Malthouse Engineering, the UKs largest independent steel profiler, has developed a system to allow the company to use the rainwater falling on its roof.

The innovative proposal initially came from the company’s suggestion scheme and the project has now been developed to a point where the firm no longer relies on mains water for their steel grinding services.

The rain runs off the roof via the existing drainage system and is then channelled through filters in to one of eleven intermediate bulk containers where it is stored. When needed, it is bombarded with Ultra Violet light to remove all bacteria, it has a precise amount of neat metal working fluid added to it to create an emulsion which is then distributed to all 11 Lumsden Grinding machines. It will soon be piped to its 10 flame cutting coolant beds.

It is estimated that at current prices 87.16 pence is being saved daily for incoming water and 84.39 pence for disposing the water. Giving a payback, based on £650 set up costs over 1 – 2 years.

Malthouse Engineering are one of the UKs largest steel profilers . They are based in Oldbury, but have sites in Worcester, Wednesbury, Wakefield and West Bromwich. They can also provide Fabrication and CNC Machining services.

Local manufacturing firm Malthouse Engineering have been working with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to design and fabricate a welcome sign to be installed on Birchley Island at Junction 2 of the M5 and the Birmingham Wolverhampton new road.

The main letters have been produced from 350mm thick, S355 steel plate and stand 3 metres tall and 7 metres long. The plate, weighing a total of 18.7 tonnes was cut and then ground on Malthouses 120 inch Lumsden Grinder.

The fabrication weighing a total of 8.5 tonnes was installed on the island in May this year.

Malthouse Engineering are the UKs largest independent steel profilers providing flame cut steel profiles in 5mm to 500mm thick steel plate. Working from concept to final design, Malthouse engineers have been able to provide knowledge, experience and advice at each stage of the process. Present at the cutting of the first letter was Adrian Bailey, Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Parliamentary Select Committee and Councillor Hussain of Sandwell Council who said “We are delighted to be working with a local manufacturing firm who have provided their knowledge and expertise in the production of this sign which we hope will bring much needed recognition to Oldbury and Sandwell”.