Meet the team: Paul Martin

We had the opportunity to chat with Paul Martin, our Commercial Manager at Premier Galvanizing Corby, to find out a bit about him and his role within the company.

Can you give a brief overview of your role at the company?

I originally started at Joseph Ash Telford in 2021, and have been with Premier Galvanizing Corby since 2023. I’m the Commercial Manager at the site and manage a team of three wonderful sales people, I would say the best sales team in the group! I’m responsible for looking after all of our existing and potential customers. I link with all other departments here in Corby to make sure we’re offering the best service and quality. I also liaise with the other sales teams within our group to keep up with all the market information. 

What was your career like before joining the company, and why did you want to join Joseph Ash?

Originally, I started out working in the Events industry hiring out cutting-edge IT and AV equipment like Giant LED walls, VR and AR kits. I then moved into sales in industries such as Waste Management, before starting at Joseph Ash Telford. I’m passionate about speaking to people, and I enjoy understanding their needs and finding a solution to their problems.

Since I’ve been here, the team have been great in helping me develop my skills and knowledge in galvanizing. I’ve now become a qualified galvanizing inspector and enjoy helping our customers to understand the process and explaining how galvanizing can benefit them in their work. 😊

What do you enjoy about working at Joseph Ash/Premier Galvanizing?

It’s great working for the number one galvanizer in the country and having a fantastic team around me in all areas, but a special mention to Sales and Production in Corby – you guys rock!!

I also like the benefits the company offers, including the Save to Share scheme we have, as well as the discounts app the company has which helps save money on everyday spending.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?

The continued growth for Corby and expanding our reach and services, and continuing to work with our fantastic customers!

Is there anything you’d like to tell us that we haven’t asked you?

I have had nine knee operations from sports related injuries, and I have some steel in my knees because of them (not galvanized!). 

Tell us something people might find surprising about you.

I have met and partied with the likes of Pete Tong, Calvin Harris, Fabio & Grooverider, Pendulum, Mumford and Sons and many others in my previous career. 

Widnes Galvanising Ltd, trading as Joseph Ash Widnes, has achieved the ISO 9001 accreditation for Quality Management Systems.

GBT Steelwork, a leader in bespoke steel fabrication, recently completed an extensive project for Urban Nest, a premier student accommodation provider in London. The project involved producing hundreds of steel bike racks for four of Urban Nest’s properties across the city and fabricating a disability access ramp for the Battersea property. To ensure maximum longevity, GBT Steelwork collaborated with Joseph Ash Galvanizing to protect the access ramp and 300 bike racks with a long-lasting hot dip galvanized finish.

Meeting the needs of modern student living

The role of hot dip galvanizing

GBT Steelwork chose Joseph Ash Medway to hot dip galvanize the steel bike racks and accessibility ramp. Hot dip galvanizing was chosen as the steel protection method of choice as it is an effective method of protecting steel against corrosion.

The galvanizing process involves immersing steel in molten zinc, creating a robust protective coating where the zinc metallurgically bonds to the steel. This method provides several key benefits that are particularly valuable for urban infrastructure projects:

Corrosion resistance

The primary benefit of hot dip galvanizing is its enhanced corrosion protection for steel, including in outside environments. The zinc coating protects the steel from rust and weathering, making it ideal for the bike racks and ramp.

Longevity

Galvanized steel has a significantly longer lifespan compared to untreated steel, ensuring the bike racks and ramp remain functional and protected against visually unappealing rust for decades. It also means the racks and ramp won’t need to be re-coated and replaced as frequently, saving disruption on downtime for the residents.

Cost saving

Thanks to its increased longevity and protection against corrosion, there are fewer costs from re-coating, maintaining, and replacing the steel.

Promoting sustainable and inclusive living

The bike racks and disability ramp are more than just functional additions; they reflect Urban Nest’s vision for sustainable and inclusive student living. By encouraging cycling, Urban Nest helps reduce carbon emissions while promoting a healthy lifestyle among students. The accessibility ramp, on the other hand, ensures that no resident or visitor is unable to access the property.

Hot dip galvanizing fits into the principles of a circular economy and is an ideal choice for companies who are mindful about sustainability.

A step forward in urban development

Andy Thompson from GBT Steelwork said “This project highlights GBT Steelwork and Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s ability to deliver durable, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing solutions for modern urban challenges. It’s great to be able to work on projects that are not only aesthetically pleasing and inclusive, but also practical and durable.”

Joseph Ash Galvanizing has protected the steel for several GBT Steelwork projects over the last few years, including some balconies for a prestigious Knightsbridge apartment. The partnership was great for this project, as GBT Steelwork’s expertise in steel fabrication and Joseph Ash’s galvanizing process ensure that Urban Nest’s investment is practical and sustainable.

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GBT Steelwork can fabricate all types of architectural and structural steelwork, anything from steel beams to gates, bike racks to agricultural pens, balconies to staircases. For more information about GBT Steelwork’s fabrication services contact Andy Thompson on aftommo@hotmail.co.uk or 07872507973.

Welcome to our final newsletter of 2024!

This month, we share an end of year from Jason Anderson, Managing Director at Joseph Ash Galvanizing; we bid a fond farewell to Mick Jackson, our IT Manager and Marketing Associate who has been with us for nearly 42 years; and our last Galvanizing Today article for the year explores the A-Z of galvanizing, including key facts and information about steel protection.

To read your copy, click here.

After an incredible 41 years of service, Mick Jackson, our IT and Marketing Manager, is leaving Joseph Ash Galvanizing at the end of the year to pursue new opportunities.

Mick has had numerous roles across the Company over the years, starting off in Internal Sales, working his way up to National Sales Manager, and then progressing to his current dual role as IT and Marketing Manager.

We had the pleasure of writing about Mick’s journey throughout the Company in his 40 year anniversary news feature last year.

Head Office arranged a buffet and gifts for him ahead of Friday as a farewell celebration.

Mick has been invaluable to the Company since he joined back in 1983, and we wish Mick all the best for the future!

“As we rapidly approach the end of 2024 and a well-earned break, I wanted to take the opportunity to share a few thoughts.

“My first year as Managing Director for Joseph Ash Galvanizing has flown by in the blink of an eye. I am delighted to be here, and extremely grateful to customers, colleagues, and suppliers for their warm welcome and enthusiasm towards Joseph Ash.

“Some highlights of 2024 were:

• Hill & Smith plc (our excellent parent company) celebrated its 200 year anniversary. Edward Hill established the modestly titled Edward Hill & Co. at the Brierley Hill Ironworks in 1824. Our celebrations ranged from burger vans visiting sites to commemorative roses!
• Not quite as long serving but still celebrating a very respectable 40 years was Gurpal (Charlie) Singh, our Walsall General Manager.
• Chesterfield achieved the Gold award from the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), demonstrating our commitment to safety.
• Improvements have been made to Health and Safety with encouraging results, as well as sustainability with targets on carbon reduction. We’re also improving our Learning and Development with early stage trials taking place.

“Performance in a challenging marketplace has been solid with plenty of opportunity for growth, and I would like to thank my colleagues for their hard work and dedication throughout 2024.

“As galvanizers, we survive (and thrive) by forming an essential part of our customers’ process, providing long-lasting corrosion protection over a short lead time. Our service and quality are relied upon, and we continue to strive to improve and enhance this partnership.

“Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – 2025!”

To help you stay prepared for the Christmas closures, we’ve listed below the dates and times that our sites will be shutting, as well as the dates and times that our sites will be reopening in the new year.

Site	Schedule
Bilston	Close: Thursday 19th December, 12:00am Open: Thursday 2nd January, 6:00am
Bridgend	Close: Friday 20th December Open: Monday 6th January
Chesterfield	Close: Monday 23rd December Open: Monday 6th January
Corby	Close: Friday 20th December Open: Thursday 2nd January
Hull	Close: Friday 20th December for production, Monday 23rd December for deliveries Open: Thursday 2nd January, 6:00am
Medway	Close: Tuesday 24th December, 2:00pm Open: Thursday 2nd January, 6:00am
Telford	Close: Wednesday 18th December (spin galvanizing); Friday 20th December (hot dip galvanizing); Monday 23rd December, 11:00am (deliveries) Open: Thursday 2nd January, 6:00am
Walsall	Close: Thursday 19th December, 2:00pm Open: Thursday 2nd January, 7:00am
Widnes	Close: Monday 23rd December (no production, deliveries until 12:00pm) Open: Thursday 2nd January

If you have any steel that needs coating before the new year, book a collection or get a quote from us today to avoid disappointment.

The 56th Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA) took place in late September at Christchurch, Spitalfields, marking another year of excellence in structural steelwork. As a proud Silver Sponsor of Steel for Life (which sponsors the event), Joseph Ash Galvanizing is thrilled to celebrate the winners, commended projects, and everyone who contributed to making the event a success.

The SSDA is an annual celebration highlighting steel’s versatility and value in construction, emphasising its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and aesthetic appeal. This year’s entries again showcased remarkable diversity and complexity, demonstrating the very best in structural steel design.

The winning projects were:

• 8 Bishopsgate, London
• Aviva Studios, Manchester
• Beaulieu Parkway Bridge, Chelmsford
• Co-op Live Arena, Manchester
• n2 Nova Evolved, London
• Sky Innovation Centre, London

Commendations also went to:

• 4 Angle Square, NOMA, Manchester
• Bishops Square, London
• Clarice Pears Building, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow
• Haymarket, Edinburgh
• Lucent, London
• One Great Cumberland Place, London
• Paddington Square, London

A Merit went to:

Holbein Gardens, London

National Finalists included:

• Allerdene Bridge, Gateshead
• Battersea Power Station Phase 3B, London
• Devon Place Footbridge, Newport
• Maggie’s Royal Free Hospital, London
• Plot 7B New Bailey, Salford
• Sky Studios Elstree, Borehamwood
• Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge, Barnsley

Professor Roger Plank, Chairman of the Judges Panel said:

“The Awards scheme provides an opportunity for the sector to showcase excellence in the use of structural steel across a wide range of projects varying in nature, scale, regional location and budget. We were pleased to see the inclusion of so many large prestige commercial buildings this year, but we are just as interested in small projects of any type and would like to encourage a greater number of submissions across the widest range of structures.

“In conclusion I can say, on behalf of all the judges, that the awards, commendations, the single merit, and national finalists recognised in the Structural Steel Design Awards this year, reflect the impressive quality of the current steel construction industry, and everyone involved should be proud of what has been achieved.”

To read about each winner in detail, view the SSDA Winners Brochure.

A huge congratulations to our Joseph Ash Chesterfield site, who has recently achieved the FORS Gold Accreditation for their transport fleet. The accreditation makes the site the first galvanizer in the UK to achieve the Gold level of the accreditation.

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary scheme that businesses can undertake to demonstrate their commitment to safe road transport. The accreditation is no easy achievement, being the highest level the scheme achieves. Gold accreditation confirms that the business employs good practice, including dedication to driver and vehicle safety, combined with improving operating practices through effective monitoring of fuel and tyre usage.

Martin Hall, Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Chesterfield, commented:

“This is a major achievement considering a significant number of dedicated transport companies are yet to achieve this esteemed level of certification.

“FORS Gold is becoming the new standard for a number of our contracts that require deliveries into our major cities. Major improvements have been made to our fleet including trailers and articulated vehicles which utilise some of the latest technology available.

“Chesterfield boast a bath size of 16.5m long by 1.7m wide and 2.65m deep, and can undertake all your collection and delivery needs anywhere in the UK.”

Well done to all involved!

Sokari Douglas Camp’s ‘The Three Graces – The Dialogue’: galvanized and powder coated by Joseph Ash Medway

On Sunday 30th June, in the Kleurenbuurt neighbourhood of Zaandam, Netherlands, a powerful sculpture by artist Sokari Douglas Camp, was unveiled. Named The Three Graces – The Dialogue, the artwork was created in commemoration of Keti Koti.

Keti Koti, meaning “broken chains,” is an annual event held across the Netherlands to mark Emancipation Day in Surinam, a former Dutch colony. The celebration, held on 1st July, commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1863 and serves as a moment to honour those who lived in bondage while reflecting on the significance of living in freedom. In this context, The Three Graces takes its place as a focal point for healing the wounds of the past and encouraging dialogue about a shared and often painful history.

The sculpture and its meaning

In her vision, the three figures are African women, fully clothed, sitting as equals. Their elaborate and voluminous skirts, a nod to the fashion of Surinamese women, are rich with cultural meaning. Surinamese women, known for wearing multiple layers of clothing at once, developed this style partly due to the lack of storage space but also as a protective measure against the risk of assault.

The Three Graces – The Dialogue shows the women engaged in an imagined conversation about their shared history of slavery and the continuing struggle for reparations and justice. This dialogue is a visual and symbolic centrepiece for Keti Koti’s annual remembrance and reflection.

Craftsmanship and preservation

The sculpture was welded from 3ml sheet steel, blending the industrial toughness of metal with the fluidity and grace of human forms. Joseph Ash Galvanizing was commissioned to galvanize and powder coat the work to ensure its durability and protect it from the elements. The galvanizing process involved coating the steel with a layer of zinc, providing a robust and reliable defence against corrosion. This ensures that the statue, much like the history it represents, will endure for generations.

The unveiling and community reception

This piece, galvanized and protected, will remain a lasting symbol of the power of art to inspire reflection, conversation, and healing.

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To see more of Sokari Douglas Camp’s work, visit her website.

You can also visit galleries such as the V&A, The Smithsonian Institute and The October Gallery where she has permanent pieces of art on display.

To see more of Sokari’s work galvanized by Joseph Ash, read Celebrating the Heritage of Carnival and Jonkonnu.

Special mentions

When Sokari fabricated The Three Graces – The Dialogue she had help in her studio from her assistant, who deserves a mention. His name is Luke Chin-Joseph.

A company called MDM Props also deserves a mention as they transported the finished sculpture from Joseph Ash Medway to The Netherlands. MDM Props deals in art manufacture, scenic construction, and prop making, and regularly works with both Sokari Douglas Camp and Joseph Ash Galvanizing.

Finally, a special mention goes to the municipality of Zaandam who made this commission possible.