Sheffield Forgemasters has taken delivery of the first of 11 overhead cranes that will equip its new 30,000m² machine shop as the steelmaker continues construction of the facility.
The crane, manufactured by Spanish lifting equipment specialist GH Cranes at its facility in northern Spain, is one of two 150/40-tonne capacity cranes being supplied for the new facility. It spans up to 35 metres and is the first of the cranes to arrive on site.
The remaining equipment comprises four service cranes with a 200/40-tonne capacity, five 250/50-tonne cranes and a tandem lifting beam capable of supporting lifts of up to 400 tonnes. Delivery of the full crane package is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with one crane scheduled to arrive approximately each week in the interim.
GH Cranes was selected following a competitive tender process involving five international crane manufacturers. The company has been awarded the contract to design and supply all of the overhead cranes required for the new machine shop.
The cranes will play a critical role in the operation of the facility, which is being developed to house some of the world’s largest vertical turning lathes. The equipment will enable Sheffield Forgemasters to handle the large and heavy components required for its manufacturing operations.
With our New Machine Shop building now being clad, it is incredibly exciting to see the first overhead crane arrive on site, ready for installation.
The cranes are the first working elements of the new machine shop following installation of crane rails and electricity feeds and will be operational and in use as we work to assemble the new machines when they arrive.
Harry McClean, project manager at Sheffield Forgemasters
Sheffield-based PLS will install all 11 cranes on behalf of Sheffield Forgemasters. Manufacturing of the remaining cranes is already under way at GH Cranes’ Spanish facility.
The crane installation marks another stage in the development of Sheffield Forgemasters’ new machine shop, as the building moves towards becoming operational.
The 30,000m² facility is being constructed as part of the company’s wider investment in its manufacturing capabilities and is designed to accommodate large-scale machining equipment.
The project team includes engineering consultancy Arup, which carried out ecological and travel assessments; Bond Bryan Architects; JLL, which supported site acquisition and planning submissions; and delivery support partner Turner & Townsend.
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