A project has gone swimmingly for a galvanizing firm following its involvement in the creation of a penguin exhibit in East Yorkshire.

Hull-based Humber Galvanizing, one of 14 Wedge Group Galvanizing plants UK-wide, has partnered with Barker and Patterson to galvanise three tonnes of steel as part of an exciting penguin enclosure at The Deep Aquarium in Hull.

The project saw the plant commissioned to treat steel that formed the outdoor balcony in the new enclosure situated in the aquarium’s Kingdom of Ice, home to five Gentoo penguins (four male and one female, with more to follow in the coming months). The £750,000 exhibit has been themed around Grytviken, an abandoned whaling port in Antarctica which was taken over by the Gentoo penguins in 1960s, and in addition to the spacious outdoor balcony with views across the city, it includes a swimming pool, private beach, and a bubble machine.


Tony Linsley, Sales Manager at Humber Galvanizing, said: "We were pleased to support Barker & Patterson Fabrications with this exciting and unusual project that is set to significantly increase tourism for the town."

Ivan Patterson, of Barker & Patterson, explained: "Using galvanizing as part of the project was really important because it requires no ongoing maintenance and provides protection for up to 60 years. This was particularly relevant for this project as not only was the steel installed outside but it was close to water which can speed up the corrosion process. Once the steel had been galvanized, we used a specialist steel paint to ensure the structure was in-keeping with the theme."

(CD/MH)