Westinghouse – Nuclear – ne components ltd

Sector:	Nuclear
Customer:	Westinghouse Springfield Fuels
Location:	Preston, Lancashire
Duration of supply:	50 years
Scope of contract:	Machining, fabrication, CMM inspection

Background

The UK government recognises Springfields as a strategic national asset for the UK, with the capacity and skills to manufacture fuel for all the UK’s future nuclear needs, including overseas export.

At 80 hectares in total, Westinghouse’s Springfields nuclear licensed site in Lancashire has been manufacturing world-class nuclear fuel and related products and services for almost 75 years. One of the most advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities in the world, the Oxide Fuels Complex at Springfields is the UK’s only commercial fuel fabrication facility, utilizing advanced manufacturing to produce around 32% of all the low-carbon electricity generated in the UK.

Key benefits

By establishing a dedicated manufacturing cell in Bradwell, Derbyshire and entering into a long-term supply agreement, the customer experienced significant improvements across multiple areas:

Reduced Cost
On-Time Delivery
Increased Productivity
Increased Quality
Supply Chain Reliability

This customer-focused approach has strengthened NEC’s partnership, ensuring continued success and reliability in delivering high-precision components for the nuclear industry.

Ongoing supplier partnership

What was the problem?

Late Deliveries: Issues with supply chain inefficiencies, production delays, or scheduling conflicts, leading to missed deadlines.
Poor Quality: Inconsistent manufacturing standards or inadequate quality control measures affecting product reliability.
Cost Concerns: Higher production or procurement costs impacting the overall budget and competitiveness.
Multiple Sites with Different Customers: Managing operations across various locations with different customer requirements, leading to complexities in coordination and standardisation.

What do we provide?

To address the customer’s issues, NEC implemented a dedicated manufacturing cell in Bradwell providing key solutions:

Dedicated Manufacturing Cell: By centralising production at our Bradwell facility, we streamlined operations, reducing lead times and improving consistency.
Long-Term Supply Agreement: This guaranteed uninterrupted product supply, eliminating the risk of delays and ensuring long-term stability for the customer.
Heavy Investment in Cellular Manufacturing: By optimising workflow and automation, we enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and minimised production bottlenecks.
Unmatched Quality Assurance: Our nuclear-grade QMS ensures every component meets the highest industry standards, with 100% CMM inspection and rigorous documentation.
Improved Customer Service: With a dedicated production site, the customer benefits from a single point of contact, reducing complexity and improving communication.