With nearly four decades of galvanizing industry experience, Galvanizers Association decides David Watkins, the current Managing Director of Hereford Galvanizers, has the vision to lead their membership through the current economic environment and help position galvanized steel as a core material within circular construction. The new Chairman is also CEO of Zinco International, a global leader in technical services and products to the galvanizing industry.
Galvanizers Association, the representational body of the hot dip galvanizing industry in the UK and Ireland, announced recently that David Watkins will replace Ed Byrne, MD Galco Steel, as Chairman of the Board. Mr Watkins began working for Hereford Galvanizers in 1986 and after a variety of roles in galvanizing Sales, Marketing and Operations, he became Managing Director in 2005. He takes up his position with GA as the industry faces difficult decisions around energy, inflation, and rising costs.
Speaking recently Mr. Watkins said: “I am honoured to become chairman of our trade body and would like to give credit to the former chair for six years of hard work, helping the industry through Brexit and multiple Covid lockdowns. The challenges facing me today are somewhat different but by no means less, as we continue operating at a time of high inflation and amid unprecedented concerns around rising energy costs. I see my role very much being to support the membership through this period and promote the valuable role of hot dip galvanizing wherever possible.”
Based in the heart of the UK, Galvanizers Association has provided free authoritative information and advice on hot dip galvanizing to users and the specifican supply chain since it was first established in 1949.
Over 95% of all steel galvanized in the UK and Ireland is processed by members of the Galvanizers Association, whilst the Association itself fields a technical team of chemists, engineers, and metallurgists who advise on legislation, standards and specification.
William Smith, (Executive) Director of Galvanizers Association adds: “We are very pleased to be working with David to highlight the significant contribution that hot dip galvanized steel makes to the built environment throughout UK and Irish infrastructure. He has a wealth of knowledge about the role galvanizing can play in helping the construction sector transition to net zero, and is excellently placed to help our members navigate the challenges presented by the current and emerging operating environment.”