Sheffield Forgemasters signs multi-million GBP contract with GH Cranes

GH Cranes has been awarded a multi-million GBP contract with Sheffield Forgemasters to supply brand new overhead cranes for our new, world-leading machining facility.

The 11 overhead cranes and a 400-tonne lifting beam will be installed in a planned new 35,000sqm machine shop at Weedon Street, near to Meadowhall, to advance UK defence-sector output, including AUKUS.

GH Cranes beat four other world-class crane manufacturers in the tender process to be awarded preferred bidder status for the design and supply of all overhead cranes required for the state-of-the-art facility, ranging from 40 tonnes to 250 tonnes individual lifting capacity.

Craig Fisher, Programmes Director, said: “GH Cranes has been awarded as our preferred bidder for 11 overhead cranes, with a 400-tonne lifting beam for tandem lifts, which will operate in our new machining facility, serving 17 machines, including ultra-large Vertical Turning Lathes.

“The tender process was very closely run, but GH Cranes has more than 65 years of experience in the supply of industrial cranes and provided the best technical solutions and the best value for money to win a competitive tender against the other bidders.

“We will be installing two 150/40-tonne cranes, four service cranes with 200/40 tonne capacity and five 250/50 tonne cranes, with a tandem lifting bar for up to 400-tonnes lifting capacity, spanning up to 35 metres.”

Aimar Villa Iñurrita, Special Solutions Business Unit Director at GH Cranes, said: “We are delighted to be supplying cranes for Sheffield Forgemasters’ new machining facility. This is a nationally important project, and the cranes will service an advanced facility, which is designed and built for the very best efficiency in manufacture.

The cranes will be shipped from GH Cranes’ manufacturing facility in Northern Spain, with the first shipment due to be delivered to Sheffield Forgemasters in 2026.

Sheffield-based Professional Lifting Services (PLS) have been contracted by GH Cranes for installation of the cranes.