Manufacturing Firm Walsin Lihwa To Create 200 Jobs In Sheffield

Walsin Lihwa, a global advanced manufacturing company, is set to create around 200 new full or part time jobs in Sheffield.

The company is upgrading its Special Melted Products (SMP) site in Sheffield as part of a major investment in its infrastructure. It will become home to a brand-new forging facility and research centre, creating hundreds of new skilled roles over the next few years.

The first wave of jobs is expected by 2028, with more roles likely to follow as the site expands. The average salary is expected to top £40,000 a year, making this a great opportunity for anyone interested in engineering, production or technical roles with long-term prospects.

This is the kind of investment that could mean new apprenticeships, graduate jobs and entry-level positions.

While these won’t be casual weekend jobs, they’re ideal for students or recent grads looking for work in a booming sector.

Announcing the investment plans and the new vacancies it will create, Yu-Lon Chiao, the Chairman of Walsin Lihwa, 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.”

“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,” added Mr Chiao.

The project is part of a bigger push to grow Sheffield’s £1.4bn manufacturing sector and offer more high-quality jobs in the north of England.

Baroness Gustafsson CBE, the Minister for Investment, welcomed the announcement, saying: “Our modern Industrial Strategy is all about having more high paid jobs in the industries of the future, in communities right around the UK. This investment is a major vote of confidence in Sheffield’s world-class manufacturing sector and couldn’t match our ambitions better.”

“Our Steel Strategy later this year will set out further support we will take to boost the steel sector and encourage investments like this and we look forward to hearing from Walsin Lihwa about their ambitious UK growth plans and delivering on our Plan for Change.”

“Once the forging facility is established, Walsin Lihwa have also set out plans to set up a research and development centre in the UK in a next 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 South Yorkshire.”

“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, machining, material science, data analytics and other high value career opportunities,” said the Baroness.

Oliver Coppard, the Mayor of South Yorkshire’s Mayor, also commented on the development: “I promised to build a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire, creating good jobs in the industries of the future. So I’m proud my office has been able to provide support that has helped to unlock this major investment, offering new jobs and opportunities and bolstering our world leading steel industry.”

“We have always been known for our strengths in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and industrial excellence. Walsin Lihwa’s investment builds on our legacy, reaffirming South Yorkshire’s place at the heart of UK high-value manufacturing and innovation,” added the Mayor.

If you are looking for work in this part of the UK, then find out what current opportunities are on offer over on our regularly updated listings of Student Jobs in Sheffield.