Severfield-Rowen wins prestigious Olympic contract

Construction of the ArcelorMittal Orbit at the Olympic site is expected to be complete towards the end of summer 2011.

Severfield-Rowen said that its Watson Steel Structures division was chosen for the high profile and prestigious project as a result of its unparalleled expertise in producing precision-made steel structures.

It added that Watson’s has a track record in working to complex specifications, on time and to budget, and has been involved in many of London’s best known construction projects.

Recent work includes the 2012 Olympic Stadium itself, as well as Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium, the multi-award winning Baltic Millennium Bridge at Gateshead and Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5.

The group said the work required for the ArcelorMittal Orbit presented Watson’s engineers with a fresh challenge.

Watson’s managing director and Severfield-Rowen’s chief operating officer, Peter Emerson said: “We are very familiar with taking a drawing board concept and turning it into a reality. 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 ArcelorMittal Orbit is the brainchild of award-winning artist Anish Kapoor and has been developed in collaboration with one of the world’s leading structural designers, Cecil Balmond of Arup.

It consists of a continuous looping lattice of tubular steel 115m in height.

When completed, it will be 22m taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and offer unparalleled views of the entire 250 acres of the Olympic Park and London’s skyline from a special viewing platform.

Mr Tom Haughey, chief executive of Severfield-Rowen said: “We are extremely proud to be involved in such a prestigious and iconic project. It has been a privilege to work with Anish and Cecil, and with ArcelorMittal. This structure will be a lasting legacy to London and its Olympic Games and we are delighted that we have been able to contribute.”