«1890 1894 1895 »

John Summers and Sons make their first move towards becoming the largest producers of galvanised steel sheets in the country. An experimental galvanising pot is installed at the end of a sheet mill at the Globe Works and, as demand builds up, a further five zinc pots are installed. The process involves sheets being immersed in pickle tanks holding sulphuric acid to remove scale and other foreign matter to provide a clean sheet for galvanising. The sheets are then coated with zinc as they pass over rolls in the galvanising pot and most are then corrugated for strength. The works, now covering 24 acres, is a hive of industry with 13 rolling mills, galvanising pots and finishing equipment as well as a nail making department.