2 min read - 19 Feb, 2026
Sheffield Forgemasters to celebrate landmark 250-year anniversary
Sheffield Forgemasters is celebrating its 250-year anniversary in 2026, as the steel giant traces its heritage back to 1776, the year of American independence. The company’s roots are linked to George Naylor, who helped move his cutlery manufacturing partnership into steelmaking by constructing a crucible steel furnace in the city.
Over the years, the company incorporated some of the world’s most famous steel and defence manufacturers, including Vickers, William Jessop, Thomas Firth, John Brown, Armstrong-Whitworth, and Supermarine.
Sheffield Forgemasters itself was formed in 1983 through the merger of Johnson, Firth Brown Ltd and British Steel’s River Don Works on Brightside Lane in Sheffield, where the company continues to operate today.
Sheffield Forgemasters is celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026 after tracing its heritage back to 1776 / Picture: Sheffield Forgemasters
Gary Nutter, chief executive officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “Following some detailed research, we have been able to locate the company’s first involvement in steel through the pioneering work of George Naylor in 1776, and his son, George Portus Naylor, who subsequently formed the earliest of partnerships with the Vickers family.
“Recognising this anniversary, we are dedicating 2026 to celebrating the vast contribution that our inherited companies made to establishing Sheffield as the world’s most important steelmaking centre for many years. Throughout the year, we are looking forward to celebrating this historic landmark with our people, past and present, the wider community, and recognising the new legacy we are creating through our £1.3 billion investment programme to set ourselves up for generations to come.”
The company still operates from its historic River Don Works site and is now expanding onto the former Cammell Laird Brightside Steel Works at Weedon Street, where it is building a new 30,000 m2 machine shop to underpin UK defence manufacturing. An additional 13,000 tonne press and building is also under construction on the North side of Brightside Lane.
Gary added: “We are privileged to be the custodians of such an incredible company, and a nationally important chapter of social and industrial history. As such, we are duty bound to commemorate the developments that our predecessors made, including Harry Brierley’s invention of stainless steel, the world’s first integrated steelworks at Marshall’s on Millsands, provision of steel to build America’s railroads, and the crucial supply of armaments for two World Wars.
“During our 250th anniversary year we are also looking to the future and marking our important role in the defence sector and the major complementary opportunities emerging in civil nuclear, securing future roles for years to come.”
