TPT September 2017

T E CHNOLOG Y

Barnshaws section benders used on stadia THE stadia that host English premier- ship football matches are often seen as the physical representations of the sporting and financial battles in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. Etihad Stadium, The Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park and Old Trafford all incorporate curved structural steel from metal bending and fabrication expert Barnshaws Section Benders. Stadium, including its 6,000-tonne roof, and elements for the new Spurs ground adjacent to the original White Hart Lane. Barnshaws has also been involved with a number of renovations for Championship and Football League sides. Barnshaws specialises in precision curving of ferrous and non- ferrous products. Established in 1969, the company supplies market sectors such as construction, power generation, mining, transport and general manu- facturing with shaped beams, tubes, plate and other profile section materials. Barnshaw Section Benders Ltd – UK Fax: +44 121 557 5323 Email: info@barnshaws.com Website: www.barnshaws.com

Supplying steelwork for stadia is one of the most demanding applications for structural steel. The high safety requirements place stadia at CE Execution Class 3, one of the highest quality certifications for structural steel. Due to their size, a large capacity is required to deliver typically hundreds of tonnes of sections to what are often exacting deadlines on each project. Stadia builds and upgrades are usually required to be finished before major events or at the beginning of a season, so that the investment made by clubs can be quickly recouped. Barnshaws Section Benders offers both high capacity and extensive production expertise, which has enabled the business to service a wide range of stadium requirements. Greg North, commercial director at Barnshaws Section Benders, explained how the demands are managed: “Most building projects are managed to strict timescales; new builds have investors to satisfy, refurbishments have shutdowns and redirects contributing to the cost and time pressure. Stadia, however, are a little different; if the ground isn’t finished, the game won’t be played there, as football fixtures won’t wait. Our focus on precision and on-time delivery means that, like a top player, we can add value to a team effort and ensure a good result is delivered.” Projects for Premier League sides have included developing the roof over what is now known as the Sir Alex Ferguson stand at Manchester United’s Old Trafford; fabricating the cones for Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium; and supplying roof tees for Arsenal’s Emirates – all in conjunction with contractor Severfield. Barnshaws also aided in the redevelopment of Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park roof with contractor Archbell Greenwood. Recent projects include the relocation of West Ham to the ex-Olympic London

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SEPTEMBER 2017