 After a period as Attercliffe's rate collector he joined a steel wire making business associated with Sorby's.Following the death of his wire-maker partner, Shipman, Hadfield began in 1869 his own steel casting business on a site close by the River Don, off Newhall Road, Attercliffe.Success was assured when he became able to produce materials and castings for shells which previously had to be imported from France.