Major expansion completed at North West galvanizing firm

Manchester Galvanizing [part of the Wedge Group] has more than doubled its works’ footprint following a £1M expansion project.

The site at Heywood, near Rochdale has been extended by around 5,500m2 in a move to improve service, reduce lead times and create capacity for growth.

The development will also have a significant impact on the day-to-day operation of the plant, according to Commercial Manager Mark Waters.

He said: “This was a substantial project that will have a major effect on the business and deliver massive benefits to our customers.

“We have more than doubled the size of our site and that will give us the capacity we’ve needed for a while.

“It gives us the yard space to take on larger jobs than ever before, it improves our service to customers and will help to significantly reduce lead times.

“It will make our transport operation far more efficient by removing the need to double handle material and ultimately it gives us the ability to take on more business.

“It’s a win-win situation for us and, though it was a project that required a substantial investment, it’s one that will pay for itself in the long-term and means we’re geared up for the future.”

As part of the project, a mine shaft more than 50m deep had to be capped, while the project also involved the removal of 7,000 tonnes of spoil, the erection of a new retaining wall and the installation of drainage.