A bird’s eye view of Joseph Ash Bilston
It’s always good to get a different perspective, and that’s just what happened when we were presented with some drone photos of our plant at Bilston. The photos were provided by Iain Smith from Berry Systems (one of our Hill & Smith sister companies).
- The team at Bilston are very proud of their plant, including how neat, tidy and organised it looks! Here’s some other reasons why they are proud:
- The Bilston plant has the deepest bath in the country. Dipping to 3.6m the team can vertically accommodate a lot of work which may be sloped or a double dipped elsewhere.
- Bilston is one of the few plants in the UK with a semi automated system, allowing technology to pickle your work. This means turnaround times are super quick.
- Bilston has an enclosed acid house. This means that the emissions from the chemical cleaning process are captured, cleaned and then released to the atmosphere as clean air.
- The plant is categorised as low risk by the Local Authority, making the plant the UK’s most environmentally friendly Galvanizer.
(Photos courtesy of Iain Smith at Berry Systems.)
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.
As Spring has sprung and it feels like a newly invigorated year, we’re pleased to announce the delivery of some new trucks at Joseph Ash Medway.
The new trucks arrived recently, and they have been part of a transport overhaul initiative by Rob Haynes, the Transport Manager at our Kent plant.
Since Rob joined Joseph Ash Medway three years ago, he has streamlined the fleet of lorries from 16 11 x 18ton Rigid’s, 1 x 7.5ton and four Artics) down to 12, (8 x 18 tonne Rigid and four x Artics). The purpose of the streamlining was to utilise all available space on each vehicle rather than running ‘half empty’ vehicles, maximising the number of deliveries and collections each vehicle can achieve, without compromising service.
Safety has also been a key goal for Rob. In November 2019 the plant received four new Mercedes Benz Actros tractor units, with the latest mirror cam technology and additional safety features, including intelligent breaking systems and lane control. The dash and driver controls are all touch screen for ease of use and hi-spec CCTV was fitted. Left turn and reverse audible warning systems were also added, and Rob is currently looking to add live cameras to view the rear of the vehicles.
In February 2021 Medway received the first of their new Mercedes Benz Antos rigid vehicles, to replace the 2016 fleet. These have the same specification, including the same safety features fitted, as the new tractor units.
Between now and April the plant will also be replacing two more of the Rigids. A further three will be replaced in November.
Finally, not only is health and safety important for our drivers, but ease of use. To this end Rob re-designed the rear of the trucks with lighter side doors, more durable hinges and catches, stronger posts and access doors either side, with drop down steps and grab rails.
He is currently in talks with Herrings Trailers, to replace Medway’s existing trailers, due for renewal in November 2021. These will be built to the same specification as the rear of the rigid vehicles.
For more information about the transport initiatives at Medway, please get in touch with Rob Haynes on Mob: 07734 875249 or Email: robh@josephash.co.uk. You can also email: transport@medgalv.co.uk.
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!
If you can make it – we can galvanise it!
For the last two years, Godbold Blacksmiths has been exclusively sending projects to our Premier Galvanizing team for steel finishing.
The Hull plant has been the lucky recipient and it’s been an honour and a privilege to protect the steel produced by this amazing team of artists and makers.
About Godbold Blacksmiths Limited
Godbold Blacksmiths was set up in 1985 by James Godbold. Based in Whitby, North Yorkshire, it began with a few commissions and grew from there.
Fast forward 36 years and the Blacksmiths has a large workshop employing nine people, trained in both traditional skills and modern techniques.
The Company now produces everything from gates, railings, candlesticks, staircases, signs and sculptures – pieces which have often been inspired by the local scenery: the Yorkshire Moors and the rugged coastline. Hear more about this from James himself.
Hot dip galvanizing
As Godbold’s works with iron and steel, and metals need to be protected from the elements (to prevent against rust and corrosion), the Company sends their projects to Premier Galvanizing Hull for hot dip galvanizing.
Hot dip galvanizing is important because it provides a long-life, low-maintenance corrosion protection which safeguards steel from atmospheric attack.
Works of art
Over the last couple of years, the team at Hull have been proud to hot dip galvanize sculptures, gates, railings, benches and even door handles on behalf of Godbold’s. They also treated the steel for the now famous Godbold Fin the Fish sculpture, which was used as an environmental awareness campaign by Yorkshire Water, Scarborough Council and the University of Hull in 2019.
Long may this partnership continue.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the projects we have worked on:
‘If you can draw it – we can make it’
When Godbold Blacksmiths receives a commission from a new customer, no job is too big or too small. In fact, their motto is ‘If you can draw it – we can make it’.
Because the Hull plant is proud to hot dip galvanize for this talented team, their response is: ‘If you can make it – we can galvanize it.’
Find out more:
To read more about Godbold Blacksmiths, visit their website or view their social profiles (Instagram and facebook).
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.
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!
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.