The main initial construction work at a new £5.5 million galvanizing factory in Witham has been completed just six months into the project.

Initial foundation work on the new South East Galvanizers plant – located on the town’s Crittall Road Industrial Estate – has now been carried out, with the entire steel framework and cladding successfully completed since construction work started last December.

Building work will now move onto the interior of the site, with the fit out of the firm’s specialist equipment, including galvanizing furnaces and kettles, already well underway. It is expected that by the end of this month work will also begin on installing state-of-the-art pre-treatment and degreasing tanks, as well as a new modern 10.5 metre galvanizing bath, which will provide an increased capacity from the existing 9.5 metre long bath.

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South East Galvanizers, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, has been based in Witham since the 1960s and currently employs 64 people. While the building work on its new plant is currently being carried out, the company is continuing to operate as usual in its existing facilities, before moving into its new home when construction work is completed in September.

Working alongside main building contractor R G Carter Colchester, South East Galvanizers has been heavily involved in the construction work, and has galvanized all the structural steel and rebar used in the foundation work itself.

"We have been liaising with Peter Burton, Construction Director of R G Carter Colchester, to carefully coordinate the building work and ensure minimal disruption both to the local community and our customers," David Knight, General Manager of South East Galvanizers, commented. "We're delighted with the progress to date and very much look forward to seeing the end result."

Once officially up and running later this year, the new plant will also incorporate a raft of environmentally-friendly features, such as photovoltaic panels to generate electricity on-site, and a rainwater harvesting system that will reduce the need for mains supply.

Wedge Group Galvanizing is the largest hot dip galvanizing organisations 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.