Iain finds Bradford is buzzing

Citation

(2001), "Iain finds Bradford is buzzing", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848faf.004

Iain finds Bradford is buzzing

Iain finds Bradford is "buzzing"!

Keywords: Wedge Group Galvanizing

We hear that things have been "buzzing" for Iain McBeath who has just completed his first year as commercial manager for Wedge Group at Bradford, UK.

Iain looks after customers at Metaltreat and at sister company Pillar Spin which shares the same Canal Road site.

Highlights of his first 12 months have included progressing two major contracts at Metaltreat on work destined for totally different climates and surroundings. And at nearby Pillar Spin he has been keeping a close eye on a capital redevelopment programme which will further improve the quality of products he is able to offer customers.

The major assignment at Metaltreat has been a large contract for hot dipping tens of thousands of mild steel gabion mesh panels. These flat welded panels measure anything between 2ft (0.6 metres) to 7ft (2.2 metres) square, and are made of copper washed mild steel wire of up to ¼ in. (6mm) diameter. Later, at the final destination, the panels are assembled to form box-like containers, into which a fabric bag is placed. These are then filled with earth, debris – or more likely, sand … for the panels are ultimately exported world wide where they are formed into building blocks for a variety of structures including gun placements and fortifications.

Hot dip galvanizing will give protection against hard knocks (and environment) of a very different kind – thanks to a contract Iain secured for treating hundreds of open mesh flooring panels in Metaltreat's bath. For these are being used as enclosure walls in multi-use games areas where youngsters can play soccer, basketball and other sports in different parts of the UK.

The mild steel panels measure 8ft (2.4 metres) square, with a flat bar 1 in. (25mm) wide and cross wires: ¼ in. (6mm) diameter.

Pillar Spin, as the name implies, specialises in galvanizing nuts, bolts, bracketry and other small parts in bulk – using a centrifugal spin technique. After galvanizing, items are placed into a perforated basket. This in turn is then placed into an electrically operated centrifuge and spun to remove surplus zinc and ensure a perfect finish.

A new centrifuge has been installed at Pillar Spin where recent investment has also seen the fitting of a new hoist system with four variable speed lift units and an overhead monorail track system. A state-of-the-art 3.2 tonne overhead crane capable of covering the whole plant has recently been added, and number of treatment tanks have been replaced.

"This is a major investment. We believe the service we provide is undoubtedly the best in the area – with quickest turnaround and highest quality – and that's what people want", said Iain. "We have an ongoing series of developments with this in mind."

Iain joined Wedge after four years as sales team leader with a South Yorkshire based multi-metal stockholder.

Details available from: Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1274 510304; Fax: +44 (0)1274 510303; E-mail: mail@fairfax.co.uk