Sheffield Forgemasters, a key supplier in the UK’s defence sector, has entered into a significant contract with Dewsbury-based Northern Combustion Systems (NCS) as part of a larger recapitalisation programme.
NCS will supply two Top-Hat Furnaces, designed to enhance Sheffield Forgemasters’ capabilities in producing critical components for the UK’s SSN-AUKUS submarine programme and other major defence initiatives.
Craig Fisher, Programmes Director at Sheffield Forgemasters, praised the partnership: “Northern Combustion Systems has 40 years of experience in industrial furnace manufacture and are providing Sheffield Forgemasters with two new high-efficient recuperative and modulating Top Hat furnaces.”
He highlighted the significance of these furnaces for Sheffield’s forging programme, explaining that the largest furnace will also feature an integral quench tank, designed to handle long forgings, while the smaller one will focus on ingot and bar heat treatments.
The installation of the furnaces is planned for October 2025 and April 2027, marking a key milestone in the company’s investment in creating new facilities for defence-specific forgings and castings. The furnaces, measuring 30m and 11m in length respectively, will operate alongside Sheffield Forgemasters’ existing seven larger furnaces, boosting the company’s production capacity.
NCS secured the contract after a robust tender process, with their bespoke designs featuring hydraulic lifts and traverse covers, showcasing their expertise in industrial furnace solutions.
If anyone is interested to get an insight into “some” of what SFM does and why it was uniquely Nationalised by a Conservative Government, have a look at their website.
To many people just continuously knock UK industry, but when we get it right and have the resources to thrive we get it very right.
For example a few years ago Nordstream wanted a way to repair or reinforce leaky underwater gas pipes. Only company that could do it was SFM, they basically cast, machined and split a huge pipe clamp.