Sheffield Forgemasters wins US pressure vessels contract

Sheffield Forgemasters has won a contract to supply pressure vessel components to a large global chemicals manufacturer, based in the US.

Valued at more than three million USD, the contract will see Sheffield Forgemasters produce forged shells, liners and heads for large-scale pressure vessels, designed to operate under highly stressed conditions in the manufacture of polyethylene.

The deal builds on Sheffield Forgemasters’ many years of experience in the large, complex petrochemical pressure vessel business and initiates the company’s supply into the vast American pressure vessels market.

Martin Brear, sales director at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “Although the details of the pressure vessels contract are commercially sensitive, we are able to announce that Sheffield Forgemasters has won a significant first order for highly specialised forged components, which will form large-scale pressure vessels for the chemicals production industry.

“Pressure vessels manufacture is something which Sheffield Forgemasters has a long history of, with large-scale units produced for some years, and as a new US market stream, it has considerable potential.

“One of Sheffield Forgemasters’ strongest USP’s is the time-served reliability of our products which gives clients the confidence to work with us.

“This is a significant order as it demonstrates this company’s expertise in capitalising on a diverse range of markets through the provision of proven technical manufacture.”

The details of the order include the manufacture and supply of rough-machined forgings, with ongoing discussions taking place with the client, which could see Forgemasters undertaking the finish machining and pressure testing of the completed assembly as a separate contract.

Forgemasters will initially deliver three forgings; a shell, liner and combined head and liner, which will weigh approximately 170 tonnes in total. All components will be supplied into the state of Texas.

Delivery of the rough machined components is anticipated to be Spring, 2013, with project completion by November 2013.