Hewden assists in blast furnace renovation

Manchester-based rental firm Hewden has played an instrumental role in the re-opening of the blast furnace at the Redcar steelworks.

The blast furnace was closed in 2010. However, new owners, Thai firm Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI) decided it was worth the investment to clear the pipes and reline the furnace in order to get it up and running again.

To undertake the work, SSI called in Hewden to provide a multi-product hire that lasted the duration of the renovation.

Throughout the nine-month project, Hewden was on-hand to provide access platforms, lighting, gas detection, compressors, pumps, power generation, fuel management, cranes and various types of welding and hand tools - with additional labour services managing welfare and housekeeping duties.

The hire firm supplied accommodation in the form of temporary villages, constructed from over 200 cabins and four multiple modular accommodation units.

Hewden also co-ordinated all crane activities, providing contract lifts, risk assessments, method statements, lift supervisors and lift plans. Cranes provided ranged from 12 tonne iron fairies to 500 tonne mobile cranes.

Since the restart of the blast furnace and commencement of steel making, Hewden has remained on the Redcar site, supporting SSI with 24-hour hire supervision.