Major site improvements at Joseph Ash Chesterfield

In December 2020 (including throughout the Christmas period), the Joseph Ash Chesterfield plant underwent a series of major improvements that has helped the plant to get off to a flying start in 2021. The following works took place which will provide huge improvements to Joseph Ash employees and customers alike:

The 40 year old concrete in the road at the main gate was replaced, making the surface smoother for visitors
A new entrance and exit gate was installed to improve traffic flow around the site
We also installed two new overhead cranes
We carried out a series of total preventative maintenance projects to keep the site running smoothly and efficiently
Finally, the whole of the inside of the plant was repainted, making it clean and fresh for the New Year!

If you’re a regular customer of our Chesterfield plant, we hope you find these improvements beneficial to the services we provide to you. Do let us know if you have any feedback, or you think there are any other improvements we could make that could make your lives easier when you visit the plant.

We’re pleased to announce FORS renewal for Joseph Ash Medway, having once again met the bronze level requirements of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary scheme that covers all aspects of vehicle emissions, fuel efficiency, economical operations and safety.

FORS enables vehicle operators to know they are helping to increase efficiency, win work, and reduce costs. It also provides peace of mind to vehicle operators that legislative requirements are being met. Finally, it enables operators to know they are becoming safer and greener.

Joseph Ash Galvanizing Medway was first awarded the bronze certificate for FORS in 2016.

Thank you to FORS for assessing us. Thank you also to the team at Medway who worked hard to receive the award.

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!

Joseph Ash Bilston
Will close on Tuesday 22 December 2020.
Deliveries to be received by midday.
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021.

Joseph Ash Bridgend
Will close on Thursday 18 December 2020.
Deliveries to be received by Wednesday 17 December.
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021.

Joseph Ash Chesterfield
Will close on Tuesday 22 December 2020.
(Last production day is 21 December 2020.)
Will re-open on Saturday 2 January 2021.

Premier Galvanizing Corby
Will close on Wednesday 23 December 2020, 3.00pm.
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021, 7.30am.

Premier Galvanizing Hull
Will close on Tuesday 22 December 2020, 6.00pm.
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021, 6.00am.

Joseph Ash Medway
Will close for deliveries and collections at 2pm on Wednesday 23 December. (We will be available to make deliveries and collections up to and including Wednesday 23 December.)
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021, 6.00am.

Joseph Ash Telford
Will finish galvanizing at 6.00am on Wednesday 23 December 2020. Deliveries to be received by 11.00am.
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021, 6.00am. Deliveries can be received from 8.00am.

Joseph Ash Walsall
Will finish galvanizing at 6.00am on Monday 21 December 2020.
Deliveries to be received by 2.00pm.
Will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021, 7.00am.

We wish to employ additional hot dip galvanizing operatives for our Corby plant. Are you interested?

We’re looking for reliable, flexible, self-motivated and hardworking individuals, to be employed on a full-time basis (after successful completion of a probationary period) within a rotating shift pattern.

We offer a structured training programme for team members to become multi-skilled in all areas of the production process.

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. Manual handling and fork-lift truck experience is desirable but not essential as full training will be given.

Direct message David Prattis at Corby for further details. Discretion assured. No agencies please.

New trucks with improved safety features delivered to Joseph Ash Walsall

As health and safety is very important to Joseph Ash Galvanizing, we’re pleased to announce the recent delivery of two new trucks at Joseph Ash Walsall. The trucks – provided by Scania – have new integrated CCTV cameras and audio. This helps with improved load security, cyclist safety and real time monitoring. Our drivers have been enjoying the new driving experience!

Our team in Corby. — From left to right we have David Prattis, Lisa Sutton, Daren Stevens, Anna Stocks, Bob Preston, Heather Elmore and John Frankland

We’re pleased to introduce some team members at our Corby (Premier Galvanizing*) plant. From left to right we have David Prattis, Lisa Sutton, Daren Stevens, Anna Stocks, Bob Preston, Heather Elmore and John Frankland.

Find out more about the team below:

David Prattis joined Premier Galvanizing Corby as General Manager in September 2019. He has over 30 years’ experience in Steel and Aluminium Coil Coating, supplying product into the Construction and Leisure Industries. Before joining Premier Galvanizing, he spent 10 years as Plant Manager for an International Coil Coating Company based in the UK and The Netherlands.

Lisa Sutton is the Corby Office Manager. She is a long-standing member of the team, having worked for the company for 14 years, ensuring the smooth operation of all business administration.

Daren Stevens has been with Premier Galvanizing since it originally opened in September 2002 as an experienced Operative. He previously worked with Bob Preston (below) at Clark Steel. Working his way up from Shift Supervisor, he became Works Supervisor, then Galvanizing Manager. He was promoted to Operations Manager last year. Having worked at the plant for many years, Daren has expert knowledge in running a busy galvanizing plant.

Our Corby plant operates eight dedicated lorries to service customers’ needs giving a fast turnaround of typically 2-3 days. As Operations Manager, Daren also ensures these collections and deliveries run smoothly.

Anna Stocks is the Financial Controller for Premier Galvanizing and operates across two plants (Corby and Hull). She is a valuable member of the team and has worked for the company since 2016.

Bob Preston has a wealth of experience in galvanizing, having worked in the industry since 1972. Throughout his career, Bob has progressed through the galvanizing business from Shift Operative, to Works Manager, to Production Manager and onto his current position as Production Director. In this role Bob supports all other members of the customer focused team in delivering an exceptional all-round service.

Heather Elmore is experienced in administration, bookkeeping and credit control. She has worked with the Corby team for over three years providing much needed assistance in the office.

John Frankland joined Premier Galvanizing in September last year as Sales Manager. John is new to the galvanizing industry and has a background in Capital Equipment Sales to the manufacturing and metal fabrication sectors. John works at our Corby plant providing hot dip galvanizing services from Mansfield and Nottingham in the north, following the A1, M1 and M11 routes down through the country and covering the north half of London from Essex in the East through to Berkshire in the West.

The entire Corby team take pride in delivering an unbeatable service in terms of quality, turnaround and doing exactly what they promise. If you have any questions or queries, or if you’d like to place an order, please get in touch with the Corby team.

*Premier Galvanizing is part of the Joseph Ash Group.

It’s always good to put a face to a name… With this in mind we thought we’d introduce some of the team at Premier Galvanizing Hull* (one of our sister companies)

From left to right we have: Steve East (Production Manager), Conner Harman (Business Support Officer), Alex Camp (General Manager), Chris Young (Commercial Support Officer) and Andrew Tweddle (Commercial Manager).

Steve East, Conner Harman and Chris Young oversee the production and transport side of the operation at Hull. Always willing and able to assist with any collection and delivery needs, keeping customers up to date with the progress of their work. The team are available from 5am to 5pm Monday to Friday and can be reached on 01482 587587.

Alex Camp – General Manager

Alex has worked for Premier Galvanizing for over 12 years and has a wealth of knowledge in galvanizing. He always takes service to the next level and ensures that all customers are at the heart of the business. Most recently he has been overseeing a significant overhaul of the plant including the installation of new automated systems to further the growth and efficiency of Premier Galvanizing Hull. Alex is available to assist with any technical queries and quotes.

Andrew Tweddle – Commercial Manager

For any enquiries or quotes for galvanizing work, or for any technical questions, contact Andrew on 07776 592008. Andrew is out and about visiting customers on a daily basis ensuring service levels are at their best and customers are happy with the work we produce for them.

*Premier Galvanizing is part of the Joseph Ash Group

Tim Palmer, Divisional Manager at Joseph Medway, speaks to Steelo about the process of hot dip galvanizing.

Steelo is a structural steel fabrication company based in Hounslow. Originally set up as a one-man venture in Isleworth by founder Michael Krajewski, the company has grown in size to over 20 people with a 12,000 square foot plant near Heathrow.

The company fabricates everything from beams to frames to posts and regularly uses Premier Galvanizing (a Joseph Ash Galvanizing company) to protect the steel with a galvanized finish.

At an event last year, Krajewski interviewed Joseph Ash Medway‘s Divisional Manager, Tim Palmer, to find out about the process of galvanizing. The video is available on the Steelo website. See it here.

Steelo is a great company to supply services to. Thank you for the video and recommendation!

To the external eye these photos may simply look like a vast expanse of concrete… To us however, they’re a thing of beauty as they represent a safer, more comfortable loading and unloading environment for our team members and customers. Welcome to the new yard at Joseph Ash Walsall!

2018 was an extremely busy year for Joseph Ash Walsall, and the yard was beginning to look tired, in poor condition, with pot holes appearing at regular intervals. With concerns that the holes were going to be a safety hazard we decided to use the excellent services of TG Beighton to re-concrete the 1,000 Squares metres of yard.

TG Beighton are external contractors, based in Chesterfield, who previously worked on our plant extension, and we knew they’d have the skills, experience and safety standards to provide a quality service, whilst being able to stick to a very tight deadline of just three weeks.

Three weeks in and the project was a success, and we now have more space in the yard, as well as a safer environment.

Investment in our Joseph Ash plants is crucial to maintaining our position as a leader in the UK galvanizing industry, so the replacement of the concrete was a good chance to improve other aspects of the Walsall plant at the same time:

We also installed improved lighting around the yard, as well as new crash barriers and fencing throughout the perimeter for added security and protection.
We added a new drainage system to prevent standing water, and improved drainage in and around the area, with a chamber being installed around the yard for underground electrical cables.

Finally, with the addition of a new galvanizing bath in late 2018 too, we have a plant we can feel very proud of.

With the first quarter of 2019 well underway, the investment we’ve made has allowed us to work even safer than before, allowing safe access and egress from the area at all times. Our employees and customers also benefit from the extra safety and security when either working on or visiting the plant. We also believe we have increased the capacity of this site which is also beneficial for storing fabrications and completing even more work in 2019.