2 min read - 22 Jul, 2025
Hundreds of new jobs created by Sheffield manufacturing investment
Hundreds of high-skilled jobs are to be created in Sheffield after Taiwanese advanced manufacturing company Walsin Lihwa (WL) announced a major investment that boosts the UK’s steel industry and advanced manufacturing sector.
The investment from WL will establish a new superalloy forging facility for its subsidiary Special Melted Products (SMP) and upgrade its existing factory in Sheffield, which will be focused on producing speciality steel and nickel parts for aerospace jet engines and energy industry products.
The expansion will introduce new melting and superalloy forging capabilities, helping to reduce the reliance on imports for domestic producers, such as Rolls-Royce. These capabilities will also help grow Sheffield’s manufacturing sector, which was valued at £1.4bn in 2023.
Over 200 jobs will be created by 2028 in the first phase, marking the first step towards the company’s plans for a significant presence in the UK, with further job creation and investment expected from WL in South Yorkshire and the UK in the coming years. The new jobs are expected to have average salaries of over £40,000 per year.
More than 200 jobs will be created over the next three years, following Walsin Lihwa’s Sheffield steelmaking investment / Picture: Getty/iStock
Once the forging facility is established, WL has also set out plans to establish a research and development centre in South Yorkshire in a subsequent phase later in the decade, focused on strengthening the company’s capabilities in materials and digital technology innovation and contributing to a growing aerospace and defence cluster in the county.
The centre will generate hundreds of new well-paid jobs and apprenticeships, with a range of future-proof skills and expertise in manufacturing operations, welding, melting, metallurgy, engineering, materials science, data analytics, and other high-value career opportunities.
Yu-Lon Chiao, chairman of Walsin Lihwa, commented: “The United Kingdom possesses a vast market in aerospace, energy, and nuclear power sectors that is unparalleled by Taiwan. This investment marks a significant milestone in SMP’s development and underscores Walsin Lihwa’s firm determination for global expansion strategy. Looking ahead, we plan to establish an R&D centre in the UK to further strengthen our capabilities in materials and digital technology innovation, while deepening our collaborative ties with the European market to jointly promote industrial upgrading and sustainable development.”
Gareth Stace, director-general, UK Steel, added: “The substantial investment that Special Melted Products is making in expanding its capability and capacity is tremendous news for local people, and UK plc. This is a sign of trust in British steelmaking and manufacturing, pushing forward valuable investment plans and establishing skilled careers. Special Melted Products plans mean we are onshoring supply chains for industry giants like Rolls-Royce, meaning investment goes directly back into UK jobs and the economy.”
