Sheffield steel to add 200 jobs from Taiwanese investment

SHEFFIELD’S steel sector is expected to add more than 200 jobs over the next three years after Taiwanese manufacturing company Walsin Lihwa (WL) announced a “major” investment in production plants.

WL intends to open a superalloy forging facility and develop an R&D centre. It also intends to upgrade its existing Special Melted Products factory to develop speciality steel and nickel products.

Sheffield, which is known as the Steel City because of its rich history of metals making, has a manufacturing sector currently valued at £1.4bn and supports around 20,000 jobs in that sector.

The positive news may be a turning point for the UK steel industry, which has faced significant decline in recent years. In 2024 alone, steel output shrank by 29% to 4m t. The decrease has been attributed to the UK’s transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steel-making and competition from larger manufacturers, mainly in China, which produced 1bn t in 2024, according to data intelligence firm S&P Global.

WL in Britain

This investment follows the WL’s acquisition of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Limited (AML) located in Rotherham earlier this year, which specialises in producing products for the aerospace, energy and defence sectors, including engine components, nickel superalloys, and titanium.

Yu-Lon Chiao, chairman of WL, said: 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.”

Sheffield steel

The UK’s recent industrial strategy has earmarked more than £100m via the British Business Bank scheme for ten industrial zones across the country, including South Yorkshire.

Sheffield itself has seen a boost in its steel sector, with Sheffield Forgemasters – owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2021 – set to begin construction of a £426m steelworks that will develop parts for the nuclear industry, including components for nuclear submarines.

WL’s investment will equip workers, expected to be paid an average annual salary of £40,000, with skills in welding, melting, metallurgy, engineering and data analytics.

The government says the company also plans more investment in South Yorkshire and across the UK “in the coming years.”