Sheffield Forgemasters

Construction of Sheffield Forgemasters new 30,000 m2 Machine Shop

The new Machine Shop is a key feature of Sheffield Forgemasters’ £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme.

Having successfully carried out the advanced enabling works, McLauglin & Harvey have now moved to the main works. Located on a 16-acre plot at Weedon Street, the new facility will form one of the world’s most advanced large machining facilities, to support manufacture for the UK defence programmes.

The project involves building a new 30,000 m2 (the size of 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools) Machine Shop at Ministry of Defence-owned Sheffield Forgemasters. Its height will be 32 metres.

Work began on the steel in January 2026 and is due for completion in June, with gantry cranes for the facility fitted by October. The roof and cladding are on track to be completed later in the year. The facility will house 24 new machines, including some of the world’s largest, most advanced, Vertical Turning Lathes.

The project also includes building a second 3,500 m2 building, with a state-of-the-art test-house facility and a dedicated training area, to transfer vital skills to the next generation of engineers.

Once complete the machining facility will deliver new levels of speed, accuracy and efficiency for the manufacture of large, highly complex, nuclear-grade components.