New Fit For Nuclear advisors hit the road to help manufacturers win work

Fit For Nuclear (F4N) is a unique service to help UK manufacturing companies get ready to bid for work in the civil nuclear supply chain. It is delivered exclusively by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Paul Cook, John Olver, John Coleman, Stephen Linley and Huw Jenkins have joined the Nuclear AMRC as dedicated F4N advisors. All have previously been involved with the F4N programme – Cook since the programme’s inception in 2011, and the others through the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), which has now been wound down.

“We’ve all worked with manufacturing companies, and a lot of us have run our own businesses. We’ve been there and done it, and can empathise with companies,” says Linley. “We’ve all learned a lot about the nuclear industry through F4N, and can now use our skills to help more manufacturers succeed in nuclear.”

After intense training with the Nuclear AMRC’s lead supply chain consultant Martin Ride, the five are now hitting the road to identify and support manufacturers who could join the nuclear supply chain.

“We’ll be on site with clients, taking them through their journeys, and introducing them to what the nuclear industry expects from their potential suppliers,” says Coleman. “There’s a lot of really excellent companies out there still. Part of our role is uncovering those companies, and then helping them develop themselves for the nuclear industry.”

“F4N is not for everybody, but it is identifying where there’s excellence and capability that can be developed to make a real contribution to the supply chain,” notes Jenkins. “It’s about working with companies that really want to develop themselves.”

Hundreds of companies have already taken the F4N assessment over the past five years, with almost 100 completing their journey after driving business improvements through a tailored action plan. Participating companies range from contract manufacturers with no nuclear experience aiming to take a first step into the sector, to established suppliers wanting to benchmark their position and drive business excellence.

Many F4N companies have reported benefits across their business, not just in their nuclear operations. The new advisors agree that the lessons of F4N will prove particularly valuable to companies dealing with increased economic uncertainty following the vote to leave the EU.

“It’s all about working with the top end of the very best of British manufacturing.” says Olver. “It’s not quick and easy, it’s very rigorous, but the rewards for the long-term future are there to be had. If you do have to deal with difficult conditions, it can give you enough of an edge to help you win work.”

“What we want to do is support businesses to help them be more competitive in the market, which can only help,” Cook concludes. “Go online and take the plunge. If you want to be more competitive, take the F4N route.”.