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Sheffield Forgemasters
IGP Priority
Next Generation Installation and Operations & Maintenance
Support received
Business support
Funding support
Producers of ultra large, complex steel casting and forging solutions.
Established in 1805, acquired by Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2021.
Well established in oil and gas, renewables, defence, nuclear, steel processing and petrochemical sectors.
Looking to diversify into Floating Offshore Wind.
Business profile
Sheffield Forgemasters undertook OWGP’s foundation level business support programme, WEST. The business gained specialist market insight into the Floating Offshore Wind sector which highlighted opportunities for the business to enter the market. Following the WEST programme, Sheffield Forgemasters also secured OWGP grant funding to undertake a feasibility study into manufacturing structural castings for Floating Offshore Wind platforms. The study identified the sector as a viable market and the company restructured its business development strategy accordingly.
Manufactured the world’s first cast node in 1978.
Manufacturers of the world’s largest cast steel nodes.
Developed an innovative steel support system for water depths of 20+ metres to support large turbines.
Sheffield Forgemasters has a long history in pioneering components for Offshore Wind including the production of cast nodes. The company has a dedicated research and development team experienced in designing the optimal cast or forged component for highly stressed areas of structures, improving longevity by increasing their fatigue resistance. These optimised castings help to reduce fabrication time, allowing for the high volume production that the floating structures market requires.
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Detailed understanding of the Floating Offshore Wind market and how to target the sector.
Series of recommendations made to the company’s board, which secured full support.
Restructuring of business resources to focus on the Offshore Wind market.
Before
Before engaging with OWGP, Sheffield Forgemasters had identified the Offshore Wind sector, particularly Floating Offshore Wind, as a new market for the business’s castings products. The company was seeking clarity on an approach to diversification, with a view to restructuring its business development strategy to enter the Offshore Wind sector.
What they say
“
OWGP’s business transformation programmes are a great asset to the UK supply chain and their funding was crucial in supporting Sheffield Forgemasters’ ambitious growth plans for the Offshore Wind market.”
DOMINIC ASHMORE
Head of Strategy and Business Development – Clean Energy, Sheffield Forgemasters
