Ballyclare-based contractor McLaughlin & Harvey has reached a major milestone at the Ministry of Defence-owned Sheffield Forgemasters site, officially starting the steel frame assembly for a massive new Machine Shop.

The 30,000 sq m facility stands 32 metres high and represents one of the most significant defence-related construction projects currently underway in the UK. Following an intensive period of enabling works and piling, the Northern Ireland firm is now driving the structural phase forward. The steel framework is slated for completion in June, with the building scheduled to be fully weathered with roof and cladding by November 2026.

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Jonathan Cole, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, commented: "As we start 2026, we are delighted to drive forward with the steelwork assembly for one of the UK's most important defence-related construction projects and to support Sheffield Forgemasters in its highly ambitious plans. Following an intensive period of enabling works and advanced works, we are able to progress the structural steel assembly, which will bring the full scale of this project to life."

The completed shop will house 24 advanced machines, including some of the world's largest Vertical Turning Lathes. The project is a central pillar of a £1.3 billion investment programme that includes a new 13,000-tonne forge on the opposite side of the site.