Latest News

Mar 28
Manchester Galvanizing – Helping to Supply a Superior Product

COMPANY OPTS FOR GALVANIZING FOR FIRST TIME

Multi Span PolytunnelA 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

Mar 17
Three Men Went To Morpeth

We recently re-built two polytunnels for the Students Union at Newcastle University. The two polytunnels, 18ft wide x 30ft long were originally built at an allotment site close to the City Centre. Unfortunately, a change of use of the whole allotments site meant that the students had to re-locate. Jon from the University made an excellent job of dismantling the polytunnels, with the help of some of the students, ready for us to transport to the new site. While the framework and timbers were dropped off at the new site, the doors were brought back to our factory to be re-clad and spruced up.
Polytunnel-At-Newcastle-University-Original-Site
The new site for the polytunnels was at Cockle Park Farm near Morpeth and a gently sloping plot, close to a beech hedge made an ideal location.
Polytunnels under construction
The steel frameworks went back together very well and most of the timber rails were re-usable. Complete new timber end frames were required and were made to suit the existing sets of double sliding doors. New polythene curtains were fitted to each side of the polytunnels and new netting for side ventilation. The anti hot spot tape on the arches was replaced where necessary ready for sheeting the polytunnels. The wind was slightly stronger than we would have liked but the sheets went on without any drama and tensioned nicely thanks to the well-timed spell of sunshine.
Polytunnel-At-Newcastle-University-1
The final job was fitting the doors and after a little “tweaking” we managed to get them running smoothly.
Polytunnel-At-Newcastle-University-Inside

Feb 25
The Perfect Site For Building A Polytunnel

A polytunnel which we built at a primary school near Liverpool, 14ft x 18ft with side ventilation. The ground was flat and level and we couldn’t really ask for a better site.
Polytunnel site was flat and level

The polytunnel framework was soon finished with timber rails in place for the side ventilation netting and roll up curtains.
Polytunnel with timber rails

The finished polytunnel covered with diffused polythene for better temperature control, beneficial for the plants in hotter weather.
Completed polytunnel clad with diffused polythene

Jan 15
It’s a long way to . . . Norwich!

A recent job in Norwich required a 4:00am set-off to be sure of completing the job in one day. A 10ft wide x 30ft long polytunnel with crop bars, ventilation netting and roll up curtain to one side and staging along part of one side. To ensure the best possible finish, our customer wanted us to build the polytunnel and a couple of our constructors had a day spare between Christmas and New Year.

A lot of preparation was done before the guys set off, including assembling the doors, end frames and hoops which were just a fit on the van. The client excavated the holes ready for the foundation tubes and ground anchor plates before we arrived on site. It’s a part of the job that can cause hours of delays if the ground is problematic and our constructors definitely appreciated not having to do the digging!

The ground was frosty and dry and so it would be a good site to work on. The first job was to mark out with stringlines and set the foundation tubes into the ground.

Excavated foundations for 10ft x 30ft polytunnel

 

Next, the timber base rails would be clamped to the foundation tubes and then the polytunnel hoops could be set to the right height.

10x30-Polytunnel-base-rails

 

The framework was quickly erected and timber end frames for the doorways. A timber side rail was fixed along one side for side ventilation netting and a roll up curtain.

10x30-Polytunnel-framework

 

And here’s the newly-fitted roll up curtain.

10x30-Polytunnel-curtain

 

Corner panels were fitted over the ends of the curtain, around to the doorways and the side ventilation netting along the side, over the curtain. And a “rebate” is created with battens ready for securing the main cover.

Here’s the ‘tunnel virtually sheeted.

10x30-Polytunnel-nearly-sheeted

 

The sheet is tensioned and the doors are fitted.

10x30-Polytunnel-with-doors

 

And finally a few sections of staging are fixed to the hoop legs on one side of the polytunnel.

polytunnel staging

 

Completed just within daylight hours!

 

Dec 07
“Warm Room” For Macclesfield Community Garden Centre

Jo, the manager at Macclesfield Community Garden Centre wanted to create a “warm room” within their multi-span polytunnel. A place where the staff and trainees could sit comfortably at break times, work in a comfortable environment and would also be beneficial for the propagation of their new plants.
The plan was to separate one of the multi-span bays for a length of 40ft from the rest of the open area of around 8,000ft2, which is currently used for plant sales, plant preparation, crafts and wood work.

Picture of polytunnel with ventilation

The area of the polytunnel to be converted to the “Warm Room”.

Stuart from Robinson Polytunnels came to assess the polytunnel and to see what could be achieved for maximum effect at minimum cost. On first inspection, the polytunnel was well ventilated with netting panels to the top part of the gable end “D-sections” and along the sides – the opposite of what was required for the “warm room”. After a little consideration Stuart created an action plan to separate the “warm room” and to make it ventilation-free and retain more heat.

 

The first job would be to remove the areas of ventilation. The netting panel in the gable end D-section would be replaced with polythene. The side ventilation netting would be panelled over, again with a polythene panel. Now the area was free from draughts and required partitioning from the rest of the polytunnel. A timber framework was assembled underneath the valley gutter and clad with “white” polythene, which provides more privacy and a definitive boundary from the sales area.

Partition separating the warm area.

Partition to separate the length of the polytunnel.

 

A complete partition was assembled across the width of the bay, in effect creating a new “gable end”. Vertical steel support tubes were fixed from the concrete surface up to the polytunnel arch above and a timber framework to attach the polythene panels. A double-width doorway was included with a pair of snug fitting doors to keep draughts to a minimum.

 

Finally, a false ceiling was required to reduce heat loss through the roof. “Crop bars” were fitted across the hoops at about 2.5m above ground level and a clear polythene sheet was fitted to rest above the crop bars. The sheet was attached to timber rails around its full perimeter so that any introduced heat would be retained. The clear polythene ceiling would allow the light levels to remain high which would be useful for continued plant cultivation in the “warm room”.

False ceiling during installation

False ceiling during installation.

Macclesfield Community Garden Centre is a Social Enterprise where adults with disabilities can gain valuable work experience and training in a supported environment to develop their full potential. The items produced by the trainees are available to buy in the garden centre.

Feb 05
Sunrise Through The Polytunnel

Sunrise Through The Polytunnel

Sunrise Through The Polytunnel

Feb 05
Mini-Polytunnels – Range Extended

Mini-PolytunnelRobinson Polytunnels have extended their range of Mini-Polytunnels. At 4ft wide you can now choose from a length of 5ft, 8ft, 10ft or 12ft.
Their Mini-Polytunnels are also available with three choices of covering – Polythene, Bird Netting or Shade Netting. Starting at £60 they’re VERY competetivley priced!
Get yours now from RobinsonPolytunnels.co.uk.

Feb 05
February Offer – 20% Off Polytunnels!

Snapshot of Robinson Polytunnels Home PageIncredible but true – This really is the best give-away ever. We’ve reduced the price of our polytunnels by 20%!
You already know that we can’t be beaten on quality. Well now we can’t be beaten on price!
Get your order in before the end of February to secure your cut-price polytunnel from Robinson Polytunnels.

Jan 18
January Sale! EXTENDED!!!

January Sale We’ve had such an overwhelming response to our January Sale that we’ve decided to extend it!
You’ve got an extra couple of weeks, up to the 29th January to take adavantage of 15% discount off all our polytunnels at www.RobinsonPolytunnels.co.uk.

Aug 03
Summer Special !!!

Polytunnel and Fruit Cage Kits - 15% offAre you ready for our August offer?
15% OFF all Polytunnel Kits and Fruit Cage Kits!
. . . and that includes 15% off the options you choose with your polytunnel !

Select your Fruit Cage or Polytunnel Kit at Robinson Polytunnels and view your shopping cart to see how much you’ve saved!