New additions to our Walsall sales team
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.
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.
We’re looking for additional hot dip galvanizing operatives for our Bilston, Bridgend, Chesterfield, Corby, Hull, Medway, Telford and Walsall plants. Are you interested?
We’re searching for reliable, flexible, self-motivated and hardworking individuals, to be employed on a full-time basis (after successful completion of a probationary period).
The plants operate 24 hours with team members working on a rotating shift system (including some weekends) to meet customer demand.
The role ensures the safe and efficient processing of work, from receipt through to the galvanizing process to finished product ready for despatch.
We offer a structured training programme for all team members.
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. An excellent attitude towards health and safety is a pre-requisite of the role.
For further information please email:
Rob Nelson (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Bilston)
Kevin Williams (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Bridgend)
Mark Payne (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Chesterfield)
David Prattis (Divisional Manager at Premier Galvanizing Corby)
Alex Camp (General Manager at Premier Galvanizing Hull)
Tim Palmer (General Manager at Joseph Ash Medway) or Joel Fletcher
Stuart Cobourne (Divisional Manager Joseph Ash Telford)
Charlie Singh (Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Walsall)
Discretion assured. No agencies please.
We’re pleased to announce some long-time service achievements at Joseph Ash Galvanizing over the last quarter.
Please join us in celebrating Edwin Smith, Kate Webster, Wayne Smith and Joanne Winfield as they have all reached 15 year’s at the Company.
Edwin Smith (15 years at Joseph Ash Walsall)
Eddie joined Joseph Ash as a yard worker, working in the fettling area. He has worked his way up to be a key team member in our loading/unloading team in the busy yard at Walsall. As an experienced loader/unloader, Eddie understands the importance of safe, secure loading for our customers, colleagues, and visitors. Eddie adds a significant knowledge to our yard team, and is a loyal, hardworking employee. We are all the better for having him on our team.
We hope Eddie continues with us for many more years!
Kate Webster (15 years at Joseph Ash Walsall)
Kate joined Joseph Ash Walsall as an administrator on a part time basis in 2006. Kate has excelled in her role at all times, consequently being promoted to office manager in April 2014. Since her promotion Kate has built a fantastic team and has put systems in place to ensure the department runs smoothly and efficiently.
Kate is a loyal, hard-working employee who is well respected and liked throughout the Company, and who is seen as a model employee. We hope Kate continues to flourish within her department and with the business for many years to come.
Wayne Smith (15 years at Joseph Ash Chesterfield)
Wayne is a production operative at our Chesterfield plant. He has been a key member of the shift and is an experienced acid man. Wayne is a Manchester Utd supporter and a reliable member of the team. Congratulations on reaching 15 years Wayne!
Joanne Winfield (15 years at Joseph Ash Chesterfield)
Joanne has been a key member of the sales team working at our Chesterfield plant, supporting both Martin Hall (Commercial Manager) and Matthew Phillips (Customer Service Manager). Joanne is very well-liked by our MRS customers and is able to support the business in numerous roles if and when needed. Congratulations on reaching 15 years Joanne!
(Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash.com)
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!
Danielle joined us recently to work alongside Lucy Foster-Bowen at Joseph Ash Bilston. With a long career in the galvanizing industry, predominantly looking after new business and customer care/sales, we’re pleased that Danielle will now be utilising her experience as part of the Joseph Ash team.
Before working in galvanizing, Danielle worked for a security company (Allegion UK – formerly known as Ingersoll Rand) as a service process coordinator. She has always been in customer service/sales roles and has a passion for building and maintaining relationships with customers.
Danielle said “I am thrilled to be part of the team here at Joseph Ash as the galvanizing industry is where my heart lies. I’m looking forward to helping drive the business forward and maintaining strong relationships with existing customers. I’ve fitted it so well in the last few weeks and already feel right at home here.”
Danielle has two daughters who take up a lot of her time. She also loves to walk, swim and socialise (roll-on the end of lockdown!).
Welcome to the Joseph Ash team Danielle!
As today is World Cancer Research Day, we’re pleased to share a story about one of our team members – Mark Payne, Divisional Manager at Joseph Ash Chesterfield – who has set himself the target of cycling 300 miles in September to raise £1000 for Cancer Research UK.
In normal times this is a worthwhile cause, but it is particularly important right now as Cancer Research has lost a huge £44 million in funding and donations since the advent of COVID-19.
Mark has always been interested in keeping fit and is normally the person in the gym lifting weights. However, a cardio cycling challenge has been a big (and new) undertaking. Mark said: “This will be by far the greatest number of miles I have ever attempted in a month, so this is by no means an easy challenge for me.”
Despite his initial concerns however, Mark has been doing well so far. He has had some excellent rides and keeps challenging himself to beat personal bests. In one session he managed over 40 miles!
With just one week left in September, Mark has recorded 260 miles. He thinks he’ll be able to beat his target of 300 miles and push on through to 450! Amazing!
Go Mark!
If you’d like to sponsor Mark and donate to Cancer Research UK, click on the link below.
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/marks-cycle-300-fundraising-page-265
Millions of people every day face the reality of living with a mental health illness – an illness that others may not see, know about or understand. Whether it’s anxiety, stress, depression or low moods, to illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar or Alzheimer’s, these conditions can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life.
At Joseph Ash Galvanizing we believe we have a duty of care and a moral obligation to our employees to help them have good mental health, especially as the workplace – regardless of industry or type – can sometimes be a place of additional stress or anxiety.
The Mental Health Foundation says: “We believe in workplaces where everyone can thrive. We also believe in the role of employers, employees and businesses in creating thriving communities.”
We believe in this too, and it’s why we have recently engaged in B.U.D.I.E.S training for good mental health.
The Mental Wellbeing B.U.D.I.E.S. virtual classroom is a one-hour programme to initiate mental health support in the workplace. The virtual classroom course is helping to give our staff the listening skills and B.U.D.I.E.S. framework to support their colleagues throughout the year.
The B.U.D.I.E.S framework focuses on:
B – Build a helping relationship
U – Understand
D – Determine if your colleague is in crisis
I – Inform about self-help
E – Encourage professional help
S – Safety at all times
The course stresses the importance of listening skills and how to deal with a crisis. It also encourages people to have ‘Wellbeing B.U.D.I.E.S.’ at work – someone to talk to if you’re in need of a friendly ear.
Before COVID, we were due to complete some Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, but as these were going to be face-to-face, we’re pleased to have found an alternative in the B.U.D.I.E.S. virtual classroom.
A number of our team have already taken the B.U.D.I.E.S. training, and we have two more sessions scheduled for this week.
Later this year, we will complete the MHFA training and we’ll also provide colleagues with full contact details for support including:
- Their local BUDIE (telephone, email, Whatsapp)
- Contact details for our Employee Assistance Programme
- Local support networks
The Mental Health Foundation says: “Mental health is something we all have. When we enjoy good mental health, we have a sense of purpose and direction, the energy to do the things we want to do, and the ability to deal with the challenges that happen in our lives.”
At Joseph Ash Galvanizing we aim to promote good mental health, and foster purpose, direction and the ability to successfully navigate through life.
Many of our team members across Joseph Ash Galvanizing and Premier Galvanizing have recently hit amazing long-time-service milestones. Please join us in celebrating their anniversaries:
Danyal Akhtar – Joseph Ash Group, 15 years’ service
Dan joined us in 2015 just before the move to our new Head Office premises. He has become an important valuable member of the IT team and always does his best in his role. The company IT user base are very thankful for his calm and patient resolve when helping them resolve their IT issues.
Zoe Chapman – Joseph Ash Walsall, 10 years’ service
Zoe joined Joseph Ash in 2010 on a part time basis as a sales assistant and carried out prospecting for the MRS part of the business. Zoe has grown within her role over the past 10 years to become the team leader of internal sales for the division. Zoe carries out her role with the upmost enthusiasm daily and has become an integral part of the sales team at the Walsall division. Zoe has developed an excellent knowledge base and successfully leads the internal team with a passion to ensure the job is always done to the highest standard.
Paul Hudson – Joseph Ash Walsall, 25 years’ service
Paul joined Arkinstall Galvanising in March 1995 as a Production Manager before progressing into sales. With the acquisition of their MRS business by Joseph Ash in December 2013, Paul transferred over to the Walsall plant as our Sales Manager. Having worked within the industry for 25 years, bringing a wealth of experience with him, it’s no surprise that he now leads the sales team at Walsall – who have been absolutely instrumental in the success of the Walsall division over the past six years.
Paul is a well-liked and respected member of Joseph Ash Walsall and his naturally friendly personality has led to the development of many lasting relationships with key customers. We are hoping that Paul will be with us for a good few years yet, and able to continue to be a successful part of our team.
Maciej Gadzinowski – Joseph Ash Bridgend, 10 years’ service
Maciej is a key member of our team at Bridgend. His main role is jigging, where his knowledge is second to none. He has an impressive eye for detail which has enabled him to prevent countless accidents by identifying missed vent and drainage holes in steel before it is galvanized. Becuase of this, he often assists in the yard where possible, ensuring pre galvanizing items are adequately drilled and suitable for processing.
John Moat – Premier Galvanizing Hull, 15 years’ service
Steve Moat – Premier Galvanizing Hull, 15 years’ service
The brothers celebrate 15 years loyal service with us and have seen the business change and evolve considerably. Both have represented hockey at international level and are now involved with coaching the next generation.
Mike Whitehurst – Premier Galvanizing Hull, 20 years’ service
Mike started with us in April 2000 and is the last remaining employee from the original team at Premier Galvanizing. He has a customer facing role within the yard team and has formed strong customer relations. He continues to be a highly regarded, loyal and reliable member of the team.
Anthony Payton – Joseph Ash Bilston, 15 years’ service
Two Joseph Ash Galvanizing employees have recently completed gruelling sporting activities to not only push themselves to the limit and feel a sense of great achievement, but also to raise much needed funds for charity.
Mick Bonnar (left photo), Transport Manager from Joseph Ash Bridgend took part in the Prudential Ride London event – the largest annual cycling fundraiser managed by the London and Surrey Cycling Partnership (LSCP).
The event has been running since 2013 and cyclists raise money for charity by riding from London to Surrey every August.
Mick Bonnar was proud to complete the ride in five hours and 28 minutes, raising £850 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process. This money forms part of the £17m the event has raised for good causes over the last six years.
Amazing!
Stuart Cobourne (right photo), Divisional Manager from Joseph Ash Telford, also took part in a cycling challenge in August. Not only cycling though… as he completed as a triathlete in the Ironman distance contest in Copenhagen.
Having completed in triathlons for four years, Stuart wished to push himself in the ‘ultimate challenge’, by swimming for 2.4 miles, cycling for 112 miles, and then running for 26.2 miles. (It’s making our legs wobble just writing about it!)
Stuart completed the Ironman in 11 hours and 15 minutes, finishing 1076th out of 3000 starters (500 of whom didn’t make it past the finish line).
Stuart fundraised for the event and amassed over £1000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Well done to both Mick and Stuart. Such amazing achievements, which you deserve to feel very proud of. (Now we want to know what your plans are for 2020?!)