Category: News

A warehouse is a must when it comes to storing business goods, products and equipment, with you generally having the option of either renting or building your own warehouse to meet your needs. With this in mind, it is important for you to be fully aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both options, so we at Process Steels have done the homework for you and devised a list of pros and cons of renting and building a warehouse.

Advantages of Renting

• Renting is suitable when you are looking for a transitional place to store your inventory. This way, you will be able to meet your temporary storage needs for the specific amount of time you require.

• If you are not a limited budget, renting a warehouse is a good option. Most storage companies charge on a monthly basis, but there are others that offer a discount if you opt to rent for a 3 or 6 month period. This option is suitable for businesses that have recurring or seasonal storage needs.

Disadvantages of Renting

• Renting is not the best option in the long run as it can be cost prohibitive and increase your operational costs.

• There may always be the question over the security of a warehouse that you have no control over, which could result in you spending more money to protect your property and give you the required peace of mind.

Advantages of Building

• Building your own warehouse is an investment as you will hopefully be able to make a profit if and when you decide to sell it.

• You will be in control of the warehouse, as it will be your own property. You will be able to access it any time of the day or night, and cater it to the needs of your business.

• You can make changes to the floor plan or structure as you see fit. This is something that you will benefit from when your business grows and you need a more organised warehouse.
• The warehouse can be constructed to precisely meet the needs of your business, ensuring a tailored solution that works for you.

Disadvantages of Building

• As a warehouse owner, it will be your responsibility to tackle security, maintenance and provide adequate ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning.

• If you decide to relocate your business, you may have to sell your warehouse and build or find one in another location.

It goes without saying that building a warehouse is more beneficial than renting one in the long term. We at Process Steels are the perfect choice for building warehouses of all shapes and sizes, as we bring along a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the table that you can utilise and benefit from. We can design the ideal warehouse for your business needs and also manufacture and erect it for you. If you are therefore looking to build your own warehouse, contact us today and we will be happy to discuss a build based around your budget and business needs.

Steel is a ferrous metal which is defined as a metal that comes from, or contains iron. It has a number of uses from construction to kitchen appliances and is now one of the most used metals in the world. At Process Steels we supply RSJ beams throughout the West Midlands area and make sure that all of our products are manufactured to the highest of standards with top quality materials.

The first stage of producing steel is to mine iron ore from the ground. Much of this is extracted from China, Australia and Brazil, however there are many other places that it can be found. Iron is no longer mined throughout the United Kingdom in large quantities as the ore found in many other places is of a higher quality.

Smelting then takes place, which is the process of extracting metal from its ore. Any impurities are removed at the same time, giving a high quality product. This often features large machinery and can be both a dirty and dangerous job. Temperatures are above 1000 degrees Celsius, as the melting point of iron ore is extremely high.

Carbon is then added as this strengthens the metal to make steel as it fills the gaps between the crystals, allowing these not to slip. An average of around 1% carbon is present within most steel products.

The steel is then cast into slabs or ingots and distributed for use wherever needed. For RSJ beams to be supplied for your construction project, contact us on 0121 526 5757 or send us an email via our contact page.

Here at Process Steels, we supply a number of RSJ (rolled steel joist) beams, suitable for various construction projects across Birmingham and the rest of the UK. In fact, as the number one supplier in the Midlands, we’d consider ourselves experts in these beams.

Support beams are absolutely essential for a building’s stability, and it is crucial that construction workers ensure that they purchase high-quality beams from a leading supplier like ourselves, in order to ensure a building’s structural safety. These materials may seem like a small part of an overall build but they have a big responsibility; to support and hold together the entire building.
Our beams come in a variety of shapes and sizes dependent on their position in the build’s ceilings, walls or floors. It’s imperative when purchasing beams that you select the right one for the job – here’s a brief round up of our main two types.

I BEAMS & COLUMNS

I beams and I columns are easily recognisable by their distinctive ‘I’ shape, which could also be viewed as a ‘H’ when stood on it’s side. The I beam is designed to be placed horizontally, so it’s ideal for loft or ceiling beams. We stock I beams varying in size, from 127mm to 915mm in length. The columns are similar in appearance but chunkier, making them suitable for placing vertically. This means that they are more appropriate for supporting ceilings.

PARALLEL FLANGE CHANNEL

With a distinguishable ‘C’ shape, these are sometimes known as C Beams. They are particularly useful if you have a need to slot them into place or join them with other building materials due to their C-like shape, and can be used in a similar way to I beams.

If you’re looking for an I beam in Coventry or Tamworth, make Process Steels your first port of call. We’d be happy to discuss the different shapes, styles and sizes with you in more details, and we can even fabricate and modify your beams and joists to meet your individual requirements. For more information, call 0121 526 5757 or contact us online.

Over the past couple of centuries, steel has become one of the most popular materials when building throughout the world due to it’s many excellent properties. However, you may often wonder if cheaper materials or ones which are even more readily available are better for use within your construction project. Here at Process Steels we are experts in the production and erection of steel structures and are believers that this is the best option for a variety of projects.

CAST IRON

This material was originally one of the most popular when it came to the construction industry. This is due to it’s high resistance to impact which is a key factor when building a structure. It is also resistant against twisting or morphing due to a change in temperature which can often happen in this country. However, over time the material can suffer and historically many cast iron bridges collapsed with some ending in catastrophic circumstances. Therefore, these structures were reinforced with steel to give them stability.

WOOD

A chosen material for many houses particularly in the United States of America, wood is a great material for a quick fix. It is extremely accessible and you can order a flat pack house within barely any time at all. However, there are the obvious risks that come along with timber structures including a substantial fire hazard and also during high winds they are susceptible to a large amount of damage.

BRICK

The majority of homes throughout the United Kingdom are built from brick and it has become an extremely popular choice for housing. However, for construction purposes, using brick is extremely long winded and can take a lengthy period to lay. This costs a large amount in manual labour and can this can therefore be extremely impractical.

STEEL

The quick erection of steel is one of the advantages of using the material for construction. It is also extremely reliable as it does not corrode and will last for many years to come. It is therefore a sound investment and one that we at Process Steels can help you get started.

We have a range of steel products available including H, C and I beams for Cheltenham and the surrounding areas. To get in touch with us give us a call on 01215 265 757 or visit our contact page.

Alongside the usual electrical, fire, noise and handling regulations that concern most working environments, warehouses present a variety of additional concerns due to the use of machinery and workplace transport in what can be a confined space.

Employers have a responsibility to carry out full risk assessments according to the 5 steps identified on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. Risk assessments will take into account such factors as trip hazards, possibly harmful substances, the need for personal safety equipment and the potential risks of working at height.

Roger Bibbings, an advisor at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, says that ‘risk assessments are a process of continual improvement, and a site survey can highlight potential hazards you might otherwise miss.’

The Health and Safety Executive

A report released by the HSE shows that almost half of all work related injuries that occur in warehouses result from manual handling, with a further third resulting from collision with moving, falling and stationary objects. The HSE publishes several guides to warehousing and storage safety on their website, as well as advice on risk assessment and a convenient and easy to use ‘toolbox’ that contains information on all aspects of health and safety.

Health and Safety Checklist

Maintenance of warehouse equipment, proper use of equipment and, of course, a well constructed warehouse all contribute to health and safety good practice.

A checklist will include:

Behaviour: workplace training, good management and responsible staff will minimise the risk of negligent or reckless behaviour causing accidents. Employees should be aware of regulations and the code of conduct that they should abide by.

Vehicle Operation: use of workplace transport requires specific pathways and access points to be clear of obstructions. The need for complicated manoeuvres should be reduced, and employees should maintain an awareness of the routes and frequency of traffic.

Maintenance and Use of Equipment: many accidents occur from improper use of equipment and from faulty equipment that need.

When it comes to building your warehouse, talk to us here at Process Steels as we can provide you with RSJs to build your project. Call us today on 01215 265 757 or visit our contact page.

After months of planning you are finally ready to start the construction of your supermarket but when choosing which steel suppliers to use it can be a battle of price over quality. However, at Process Steels we pride ourselves on offering exceptional quality at a competitive price and this has been proven throughout our 15 years in the business. We are the number one steel stockholders in the Birmingham, Dudley and West Bromwich areas but are thrilled to be able to expand our services to cater for the whole of the UK.

We have previously worked with supermarket giants such as Farmfoods and work on both new projects as well as refurbishments. Our range of RSJ beams are suited perfectly to the construction of supermarkets as well as warehouses as we offer a vast range of sizes of I beams, H beams and C beams. Whatever your design we are sure to be able to cater to your needs wherever you are in the UK as we measure and customise our steel to your specific requirements.

If you are behind schedule with the project do not panic, as we keep a large supply of steel materials in stock at our warehouse so that we can deliver to you as quickly as possible. We understand that within the supermarket industry time is of the essence, and opening as soon as possible is a priority to be able to get ahead of competitors.

Once we have delivered the steel to your site we can also offer our site erection services to make sure you receive the highest quality service. This way you can rest assured that the foundation of your structure is sound and that due to our careful planning there are no issues.

If you would like more information please do not hesitate to call us on 01215 265757 or contact us via the website here.

Juliet balconies have become a more and more common option when it comes to both flats and houses. They get there name ‘Juliet’ after that famous balcony scene in Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. But romanticism aside why are they becoming such a popular addition to the home?

Aesthetics:

There are many different types and styles of Juliet balconies available, all unique in their own way. They are most commonly made from steel, offering a strong and aesthetically pleasing extra to your home. Depending on their style they can really compliment the look of your home, adding to a period property.

Safety:

If you have large windows or doors in your home or flat a Juliet balcony could be the ideal item to provide that extra level of security particularly if you have small children or pets in the home. They allow you to open your doors and windows in the summer without the risk of danger to your family members.

Light:

A Juliet balcony can allow you to let a large amount of light into your room without compromising safety in your home or business. If you’re looking to create a bright an airy home that you can open up when the warmer weather comes around, a Juliet balcony could be the perfect addition. They can allow you to enjoy fantastic views from the comfort of your home.

Here at Process Steels we believe a Juliet balcony can bring a touch of luxury to a property, which is why we fabricate and supply bespoke Juliet balconies for both the home and the business.

If you’re looking for a Juliet balcony, steel balustrades or even a steel staircase to improve the aesthetics of a property then be sure to get in touch with the expert team here at Process Steels.

Most people don’t see the potential space they have in their loft. If you’ve ever wanted a playroom or study but you think you haven’t got the space then grab a torch and head up to your loft. We tend to fill our lofts with surplus boxes or old TV’s but you could easily convert the area into your own private get away. Converting a loft is more affordable than having a home extension and can create the same amount of space. You can create a whole new perspective by converting your loft. The possibilities are endless, you might consider adding a window which will you give you access to a beautiful view.

At Process Steels we specialise in providing steel beams for loft conversions. The steel beams are created to support the structure to give your new room a sturdy base. We provide loft steel beam structures of all sizes so we will cater to any needs that you have in your conversion process. If you want the steel beams to be a part of your design we can provide fabricated and painted steel beams for you. We know the loft conversion process can be difficult but we will deliver to your location to save you any more hassle.

The Benefits of Loft Conversions

• You can utilise the space in a number of ways.

• Add instant value you to your property. The extra space could add up to 20% to the overall value of your home.

• Lofts are energy efficient. In a cooler climate like England, heat will rise from the bottom of a house towards the top, providing free heating for a loft.

If you require more information about loft steel, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our experienced staff will help you to choose the right kind of structural steel for your loft.

One of the most important milestones of artchitecture was the development of construction methods in steel. Steel has become one of the most well known and popular metals around the world and this is largely due to it’s versatilty. Here is the evolution of how steel has helped develop architecture over the years.

If you’re looking for efficient, quality driven and reliable steel stockholders in Dudley then look no further. Here at Process Steels we have a vast range of RSJ beams and fabricated steel products to suit your businesses needs. As well as supplying great products we also have a team of fully trained professionals that are always on hand to help you. For more information about our products and service call us on: 0121 526 5757 or contact us here and one of the team will get back to you.