Nuclear Energy Components (NEC), the Derbyshire-based precision engineering specialist serving the UK’s most safety-critical industries, has been shortlisted for Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) at the Made in Sheffield Awards 2026.
Organised by Insider Media, the Made in Sheffield Awards celebrate excellence across the region’s manufacturing sector, recognising companies that demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation and contribution to regional industry. NEC’s shortlisting acknowledges the company’s continued investment, technical leadership and role supporting nationally strategic sectors including nuclear and defence.
With heritage dating back to 1939 and building on the legacy of Newburgh Engineering, NEC has developed a reputation for delivering high-integrity precision components and complex assemblies where reliability is paramount. Operating from its advanced manufacturing facility in Derbyshire, the business is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited and holds both Fit For Nuclear (F4N) and Joscar status.
The company provides advanced capabilities including 9-axis mill-turn machining, large-scale milling and turning, coded welding, fabrication, water jet cutting and full CMM inspection supported by nuclear-grade documentation. NEC serves customers across nuclear, defence, aerospace, oil and gas, rail, medical and power generation markets, with long-term agreements that often extend beyond a decade.
During the awards’ qualifying period, NEC delivered strong financial performance with increasing turnover. The business also invested £280,000 in advanced CNC machining and robotic automation, enabling lights-out manufacturing, improved productivity and enhanced energy efficiency.
A key driver behind NEC’s recognition is the development of its patented Modular HeliGrid (MHG), an innovative solution for the defence sector. Unlike traditional monolithic HeliGrids, NEC’s modular design reduces lead times from years to weeks, lowers material costs, minimises manufacturing risk and enables easier transportation and repair. The technology holds international patent protection.
Alongside investment in innovation and automation, NEC has implemented structured succession planning and skills development initiatives, including apprenticeship recruitment and knowledge transfer programmes to safeguard specialist expertise within the business.
Matt Keeley, Director of Nuclear Energy Components, said:
“Being shortlisted for the Made in Sheffield Awards is a fantastic recognition of the work our team delivers every day. As an employee-owned business, our people are at the heart of everything we do, and this nomination reflects their skill, dedication and commitment to engineering excellence.
We are proud to support the UK’s nuclear and defence sectors from our base in Derbyshire, and to contribute to the strength of the region’s manufacturing community. Continued investment in automation, innovation and skills development ensures we remain a reliable long-term partner to customers operating in the most demanding environments.”
NEC continues to build on more than 60 years of experience supporting the UK civil nuclear sector and remains closely engaged with next-generation nuclear technologies including SMRs, PWRs. With a clear ambition to grow to £5m turnover, the company’s strategy balances dependable long-term contracts with innovation-led diversification.
The winners of the Made in Sheffield Awards 2026 will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 7th May at The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield.