Engineer forges ahead with billion-pound boost

A castings and forgings specialist is scaling operations in response to growing national defence demand.

Sheffield Forgemasters, owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which plays a critical role in the UK’s nuclear submarine and warhead supply chain, has seen its recapitalisation plan increased from £900 million to £1.3 billion to increase capacity.

Bosses say the funding will support upgrades to infrastructure, enabling faster production and improved resilience in defence manufacturing.

They add new forge and machine shop facilities are expected to be operational by the end of the decade.

Gary Nutter, chief executive at Sheffield Forgemasters, which recently announced it had signed a multi-million-pound contract with GH Cranes, said: “When the company was acquired by the MoD in 2021, the recapitalisation programme was in its infancy as we looked to upgrade our capability from legacy assets installed in the 1960s and 1970s.

“We originally aimed to use existing buildings to house new machinery, but as we explored increasing defence output, space became paramount, so we purchased an additional 21 acres of predominantly brownfield land to build a dedicated, new machining facility.

“The number of machines required to meet targets for the UK submarine programme has also grown to include 15 of the world’s most advanced, large vertical turning lathes, and associated equipment.

“Our new forging line has also been reconfigured, with increased capacity for furnaces, quench tanks and cranes so that defence-critical submarine components can be delivered to an increased drumbeat.

“This has seen our workforce grow from 600 to more than 720, our intake of apprentices averaging 25 to 30 per year, construction work on-site now employs more than 900 people and more than 35 per cent of the spend has been made in Yorkshire.”

Gary added: “The volume of investment is an incredible story not just for Sheffield, but for the UK, with these facilities protecting hundreds of highly skilled engineering jobs for decades to come.

“We are well underway with the new forging line, with foundations almost completed and steelwork due to go up at the end of the year, and our new machine shop site has been prepared for piling work to begin.

“What is being created here is an incredible legacy for the UK and for our allies and will play a fundamental role in the defence of our realm.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →