Contractors Supplier Event

LOCAL business representatives gathered in Thurso to discover if they might play a part in the multi-billion pound, multinational nuclear fusion reactor to be built in France.

Organised by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) the event comprised presentations on three key projects which might provide supply opportunities for Far North companies.

Carol Gunn, strategic project manager with CASE said: “We are delighted that so many local suppliers came along to this event. We are committed to providing real support to match supply with demand for quality contracts and events like this bring tangible benefits to the local economy.” 

Speakers included Dan Mistry from UKAEA Culham who outlined the possible business opportunities from the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) which was signed off amid great publicity by President Chirac in Paris last month (November 21), with work due to start in 2007.

Mr Mistry explained: “It is obviously a very specialised project and will become a focus of the world’s scientific community. Its construction and commissioning phases will require suppliers who have experience in the nuclear industry and in particular its research and development. There could be real opportunities for Caithness companies which have these credentials to be able to win orders for this major proposal.”

Also talking to local companies was Sharon Chalmers of First Point Assessment (FPAL) who explained her company’s role in providing a register of potential suppliers for the oil and gas industry.

Ms Chalmers was able to outline the benefits to companies in Caithness and Sutherland in describing specific details of all their capabilities in FPAL to market their availability to oil and gas industry operators seeking an appropriate supplier.

On behalf of the BAND Alliance Kevin Smith explained what possibilities there are for a broad range of local suppliers to contribute to the construction of the new immobilisation, encapsulation and storage facility of intermediate level waste at Dounreay. The BAND alliance companies comprise AMEC, British Nuclear Group project services, NIS DEP and Weir, Strachan and Henshaw.

The presentations are downloadable by selecting the links in the right hand column.

Anyone requiring more information on these opportunities should contact Carol Gunn at CASE on 01847 805207 or email her at carol.gunn@hient.co.uk