Hot-dip galvanizing has been protecting and preserving raw steel for over 200 years. While it is mainly valued for providing long-lasting, maintenance-free corrosion protection in industrial applications, it also offers aesthetic appeal that makes it desirable in artistic contexts. An example of this beauty and preservation is represented by the historical wire mesh loom shown here.

WireCrafters, located in Louisville, Kentucky, has been rapidly growing since 1967 to become the nation’s leading producer of wire partition products. This second-generation, family-owned business began as a wire job shop, making various wire products for local industry. After several years the company settled on making a single woven wire mesh partition product using this manual wire mesh loom which was designed and built by the company founder. Over the years, the company transformed the application of wire mesh partitions from just tool cribs, into a multi-faceted product line, offering both safety and security applications like machine guarding, pallet rack backing, and storage lockers.

Staying true to their roots and honoring their history, WireCrafters decided to galvanize their original loom as a statue to display in front of their facility—a tribute to their legacy as an unforgettable pillar in the local community. With such a sentimental piece, they worked closely with the galvanizer to ensure the safety, integrity, and quality of the final product. Many discussions focused on the loom's complex design, including varying material thicknesses in individual parts, small areas requiring proper venting to prevent zinc capture, and the intricate, delicate process of hanging the piece for galvanizing.

Once dipped, the finished product not only safeguarded the loom’s historical significance but also showcased the natural gray finish hot-dip galvanizing is known for. Shortly after its arrival back in Kentucky the loom was put on full display as the centerpiece for their facility. Thanks to the zinc coating, this preserved piece of machinery will continue to represent the company’s origins for decades to come.