December - Somerset Chamber of Commerce

Project News
Somerset Chamber and EDF Energy
congratulates 1,000th Somerset firm
More than 1,000 Somerset businesses have now
registered on a dedicated website as potential
suppliers to the multi-billion pound power station
project planned at Hinkley Point.
To mark the occasion, EDF Energy and the Somerset
Chamber of Commerce called in to congratulate the
1,000 th local firm to complete its registration. Sterling
Services Ltd, based near Taunton, specialises in
architectural precast concrete and is hoping to secure a
contract to supply material to the Hinkley Point C project.
Kevin Lazenby, Director of Sterling Services, said “Sterling
Services Ltd registered to be part of the Hinkley Supply
Chain having learnt about it from a Construction Industry
breakfast. We are delighted to be the 1,000 th company to
register and having traded from our premises in Hatch
Beauchamp, Somerset for the past 15 years, we feel that
we are ideally placed to supply the Hinkley C projects.
“We employ over 30 staff within our manufacturing facility,
together with a separate design office and installation
teams we have successfully completed many major
projects all over the U.K and Channel Islands and hope this
is just the first step in providing our quality products to the
Hinkley site.”
EDF Energy has already awarded £61 million worth of
contracts across the south west, with £25 million of this
total going direct to firms in Somerset.
Local contracts include a wide range of goods and services,
such as plant hire, training, catering, carpenters, building
firms, tree-planting and scaffolding. Companies in
Bridgwater, Taunton, Burnham-On-Sea, Cannington,
Glastonbury, Highbridge, Minehead, Watchet, Yeovil,
Weston Super Mare, Bath and Bristol are among the 200
south west firms to have already been awarded contracts.
The high number of local registrations is the result of a
partnership between EDF Energy and Somerset Chamber
of Commerce to capture the capability of local suppliers
and to ensure that this capability is promoted to EDF
Energy and its main contractors.
The hinkleysupplychain.co.uk website has also been used
to keep local suppliers informed about the project and
work package timetables and Somerset Chamber manage
a number of supply chain events to inform and promote
effective engagement for local suppliers. EDF Energy has
also established a local supply chain team to offer advice
and support to Somerset firms.
Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of
Commerce, said: “It’s really positive to be working so
closely with EDF Energy to secure opportunities and
benefits for local firms. The online registration process is
straight forward and is attracting a wide range of
businesses who we can then communicate with. We’re
continuing to work directly with local firms to explain the
varied opportunities and give them some guidance on the
likely requirements and procurement process.”
Chris Squires, Lead Supply Chain Engagement Manager for
EDF Energy, commented: “This is a great milestone to have
reached. Local firms could benefit both in the construction
phase, as well as the 60 year operational life of the
proposed station. I’d encourage other local companies to
register their interest as there will be many millions of
pounds worth of work on offer.”
Richard Soper, Sterling Services, Chris Squires, Lead Supply
Chain Engagement Manager, EDF Energy, Rupert Cox, Chief
Executive, Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Kevin
Lazenby, Sterling Services celebrate the 1000 th sign-up
Jamie Driver, local supply chain manager for EDF Energy,
added: "Companies may tend to think that as it's a nuclear
power station, the work is all very complex and somehow
won't be for them. However, we're looking for companies
that can supply all the trades, goods and services that a
construction project involves, just on an Olympic scale.
Then there are all the things that the workforce will be
spending their wages on locally. My message to local
companies is to register your interest now, because there
is help available to position your business to benefit. But
we can't use you if we don't know about you."
The proposed Hinkley Point C power station will provide
around 25,000 jobs over the construction period, as well
as 900 permanent jobs once operational. The project will
also create around 400 apprenticeships. £7.1 million has
been invested or committed to by the energy company to
improve local skills and training at West Somerset
Community College and Bridgwater College to increase
employment opportunities for local residents.
Companies interested in finding out more about the
Hinkley Point C supply chain can visit;
www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk
Hinkley Point C is subject to planning consent and a final
investment decision by the end of the year.
Contact the Chamber Call 01823 444924, email manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk or visit www.somerset-chamber.co.uk
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