Sheffield plant tops out new machine shop

A South Yorkshire steel manufacturer has reached a construction milestone as work continues on a landmark facility at the heart of a multi-billion-pound investment programme.

Sheffield Forgemasters has celebrated the topping out of its new 30,000sq metre machine shop, marking the installation of the final steel roof beam.

Employees joined development contractor McLaughlin & Harvey for the ceremony, with Paul Haxton, the company’s longest-serving machinist, and first-year apprentice Joe Garrett, pictured below, tightening the golden bolt securing the final beam after attendees signed the steelwork.

Gareth Barker, chief operating officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “This event marks a significant milestone in the development of our new machine shop, and it is fantastic so many people were able to join us to mark the occasion.

“Our new facility enables us to bring together our years of expertise and investment in state-of-the-art machines, to deliver incredible accuracies and dramatically improve our ability to innovate, making Sheffield Forgemasters more competitive on the world stage.

“Attending the topping out ceremony were a number of our long serving employees, some with almost fifty-years of service with the company alongside our first-year apprentices, who’ll transfer this inherited skill and knowledge into future engineering practices.

“For many of our machinists, this was the first time they had visited the new site and what will eventually be their new workplace.”

Paul Griffen, managing director at McLaughlin & Harvey, added: “The completion of the structural steelwork at Sheffield Forgemasters is more than a construction milestone. 

“It reflects the journey we have taken together to reach this point. 

“A journey that would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment, collaboration and professionalism from all involved. 

“We look forward to continuing the journey together as we head towards a successful completion and handover.”

The machine shop is being built alongside a new 13,000-tonne forging line as part of Sheffield Forgemasters’ £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme, led by its Ministry of Defence owners.

Expected to be operational by the end of 2028, the facility is set to become a prominent landmark in the city.

Gareth added: “It’s less than two years until the site is due to become operational and will provide a working environment that is cleaner, faster and better in every way. 

“This really is an exciting time for Sheffield Forgemasters.”

The wider project team includes Arup, Bond Bryan Architects, JLL and Turner & Townsend.

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