Powering up our infrastructure

We’ve successfully completed a major electrical infrastructure upgrade at our Joseph Ash Chesterfield site.

The project involved the full replacement of our main incoming primary distribution panel and upgrading to a modern, fully metered Form 4 Type 2 panel. Doing this allows us to improve the resilience, safety, segregation, and long-term maintainability of this critical asset.

The stage finished off a 2-year total refurbishment of the primary and secondary distribution at the site.

It was a tightly planned shutdown, delivered over a single weekend and requiring two long days on site to minimise operational impact and ensure a safe, controlled changeover.

At Joseph Ash, we continue to invest in our assets, our sites, and our people — not just to keep things running, but to build facilities that engineers are proud to work on.

A big well done and thank you to Luntstone Electrical for the professionalism, flexibility, and quality of workmanship throughout. A great example of partnership working under pressure.

Joseph Ash Medway were busy in the run up to Christmas installing a brand new galvanizing bath in our plant.

Galvanizing baths, also known as kettles, need replacing after a few years to keep the bath in good condition as the thickness of the walls degrades over time. Changing our baths as necessary means we keep them in safe working condition and ensuring we deliver quality galvanizing for customers.

The new bath at Joseph Ash Medway has the same dimensions as the old one, with a dipping capacity of 6.5m long x 1.2m wide x 2.2m deep.

The project was successfully completed in time to ensure the plant could re-open as usual on Friday 2nd January.

If you have any hot dip galvanizing or powder coating requirements in the new year, contact us today.

The first week of June marks Sustainability Week across Joseph Ash Galvanizing and Premier Galvanizing, part of the Hill & Smith PLC Group. The week aims to encourage colleagues to focus on all things sustainability, with various activities set across the week to help both the business’ sustainability and promote awareness both internally and externally.

For this year, our Premier Galvanizing Corby site was proud to donate 15 pallets to Monkspath Junior and Infant School in Solihull for the team at Hill & Smith to transform into small dens, houses, and shelving units. With summer fast approaching, it was the perfect time to create the classroom, ready for the new school term.

The classroom also incorporated painted pots, stones, tables and pinecones, alongside other elements to decorate the outdoor classroom and make the space both functional and fun.

Well done to the Hill & Smith team on the fantastic job!

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!

Widnes Galvanising, also known as Joseph Ash Widnes, is one of our 9 UK galvanizing plants strategically positioned across the UK. We provide insights into our services, cutting-edge facilities, and dedicated team members who tirelessly cater to our valued customers.

Joseph Ash Widnes location

Joseph Ash Widnes was acquired by Joseph Ash Galvanizing in October 2022, making it the most recent addition to the Joseph Ash Group.

Joseph Ash Widnes is situated on the Fairway Trading Park in Cheshire, serving clients from various areas, including (but not limited to) Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside.

History of galvanizing in Widnes

Widnes has a rich industrial history, and galvanizing has played a significant role in the region’s development. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Widnes was a major centre for the chemical industry, particularly the production of alkalis, such as soda ash and soap. The development of the chemical industry led to increased demand for materials and applications that could withstand corrosion, and galvanized steel emerged as a popular choice.

Galvanizing in the North West

At Joseph Ash Widnes, our expert team specialises in galvanizing a diverse range of steel products, including street furniture, bollards, gates, railings, and general fabrications. Hot dip galvanizing helps protect steel against corrosion for multiple decades, saving you time and money for the long term.

We also take pride in delivering convenience with our comprehensive additional services, including a seamless collection and delivery service and technical support from our friendly team.

All our galvanizing is to BS EN ISO 1461; these standards help ensure a consistent, reliable coating is achieved from the process, with guidance on minimum specifications for coating thickness. Joseph Ash Widnes has also achieved ISO 9001, a globally recognized standard for quality management, based on principles such as customer focus, leadership, risk management, continuous improvement and process efficiency.

Bath size

Our bath dipping capacity at Joseph Ash Widnes is 6m long by 0.95m wide by 2.3m deep, with double dipping available to accommodate for larger fabrications.

We can also transport your steel to other Joseph Ash plants using our own fleet of trucks. We have a wide range of bath sizes across the Group, including the widest and deepest baths in the UK as well as spin galvanizing at Joseph Ash Telford. No matter how big or small your fabrications, we can help.

Fast turnaround times

We have extended opening hours for drop-offs and collections to help ensure you can arrange your work to be ready for a time that suits you. Our commitment to convenience goes even further with overnight and 24-hour turnaround times, available by prior arrangement.

Committed to quality

Many changes have happened at the plant since the acquisition, including the installation of a brand-new fettling bay.

Fettling steel after it has been galvanized helps remove any imperfections after hot dip galvanizing, helping us deliver only the best galvanized products by inspecting and checking the final details before we send your steel back.

Get in touch with our Widnes team today for a quote or to book a collection.

Contact us

The Joseph Ash Group has nine plants across the UK, from Medway in the South to Hull in the North. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Walsall to share its history and capabilities.

Overview of Joseph Ash Walsall

Galvanizing has a rich history in Walsall, dating back to the 18th century when the town was a thriving hub of metalworking and manufacturing. With a wealth of iron and steel production facilities, the need for corrosion protection became increasingly important.

Today, Joseph Ash Walsall is one of three West Midlands-based galvanizing plants in the Joseph Ash Group, specialising in protecting many types of fabrication including general fabrications, bridging, lighting and access support steelwork.

Servicing the Midlands

Joseph Ash Walsall is conveniently located just off the M6 (junction 9), making it easy to reach for those delivering and collecting their steel to and from the site. This convenient location, in addition to Joseph Ash Walsall’s own fleet of trucks, also means we offer a convenient collection and delivery service across the West Midlands and run a regular milk run service.

For those looking to deliver their steel early and collect it late, Joseph Ash Walsall proudly offers extended opening hours to assist customers. Not only this, overnight and 24 hour turnaround times can be completed when agreed by prior arrangement. Contact the site for more information.

Additional services

In addition to our core hot dip galvanizing service, Joseph Ash Walsall offers shot blasting through an external shot-blasting subcontractor. And as part of the Joseph Ash network, we also provide powder coating, duplex coatings, and spin galvanizing through our other sites in the Group.

We also offer convenient additional services including:

• Collection and delivery using our own transport fleet
• Comprehensive technical support
• On-site storage facilities
• Fast turnaround times, including 24 hours and overnight (when agreed in advance)

Bath size

Our bath dipping size at Joseph Ash Walsall is 7.3m x 1.3m x 2.5m, and we can dip 2.5 tonnes. We can also deliver your work to other Joseph Ash sites that have different bath sizes, covering an even wider range of fabrication sizes.

Committed to quality

We’re proud to hold numerous accreditations and certifications for our work and the standards we galvanize to. 

All our hot dip galvanizing is to BS EN ISO 1461 specifications. These standards help ensure a consistent, reliable coating is achieved from the process, with guidance on minimum specifications for coating thickness. We also hold the NQA ISO 9001:2015 accreditation for Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems, and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

Here to help

Our plant is staffed by a diverse team spanning various roles, including shop floor operations, skilled transport and truck drivers, health and safety professionals, and our proficient administrative staff. We’re ready to provide the expertise and support you need.

Contact our Walsall team today to book a collection or get a quote.

Widnes Galvanising, the latest addition to the Joseph Ash Group, is developing 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 development 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.

The Joseph Ash Group is home to 9 UK galvanizing sites, and in this feature, we spotlight Joseph Ash Medway, our galvanizing and powder coating plant in Kent.

About Joseph Ash Medway

Joseph Ash Medway is located within the Eurolink Industrial Centre in Sittingbourne, and is our closest site to central London and the surround areas.

We’re ideally located for companies around, Kent, Essex, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Wiltshire.

Joseph Ash Medway offers more than hot dip galvanizing; the site is a one stop shop facility for shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing, and powder coating.

Powder coating

Powder coating is a long-lasting, durable alternative to traditional liquid paint that synergises with galvanized steel. We can also powder coat raw steel and aluminium, providing enhanced corrosion protection and longevity compared to traditional liquid paint while still being available in any colour, texture and finish to suit your specifications. 

Joseph Ash Medway is an AkzoNobel Approved applicator for galvanized steel, one of only a handful of companies with this status. We’re trusted to deliver AkzoNobel’s Interpon range of powder coating colours, so your steel will be powder coated to the highest quality and to your project specifications.

The site also won Product Supplier of the Year 2025 from the Steel Window’s Association, nominated by members for our outstanding services for businesses the steel window industry.

What is a duplex coating?

When hot dip galvanizing and powder coating is used on the same steel fabrication, it is known as a duplex coating. This is particularly popular across the balcony, balustrade and street furniture sectors, where protection against the elements – combined with the ability to stand out or blend in – is key.

We’re proud to offer up to 40 years’ warranty on duplex coatings at Joseph Ash Medway, ensuring your fabrication stays protected and looking great for the long term.

Additional services

In addition to our core services, we can provide a range of additional services to make the process simple. This includes:

• Collection and delivery service across the South East with our own transport fleet
  
• Full technical support
  
• Packing and bundling
  
• On-site storage

Mono Hinge Self Closing Gate®️

Our Joseph Ash Medway site is also home to the Mono Hinge Self Closing Gate®️ – the trusted safety play gate designed for children’s play areas. The Mono Hinge Gates are completely free of finger traps, head traps, foot traps, crush points, shear actions and sharp edges. They are also DDA-compliant and vandal-resistant, proving a popular choice for businesses and local authorities.

The highest standards

We’re proud to hold numerous accreditations and certifications for our work and the standards we galvanize to. 

All our hot dip galvanizing is to BS EN ISO 1461 specifications. These standards help ensure a consistent, reliable coating is achieved from the process, with guidance on minimum specifications for coating thickness. We also hold the NQA ISO 9001:2015 accreditation for Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems, and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. The site also holds certifications in BS EN 13438 and BS EN 15773.

Joseph Ash Medway bath size

Joseph Ash Medway’s galvanizing bath dipping dimensions are 6.5m long x 2.2m deep x 1.2m wide, with a maximum dip weight capacity of 2.6 tonnes. Our powder coating oven size is 3.2m long x 2.4m deep x 0.75m wide.

Joseph Ash Medway offers more than hot dip galvanizing; the site is a one stop shop facility for shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing, and powder coating.

Contact us to discuss your project’s specifications.

If you need steel protection services around the South East, get in touch with Joseph Ash Medway today.

The Joseph Ash Group is home to nine strategically located galvanizing plants in the UK. Here, we spotlight Premier Galvanizing Hull, one of two Premier Galvanizing plants and our northern-most plant in the Group.

About Premier Galvanizing Hull

Premier Galvanizing’s first site was built in Hull, East Yorkshire, back in the year 2000. Situated on the River Humber with a bustling port, Hull became a central hub for importing and exporting goods.

Today, Premier Galvanizing Hull specialises in structural steel, architectural steel, and general fabrications and is part of the Joseph Ash Group since the company was acquired in 2015.

24-hour galvanizing turnaround in the North East

Premier Galvanizing Hull proudly offers a 24-48 hour turnaround time on galvanizing services for businesses across the North East (by prior arrangement). Areas serviced include Teesside, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, East Yorkshire, Humberside and surrounding areas, offering collection and delivery options to make the galvanizing process seamless.

Bath size at Premier Galvanizing Hull

Premier Galvanizing Hull’s bath dipping size measures 7.0m x 1.2m x 3.2m, with a maximum dip weight capacity of 4 tonnes.

Double dipping is also possible for steel up to 11.5m long, enabling us to protect even larger fabrications.

Additional services

As well as our core services, Premier Galvanizing Hull offers:

Committed to compliance

We’re proud to hold numerous accreditations and certifications for our work and the standards we galvanize to. 

All our hot dip galvanizing is to BS EN ISO 1461 specifications. These standards help ensure a consistent, reliable coating is achieved from the process, with guidance on minimum specifications for coating thickness. We also hold the NQA ISO 9001:2015 accreditation for Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems, and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

Your trusted partner

From skilled shop floor operatives to transport and truck drivers, meticulous health and safety experts to the efficient administrative team, we work collaboratively to ensure that our customers receive the utmost service and see us as part of their team.

Contact Premier Galvanizing Hull today to discuss your projects – we’re here to help.

The Joseph Ash Group takes pride in its 9 UK galvanizing plants, from Hull in the North to Medway in the South. Here, we shine the spotlight on one of our two Premier Galvanizing plants, Premier Galvanizing Corby.

Overview of Premier Galvanizing Corby

In July 2002, Premier Galvanizing opened up a second hot dip galvanizing plant based in Corby, Northamptonshire following rapid business growth.

Since then, Premier Galvanizing Corby has been a driving force in the UK steel finishing sector, developed in a region of England historically tied to the growth and development of steel and ironworks during the Industrial Revolution.

Who does Premier Galvanizing Corby serve?

We’re involved throughout the supply chain, from working with architects specifying materials through to sub-contractors and self-employed fabricators – and we can assist with technical knowledge and guidance at all stages. 

Strategically located on the Willowbrook Industrial Estate, Premier Galvanizing Corby serves a vast geographical footprint, including but not limited to: London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Oxford, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Lincolnshire, and Warwickshire.

Bath size

The bath dipping size at Premier Galvanizing Corby is 7.5m (L) x 1.3m (W) x 2.8m (D), able to dip up to 4.8 tonnes. We can also double dip steel up to 13m long, accommodating for larger structures.

We can galvanize a wide range of products, from gates to 100-tonne structural steel projects.

Operating hours

Our extended opening hours mean we are open 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday, as well as weekends.

Services that go further

We’re more than a galvanizer, we’re your project partner.

As well as our core services, Premier Galvanizing Corby offers:

• Collection and delivery service: Corby operates a fleet of 4 articulated vehicles (22T) plus 8 rigid trucks (10T), ensuring fast and flexible transport options both to and from the steel’s end destination.
• Full technical support: Our specialists are on hand to advise throughout your projects, offering guidance and assistance at every stage.
• Packing and bundling: Ideal for export, containerisation, and direct-to-site delivery. This service is available on request. Certificates of conformity can also be issued upon request, and all work is conducted following BS EN ISO 1461.
• On-site storage: Convenient storage options pre- and post-galvanizing.
• Shot blasting and powder coating: The plant can offer outsourced shot blasting and powder coating services – big or small, we’ve got you covered.

Fast turnaround options

We understand the importance of speed. That’s why Corby offers:

• 24-hour processing (by prior arrangement)
• Extended opening hours
• Overnight turnaround

High quality standards

We’re proud to hold numerous accreditations and certifications for our work and the standards we galvanize to. 

All our work is fully compliant with BS EN ISO 1461 and backed by:

• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management
• ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Responsibility

Your local and national partner

Whether you’re working with structural steel, architectural metalwork, or general fabrications, we’re committed to delivering the best quality steel protection. We pride ourselves on technical expertise, strong communication and a personal approach every time.

Contact Premier Galvanizing Corby to discuss your projects – we’re here to help.