Albion Galvanizers unveil £2 million 'twin' investment

Citation

(1999), "Albion Galvanizers unveil £2 million 'twin' investment", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 46 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1999.12846dab.007

Albion Galvanizers unveil £2 million 'twin' investment

Albion Galvanizers unveil £2 million "twin" investment

Keywords: Albion Galvanizers, Galvanising

West Midlands-based Albion Galvanizers believes that its £2 million investment programme has put them at the forefront of the UK small-part galvanizing industry - after a four-year development programme.

The company - a subsidiary of Joseph Ash & Son Limited, itself part of Ash & Lacy plc - has installed two new leading-edge dipping facilities which have just successfully completed 12-month-long trials (Plate 6).

"In 1994 we took a long, hard look at the long-term requirements of our customers in this specialist market - and the conditions in which current and future employees would want to work", said Joseph Ash Marketing Director Brian Finch.

Plate 6 Newly-galvanized products drop from the production line at Albion Galvanizers

"We realised we would have to switch to automatic or semi-automatic equipment which would be capable of meeting our high standards for both castings and spun work and, where possible, further enhancing quality levels.

"The result is two fully proven systems - 'Quantum' and 'Evolution' - operating alongside the existing traditional 'Classic' hand-dipping process.

"We have really moved on to the next stage in terms of sophisticated galvanizing, putting us well ahead of our competitors."

Mr Finch added: "Customers quickly realise that they are dealing with a highly technologically advanced processing company which also possesses the traditional hand-dipping skills when necessary.

"We've made a huge investment and thought deeply about what we are doing. With the new systems we can do everything - and do it consistently 24 hours per day, even with extreme volume demands."

Mr Finch said the new systems offer existing and potential customers every option for their galvanizing requirements, however diverse.

"By also retaining the traditional method we believe we have covered every eventuality as far as customer service and demand is concerned. Additionally, we believe we are several years ahead of competitors and are truly setting the industry standards for the coming decade."

Quantum, which has an inverter-controlled centrifuge, is a high-volume spinning facility for processing fasteners and other small components.

Evolution, which has an integral quenching facility, galvanizes malleable and cast components ranging from conduit boxes to jiggable brackets.

Both systems offer:

• •

  totally flexible automated material handling;

• •

  variable process control parameters;

• •

  programmable software recipes to suit individual requirements;

• •

  PLC-controlled capability; and

• •

  built-in diagnostics.

All three systems are supported by the company's cleaning and scouring tumble blasting capability.

"We have combined the virtues of traditional galvanizing with all the sophistication that modern electronics and automation can deliver, to provide a comprehensive production facility specified to meet the high demands of ourselves and our customers", added Mr Finch.

"We believe we probably have the most sophisticated small-part jobbing galvanizing facility in the world - offering the best of British and European technology and providing a rare combination of all-important flexibility and consistency."

For further details from Joseph Ash & Son, contact: Brian Finch. Tel: +44 (0) 171 987 5070.