Three south Wales contractors have been appointed to deliver key parts of a £1.25bn investment by Tata Steel to deliver a new electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot. The contracts to Bridgend-based companies Darlow Lloyd & Sons, Wernick Buildings, and Swansea-based business, Andrew Scot,t will sustain more than 300 jobs.
The investment by Tata, which includes £500m in funding from the 海角视频 Government, will see the EAF, that will make steel from scrap steel, becoming operational in 2028. It follows the ending of heavy steel making with the closure last year of Tata's two blast furnaces at Port Talbot which resulted in nearly 2,800 job losses across its 海角视频 operations .
Darlow Lloyd & Sons will play a key role in the initial phases of the project, overseeing excavation, recycling, infrastructure, and drainage works essential to the site’s transition to EAF steelmaking.
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Director, Rhys Lloyd, said: “We are delighted to announce this partnership which will boost employment across Neath Port Talbot and lay the foundation for future growth across the manufacturing sector.
“This collaboration safeguards our experienced workforce and allows us to appoint local experts with transferable skillsets to this once-in-a-lifetime project.”
Critical infrastructure, including the construction of a new scrap yard to manage the inflow of 海角视频-sourced used steel as a feedstock for the new EAF will be completed by Andrew Scott
David Evan Williams, civil contracts director, said: “Having worked major on civil and construction projects at Port Talbot since the late 1800s, our involvement in this transformation is not only a privilege, but fundamental to maintaining our strong presence and heritage at the site.
“We have committed to supporting local talent, ensuring that we fill positions with our skilled workforce, alongside experienced former Tata Steel workers and experts in the supply chain. As work progresses, we aim to provide further opportunities for individuals in surrounding communities to help deliver this exciting vision.”
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Ben Wernick, managing director, Wernick Buildings added: “We are thrilled to bring our wealth of experience in the modular construction sector to deliver the centrepiece of Port Talbot’s contractor village; , comprised of offices and welfare zones.
“90% of the workers we employ to build this impressive space will be from communities surrounding the steelworks – spanning Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Cardiff – allowing us to nurture and grow regional talent.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “We have supported Tata Steel with £500m to safeguard Welsh steelmaking and I’m pleased that the company is itself investing in the local supply chain, securing hundreds of jobs and driving economic growth.
“It is fantastic news for the South Wales economy that local firms have secured these major contracts to deliver the transformation of steelmaking at Port Talbot.”
Lloyd Bryant, Head of Infrastructure & Amenities, Tata Steel, said: “The expertise of these long-standing contractors is key to the success of our transformation.
"We look forward to collaborating with them, under Sir Robert McAlpine’s supervision, to safeguard the future of sustainable steelmaking in the area, securing jobs and ensuring the long-term viability of steelmaking in Wales for generations."
The new electric arc furnace is just one element of the £1.25bn investment, which will also see an extension programme on continuous casters one and three and a replacement pickle line.