re celebrating some amazing long-term anniversaries, promotion achievements, and team members who have been doing a great job at Joseph Ash Galvanizing.

Meet some of our team members below and find out why we/they are celebrating!

Joseph Ash Telford

Tim Ball – congratulations on being one of the longest serving employees (30 years!)

Tim is one of the longest serving employees at Joseph Ash Telford, having worked at the plant for 30 years. He is highly experienced in all areas of the hot dip galvanizing process. In recent years, Tim has assumed the position of Quality Supervisor and is often called upon to train new starters due to his vast experience and friendly nature.

Stephen Hayward – congratulations on reaching your 15 year anniversary

Since joining Joseph Ash Telford in 2005, Stephen has spent the vast majority of the time working in jigging. He is respected by his colleagues as being one of the most experienced and reliable in this area.

Steve White – congratulations on a decade of service

Steve began working with Joseph Ash Galvanizing as a fettler in 2010, and due to his flexible and positive attitude towards work, has since been employed in a number of areas of the hot dip galvanizing process. Steve, who is regularly now found loading lorries during the night, is a trustworthy, dependable member of the team.

Joseph Ash Chesterfield

Shaun Hirst – celebrated for stepping up and achieving great results
Shaun’s varied skills makes him very versatile. During the challenges we’ve faced due to COVID in 2020, we have witnessed him step into the role of the Shift Assistant Supervisor, achieving amazing results in the process. Shaun has been with Joseph Ash for 15 years.

Mark Churm – celebrating 30 years and instrumental in generating great results
Mark has been with Joseph Ash for 30 years – an amazing amount of time! In recent years, Mark’s knowledge, experience and man management ability have been instrumental in helping the MRS cell (milk rounds) achieve great results.

Nigel Cooper – celebrated for being a reliable figurehead
Nigel has been with Joseph Ash for 25 years. During his time at the Chesterfield plant Nigel started on loading and progressed to the bath where he has become a reliable figurehead.

Myles Durward – celebrated for reaching 10 years and being a trusted member of the team
The knowledge, commitment and reliability that Mark brings to his role, make him a trusted and valuable member of the team. Mark is also about to become a father for the first time, so we wish him and his partner well! What a great gift for the end of the year/beginning of 2021!

Joseph Ash Walsall

Buta Uppal – celebrating 35 years in galvanizing!
Buta began his career with Frost and Sons Galvanizers back in 1985. He started as a general labourer before being transferred to Arkinstalls Galvanizing. During this time, he worked his way through most of the positions in the factory, eventually landing a foreman’s role. From there, he became the Transport Supervisor. In 2014 Buta joined Joseph Ash Walsall as part of the Arkinstalls acquisition. He has been working within the division, as a Transport Supervisor ever since and has become an integral part of the Walsall team.

Simon Davies – celebrating 25 years at Joseph Ash Galvanizing
Simon joined the Walsall team in August 1995. Throughout his time at the Company, he has worked in many different roles, including goods-in-and-out, amongst others. Simon has great knowledge of all aspects of the hot dip galvanizing process and has become multi-skilled in various roles. He is currently our Night Shift Team Leader on our White End (steel after galvanizing), overseeing all operations in the area, and ensuring our fleet of vehicles are loaded every night, ready for transportation to our customers the next day.

Mark Bonham – celebrating his 15^th year at Joseph Ash Galvanizing
Mark Joined the Joseph Ash team as an HGV driver in July 2005. During his time with Joseph Ash Walsall, he has become one of the leading Class 1 Drivers within the division, generating a wealth of experience through carrying various types of steelwork all over the country. Mark has a great attitude towards his work and is very popular with his colleagues within the division.

Joseph Ash Bilston

Terry Henson – celebrating 20 years with Joseph Ash Galvanizing

Terry is a Black Line Leader at Joseph Ash Bilston and he is arguably our most experienced galvanizer. This year he celebrated 20 years at the plant.

Ian Frost – celebrating 20 years with Joseph Ash Galvanizing

Ian is a Material Handler at Joseph Ash Bilston and he is also celebrating 20 years with the Compay. Ian is an experienced galvanizer with extensive knowledge on finished goods and pot working.

Billy Davies – celebrating 15 years with Joseph Ash Galvanizing

Billy is a White Line Leader at the Bilston plant and he’s clocked up an impressive 15 years’ service. Billy is a highly skilled galvanizer, with extensive experience monitoring quality control.

Head Office

Wilma de Fonseca – celebrating 20 years with Joseph Ash Galvanizing

Finally, we’re celebrating a member of our Head Office team: Wilma de Fonseca who is a Purchase Ledger with 20 years Company experience under her belt.

Wilma previously joined Enviro Tanks (storage tanks manufacturer previously owned by Joseph Ash) as Purchase Ledger in 2000. In 2003 she was transferred to the Joseph Ash Head Office in the same role.

Wilma is a valuable member of the team. She is very friendly and always looking after other colleagues.

Wilma’s passion is baking and (pre-COVID) she indulged other team members at Head Office with her freshly made biscuits, cakes and famous rusks!

Congratulations all!

Well done to all of the above team members! And well done to all the amazing Joseph Ash Group team – from the shop floor to the offices – for what has been a challenging year for the whole country. We’ve been lucky to weather the COVID storm, but it wouldn’t have been possible without such an amazing group of people!

Happy December everyone and best wishes for 2021!

As today is World Cancer Research Day, we’re pleased to share a story about one of our team members – Mark Payne, Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Chesterfield – who has set himself the target of cycling 300 miles in September to raise £1000 for Cancer Research UK.

In normal times this is a worthwhile cause, but it is particularly important right now as Cancer Research has lost a huge £44 million in funding and donations since the advent of COVID-19.

Mark has always been interested in keeping fit and is normally the person in the gym lifting weights. However, a cardio cycling challenge has been a big (and new) undertaking. Mark said: “This will be by far the greatest number of miles I have ever attempted in a month, so this is by no means an easy challenge for me.”

Despite his initial concerns however, Mark has been doing well so far. He has had some excellent rides and keeps challenging himself to beat personal bests. In one session he managed over 40 miles!

With just one week left in September, Mark has recorded 260 miles. He thinks he’ll be able to beat his target of 300 miles and push on through to 450! Amazing!

Go Mark!

If you’d like to sponsor Mark and donate to Cancer Research UK, click on the link below.

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/marks-cycle-300-fundraising-page-265

Millions of people every day face the reality of living with a mental health illness – an illness that others may not see, know about or understand. Whether it’s anxiety, stress, depression or low moods, to illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar or Alzheimer’s, these conditions can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life.

At Joseph Ash Galvanizing we believe we have a duty of care and a moral obligation to our employees to help them have good mental health, especially as the workplace – regardless of industry or type – can sometimes be a place of additional stress or anxiety.

The Mental Health Foundation says: “We believe in workplaces where everyone can thrive. We also believe in the role of employers, employees and businesses in creating thriving communities.”

We believe in this too, and it’s why we have recently engaged in B.U.D.I.E.S training for good mental health.

The Mental Wellbeing B.U.D.I.E.S. virtual classroom is a one-hour programme to initiate mental health support in the workplace. The virtual classroom course is helping to give our staff the listening skills and B.U.D.I.E.S. framework to support their colleagues throughout the year.

The B.U.D.I.E.S framework focuses on:

B – Build a helping relationship
U – Understand
D – Determine if your colleague is in crisis
I – Inform about self-help
E – Encourage professional help
S – Safety at all times

The course stresses the importance of listening skills and how to deal with a crisis. It also encourages people to have ‘Wellbeing B.U.D.I.E.S.’ at work – someone to talk to if you’re in need of a friendly ear.

Before COVID, we were due to complete some Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, but as these were going to be face-to-face, we’re pleased to have found an alternative in the B.U.D.I.E.S. virtual classroom.

A number of our team have already taken the B.U.D.I.E.S. training, and we have two more sessions scheduled for this week.

Later this year, we will complete the MHFA training and we’ll also provide colleagues with full contact details for support including:

Their local BUDIE (telephone, email, Whatsapp)
Contact details for our Employee Assistance Programme
Local support networks

The Mental Health Foundation says: “Mental health is something we all have. When we enjoy good mental health, we have a sense of purpose and direction, the energy to do the things we want to do, and the ability to deal with the challenges that happen in our lives.”

At Joseph Ash Galvanizing we aim to promote good mental health, and foster purpose, direction and the ability to successfully navigate through life.

Celebrating long-time service. Joseph Ash employees inspecting galvanised pipes.

Many of our team members across Joseph Ash Galvanizing and Premier Galvanizing have recently hit amazing long-time-service milestones. Please join us in celebrating their anniversaries:

Danyal Akhtar – Joseph Ash Group, 15 years’ service

Dan joined us in 2015 just before the move to our new Head Office premises. He has become an important valuable member of the IT team and always does his best in his role. The company IT user base are very thankful for his calm and patient resolve when helping them resolve their IT issues.

Zoe Chapman – Joseph Ash Walsall, 10 years’ service

Zoe joined Joseph Ash in 2010 on a part time basis as a sales assistant and carried out prospecting for the MRS part of the business. Zoe has grown within her role over the past 10 years to become the team leader of internal sales for the division. Zoe carries out her role with the upmost enthusiasm daily and has become an integral part of the sales team at the Walsall division. Zoe has developed an excellent knowledge base and successfully leads the internal team with a passion to ensure the job is always done to the highest standard.

Paul Hudson – Joseph Ash Walsall, 25 years’ service

Paul joined Arkinstall Galvanising in March 1995 as a Production Manager before progressing into sales. With the acquisition of their MRS business by Joseph Ash in December 2013, Paul transferred over to the Walsall plant as our Sales Manager. Having worked within the industry for 25 years, bringing a wealth of experience with him, it’s no surprise that he now leads the sales team at Walsall – who have been absolutely instrumental in the success of the Walsall division over the past six years.

Paul is a well-liked and respected member of Joseph Ash Walsall and his naturally friendly personality has led to the development of many lasting relationships with key customers. We are hoping that Paul will be with us for a good few years yet, and able to continue to be a successful part of our team.

Maciej Gadzinowski – Joseph Ash Bridgend, 10 years’ service
Maciej is a key member of our team at Bridgend. His main role is jigging, where his knowledge is second to none. He has an impressive eye for detail which has enabled him to prevent countless accidents by identifying missed vent and drainage holes in steel before it is galvanized. Becuase of this, he often assists in the yard where possible, ensuring pre galvanizing items are adequately drilled and suitable for processing.

John Moat – Premier Galvanizing Hull, 15 years’ service
Steve Moat – Premier Galvanizing Hull, 15 years’ service
The brothers celebrate 15 years loyal service with us and have seen the business change and evolve considerably. Both have represented hockey at international level and are now involved with coaching the next generation.

Mike Whitehurst – Premier Galvanizing Hull, 20 years’ service
Mike started with us in April 2000 and is the last remaining employee from the original team at Premier Galvanizing. He has a customer facing role within the yard team and has formed strong customer relations. He continues to be a highly regarded, loyal and reliable member of the team.

Anthony Payton – Joseph Ash Bilston, 15 years’ service

Mark Payne congratulating Pete on his 25 years’ service.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black president, The Channel Tunnel opened, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon, and The Daily Telegraph became the first UK newspaper to launch a news website online. It all seems like yesterday.

But what else happened in 1994? Peter Howitt joined Joseph Ash Chesterfield, and here we are celebrating the fact that he has just completed 25 years’ service. Well done Pete!

Pete first started working for Joseph Ash on the shop floor. As a conscientious employee, he soon progressed into project planning, and then into a supervisory role. Pete then secured a key position in health and safety, as well as QA control at Chesterfield. Through hard work and dedication Pete became – and is currently seen as – a leading figure within the Joseph Ash Group. He is also a great ambassador for Joseph Ash Chesterfield.

The photo to the right shows Mark Payne (Divisional Manager of Joseph Ash Chesterfield) congratulating Pete on his 25 years’ service. Mark said: “It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Pete on this milestone, and I am sure you will join me in wishing him good luck for the next 25 years. Thank you for the continued support Pete – it’s much appreciated.”

Congratulations Paul from everyone at Joseph Ash Galvanizing. A great achievement!

(Photo left to right: Mark Payne – Divisional Manager of Chesterfield – congratulating Peter Howitt)