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This month's 6th #DecommSupply event at Manchester's EventCity was part of a series of initiatives that we've developed over recent years to encourage and support the supply chain. 

Blog: Ron Gorham, 8 November 2016 

This month's 6th #DecommSupply event at Manchester's EventCity was part of a series of initiatives that we've developed over recent years to encourage and support the supply chain. There was a real "buzz" on the day, and it was definitely the busiest event we've had so far, attracting well over 1,500 visitors.

We know that suppliers value the opportunities for networking with other businesses, as well as hearing from and speaking directly to leading figures from across our estate. So this day is a welcome part of business calendars.

Those I spoke with really seemed to value this as an event that is organised bythe industry for the industry.

Photos from #DecommSupply event 2016 (Flickr)

The reason this event is so important is that the success of our 120 year mission, to clean up 17 of the UK's earliest nuclear sites, relies on vibrant, dynamic businesses finding solutions to the many challenges across our estate.

So far, 3000 companies have worked with us to achieve our mission. Two thirds of these are SMEs.

This event is about working with the supply chain, from the largest to the smallest players, to improve opportunities for involvement in decommissioning.

John Clarke, NDA CEO, at #DecommSupply Chain Event 2016

NDA Chief Executive, John Clarke, formally opened the #DecommSupply event, highlighting the importance of suppliers in providing skills and innovation to support decommissioning progress.

The main hall featured almost 300 exhibition stands, staffed by a wide range of technical and service suppliers, alongside information stands representing the NDA, all the SLCs, government bodies and regeneration organisations.

Additional afternoon sessions also worked well, offering presentations on specific subject of interest, such as collaborative procurement, R&D or skills.

Other government departments attending included:

• The Ministry of Defence, Submarine Enterprise Programme
• Department for International Trade, the government body working with UK businesses to promoting exports
• Innovate UK, the government’s innovation agency - promoting funding opportunities
• Crown Commercial Service
• Welsh Government

Supporting SMEs

Importance of SMEs

Coordinated jointly by the NDA and its Site Licence Companies, we aim to provide greater visibility of opportunities for suppliers, in particular for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). So it was really good to have around half the visitors from the SME community.

We had a stand at the event dedicated to useful information specifically for SMEs.

Beyond the event, we run an annual mentoring scheme for SMEs, and we have regional steering groups:

Find out more about SME mentoring scheme

Find out more about SME steering groups

Importance of international businesses

We welcomed representatives from businesses across the UK and overseas. Some delegates came from as far afield as Canada, the US, Japan, India, Singapore and Europe.

Importance of #DecommSkills

New for 2016 was a Skills Zone where a range of organisations were able to offer guidance, advice and one-to-one discussions.  Organisations represented included:

• Nuclear Institute (NI) and its associated Young Generation Network and Women in Nuclear
• National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN) - promoting their Triple Bar Programme for Nuclear Leadership
• the award-winning nucleargraduates scheme
• National Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) supported by Cogent Skills

Importance of #DecommResearch

Derek Allen, Innovate UK, with Melanie Brownridge and Adrian Simper at R&D stand

The ever-popular Innovation Zone, supported by the government’s Innovate UK, hosted more than 40 exhibitor companies. They demonstrated their leading-edge technologies during the afternoon.

Celebrating success in the #DecommSupply chain

One of the morning highlights was the presentation of NDA Estate awards which recognise suppliers who have successfully worked on collaborative projects, innovative technology, skills development and exports.

Networking beyond #DecommSupply

To share news and views with colleagues across the industry, we encourage suppliers to join our LinkedIn supply chain group. We currently have nearly 900 members.

Join the LinkedIn NDA Estate Supply Chain Group

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