Grange University Hospital in Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran, opened in 2020 and was the first major hospital to open in Wales for 20 years.

The £350 million, 471-bed facility was built on a 60-acre site and provides emergency and urgent care, while bringing together services provided at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny.

South Wales-based Central Roofing Services commissioned BTS Facades and Fabrications to provide a solution to screen four chimneys at the new hospital.

BTS Facades and Fabrications’ Vantage® EMSA expanded mesh system – which is tested to Centre for Window & Cladding Technology (CWCT) standards – was chosen for the project, as its aesthetic appeal, shrouding capability and cost all met the client’s expectations.

The Expanded Metal Company worked in close partnership with BTS Facades and Fabrications, which is headquartered in Newton Aycliffe, on the project.

Following discussions around the design of the screening solutions, our Athens aluminium building cladding mesh was selected to be incorporated into the Vantage® EMSA system used at Grange University Hospital.

BTS Facades and Fabrications, which offers a full design and scheduling service, cut the Athens mesh to specification using its CNC saw. The Athens mesh was then powder coated and supplied to Central Roofing Services as part of the Vantage® EMSA system, alongside bespoke brackets manufactured by BTS.

As the mesh was manufactured at our site in Hartlepool and the Vantage® EMSA system was delivered to Cwmbran from Newton Aycliffe, transport costs were significantly cheaper than if the mesh system had been shipped to Wales from overseas.

Our relationship with BTS Facades and Fabrications began in 2019 when we partnered with the company in the development of a new expanded metal mesh frame - the Vantage® EMF (framed) range system - for protecting exterior spaces. It was the first of its kind in the UK at the time and is used in architectural façade applications, including shrouding areas such as fire escapes, mezzanines and balconies.

Philip Astley, managing director of The Expanded Metal Company, said: “We were delighted that BTS Facades and Fabrications asked us to collaborate on this project.

“Our Athens mesh has been used on numerous high profile buildings and we’re very proud that it has been incorporated into this new, state-of-the-art facility.”

Phil Atkinson, managing director of BTS Facades and Fabrications, said: “Working with The Expanded Metal Company is a very collaborative process and their team are very helpful.

“We have worked together for two years and as two pioneering companies from North East England, it’s fantastic to see the results of our combined expertise on show at sites such as Grange University Hospital.”

For more information on our Athens cladding mesh, click here.

To view our full architectural mesh range click here.