The visitors, from all across the UK and overseas, enjoyed a day of exhibitions and informal networking at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Estate Supply Chain Event.
Businesses came to Manchester’s EventCity venue to be involved in one of the world’s largest nuclear decommissioning supplier events, with delegates turning up from all across the UK and overseas.
The NDA and its business units set up the first event 7 years ago with the aim of creating greater visibility of opportunities for suppliers and in particular for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The event has gone from strength-to-strength and has become a highlight of the nuclear industry calendar, with around half the visitors coming from the SME community.
The day was formally opened by NDA Chief Executive David Peattie, who spoke about the importance of suppliers in providing skills and innovation for the decommissioning mission.
The main hall held 300 exhibition stands, staffed by a wide range of technical and service suppliers, alongside information stands representing the NDA and all its business units, government bodies and regeneration organisations.
The ever-popular ‘Innovation Zone’, supported by the government’s Innovate UK, hosted more than 40 exhibitor companies, who held demonstrations of leading-edge technologies during the afternoon.
The Skills Zone also returned for 2017, featuring a range of organisations who were able to offer guidance, advice and one-to-one discussions.
Other government departments attending included:
- The Ministry of Defence’s Submarine Enterprise Programme
- Department for International Trade
- the Crown Commercial Service
- the Welsh Government
Ron Gorham, the NDA’s Head of Supply Chain Optimisation and SME Champion, said:
We have a challenging mission for decades to come which relies on vibrant, dynamic businesses providing solutions to our many challenges. Success across our estate and also the MOD’s Submarine Enterprise Programme is good not only for the UK, local and national economies, but also provides fulfilling careers for a whole new generation.
We remain committed to working with the supply chain, from the largest to the smallest players, to improve not only the quality of the opportunities but also help ensure successful outcomes for all.
Informal feedback during the day suggests that yesterday’s event was the most successful so far. It provides a unique opportunity to hear leading figures from across our sector, see world-beating technology and enjoy an unrivalled opportunity for networking with other businesses suppliers and clients.
The event remains a key element of our Supply Chain Development programme and the SME action plan both of which show NDA’s continued commitment to encourage, support and develop our supply chain for today and for the future.
One of the morning highlights was the presentation of NDA estate awards.
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