COMPANY OPTS FOR GALVANIZING FOR FIRST TIME

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

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.

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.

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.

The final job was fitting the doors and after a little “tweaking” we managed to get them running smoothly.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

And here’s the newly-fitted roll up 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.

The sheet is tensioned and the doors are fitted.

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

Completed just within daylight hours!

Robinson 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.