Excellence in Galvanizing
Humber Galvanizing's expertise has helped mark the opening of a major new mixed-use property development.
The Hull-based firm was called upon to provide its hot-dip galvanizing treatment to structural steel used to create a sculpture marking the lasting legacy of the Kodak film corporation in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
The monument, which was designed by artist blacksmith Hammer and Tongs, and produced by Yorkshire-based engineering firm SH Structures Limited and Chess RMA Structural Consultants, comprises three adjoining spools of film, and has been installed at Image by Dandara, a major mixed-use redevelopment of the former Kodak headquarters, the tallest building in the town.
Tony Linsley, Commercial Manager for Humber Galvanizing, explained: “The sculpture is made up of six separate sections. Due to the size of some of the pieces – the largest had a diameter of 3.5 metres – we had to make use of the larger galvanizing bath of our colleagues at Newport Galvanizers in South Wales, who I'd like to thank for their fantastic efforts in helping us complete what was quite a complex project.”
“We have worked with Wedge Group Galvanizing on a number of projects over the years, and were more than happy to call on them for this project,” Tim Burton, Sales and Marketing Manager for SH Structures, commented. “The teams at Humber and Newport pulled out all the stops for us to make sure the work was carried out on time and to the highest possible standards.”
“This was a very striking, but quite complicated piece to produce, given the interconnecting nature of the film spools and the need to make the sculpture appear to be self-supporting,” Alan Rigby, of Chess RMA Structural Consultants, said. “It was decided to galvanize the sculpture in order to ensure the entire steel frame was protected for an extended lifespan.”
The transformation of the old Kodak Tower was carried out by property developers Dandara. The mixed-use Image project, which cost more than £50 million to undertake, has led to the construction of around 450 one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as providing retail and office space for local businesses.
Mark Bryan, Dandara’s Project Leader on the Image initiative, said: “The sculpture is a fitting way to mark Kodak’s long-standing history in the town, and makes for an eye-catching addition to our fantastic, modern redevelopment of the area.”