JOINERY and metal engineering specialist RED Manufacturing has designed, manufactured and installed a steel jacuzzi pool framework at a Greater Manchester hotel and leisure club, along with wall and column cladding for its steam room and sauna facilities.
Oldham-based RED Manufacturing worked with specialist architects Milk Leisure, based in Tameside, on the redevelopment at the Waterside Hotel & Leisure Club in Didsbury, Manchester.
The project included the technical design, manufacture and installation of the metal jacuzzi pool framework along with wall cladding work for the poolside steam room and sauna.
The jacuzzi pool framework was fabricated in 15 steel sections at RED’s Oldham base, then assembled and tested for weight-bearing capacity and waterproofed with a phosphate process.
Following tests in Oldham, the pool was dismantled and transported to the Didsbury leisure club where it was reassembled.
Poolside, sauna and steam room walls were clad with CNC-machine cut and routed Wedi wall boards by RED and then tiled on site. Wedi boards have a slate-and-foam design which provides an ideal breathable, waterproof base for tiling in humid environments.
The jacuzzi pool and facilities are used by a range of customers including leisure club members and hotel guests, and for rehabilitation swimming sessions for people struggling to walk.
RED Manufacturing is part of the Oldham-based Ripple Group led by director Matthew Wolfenden. He said: “This was a great project to be involved with and it utilised a range of services offered by RED Manufacturing. The finished leisure facilities at the Waterside in Didsbury look amazing. We’re delighted to be associated with it.
He added: “RED specialises in business-to-business manufacturing across two main areas of wood and metal work. These are joinery and cabinet-making, and engineering and steel fabrication. We supply commercial and industrial sectors including retail, leisure, automotive, street furniture, lighting and security products.
“We specialise in premium-quality, bespoke products using a spectrum of materials including timber, sheets, laminates, plastics and solid surfaces, such as Corian, Hanex and Wilsonart. In addition, we have an in-house paint spray and powder-coating plant.
“All our services are under one roof at our Oldham base. We combine CNC and laser technology with a highly-skilled workforce including joiners, cabinet-makers, engineers, steel fabricators and welders. We also provide creative and technical design and value engineering.”
RED Manufacturing was a finalist in the 2019 Oldham Business Awards for the Employer of the Year category. It is part of the Ripple Group, which has its design offices and manufacturing base in Oldham.
Matthew Wolfenden, aged 31, a former Saddleworth High School pupil from Diggle, joined Ripple Group after school. He worked across a range of shop floor and stores roles and completed an apprenticeship in business administration. He then went into buying, estimation, manufacturing, sales at Ripple becoming assistant general manager. He later moved to RED Manufacturing, became commercial director in 2016 and is now director.
Ripple Group recently attained Investors In People (IIP) Gold accreditation.