Group signs up for supply role at nuclear research centre

The company will become the first "tier two" member of the Nuclear AMRC, which is being built at the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Rotherham with 25m of public money.

The founding partners include Areva and Westinghouse, the nuclear reactor providers, Rolls-Royce, the leading power-systems provider, and Sheffield Forgemasters.

By becoming a member, DavyMarkham puts itself at the heart of the civil nuclear manufacturing industry in the UK and gains access to resources to help build its presence in the civil nuclear supply chain.

The Nuclear AMRC will provide advanced research and development in manufacturing and engineering, based on the same collaborative model as the established University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing. Kevin Parkin, managing director of DavyMarkham, said: "This is a unique opportunity for all suppliers to the UK's new nuclear build program to align their businesses and operations to the high standards which are demanded by the industry.

"By developing new manufacturing, process and control techniques, the research facility will be able to provide companies with a competitive position with which to become world-class players in the new nuclear build.

"We are delighted to be working with Keith and his team, and are sure that the successes he has made at the AMRC will be replicated very quickly in the Nuclear AMRC. We are pleased to be a part of this exciting opportunity." The Nuclear AMRC has a two-tier membership structure, based on companies' position in the supply chain. Professor Keith Ridgway, research director of the Nuclear AMRC, said: "We look forward to working closely with DavyMarkham to help them build their capabilities to supply the nuclear industry."

DavyMarkham was recently acquired by Indian-based Hindustan Dorr-Oliver Ltd, an engineering solutions company.