The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Support shown for Developing Decommissioning Supply Chain

24 September 2008

 

Almost 100 representatives from the supply chain have showed a commitment to helping the NDA shape its proposed Supply Chain Development Strategy.

The representatives attended a workshop in either Birmingham or Kendal designed to allow the NDA to take a critical look at work to date and its vision for future improvements.

Both workshops were run by an external facilitator and used an electronic voting system to obtain some quantitative data on a number of questions raised in the document. The workshops then saw lively discussion on a number of issues including: entry into the marketplace and the existing processes and applications.

Ron Gorham, the NDA’s head of supply chain development and commercial relationships, said:

“I was delighted and hugely encouraged that so many people made the effort to turn up and contribute to what I consider to be two very productive and illuminating sessions.

“These workshops were designed to give a voice to as many people as possible who have experience of working in or an interest in entering the decommissioning supply chain as well as those organisations which help support effective supply chain working.

“Of course, the real challenge for us starts now. Although we can’t promise to fix everything, we’ve heard loud and clear about those issues that need tackling and we must respond with, and deliver on, a programme of planned action and encourage others to work towards the same aims.”

The events were aimed at: aspiring Parent Body Organisations; Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors; small and medium enterprises; regional organisations and trade associations. The NDA currently spends more than £2.5 billion a year, of which £1.2 billion enters the supply chain at Tier 2.

Positive comments included the long term nature and size of projects and the potential for long-term relationships. Areas flagged for needing improvement were barriers to entry into the market, including slow and bureaucratic processes, and delays in decision making.

Attendees were asked to come up with suggestions for reducing costs and also to name specific examples of best practice in both nuclear and other industries.

The document is available for consultation until the end of September 2008. Comments will then be used to refine the draft strategy and its accompanying tactical action plan with publication of the approved document planned before the end of the calendar year.