A leading steel protection firm has teamed up with one of its longest-standing customers as part of a commemorative project in a rural Scottish town.
Scottish Galvanizers has provided its services to create the ‘Backshift’ sculpture – a 6 metre tall structural piece made of four tonnes of steel, which recognises the industrial heritage of Shotts, Lanarkshire, known as ‘a town built on coal and iron’.
The sculpture was designed and created by the artist blacksmiths at P Johnson & Company – a firm based in Ratho Byres Forge, which has used Scottish Galvanizers’ services for over 30 years to galvanize the team’s work – ensuring the longevity of their exterior sculptures and forged metalwork.
Shona Johnson, artist blacksmith at P Johnson & Co, explained: “Shotts is a town of historical importance and we’re thrilled to have produced this unique piece. As the sculpture is based outdoors permanently, we needed it to be galvanized to ensure it won’t corrode and will continue to look impressive to viewers in the months and years to come.” 
In addition, P Johnson & Company also recently called upon the team at Scottish Galvanizers to process over a tonne of steel used for a 3 metre high sculpture of a Navy man holding a canal barge over his shoulder, called ‘We Carried the Canal’. This sculpture marks the building of the Union Canal in 1882 – a formerly integral transport network running between Falkirk and Edinburgh – and has been installed by a new canal basin at The Moorings in Ratho.
Paul Tait, Commercial Manager at Scottish Galvanizers, commented: “Thanks to the team at P Johnson & Company for involving us in great projects such as these. The sculptures are pieces of art and highlight Shotts’ connection to ironwork and tool-making, as well as the historical importance of the Union Canal, and we look forward to working with them on more exciting projects in the future.”