Cumbrian firms showcase nuclear decommissioning tech at major event
The iSH DECOM CONNECT event, hosted by Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH), took place at Energus in Workington and attracted 250 delegates and 50 exhibitors.
Designed to showcase the latest in nuclear decommissioning tech, the event brought together industry leaders, supply chain companies, and organisations focused on addressing nuclear challenges and supporting the broader sector.
An iSH DECOM CONNECT exhibitor (Image: Industrial Solutions Hub)
Gary McKeating, managing director of iSH, said: "We created this event to spotlight Cumbria’s world-leading technical expertise across our manufacturing, robotics, and digital sectors.
"The event provided the chance for businesses to find out more about real opportunities, as well as to network and develop connections, all helping them to grow."
Supported by the Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC) Nuclear Sector Group, the event offered opportunities related to major programmes including Sellafield’s Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP), Sellafield Manufactured Products Organisation (MPO), and the Decommissioning Nuclear Waste Partnership (DNWP).
Exhibitors and speakers represented a broad cross-section of the nuclear supply chain, with several companies also working internationally in the US, Japan, and Europe.
Gareth Frazer, head of manufacturing and engineering solutions, Sellafield Ltd (Image: Industrial Solutions Hub)
Mr McKeating said: "There were also 100 young people who attended to discover the supply chain opportunities which will be available to them once they leave school.
"This helps prepare local talent and the workforce of tomorrow to deliver growth and regeneration."
Senior leaders from the nuclear industry delivered presentations, including Euan Hutton, chief executive of Sellafield Ltd; Gareth Frazer, head of manufacturing and engineering solutions at Sellafield Ltd; Seth Kybird, chief executive of Nuclear Waste Services; and Fiona Bruce, head of commercial strategy at Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS).
Mr Hutton said: "iSH is a key part of the jigsaw of things that we’re doing to help Sellafield be successful.
"It’s not just about managing the legacy from the past but also setting ourselves up for the future, and demonstrating that we’re innovative, collaborative, and driving efficiencies."
Mr Frazer highlighted the wider impact of the sector.
He said: "We’re already starting to see real socio-economic benefits and highly skilled, highly paid jobs in the local area and we want to make sure that we carry on building on that."
Will Newsom, chief executive of Createc, said: "I think that these events are always really important because there’s such a large customer and collaborator base here."
Mr McKeating said the event reinforced Cumbria’s strengths.
He said: "I think the key takeaways for me are the amount of capability that we have in Cumbria.
"There are some fantastic companies in robotics, digital, and manufactured products, so to see them all connecting at the event was brilliant.
"We look forward to the positive tangible benefits that brings for the county, the wider North-West region, and the rest of the UK."
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