Steelwork has commenced at Sheffield Forgemasters, marking a significant milestone for UK defence manufacturing infrastructure projects.
McLaughlin & Harvey has started structural steel assembly at the Ministry of Defence-owned Sheffield Forgemasters site, signalling visible progress on the new 30,000 m² Machine Shop. Rising to 32 metres, the facility represents a major steel frame construction project within the UK defence infrastructure sector.
The building’s steel framework is scheduled for completion in June, with gantry cranes installed by October. Roof and cladding works are programmed for completion by November, enabling the installation of 24 new machines, including several of the world’s largest vertical turning lathes.
A project spokesperson stated: “As we start 2026, we are delighted to drive forward with the steelwork assembly for one of the UK’s most important defence-related construction projects and to support Sheffield Forgemasters in its highly ambitious plans. Following an intensive period of enabling works and advanced works, we are able to progress the structural steel assembly, which will bring the full scale of this project to life.”
Digital construction supporting UK defence capability
Jonathan Cole, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “Following the award of our main works contract for the new Machine Shop to McLaughlin & Harvey, enabling works and piling mean that we can start 2026 with steel assembly. This will really allow people to visualise the scale of the construction and to see industrial engineering reshaping the eastern side of Sheffield once again.”
Located on Weedon Street, the site previously housed Cammell Laird’s Brightside Steel Works. Its redevelopment reflects continuity between Sheffield’s industrial heritage and modern digital construction delivery.
Industry 4.0 skills and recapitalisation programme
Craig Fisher, Programme Director (Recapitalisation) at Sheffield Forgemasters, commented: “The new Machine Shop is a key feature of Sheffield Forgemasters’ £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme, and will complement its new 13,000 tonne Forge, currently under construction, to underpin UK defence manufacture.”
Together, the Machine Shop and forging line position Sheffield Forgemasters as a digitally enabled defence manufacturing hub supporting national resilience, skills development, and long-term industrial capability growth.
Read next: £6m investment upgrading A46 Between Bath and the M4 – Build in Digital
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
