This April at Somers Forge, we will begin forging the shank for a new generation of Royal Navy anchors, representing one of the largest naval anchors to be built in Britain in more than 70 years.
The anchors are being produced to support vessels in the Queen Elizabeth–class aircraft carrier fleet, including HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
Production will be rooted firmly in the Midlands. We will work alongside two fellow Midlands manufacturers, Solid Swivel and Goodwin Castings, creating a regional supply chain that brings every stage of the anchor’s manufacture back to the heart of British industry.
This collaboration not only supports the Royal Navy but also showcases the strength of Midlands manufacturing and the importance of resilient, local supply chains in modern defence production. Throughout the project, the entire manufacturing process will be overseen and certified by Lloyd’s Register, ensuring the anchors meet the highest international maritime standards.
Forging anchor shanks is nothing new for us at Somers; it forms part of our long industrial heritage. As far back as the early 1900s, we were producing components for the marine and naval industries, including the Olympic-class ocean liners. Between 1910 and 1911, we manufactured an anchor shank for the famous ocean liner RMS Titanic.
The steel was cast by John Rogerson & Co in Newcastle, before being forged at Somers. It was then transported to the Noah Hingley works a few miles away for shackle manufacture and final fabrication, before undergoing testing at the nearby Lloyd’s Proving House.
Measuring an impressive 18 feet 6 inches in length, the Titanic anchor shank was so large that it had to be transported to Dudley railway station by a team of 20 Clydesdale horses, a reflection of the scale of the forging work undertaken by Somers at the time.
More than a century later, we are proud to continue that legacy, forging critical components for some of the world’s most advanced naval vessels while helping to restore an important manufacturing capability here in the Midlands.
We were proud to support a recent Year 10 careers event at a local secondary school, where we had the privilege of engaging with more than 100 students as they explored their future education and career pathways.
The event brought together a wide range of organisations, including representatives from the police force, childcare providers, universities, and many other sectors. As the largest employer in Halesowen, we were especially proud to showcase the strength of advanced manufacturing within the local community and highlight the significant opportunities available right on the students’ doorsteps.
Throughout the afternoon, we were encouraged by the genuine curiosity and enthusiasm shown by the students. Many asked thoughtful questions about how to gain employment with us, the qualifications required, opportunities for progression, and what day-to-day life in forging really involves. One of the highlights was seeing the excitement on the students’ faces as we explained how raw material is transformed into high-integrity engineering components. From the intense heat of the furnace to the forging process, and finally through precision machining, the students were fascinated by the transformation of materials into finished components. It was a fantastic opportunity to demystify the manufacturing process and highlight the skill, innovation, and creativity that go into bringing engineering concepts to life.
We remain committed to supporting schools across the local area and strengthening ties within the community. Events like this are just the beginning; we look forward to building on these relationships and continuing to showcase the exciting opportunities available to the next generation of skilled engineers and manufacturers right here in Halesowen.
Our team visited Dogs Trust to present the funds we raised in support of their incredible work. The experience filled us with pride and reaffirmed our commitment to making a positive difference for animals in need.
Our fundraising efforts were as diverse as they were spirited, beginning with a lively staff bake sale that quickly became a highlight of the office calendar. The event featured an impressive spread of homemade treats, from decadent chocolate brownies to cupcakes decorated with pawprints. It quickly became clear that we have some truly talented bakers among us, and that no cake was safe from our enthusiastic sampling!
Next came our “Guess the Baby” competition, a light-hearted challenge where brave staff members submitted their childhood photos for public scrutiny. Who could have predicted just how many secret redheads work at Somers? More than anything, the activity highlighted the camaraderie and warmth that make our workplace so special.
Thanks to everyone’s generosity and an outpouring of team spirit, we raised substantial funds for Dogs Trust. But we didn’t stop there. During our visit, we also delivered cosy dog beds, colourful toys, and other essentials to help make life at the shelter a little brighter for its residents. Meeting the Dogs Trust team in person was inspiring, and seeing their dedication firsthand highlighted the exceptional care given to every dog, from bouncing puppies to older dogs patiently waiting for their forever homes.
When a workplace unites behind a shared purpose, teamwork, creativity, and generosity naturally follow.
We’re incredibly proud of what our team achieved and of the difference these efforts will make for dogs in need.
We are pleased to announce that Somers Forge will be sponsoring AFC Somers for the upcoming 2025/26 football season! This exciting sponsorship follows a strong year for the team, who were crowned Division One champions in the West Midlands Regional League.
It’s been a brilliant year for the club, who were crowned Division One champions in their debut season in the West Midlands Regional League — an incredible achievement that speaks volumes about the energy, teamwork, and determination behind the squad. The team hope to replicate this success with back-to-back promotions and the ambition to reach the pro leagues.
Our connection with AFC Somers goes beyond just the name. The club originally played on the Somers fields in Halesowen, which were once owned by Somers Forge. That shared history makes this partnership feel extra special.
Following on from last year’s success, this season the team is starting a new chapter at Garden Walk Stadium, and we’re proud to be part of their journey. Their success reflects the hard work, organisation, and team spirit they showed throughout the campaign. Achieving such a remarkable result in a challenging league requires more than just talent. It takes leadership, consistency, and commitment. We’re proud to support a club that consistently demonstrates those values both on and off the pitch.
What It Means For Us
For us, supporting AFC Somers is also about giving back, investing in the local community that we operate in. We believe that local sport plays a huge role and is a vital part of community life, bringing people together and fostering a strong sense of pride and belonging.
We will be following the team closely this season and cheering them on as they take on the next division. Wishing everyone at the club, the players, coaches and supporters, the very best for a fantastic year ahead!
To keep up with the campaign including match fixtures and results, you can follow the team on X: @AfcSomers
The mechanism required to generate thrust for a boat or ship to move through water is called a propulsion shaft. It is made up of the following main parts: main engine, gearbox, marine shaft and propeller.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of heightened propulsion shaft power in the reduction of noise, which has led to a higher importance being placed on more efficient shaft design. The main component used for a propulsion shaft is a propeller shaft. The thrust action on the shaft is a result of the pushing motion generated by a propeller.
Most ships have a main thrust block located at the forward end of the main shaft. The shaft line incorporates all the components including tail shaft, intermediate shaft, thrust shaft, flange coupling, gearbox, engine components and also includes bearings that hold the alignment of the shaft and these include spring, stern tube and strut bearings.
The main reduction gear connects the prime mover to the shaft and its primary function is to reduce the high rotational speed of the engine, so that propellers operate at a lower speed. Here at Somers Forge, we’re global leaders in the supply of propulsion shafts for the marine industry. We use the latest forging techniques and mechanistic innovations to produce shafts and other parts for propulsion shafts of the highest quality.
We can manufacture propeller shafts in a number of sizes up to lengths of 23 metres, dependent on the application they are required for. We can supply marine propulsion components for super yachts, cruise ships, submarines, naval ships and patrol vessels. Most commonly we produce shafts using C45, 34CrNiMo6, stainless steel and inconel but can offer any material a customer requires. Offering both shaft forging and finished machining if required.
The shaft can be subjected to a number of loading types during use, including torque moment, bending moment, axle thrust force and transverse load. The risk of failure to the system can be increased by weather and sea conditions due to the fact they have a direct effect on the wear, tear and life time of a propulsion shaft.
To enhance the durability and performance of our marine shafts, Somers Forge has developed advanced techniques and coatings. Our proprietary Glass Reinforced Coating, Somplas, offers superior protection against corrosion and impact.
This coating has been rigorously tested and approved by DNV, ABS, and Lloyds, ensuring it meets the highest industry standards. In addition to corrosion protection, Somplas is REACH compliant, providing an environmentally friendly option for marine shaft coatings.
Weld Cladding foe Extended Propulsion Shaft Life
Recognising the need for extended shaft life in demanding marine environments, Somers Forge has invested in weld cladding technology. This process enhances protection against seawater corrosion, significantly extending the life of both stainless steel and nickel-based alloy shafts.
With ABS approval, Somers Forge is the first UK forge to offer this service, bolstering the nation’s shipbuilding capabilities.
Refurbishment of Propulsion Shafts
Do you require a refurbishment of a marine shaft? Here at Somers Forge, we offer a class approved procedure for the refurbishment of all types of shafts which we have developed in-house. Returning shafts to a as ‘new’ condition, with refurbished shafts then able to last for a further 12 years depending on the water environment. Saving you time, money and reducing the lifecycle analysis impact.
Our Marine Forgings
Somers Forge has been a top provider of forged goods for the marine sector since our humble beginnings. We received what was known as Admiralty Approval for the provision of propulsion shafting and other related marine forgings back in 1912.
In addition to manufacturing and refurbishment, Somers Forge offers comprehensive support and services for marine shafts. Our experts are available to provide guidance and assistance throughout the entire process, from material selection to final installation. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality products tailored to their specific needs.
Contact Somers Forge Today
If you are in need of forged propulsion shafts or a refurbishment of a propeller shaft, contact Somers Forge today on 0121 585 5959 or fill out our contact form below and one of our experts will get back to you as soon as possible.
