A galvanizing business situated in the Midlands has supported a project across the pond – nearly 5,000 miles away.
B.E. Wedge Ltd, part of national Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, assisted with future-proofing leak-sealing pipe connectors for a project in Texas, USA.
The connectors were made using A29 4140 (low alloy steel), by RB Forgings in the West Midlands, before being machined to order by Lincoln-based market leaders in high pressure containment solutions, Destec Engineering Limited.
Mike Ferry, Buyer at Destec Engineering, said: “We were commissioned to provide a number of heavy-duty leak-sealing pipe connectors by a customer who works in the Oil & Gas industry, for a project with a final destination in Texas. Working in partnership with other industry specialists, it was completed in stages – with the most recent task seeing 5,200 clamps (approximately 35 tonnes) forged, processed, and galvanized.
“Due to being transported across the world, we needed to ensure the connectors were tough, durable and resistant to damage. And so, we enlisted the support of B.E. Wedge, who we use for all our galvanizing requirements thanks to their reliability and high quality of work.”
After 10 weeks of forging, the connectors were sent to the galvanizing plant where they were prepared for spin galvanizing. Due to their intricate size, the items were placed in a basket before being immersed into a bath that is compliant with ISO 10684 standard. Once removed, they were placed in a centrifuge and mechanically spun for several seconds – removing any surplus zinc material from the surface – to prevent items from sticking together and to ensure a smooth finish that wouldn’t hinder usage or performance.
Lee Dickens, Customer Service Manager at B.E. Wedge added: “What an amazing feeling knowing that the services we provide here in the West Midlands have been utilised all the way in Texas, and that the benefits of galvanizing are appreciated worldwide.”
B.E. Wedge Ltd is part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, 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, the firm offers a truly national galvanizing service.
