Sanders & Forster: Structural Steel Work

Abstract

Sanders & Forster Ltd, gained a Queen’s Award in 1966 for improvements in the design and production of the structural steelwork for steel-framed buildings based on the plastic design theory. Its range of standard steelwork was first introduced in 1954 and utilised factory-welded assemblies which could be bolted to other components on site. This was followed by the development of a mechanised transfer plant for the semi-automatic sawing and drilling of structural sections. The market for such structures was large, particularly for schools, hospitals and industrial units. Considerable cost reductions over conventional construction methods were obtained. A significant export market was also established. Other developments included light-weight beams known as open-web joists, use of Litzka beams, computer use for lowest-cost structural design and an improved protection system against corrosion, all of which had been initiated elsewhere but adapted and enhanced within Sanders & Forster.