New member for UK manufacturing centre
Sheffield-based DavyMarkham has become the first company to join the second membership tier of the UK's Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC).
Sheffield-based DavyMarkham has become the first company to join the second membership tier of the UK's Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC).
By signing up to the NAMRC, DavyMarkham is effectively readying itself to take part in any forthcoming reactor build in the UK.
The NAMRC is a collaborative initiative between industry and the universities of Sheffield and Manchester, and was part of a package of measures to support the UK's civil nuclear industry announced by the country's business secretary, Peter Mandelson, in December 2009. The centre, which aims to be the focal point for the UK's civil nuclear manufacturing industry, was set up to develop new manufacturing techniques and technologies while helping firms prepare for nuclear new build and join the nuclear supply chain both in the UK and overseas.
DavyMarkham managing director Kevin Parkin described the NAMRC as a unique opportunity for suppliers to the UK's new nuclear build program to align their businesses and operations to the necessary high standards. "We are pleased to be a part of this exciting opportunity," he said.
The NAMRC's two-tier membership structure reflects member companies' positions in the supply chain. Its founding Tier One industrial partners include Rolls-Royce and Sheffield Forgemasters, plus reactor builders Areva and Westinghouse.
NAMRC research director Keith Ridgway said that around £40 billion ($60.6 billion) is likely to be spent on new-build nuclear reactors in the near future in the UK alone. The NAMRC could, he said, provide UK-based firms the support they would need to enable them to understand the opportunities and requirements for supplying goods and services to the nuclear market. "We look forward to working closely with DavyMarkham to help them build their capabilities to supply the nuclear industry," he said.
The NAMRC is to be based at a new purpose-built facility in South Yorkshire, due for completion in late 2011.
DavyMarkham has a 180-year history in the design, manufacture and assembly of large equipment for the mining, power generation, oil, gas and nuclear sectors. On the verge of closure only four years ago, the company effected a turnaround with the support of a buyout partner, and on 1 March it was acquired by Indian engineering solutions company Hindustan Dorr-Oliver (HDO). HDO is itself a subsidiary of lead Indian infrastructure company IVRCL Infrastructure and Projects Ltd which includes Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) amongst its clients. At the time of the acquisition, HDO was exploring business opportunities in oil and gas, power and uranium processing and had announced plans to move into the nuclear power plant sector.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
