A galvanizing firm’s expertise has seen it called upon by not just one but two companies heavily involved in the construction of a major new stadium for one of the biggest names in Rugby League.

Glasgow-based Scottish Galvanizers, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, has provided its specialist hot dip galvanizing treatment to metalwork used by both long-standing client Barr Limited and blacksmiths John Gibson and Sons Limited to build Super League giant St Helens’ new £25 million home.

The 18,000 capacity venue, which has been built on the 46-acre site of the old United Glass factory in the Merseyside town, will replace the team’s historic Knowsley Road ground for the start of the 2012 season in February, with its state-of-the-art oval design incorporating two seated stands, along with two standing terraces. The development also features a 100,000 sq ft Tesco Extra store, which includes 192 pieces of steel – 14 .8 tonnes in total – that was galvanized at Scottish Galvanizers’ Glasgow plant too.


The team at Scottish Galvanizers was responsible for galvanizing 34 tonnes of steel barriers produced by Barr Limited’s steel division Solway Structural Steel for the East and West terracing, which will each accommodate approximately 3,800 fans. It was also called upon by John Gibson and Sons Limited to process additional metalwork which was used to construct six steel staircases, framework for both the Directors’ box and dugout areas, railings running along the North and South stands, and also frames for the advertising hoardings surrounding the pitch.

Paul Tait, Commercial Manager of Scottish Galvanizers, commented: “Because some of the additional metalwork for John Gibson and Sons Limited was particularly intricate, we required the support of our colleagues at the Metaltreat galvanizing plant in Bradford, who specialise in protecting the types of steel mesh that were needed for the staircases and other parts of the stadium.

“This has been one of our biggest ever projects, involving a significant amount of steel and a particularly tight schedule,” Lee Hastings, of Dumfries-based John Gibson and Sons Limited, revealed. “Thanks to the rapid turnaround of both Scottish Galvanizers and Metaltreat, and the considerable efforts of our own team at the workshop and on site, we’ve now completed our work and the new stadium is all set for its official opening.”

Colin Wallace, of Barr Limited, said: “We’ve worked with Paul and the team at Scottish Galvanizers on numerous projects over the years, and because of their prompt, professional and reliable service, they were a natural choice to support us on such a prestigious contract.”

Wedge Group Galvanizing is 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, they offer a truly national galvanizing service.

(GK)