NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING MARKET

NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING MARKET - 19/11/2008

GRAVATOM PARTNERS ONET TECHNOLOGIES TO EXPLOIT NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING MARKET Gravatom plans to double the turnover of its Workington facility from £500,000 to £1m by combining Cumbrian expertise with French flair. The international engineering company has forged an exciting partnership with ONET Technologies, the principal suppliers of nuclear decommissioning solutions in France. The Anglo-French alliance brings together Gravatom’s proven technical design and manufacturing skills with ONET Technologies’ unrivalled decommissioning experience in France. Gravatom’s Managing Director, Dave Barker, said: “We have been impressed with the portfolio of decommissioning projects handled by ONET Technologies over the past 30 years in France where they have a reputation for getting things done. By working together, we aim to make serious inroads into accelerating the decommissioning programme at Sellafield to the benefit of the local economy and the national interest. “We fully expect to double our turnover from the Workington facility this year. This will allow further expansion in our skilled workforce in Cumbria and additional investment in training at local colleges and Cumbria University.” Frédéric Ballarin, Executive Manager, ONET Technologies, said: “The promising market, the existing skills and the remarkable expertise in West Cumbria convinced us to base our UK headquarters at Westlakes Science and Technology Park. This region is a key area for the future energy market and an exciting place to be in terms of the decommissioning challenges that Sellafield faces. We definitely see West Cumbria as the UK centre for nuclear excellence in the near future. “We have been highly impressed by Gravatom’s professionalism and expertise. ONET Technologies has also entered into a powerful agreement with Redhall Group plc. Together, also with Gravatom, we can provide reliable and innovative solutions, quality works and flexibility backed by experience from both the UK, France and the rest of Europe. We also aim to reach agreements with academies and universities throughout the UK and Europe to provide training and employment opportunities for students in the same way that we do in France.” As well as working with ONET Technologies, Gravatom is developing Anglo-French relations in the arena of nuclear medicines. The French market accounts for 20% of Gravatom’s business and the company employs French-speaking engineers and designers. Gravatom’s nuclear expertise has enabled the company to win significant new contracts including the manufacture and supply of a monitoring system for a discharge stack. These contracts align with Gravatom’s core competencies which range from front end design options and studies through to detail drawing, manufacture, assembly and testing at the company’s 2000m² Workington facility. For more information please contact Gravatom on 01489 897300, email sales@gravatom.com