INDUSTRY NEWS
MP ’ s visit highlights growth of galvanizing business
Home Secretary Priti Patel has visited South East Galvanizers Ltd . to see first-hand how the company has grown since she opened the site eight years ago .
The Witham MP was given a tour of the plant as part of a visit to industrial estates in her constituency , which also gauged how businesses had responded to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Ms Patel was met at the plant by David Knight , General Manager and Steve Milnes , Regional Director for Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd ., which owns 14 plants across the country .
Mr Knight said : “ It was a real pleasure to welcome Priti Patel back to the plant . She took her time not only to hear how we ’ ve developed as a business since she officially opened the building in 2012 , but also to see for herself the significant steps we took as a business to achieve Covid-secure status .”
Since opening , South East Galvanizers Ltd . has significantly grown volumes of material processed at the plant , and is a major employer in the area , now operating three shifts staffed by nearly 80 employees .
The company rapidly implemented safety measures to keep its staff and customers safe during the crisis while it kept its plants open to fulfil urgent and emergency work associated with supporting the fight against coronavirus .
Steps taken by the company to mitigate all potential health and safety risks went under the spotlight during an independent audit around social distancing , the handling of goods and its cleaning regime .
The implementation of increased handwashing and sanitation facilities , and the availability and use of personal protection equipment and face coverings were also considered .
They were then assessed against existing legislation , protocols and UK government guidance and deemed ‘ Covid secure ’.
Mr Knight added : “ The rapid adoption of those measures is a credit to every one of our workforce and our approach has been formally validated as a success .
“ For us to be able to show off this achievement to the Home Secretary and our local MP is a tremendous privilege and underlines the importance of South East Galvanizers not only to our local community but also in the fabric of the industrial landscape across the region .”
South East Galvanizers Ltd . is part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd , the largest hot-dip galvanizing organisation in the UK with a history dating back over 150 years . With 14 plants strategically placed across the country , the firm offers a truly national galvanizing service .
For further information please contact Wedge Group Galvanizing on 01902 630311 or visit www . wedge-galv . co . uk .
20 DECEMBER 2020 read online : www . surfaceworld . com