Beaver Bridges Revitalises Irlam’s Industrial Legacy with Major Manufacturing Expansion
Ben Brooksbank / Lancashire Steel Corporation plant, Irlam in 1957 and Beaver Bridges Forge 44 in 2026
Beaver Bridges is revitalising Irlam’s industrial heritage through a significant investment in a new manufacturing facility, Forge 44, marking a major boost for British heavy engineering.
Once the site of the Partington Steel & Iron Company and later British Steel, Irlam’s steelmaking tradition ended in 1979. Now, the area is witnessing a resurgence as Beaver Bridges transforms an existing industrial building into a state-of-the-art manufacturing base. The facility’s name, Forge 44, reflects both its manufacturing role and its M44 postcode.
The project has earned praise from Made in Britain, the trade organisation representing over 2,250 UK manufacturers, whose trademark is prominently displayed as a 5-metre mural inside the facility. John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, commented: “This amazing facility is an embodiment of the British manufacturing story. In Beaver Bridges, we have a vibrant and dynamic business that’s built on foundations that are centuries strong. It proves that manufacturing is our future as well as our past.”
He added, “What’s particularly impressive is how fast the team here has grown to become one of the country’s leading bridge specialists. To have got to this point in just ten years shows the potential that engineering expertise, transformational investment and a commitment to UK fabrication and good growth can bring.” Pearce highlighted the company’s doubling of manufacturing capacity alongside ongoing investment in people, facilities, and innovation, describing it as a sign of long-term confidence strengthening Britain’s infrastructure.
Renovation work on the facility began in March 2026 and was completed by June, allowing Beaver Bridges to move in immediately. Instead of building a new factory, the company chose to modernise an existing heavy engineering site. Upgrades included new cranes, refurbished floors, recladding of the building, and installation of modern welfare amenities. The result is a manufacturing environment often mistaken for a new build, while retaining the site’s suitability for heavy fabrication.
The expansion has increased the company’s UK fabrication space from 20,000 to 40,000 square feet. Forge 44 also features a dedicated trial erection area, where full or partial bridge structures can be assembled prior to delivery. This allows identification of fabrication, construction, and finish issues before components leave the factory, reducing risks during installation and enabling clients to approve finishes, colours, and connections in advance.
Richard Hinckley, Business Director at Beaver Bridges, said: “Forge 44 represents far more than additional manufacturing space. It gives us the capacity to take on larger and more technically demanding projects while giving clients the opportunity to see their bridge assembled before it ever reaches site.” He emphasised the company’s pride in UK manufacturing and the significance of the Made in Britain trademark, which Beaver Bridges has held since 2022. “The Made in Britain trademark reinforces that commitment, particularly as we continue to grow internationally, demonstrating to customers that every bridge we deliver is designed and manufactured here in the UK,” Richard added.
Originally designed for heavy engineering, the refurbished site combines high-clearance fabrication areas with extensive external yards and direct access to key transport routes. Located minutes from the A57 with direct links to the M60 and M6 motorways, Forge 44 facilitates efficient transport of oversized bridge components across the UK and abroad, supporting the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
This expansion coincides with a successful year for Beaver Bridges, which was named UK Bridge Contractor of the Year 2026 at the New Civil Engineer Bridge Awards, marking its second win in three years. Founded by six people a decade ago, the company now employs over 120 staff across multiple UK locations, with annual turnover exceeding £30 million and a target of £50 million by 2028.
The investment in Forge 44 underlines Beaver Bridges’ ongoing commitment to expanding UK manufacturing capacity and supporting ambitious bridge and infrastructure projects both domestically and internationally.
