June 12th, 2017
Two UK landmarks created using steel formed by Barnshaws Section Benders have seen recognition in the current UK passport design. Antony Gormley's 'Angel of the North' and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond, are included alongside other famous British cultural and technological landmarks from throughout history in the latest passport to be released by HM Passport Office.
The newest design focuses on highlighting 'some of the pioneering work in the creative industries throughout the last 500 years'. The Angel of the North and ArcelorMittal Orbit will join other British innovations such as the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, Stephenson's Rocket, the K2 red telephone box, Babbage's analytical engine and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, in being honoured as part of the designs.
Barnshaws Section Benders, headquartered in Tividale, is responsible for supplying high quality precision curved and custom fabricated structural steel for landmark construction projects throughout the UK. As the world's premier specialist metal bending company, Barnshaws has delivered many run-of-the-mill civil projects and buildings alongside icons such as Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium, Spurs' new ground, Wimbledon Centre Court, the Francis Crick Institute, Spitfire Island in Castle Bromwich and many more.
The latest recognition follows the inclusion of Gateshead Millennium Bridge on a pound coin design, another project that Barnshaws was heavily involved in. Greg North, Commercial Director at Barnshaws, spoke of his excitement: "Raising the profile of the construction industry, and the importance of high quality curved and fabricated steel within it, is important to us and to UK manufacturing industry in general.
"To see projects that we have actively supported with steel bending recognised and grouped together with such revolutionary technologies from throughout British history is a great pleasure, and a real proof of our expertise. In the same way, many of these innovations paved the way for the development of Britain, steel curving is now revolutionising our architecture towards new and innovative designs."
