Nuclear supply scheme launched

Trade body the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is launching a Nuclear Supply Chain Partnership (NSCP) to help smaller companies get ready to bid for manufacturing work on new nuclear projects.

Launching at the NIA’s Nuclear New Build 15 conference in London, the initiative will bring together manufacturing companies who have a realistic offering to nuclear developers, reactor vendors, and top tiers of the supply chain.

Any business working in an advanced manufacturing industry should be viable to compete for work

NIA chief executive Keith Parker

It will help SMEs to bid for work, encouraging joint ventures or partnerships with overseas companies to bring a UK percentage to a contract.

“Any business working in an advanced manufacturing industry should be viable to compete for work on the UK nuclear new build programme,” said NIA chief executive Keith Parker.

“Assisting SMEs to bid for work in the new build supply chain will mean work being retained in the UK, and give successful firms a foothold into the export market.”

The initiative will work closely with the government’s Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s (NAMRC) Fit For Nuclear (F4N) programme.

The F4N, already completed by 100 companies, equips businesses with the technical skills to work in the supply chain. The NIA’s NSCP will provide some of the softer skills, such as business plan writing, access to finance, and contract information to complement the F4N process.

NSCP aims to help SMEs get ready to compete for work across all UK new build projects, starting with Hinkley Point C, Moorside and Wylfa Newydd. Over 50 companies have already signed up to the scheme ahead of its launch today.

NSCP chairman Neil Foreman said: “The new nuclear fleet is a huge opportunity for UK-plc. This initiative will put companies in a strong position to enter the existing supply chain and compete for work worth millions of pounds.”