Severfield goes into Orbit with latest project

At 115m tall, the spiralling ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture will offer views across the 250-acre Olympic park.

Thirsk-based structural steel firm Severfield-Rowen yesterday revealed it is providing the steel for the iconic project. Its subsidiary Watson Steel Structures has already started construction.

Watson’s managing director and Severfield’s chief operating officer Peter Emerson said the project has posed unusual challenges.

“We are very familiar with taking a drawing board concept and turning it into a reality,” he said.

“It’s what we do and we are the market leaders. However, in the case of the ArcelorMittal Orbit project, the degree of precision required was higher than usual.

“Its unique design meant that it would not be possible to make adjustments to the structure once construction commenced.

“We have therefore had to machine the components to their exact specifications, to enable them to fit precisely together. The asymmetric shape also requires far more frequent stage by stage analysis, to ensure full stability. I am pleased that we are equipped for this challenge.”

The Orbit was designed by artist Anish Kapoor in collaboration with leading structural designer Cecil Balmond of Arup.

It consists of a continuous looping lattice of tubular steel. When completed, it will be 22m taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and offer views of London’s skyline from a viewing platform.

Severfield’s latest project follows work on the 2012 Olympic Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.

Severfield chief executive Tom Haughey said: “We are extremely proud to be involved in such a prestigious and iconic pro- ject.”

ArcelorMittal is funding £16m of the £19.1m project, with the outstanding £3.1m provided by the London Development Agency.