Runners and riders of Velo Birmingham

Congratulations to the runners and riders of the Velo Birmingham.

A couple of weekends ago the inaugural Velo Birmingham took place in the Midlands.

The course was 100 miles long and 15,000 cyclists of all abilities took part, criss-crossing through the picturesque Worcestershire and Staffordshire countryside before returning to Birmingham.

The event – which raised funds for various charities – was also created as part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution, whereby Birmingham City Council are trying to encourage more people to take to the roads on two wheels, rather than four.

As per an earlier story on our website in March, we’re proud to say that members of Joseph Ash Galvanizing and Premier Galvanizing took part in the race: Stuart Cobourne, Justin Deegan and Richard Hall. They enjoyed the event and achieved very respectable times between 5.30 and 7.11 hours.

A Premier Galvanizing client, Stephen Harvey, also took part alongside Justin.

It was touch and go whether Justin would be able to do the race after his bike broke just before the start line. But luckily, a company called Cycle Republic – who had a stand at the event – were on hand to lend him another one.

Justin said: “The race itself was brilliant, the route and crowds were exceptional, and if I could choose between Ride London and Ride Birmingham, I would definitely choose Birmingham. A post ride beer and massage was the perfect way to finish a brilliant event. Are we comng back next year? 100%.”

Congratulations to the team!

You can see some of the photos of our team members at the event here.

Here’s to the Velo Birmingham 2018!

40 years service for John Thrupp, as well as long-time service achievements for many other members of staff.

In 1977 when Indira Gandhi resigned from office, Concord took its first flight to New York from London, and the Queen celebrated 25 years of reign at her Jubilee Celebrations, John Thrupp joined Joseph Ash Galvanizing. 40 years have passed and we’re pleased to say that John is still with us and probably deserves his own Jubilee type celebration! What an achievement John!

John initially started work at our Birmingham plant as a works office clerk, he then moved into a role as Works Progress Clerk, before being promoted to Shift Supervisor.  He then became Materials Controller and when the Birmingham plant closed he transferred to Joseph Ash Walsall to carry out the same role.

Steven Hopkins, Managing Director, and other members of Joseph Ash recently celebrated with John, and said thank you for being a great member of the team.

John is not the only team member from Joseph Ash Galvanizing to have reached a significant milestones at the Company though. In recent months we have also celebrated with:

• Phil Filkins, Joseph Ash Medway, who reached 20 year’s service at the plant in June
• Dean Winfield, Joseph Ash Chesterfield, who reached 30 year’s service in June
• Neil Horton, Joseph Ash Walsall, who reached 25 year’s service in June
• Kevin Hilden, Joseph Ash Medway, who reached 20 year’s service in July
• Sidney Holland, from Joseph Ash Telford who will reach 30 year’s service in August.

Congratulations everyone!

35 years’ service for Paul Marriott at Joseph Ash Galvanizing.

Congratulations Paul!

Think about the year 1982… What happened? The Mary Rose was raised, the Falklands War ended, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum was launched, The Jam split up and Kate Middleton and Prince William were born. It was a tumultuous, but interesting year.

1982 is also the year that Paul Marriott joined Joseph Ash Galvanizing and began working in the Chesterfield plant!

Three and a half decades later and Paul is still with our company, after 35 years’ unbroken service.

Paul has played a vital role since the Chesterfield plant opened. He was involved in the first trials of dipping steel into the baths, and he has contributed immensely to the growth and success of the plant, and the company as a whole.

It would be fair to say that Paul has seen more than a million tonnes of steel go through the plant.

Thank you for your service at the company so far Paul. And congratulations on reaching 35 years.

It’s always good to put a face to a name… With this in mind we thought we’d introduce the Sales Team at our Joseph Ash Medway plant.

First up is April Challis, our Sales Administrator, and Gavin Van De Peer, our Sales Executive. April and Gavin are both office based, so if you have any questions at all with regards to booking-in galvanizing, shot blasting or powder coating jobs in the South East, you can reach them on 01795 419813.

Next up is Alan Mitchell and Troy Clark, two of our Medway Sales Executives. Both Alan and Troy are on the road Mondays-Thursdays visiting customers (and office based on Fridays). You can reach Alan on 0772 1219703, and Troy on 0773 4230286 if you’d like to meet with them, or ask any questions about the shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing and powder coating services.

Finally we have Matthew Hodges – the Sales Team Manager. In his 20 years at Joseph Ash Medway, Matthew has held various positions including Galvanizing Manager and Powder Coating Manager, so you can be sure that everything there is to know about steel finishing services, he will know it. Matthew can be reached on 0782 550 6976.

Alan covers areas south of the Thames, and Troy covers areas north of the Thames, apart from Kent and East Sussex which is managed by Matt.  

Get in touch with Medway today to discuss any jobs you’d like to book in the Kent/South East region.

In 1985 Gorbachev became the de facto leader of the Soviet Union, ‘Live Aid’ took the world by storm, Windows 1.0 was released, and ‘Back to the Future’ appeared at the cinema. At Joseph Ash Galvanizing, this is also the year that Mohammed Zamen joined our company! Fast forward three decades later and we’re pleased to report that Mohammed is still here, as part of the Joseph Ash family.

Mohammed joined Joseph Ash Walsall in 1985 and has worked in ‘Pickling’ roles within the plant, where incoming steel is pickled in dilute hydrochloric acid to remove all rust and mill scale from the steel surface prior to hot dip galvanizing.

He is a popular member of the team, and, as stated by Charlie Singh at Joseph Ash Walsall, “Mohammed has been very hard working, a loyal employee and an example to all”.

Steven Hopkins – Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s MD – and some Walsall colleagues were recently on hand to give Mohammed a long-time service award.

Three decades is a great achievement.

Well done Mohammed!

Joseph Ash Galvanizing has a new Director of Business Improvement!

Meet Stuart Whitehouse…

Joseph Ash Galvanizing has recently promoted Stuart Whitehouse to the role of Director of Business Improvement. Within this role Stuart will oversee all health and safety, and human resources issues within the company. He also plans to:

• Drive the review and implementation of a new, employee-generated set of company values, with an emphasis on customer care
• Focus on succession planning and employee development
• Spearhead and drive forward the ‘Continuous Improvement Teams’ within the company in order to create a culture of continuous improvement and best practice.

Stuart is definitely the best person for the role, having broadened his own career through working at Joseph Ash Galvanizing since 2002, as well as becoming an expert in health and safety, and human resources management.

Stuart’s CV whilst at Joseph Ash Galvanizing reads as follows:

• He joined the company in 2002 as a Quality Manager at Joseph Ash Walsall
• In 2004 he was promoted and was given the responsibility for health and safety at the Birmingham plant
• In early 2005 Stuart was promoted again to become the Company Health and Safety Manager for all Joseph Ash Galvanizing plants
• In 2010 he gained an MSc in Health, Safety and Environmental Management, and became a full chartered member of IOSH
• In the Summer of 2012, Stuart became the Health and Safety and Human Resources Manager for Joseph Ash Galvanizing
• He then completed a Diploma in Human Resources Management in 2014
• July 1 2016 – promoted to Director of Business Improvement.

Congratulations Stuart! We wish you well in this new role. 

Michael Ball is a Quality Manager at Joseph Ash Medway, and he has just celebrated a huge 25 years’ service at the plant. To recognise this achievement we’ve interviewed him to find out about the last quarter century and what makes him tick!

Q: What did you do before joining Joseph Ash Medway?

A: I began my career as a fabricator welder serving a four-year apprenticeship with a company that built road bridges and other one-off structures. The apprenticeship covered all aspects of working with sheet metal to heavy plate fabrication, as well as becoming a code welder. I also had dealings with H.D.G and therefore became aware of the design factors required to get a good finish from galvanizing. The experience and training I received on the apprenticeship was second to none.

I then joined a company who acted as a supplier to oil refineries, which led to a role in welding inspection, testing and quality control. After this I joined Joseph Ash Medway as a Quality Manager and I’ve enjoyed the role ever since.

Q: So you started your career as a fabricator. Do you still make things out of steel in your spare time?

A: I’ve always enjoyed working with steel and still enjoy making things when I get a chance. In the past I’ve made a small elephant out of sheet metal, a hawk in flight, bed frames, garden furniture, lights, a small bridge and a scaled down batman car! And yes, most of these have been hot dip galvanized at Joseph Ash Medway.

Q: Having the experience as a fabricator, as well as 25 years’ experience working in a galvanizing plant, must make you a great resource for customers?

A: I hope so! I’m a great believer in galvanizing and I enjoy helping customers to think about their designs and advising them on ways to improve the fabrications to get a better finish. I’ve also worked on every part of the galvanizing and powder coating processes.

I suppose my speciality is being a more practical, hands-on person. I like to help people get the job done and resolve issues that others think can’t be resolved. If there’s a problem, I want to fix it.

Q: What’s the most interesting thing you have seen galvanized at Joseph Ash Medway?

A: I’ve seen a huge number of interesting sculptures galvanized at the plant, as well as an MG car and a Toyota rally car. I guess the most challenging and interesting items however were petrol tanks!

Thank you for the interview Michael. Congratulations on reaching this huge milestone at Joseph Ash Medway.

In January 1989, Mandy Filkins joined Medway Galvanising Company – now owned by Joseph Ash Galvanizing. At that time Mandy was part of a small team and was covering roles such as telesales, marketing and secretarial. Fast forward a quarter of a century later and we are happy to report that Mandy is still a valued employee.

In the 26 years Mandy has worked at the company she has had roles such as Galvanizing Sales Executive, and has helped to grow the company’s successful powder coating arm. Mandy also became the Mono Hinge Gate Manager, taking on responsibility for the entire business cycle of this unique product, from marketing through to sales, purchasing, manufacture, delivery and after-sales care.

To celebrate Mandy’s long-time service with the company, she was recently presented with some flowers and vouchers from Steven Hopkins, Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s Managing Director.

Congratulations Mandy! 26 years is a great achievement!

From YTS trainee in 1990, to Finance Director in 2015 – congratulations Richard Hall.

Earlier this year we celebrated the fact that Jackie Bates had reached 25 years service with Joseph Ash Gavanizing. It’s now time to celebrate another member of the Joseph Ash team who has reached this excellent milestone. Step forward Richard Hall!

Richard joined Joseph Ash Galvanizing straight from school as a YTS trainee office junior back in 1990. He attended day release college studying for his AAT certification and in 1995 he took up a position as Assistant Company Accountant. In 2000 he was promoted to Company Accountant, a position that he held until he was promoted to Finance Director earlier this year.

In recognition of Richard’s 25 years service he was presented with a Mont Blanc Starwalker pen.

Congratulations Richard!

Joseph Ash Galvanizing is made up of many employees, some of whom have worked for the company for many years. Jackie Bates is one such member of the team and we’re lucky to have her!

Jackie has just completed 25 years service with Joseph Ash Galvanizing and remains as hard working today as always. Team members honoured Jackie’s anniversary with a celebratory lunch, some lovely flowers from Steven Hopkins – Joseph Ash Galvanizing’s Managing Director – and some B&Q vouchers.

Congratulations Jackie. 25 years service is a great achievement!