Excellence in Galvanizing
A manufacturer and supplier of polytunnels has tested its mettle after choosing another form of steel protection provided by Manchester Galvanizing, following a long history of using electroplating.
Nelson-based Robinson Polytunnels has for the first time used the hot-dip galvanizing treatment as part of its production of polytunnels and fruit cages, and turned to the Heywood-based plant to protect thousands of steel components after 15 years spent using a lesser protective method.
Stuart Robinson, Founder and General Manager of Robinson Polytunnels, explained: “We previously had an electro-plating process to protect the small components used to manufacture our range of products, and because they’re primarily based outdoors and are open to the unpredictable British weather, it was really important to make sure they stood the test of time for our clients.
“This meant researching alternative methods that we could use to protect them better and for longer, and a meeting with Mark Waters at Manchester Galvanizing took us through the whole process of spin galvanizing, which is done by the group’s dedicated spin plant B.E.Wedge. The initial batch was completed and we were impressed with the quality and consistency of protection. We now have all of our products galvanized and very much look forward to developing our working relationship with the team at Manchester Galvanizing and B E Wedge in the months and years to come,” Stuart concluded.
Spin galvanizing follows the same process as general galvanizing but it sees products placed in the galvanizing bath and quickly removed before the molten zinc solidifies, then placed on a centrifuge and spun for several seconds to remove excess zinc. This type of finish is extremely popular for smaller products as it prevents items from sticking together and produces a smooth end result.
Mark Waters, Commercial Manager at Manchester Galvanizing, added: “We were thrilled to have provided Robinson Polytunnels with a more effective and durable method of protection. During the initial consultation, we examined the products that required treatment to ensure that they would be suitable for spin galvanizing, and identified one piece that needed a minor modification making to ensure a better flow of zinc through the various tubular sections.”
By Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd