Winning business in the nuclear renaissance

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The NIA led the way in a series of major supply chain events over the past few weeks.

The NIA exhibited and spoke to large audiences at events in Scotland, Suffolk, and Yorkshire as part of the ongoing SC@nuclear initiative.

The NIA is leading the way in a national programme of events and publicity designed to encourage companies new to nuclear to get involved and get on board.

The regional events allow nuclear specialists to talk about standards and accreditation, and give audiences of regional businesses and other support agencies a detailed picture of what the nuclear industry would require from new entrants.

SC@nuclear chair Bill Bryce of Doosan Babcock spoke at the event in Stirling, run in partnership with Scottish Enterprise. The NIA’s John McNamara spoke at an event in Lowestoft at the iconic Orbis Energy Centre, the national renewables hub located at Britain’s most easterly spot at Ness Point. Some 120 companies from East Anglia came to hear John, Bill Bryce and EDF Energy speak at the event. The event was co-sponsored by the NIA and the East of England Energy Group.

In Yorkshire the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) held a national event at Doncaster Racecourse to assist SMEs in winning business in the nuclear renaissance.

With around 200 companies in attendance, the purpose of this event was to build on the introductory information that was provided at the MAS nuclear conference in September 2010 and was in response to the feedback received at the conference with the majority of businesses requesting more in-depth information to prepare them for entry into the nuclear supply chain.

John McNamara said the events were an important part of the NIA’s supply chain improvement programme.

“It is fantastic to see so many companies attending these events. The quality of information they received was top-class and feedback has been extremely positive. Copies of the NIA’s Essential Guide to the Nuclear Supply Chain were flying off the shelves and there has been a very positive response.”

Dr Glen Little, Nuclear New Build Director at Doosan Babcock spoke at the Doncaster event.

“I am pleased that NIA, MAS and Nuclear AMRC are working together to help provide Tier 3 and 4 manufacturers – such as those present – with the reliable and accurate information they need to understand the business opportunities and investments required for the nuclear supply chain of the future”.