VINCI Building has erected the first of two WOLFF 355 B Luffing Jib Cranes at Sheffield Forgemasters' Brightside Lane site, marking a significant milestone in the £138 million project to construct a 13,800-square-metre facility for the UK's largest open-die forging press.

The WOLFF 355 B cranes, manufactured by WOLFFKRAN in Germany, are fully electric and capable of lifting up to 28 metric tonnes. Together, they represent a £2.5 million investment by VINCI Building, underscoring the company's commitment to the strategically critical project as part of Sheffield Forgemasters' broader recapitalisation program under Ministry of Defence ownership.

-- Advertisement --

The cranes will play a pivotal role in constructing the press pit foundations, erecting the 40-metre-high superstructure, installing gantries and chimneys, and redistributing materials. The second crane is expected to arrive on site in mid-2025, with both cranes scheduled to remain in operation until early 2026.

In line with VINCI Building's carbon reduction strategy, the WOLFF 355 Bs are driven entirely by electric motors, reflecting the company's ambition to utilise zero-emission electricity in its projects.

The cranes were transported from WOLFFKRAN's Heilbronn plant in southern Germany, with the journey taking nearly a week. Designed for efficient assembly and cost-effective transport, the WOLFF 355 B's components are divided into lightweight latticework sections that fit easily on standard trucks.

This development signifies a tangible step forward in Sheffield Forgemasters' transformation, aligning with its mission to modernise its operations and infrastructure.