Our Investment Programme

Overview

Sheffield Forgemasters is in the midst of a transformative £1.3 billion, 10-year recapitalisation programme, funded by our owners, the UK Ministry of Defence.

This investment will modernise the company’s core assets, expanding its capabilities to support critical UK Defence projects, while also strengthening support for Civil Nuclear and Renewables.

Key investment areas

These investments bring long-term benefits for Sheffield Forgemasters and the UK. Here are four key highlights:
Securing UK Sovereign Capability
As the only UK facility capable of producing ultra-large, nuclear-grade steel forgings, this programme ensures the UK retains independent manufacturing for its submarine fleet and nuclear deterrent.
Global Benchmark: 13,000-Tonne Forge
Replacing the legacy 1950s equipment, the installation of a new 13,000-tonne Mitsubishi open-die forging press will provide the power and precision required for the next generation of high-integrity steel components.
Measurable Economic & Social Impact

The programme sustains a growing workforce of over 750 staff, supports 900 on-site construction jobs, and maintains a 10% apprentice-to-workforce ratio to bridge the national engineering skills gap.

Future-Proofed Mega-Infrastructure

The centrepiece is a new 323,000 sq ft Machining Hall housing 24 advanced machine tools (including gantry mills and vertical lathes) to serve Global Energy and Defence markets through to 2050.

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Latest Video Progress

A £1.3bn government-backed investment is transforming our historic site into a world-class centre for advanced manufacturing.

See our latest video update of the progress made to the New Machine Shop at Weedon Street, and the New Forge area at Brightside Lane. ne and Weedon Street.

Investment Timeline

Current status & highlights

The transformation delivered by the recapitalisation programme is rapidly advancing on our Brightside Lane site, promising an incredible legacy for both Sheffield and the UK.

June '23
Forge Demolition Begins

Demolition begins on part of the existing Forge and Foundry that will make way for the New Forge building.

September ‘25
Forging Line

Foundations for the New Forging Line are near completion, with the steelwork for the main building scheduled to begin rising soon. The new infrastructure includes a substantial increase in capacity for supporting assets like quench tanks and cranes.

October ‘25
Machine Shop

The site for the new, dedicated machining facility has been prepared, with piling work commencing to support the foundations of the cutting-edge workshop that will house our new machinery.

November ‘25
Economic Impact

The construction work on-site currently employs over 900 people, securing and creating hundreds of highly skilled engineering jobs for decades to come.

January ‘26
Machine Shop Steelwork Progress

The steelwork assembly for the main building has begun to be installed, with a finished height of 32 metres the New Machine Shop will be clearly visible from the M1, adding to the Sheffield skyline.

May '26
Forge Steelwork Assembly Begins

Sheffield Forgemasters has begins steelwork assembly on the UK’s largest open die forging line.

The forging line steelwork is projected to be 45 metres high, more than ten metres taller than surrounding structures.

July '26
Topping Out Ceremony

An important milestone in the development of the New Machine Shop with the Topping Out ceremony, marking the final roof beam being put into place.

News & Insights

  • 3 Minute read

New Machine Shop Tops Out at Sheffield Forgemasters

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  • 2 Minute read

Football Tournament Scores Big for Sheffield Mind

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  • 2 Minute read

Sheffield Forgemasters appoints Kelly Jones as Non-Executive Director

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