November 5th, 2012
Barnshaws Plate Bending has been awarded a metal bending project for the No 1 Blast Furnace Repair located in Redcar.
Steelmaking is the bedrock of a northeast heavy industry that dates back to the 1850s.The blast furnace, now heating up to 1,200°C, will be used to produce the site’s first steel slab in over two years since closing in 2009.
The repair work will shortly see the first steel-convertible iron being produced.
Barnshaws Plate Bending aided the project by producing various rolled, pressed and tack-welded pipe and ductwork. Not only will this rebuild project have a positive impact on the local economy, it will also leave a strong mark on the steelmaking market in the UK.
George Dunning, Redcar council leader and campaigner for the return of steelmaking to the area, said: ‘To have another 100 well-paid steelworker jobs coming to the area is great. For the local economy of Redcar and Cleveland it’s a major boost.”
The plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 3.6 million tonnes and by the end of 2012 the facility will export to Asia. The workforce is expected to rise from 1,700 to 1,800 when production peaks.
