AMEC and BNFL to be `long term partners'
15 Jan 2000
Long term `partnering agreements' are the trend as large corporations seek to secure themselves from long term uncertainty and also collaborate rather than confront over a project's management. (See p30, Contractors).
In June, PE reported AMEC's intent to seek out around 20 new strategic partners. And now BNFL has agreed to a five-year partnership with AMEC that will see AMEC move its work from being `secured on an ad-hoc basis' to a relationship based on `continuity, continuous improvement and mutual learning.' AMEC has already created a dedicated business group to work with BNFL and co-ordinate activities between the two companies.
In a statement AMEC revealed its hopes for the future with BNFL: `The world market in nuclear services has changed greatly in recent years and the nuclear legacy in western nations has created enormous potential for beneficial environmental projects.' (see p39 AEA)
Weir Engineering Services (WES) has entered two partnership deals with Yorkshire Water, worth about £37.5 million over the next five years, to manage its electrical and mechanical assets in Yorkshire.
Fred Hearle, WES area manager, said WES was now speaking to other UK water utilities about similar partnering schemes.
`It's an exciting development which could be the tip of a very big iceberg,' he said.
