Fresh talent pulls in big nuclear contracts

16th August 2017

The client Penny Hydraulics Ltd, North Derbyshire-based suppliers of mining and lifting equipment The challenge With the traditional mining market continued to decline, Penny Hydraulics identified the nuclear industry as a new market with significant potential for growth.

They set themselves the task of developing and embedding a nuclear engineering capability for lifting, handling and movement of spent nuclear fuels. How we worked together Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership we sent recent graduate Simon Pykett supported by a specialist academic to work on the company's behalf, networking and registering the company with nuclear organisations, as well as coordinating audit visits. Following a successful tender to Sellafield Ltd for the design and supply of waste storage cell handling equipment, Simon then took a lead role in delivering the contract, taking on the job of project manager and co-ordinating the team of designers, quality controller and shop floor personnel. The result Penny Hydraulics was made a Sellafield quality assured supplier on a £160,000 contract, 12 months earlier than expected. Further contracts in the nuclear industry have followed, including a £240,000 contract with Magnox Ltd. And Simon was awarded the national accolade of Business Leader of Tomorrow as a result of his work on the project. Finance Director, David Battrum, said, 'Guidance from Sheffield Hallam in the recruitment process was paramount in ensuring that we acquired the best candidate for the job who, by the way, is now a fulltime member of our staff.'