Sponsored by
Region at risk of missing nuclear opportunities
The leader of a North West manufacturing group has warned the region it risks missing out on the opportunities presented by the nuclear industry if it does not act now.
Paul Fewtrell, head of the Manufacturing Advisory Service North West (MAS-NW), said “urgent action” was needed to ensure work in areas including building the next generation of nuclear reactors, providing fuel and handling waste.
The body has been appointed as the national leader to co-ordinate small businesses across the country to seize the oportunities of the fast-growing sector.
It will provide specialist market information and product development advice to firms looking to take advantage of the manufacturing opportunities, which are estimated to be worth around 85% of the multi-billion cost of a new reactor.
Mr Fewtrell said: “The nuclear programme offers enormous opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the UK, and to maximise this opportunity, MAS-NW’s lead role as an honest broker will encourage and support new suppliers into the nuclear supply chains.
“However, urgent action is required to ensure UK businesses can compete effectively with international competitors to secure large elements of the supply chain and source products locally.
“Much of the support that currently exists is focused on the first and second tier suppliers through, so we will most of our activities on the tier three and four supply chain opportunities by helping SMEs to compete for this broad range of business – from non reactor-based new-build, through to plant maintenance, waste management and ultimately de-commissioning.”
A team of of nuclear industry experts from the North West division of MAS will spearhead the support for small businesses by talking with groups leading the industry’s renaissance in the UK.
It said it will increase manufacturer’s efficiency and increase productivity to become competitive for the start of the nuclear new build programme, expected to begin in 2012.
Mr Fewtrell said: “I can only reiterate that the opportunities are enormous, and it would be a shame for UK manufacturers to miss their chance.”
For further details of the MAS service, visit www.mas-nw.co.uk or telephone 0800 093 9077.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.