January 2024 newsletter

Welcome to our January 2024 newsletter from Joseph Ash Galvanizing. This month, we’re celebrating our new Joseph Ash brand, and galvanizing in transport.

We’re also showcasing the range of opportunities available across the Joseph Ash Group if you (or someone you know) are looking for a new career. We’re looking back at some fond ‘Monday Memories’ of a bridge project we completed in Mersey, and we’ve shared some information about welding galvanized steel.

Enjoy!

To read a copy of the newsletter click here.

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Welcome to the December 2023 newsletter from Joseph Ash Galvanizing. This month, we’re doing ‘A year in review’ and looking back on many of the stories that made us smile over the last 12 months.

We hope you enjoy it!

To read a copy click here.

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Welcome to the November 2023 newsletter from Joseph Ash Galvanizing. This month, we’re celebrating the sustainability of galvanizing, a Thursday Throwback story about a Bluewater Shopping Centre powder coating project, and we’re shining a spotlight on our Widnes plant.

We’re also showcasing the range of opportunities available across the Joseph Ash Group if you (or someone you know) are looking for a new career. Finally, we’ve published the dates our plants will be closing/opening for the festive break.

Enjoy!

To read a copy click here.

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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 and history

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

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

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 (including construction, transportation, and agriculture) that could withstand corrosion, and galvanized steel emerged as a popular choice for this purpose.

Over time, as industries evolved and the demand for galvanized products persisted, the galvanizing sector in Widnes and Cheshire continued to thrive. Today, the historical legacy of galvanizing is part of the broader industrial heritage of Widnes and its surroundings.

Galvanizing in the North West

At Joseph Ash Widnes, our expert team specialises in galvanizing a diverse range of steel products. From structural steel to street furniture, bollards, gates, railings, and balustrades – we ensure robust protection against corrosion for all.

We also take pride in delivering convenience with our comprehensive additional services, including a seamless collection and delivery service, full technical support, on-site storage facilities, and passivation post-hot dip galvanizing.

Bath size

The bath size at Joseph Ash Widnes is 6m long by 1m wide by 2.3m deep, with double dipping available. Bigger fabrications can be transported to other Joseph Ash plants with larger capacity baths, using Widnes’s fleet of trucks.

Fast turnaround times

We have extended opening hours for drop-offs and collections to help ensure our customers can arrange their work for a time that suits them best. Our commitment to convenience goes further with overnight and 2-hour turnaround times available by prior arrangement.

Uncompromising quality and compliance

Joseph Ash Widnes is dedicated to delivering services of the highest quality while adhering to stringent occupational health and safety, quality, and environmental management standards. You can expect an impeccable finish that aligns with BS EN ISO 1461 specifications when you protect your steel with us, and the site has also achieved the NQA ISO 9001:2015 accreditation for Quality Management Systems.

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This month, we’re celebrating the winners of the Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA), explaining how the process of galvanizing works, sharing news about a galvanized steel sculpture for a National Trust project, and shining the spotlight on our Walsall plant.

We’re also talking about our upcoming events, venting do’s and don’ts (for preparing your steel for galvanizing), and showcasing the range of opportunities available at our plants if you or someone you know are looking for a new career.

Enjoy!

To read a copy click here.

To receive a copy in your inbox each month, please subscribe. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the ‘Newsletter sign-up’ button.

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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.

History of galvanizing and Joseph Ash in 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.

As the Industrial Revolution took hold in the late 18th century, Walsall’s metalworking industry saw significant growth – especially in the production of saddlery and harness equipment, catering to the needs of the equestrian industry.

The mid-19th century witnessed the expansion of railways, driving an escalating need for galvanized metalwork. Rails, fasteners, and signalling equipment became indispensable components of this burgeoning transportation network.

Then came the World Wars, during which Walsall’s metalworkers pivoted to producing military equipment and components crucial for the war effort.

In the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, the galvanizing industry in Walsall faced economic challenges due to global competition and changes in manufacturing processes. However, companies like Joseph Ash adapted to these challenges by diversifying services and modernising facilities.

Joseph Ash Walsall overview

Joseph Ash Walsall’s clientele extends across the West Midlands, encompassing areas like West Bromwich, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire.

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.

Collections, deliveries, and quick turnaround times

Quality and accreditations

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.

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The 55th Structural Steel Design Awards recently took place in London, where the much-anticipated project winners were announced and applauded. The 2023 SSDA Awards were open to steel-based structures situated in the United Kingdom or overseas built by UK or Irish steelwork contractors. Once more, the submitted projects displayed exceptional quality, celebrating structural steelwork at its finest.

Jointly sponsored by the British Constructional Steelwork Association and Steel for Life, this event was a magnificent celebration of steel’s manifold virtues, encompassing cost-effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and aesthetic appeal.

Five outstanding champions emerged triumphant from a meticulously curated shortlist of contenders. Six projects also received commendations, and three received merits.

According to the BCSA website, Chairman of the Judges, Professor Roger Plank said: “The awards, commendations, merits 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.”

Click here to read about each winner.

Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part.

(Photo of Battersea Power Station by Edson Rosas on Unsplash / Award night photos provided by Steel for Life)

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Welcome to our September 2023 newsletter.

This month, we’re shining the spotlight on our Telford plant, celebrating the winners of the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association (RIDBA) Awards, and discussing corrosion: what it is and how to prevent it.

We’re also talking about our upcoming events, a new environmentally-friendly passivation process at our Widnes plant, and showcasing the range of opportunities available at our plants if you (or someone you know) are looking for a new career.

Finally, we have a ‘Thursday Throwback’ story about Folly Farm, and we’ve launched a new ‘Safe Deliveries’ poster for you to download.

Enjoy!

To read a copy click here.

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Welcome to our August 2023 newsletter.

This month we’re shining the spotlight on our Medway plant, we’re celebrating the winners of the Galvanizing Association Galvanizing Awards, and we’re discussing the explosive consequences of unvented steel.

We’re also talking about our upcoming events and showcasing the range of opportunities available at our plants if you (or someone you know) is looking for a new career.

Enjoy!

To read a copy click here.

To receive a copy in your inbox each month, please subscribe. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the ‘Newsletter sign-up’ button.

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The Joseph Ash Group is home to 9 UK galvanizing sites; here, we spotlight Joseph Ash Medway, our North West galvanizing plant in Kent.

Joseph Ash Medway location

More than galvanizing

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

We can offer a wide range of colours and textures for your steel, from metallic to textured, as well as varying matt, satin, and gloss levels.

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 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.

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.

Joseph Ash Medway offers a 25-year guarantee on duplex coatings (subject to T&Cs).

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.

Our accreditations

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.

In addition to being AkzoNobel Approved, Joseph Ash Medway is JOSCAR registered, confirming our services meet the standards required for businesses in the Aerospace, Defence and Security services.

Our team at Medway

The Medway team encompasses dedicated individuals who know their roles inside out. They provide a top-notch steel protection service, where your needs are their priority.

Richard Colegate is the Divisional Manager at Medway. Daniel Lyons, Rebekah Skipper, and Michelle Newell manage sales and customer service advisory.

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