To all our dear customers…
An end of year message from Steven Hopkins, MD, Joseph Ash Ltd
To all our dear customers,
Another challenging year approaches its end! I have come to the view that you, our fabricator customers, and ourselves are sharing the same boat. We all had a dose of uncertainty from the start of 2021, then struggled with labour, then suffered from wage pressure from the driver sector of the workforce, then started to see material supply issues followed by considerable cost increases in just about every bought-in material and chemical. And then, to cap it all, massive increases in energy costs! Oh yes, going full circle, we come back currently to severe pressure on manufacturing wages.
So, I guess we will all be grateful to get 2021 behind us but, hang on, here we go again with possibly another destructive round of Covid! I fear that many Brits have become a bit complacent about it and have begun to ignore the high daily infection numbers, whilst we feel (perhaps with too much confidence) reasonably secured by our double or triple jabs. So caution has gone out of much of our behaviours in public. Not so, though, at Joseph Ash Group – we have never relaxed our Covid defence rules and we have kept up the mask-wearing, distancing, cleaning and detailed investigation of the movements and contacts at work of anyone testing positive for the few days before doing so. Therefore I believe that any of your drivers visiting our sites will continue to be safe, but will, of course, be asked to carry on respecting our rules.
It is difficult to predict the year ahead. Some further restrictions seem highly likely, with maybe even a short lockdown, with lessons learned from 2020 and an acceptance that the economy must continue to function. I doubt if material supply will get any easier for a while yet, and the ongoing, now routine, self-isolation of employees will keep us all several per cent short in labour. On the plus side, demand appears to be holding up. There seems to be plenty of money to fund investment in steel capital goods and projects, with many still awaiting associated materials to allow completion.
So, I wish us all luck in this manufacturing partnership boat of ours, and pray that the seas will remain reasonably calm. But, most of all, I wish that together, our staff and yours will stay healthy and content, starting with a very Happy Christmas for all, followed by a successful, safe and prosperous New Year.
Take very, very good care,
Steven
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Joseph Ash Bilston
Will close on Wednesday 22 December 2021.
Deliveries to be received by midday Monday 20 December.
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Joseph Ash Bridgend
Will close on Tuesday 21 December 2021.
Deliveries to be received by Monday 20 December. (For projects needing completion before Christmas, deliveries to be received by Wednesday 15 December. This is volume dependent, please call to confirm.)
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022, 8.00am.
Joseph Ash Chesterfield
Will close on Thursday 23 December 2021 for deliveries.
(Last production is overnight on 20 December 2021.)
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Premier Galvanizing Corby
Will be closed on Friday 24 December 2021. (Last official day for deliveries will be Friday 17 December. Enquiries after this date will be dealt with per application.)
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Premier Galvanizing Hull
Will close on Wednesday 22 December 2021, 6.00pm.
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Joseph Ash Medway
Will close for deliveries and collections at 2pm on Thursday 23 December 2021. (We will be available to make deliveries and collections up to and including 23 December.)
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022, 6.00am.
Joseph Ash Telford
Will close at 2.00pm on Thursday 23 December. Deliveries to be received by 11.00am.
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022. Deliveries can be received from 8.00am.
Joseph Ash Walsall
Will close on Tuesday 21 December 2021. Deliveries will be accepted until lunchtime.
Will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Lucy Foster-Bowen from Joseph Ash Bilston explains why in a podcast hosted by MIDFIX.
For products and solutions supporting mechanical and electrical services, the finish of the supports matter. Galvanizing is important as it plays a primary role in the protection of steel supports. Lucy Foster-Bowen from Joseph Ash Galvanizing explains why when she was invited to take part in a podcast hosted by MIDFIX.
Lucy covers topics such as:
- What is galvanizing?
- The history of galvanizing?
- The process of galvanizing steel
- The life expectancy of a product with galvanized steel
- Venting and drainage
- A pre-galvanized finish
- The environmental impacts of galvanizing
- How galvanizing impacts M&E supports.
Watch the podcast here. It was a great session!
Thanks for inviting us MIDFIX!
(MIDFIX are experts in onsite and offsite supports for the mechanical and electrical industries, delivered through design, engineering, fabrication and industry training.)
Next pageThe start of Autumn has seen a string of anniversaries for various team members at Joseph Ash Galvanizing, with six of our colleagues celebrating long-time service ranging from 15-25 years.
The six team members are Balbir Singh, Charanjit Singh, Noulla Heath, Alan Jackson, Karen Walls, and Tony Hagen.
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Joseph Ash Walsall
Balbir Singh – 20 years
Balbir initially joined the Joseph Ash team in 2001 as a Pot-man. However, following the closure of the Birmingham plant, he was transferred to the Walsall division.
During his career, Balbir became a shift supervisor, where he remains in place today.
Balbir is well regarded as an all-round excellent worker, who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to Joseph Ash Galvanizing throughout a career spanning two decades. He is well thought of and respected by all within the division, and it is a pleasure to have him working with us.
Charanjit Singh – 15 years
Charanjit joined our Telford plant in 2006 as a Jigging Operative and later a pot-man. In 2013 Charanjit transferred to the Walsall division as a Jigging Operative.
Since transferring over to Walsall, Charanjit has become a key team member. He is an extremely hard-working, loyal and all-round excellent team member.
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Joseph Ash Chesterfield
Noulla Heath – 25 years
Noulla works in administration/invoicing at Joseph Ash Chesterfield. She is an integral part of the team, especially as her knowledge is second to none. She is a great person to have around as she is friendly, enthusiastic, and always has a positive outlook.
Alan Jackson – 20 years
Alan has undertaken several positions at Chesterfield, ranging from working on the bath and with the loading team. He was the assistant supervisor on his shift for many years and now supervises the MRS goods out.
Alan is a key team member at Chesterfield and has been instrumental in the improvements relating to material shipping.
Alan has provided an excellent level of support for change on the site, and we hope he remains in the team for many years to come.
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Joseph Ash Head Office
Karen Walls – 15 years
Karen joined Head Office in 2006 as a Credit Controller. Since then, she has been responsible for managing the payments of JA customers. During this time, Karen has been a hardworking and valuable staff member. Her positive attitude puts a smile on colleagues and customer’s faces.
Tony Hagen – 20 years
Tony is a very experienced HR professional who began working for the British Coal Board and then Sterling (part of the Doncaster Group). Tony leads our HR function, is well known and liked by all in the business and has done some excellent work raising the standards of ‘Our People’ practices.
(Photo by Universal Eye on Unsplash)
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Two new joiners have joined the Sales Team at Joseph Ash Walsall. Please meet Jordan Sanders and Lesley Elcock.
Jordan Sanders – Sales and Customer Service Advisor
Jordan has a flair for sales and all things customer-related and is a whizz with IT. We’re sure she has a great future ahead of her with Joseph Ash.
jordans@josephash.co.uk
DDI: 01922 709 982
Lesley Elcock – Sales and Customer Service Advisor
Lesley joins us with a wealth of experience in sales and customer service. Her enthusiasm and experience will be a great asset to the Division.
Lesleye@josephash.co.uk
DDI: 01922 709 997
Please join us in welcoming both Jordan and Lesley to the Joseph Ash Sales family. Good luck to them both in their new and exciting roles.
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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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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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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 pageIf 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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