Ansaldo Nuclear (part of the Ansaldo Energia group), operating within the nuclear industry, provides a capability in design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, commissioning, site installation and integrated logistics through-life support of bespoke engineered solutions for nuclear plant construction, existing plant operations, decommissioning of old nuclear plants, nuclear defence and nuclear fusion markets.
Its UK head office and manufacturing works in Wolverhampton is steeped in the engineering and manufacturing history of the Black Country since the 1820s. Previously the site of John Thompson’s, NEI Thompson, Clarke Chapman, Rolls-Royce Nuclear Engineering and latterly Nuclear Engineering Services, the Ansaldo Energia Group acquired the company in 2014 as part of its strategy to become a major player in the UK nuclear industry.
The firm has now joined trade association Made in the Midlands to share best practices, learn from and work with fellow members to improve its performance by building lasting B2B relationships.
Alongside learning and sharing best practices, Alan Doyle, Head of Manufacturing at Ansaldo says that they are always looking to improve their performance and that of their supply chain. Alan continued:
“We have a wide ranging supply chain which includes the procurement of high quality raw materials, destructive and non-destructive testing, machining, fabrication, standard and specialist fasteners, coating systems, mechanical and electrical components, tools and consumables. Our overall performance is reliant on a strong supply chain as well as our own internal performance so it’s very important to create strong working relationships with local companies that have similar values and common goals. It’s also important to work together by pooling our knowledge and resources to promote UK Manufacturing and lobby for support and investment that will ultimately lead to prosperity in a globally competitive landscape where technology is changing the way we work.”
Operating as a single, integrated company, Ansaldo Nuclear is made up of two organisations – its UK operations are based in Wolverhampton while its parent company is based in Genoa in north-west Italy. The organisation is a specialist engineering contractor working directly and indirectly in support of nuclear facilities operated or being built by EDF Energy, Sellafield Ltd, Babcock Marine, Rolls-Royce, UKAEA, Westinghouse and BAE Systems. It also has key roles in the advancement of next generation nuclear reactor technologies such as Lead-cooled fast reactors (LFR), small and advanced nuclear reactors (SMR/AMR) and Fusion reactors, all of which are of significant strategic importance to the Ansaldo Energia Group.
The firm is taking a proactive approach of reaching their goals by joining the Made in Group, which includes over 400 manufacturers from the Midlands and Yorkshire regions. As well as working with other members for mutual gain, the firm is also eager to use the Made in the Midlands platform to attract new talent, promote engineering within the West Midlands and upskill its workforce. Members can expect to see Alan and the Ansaldo team at up and coming Taster events and Backing Britain Breakfast mornings in coming weeks.