Staff from Sheffield Forgemasters are pictured in front of the demolition works. Source: Sheffield Forgemasters
Sheffield Forgemasters has reached a significant milestone in its ambitious project to establish the UK’s largest open-die forge, a marvel for the civil engineering world. Following a comprehensive demolition programme at its Brightside Lane site, the groundwork for the next phase of construction is well underway, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s history and the UK’s industrial landscape.
An artist’s representation of the new forge building. Source: Sheffield Forgemasters
Progress and Partnerships
The demolition of existing structures at the site, which spans 150 by 84 meters, has paved the way for critical piling works essential for the new foundations and base. This phase will support the construction of a massive 13,800 square meter building, housing a state-of-the-art 13,000-tonne heavy forging press, advanced furnaces, quenching pits, and cranes.
Craig Fisher, Recapitalisation and Transformation Director at Sheffield Forgemasters, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are now at a notable milestone in our Forge project, with the site fully cleared and processed so that piling works can proceed. This moves the project into its next phase, which is where the pace of delivery ramps up.”
Source: Sheffield Forgemasters
Partnered with Vinci Building, which secured a £138 million contract to deliver the Forge building, Sheffield Forgemasters is undertaking a comprehensive recapitalisation programme aimed at advancing technological capabilities and production facilities to support the UK’s defense programmes.
Chris Winspear from VINCI Building highlighted the significance of the progress: “We are delighted that we have now completed the demolition and prepared the first areas of site ready to receive the substructure works for the new building. We are looking forward to the next phase of the project working in collaboration with our supply chain partner, Cementation Skanska.”
Future Prospects and Technological Advancements
Set to be operational by the summer of 2027, the forging line will be complemented by a new machining facility featuring the world’s largest, most advanced, five-axis vertical turning lathes. This facility aims to set new standards in large-scale engineering, focusing on accuracy, innovation, and speed for complex, nuclear-grade components.
Craig Fisher emphasized the project’s significance: “The scope of what we are undertaking at Sheffield Forgemasters is unmatched since the Victorian era, with facilities which will work to create a new standard of large-scale engineering accuracy, innovation, and speed for complex, nuclear-grade components.”
The initial phase of the project saw Sheffield Forgemasters secure planning permission for a new 12,700 square meter building, which will house the 13,000-tonne press and include offices and a water pumping station. This phase involved the complex logistics of shipping the new press from Japan and preparing the site for construction.
Economic and Industrial Impact
The benefits of this development extend beyond Sheffield Forgemasters, promising significant economic advantages for Sheffield and the UK. By advancing forging techniques and reducing downtime, the new facility is set to enhance the UK’s position in the global steel industry and support the national economy.
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