Flamgard Calidair

Flamgard Calidair speak here about their journey to become suppliers to the Hinkley Point C (HPC) build. The support from the SWMAS-led Hinkley Supply Chain Programme has been a vital part of the mix as they capitalise on the opportunity they see in the nuclear new build sector. CEO Lee Bramald's advice for other SMEs looking to supply HPC? 'Go for it!'

Click to play the video, or read the transcript below, for more:

 

The transcript from the video above is as follows:

Shuresh Maran – Business Development Director, Flamgard Calidair
"Flamgard specialise in fire and blast protection for high integrity industries - mainly nuclear, oil and gas - and there’s been a very good building block to move into the nuclear industry for us. Flamgard definitely saw nuclear new build as a clear opportunity for strategic growth in the future. We already had a lot of work in the decommissioning sector so moving into newbuild was again a natural progression. The nuclear new build sector is a lot larger compared to decommissioning. When you look at nuclear new build you have to adhere to the latest standards. When you are doing decommissioning the documentation processes, your quality processes, Flamgard already had in-house. It was product development which was a big step that we needed to take. So that’s when we needed funding for product research. We recently passed the performance criteria witnessed by the client and the end client, so we looked at funding assistance from the Welsh Government, product development from the universities using the Astute programme where we teamed up with Swansea University."

Lee Bramald – CEO, Flamgard Calidair
"We recommend go for it because there is some huge projects coming up for the nuclear new build and there’s lots of companies in the local area who can, if they stick to their guns and push it, get some amazing contracts. You can see the end goal of hundreds of our equipment being installed on nuclear plants. We’re looking at is if we’re in the first one [nuclear new build project] we’ve got a good chance of securing for the rest of the projects. It’s, I think, it’s a catalyst for the future, not just the nuclear market but for all of our other markets, is to really push for innovation. We’ve always been a forward thinking company, this has given us extra inspiration to push the boundaries of our technology."

Shuresh Maran – Business Development Director,  Flamgard Calidair
"I guess the first port of call would be the Hinkley Point C supply chain team, who then can direct you into various parties whether it be funding assistance, research assistance, product development assistance getting to the right procurement people to bid your project properly. This is your flagship product. All the quality and engineering that you gain trickles down to everything that you do and it changes a culture of your business when you put safety and quality right at the very top."

Nick Golding – Programme Lead, Hinkley Supply Chain Programme, SWMAS 
"Flamgard is one of the few companies that have already started this journey. They recognised very early on the challenges that they faced. They’ve brought in skilled staff, resourced this appropriately and are showing drive and determination as well as positivity in line with the HPC project values to try and access these opportunities in this and show themselves as a benchmark for other companies in the region."

 

Flamgard is one of the few companies that have already started this journey. They recognised very early on the challenges that they faced. They’ve brought in skilled staff, resourced this appropriately and are showing drive and determination as well as positivity in line with the HPC project values to try and access these opportunities in this and show themselves as a benchmark for other companies in the region.

Nick Golding

For more information contact us

 

Hinkley Supply Chain Programme

The Hinkley Supply Chain Programme offers funded business support is for eligible SME companies who want to maximise their chances of joining the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Supply Chain. With contracts to be awarded throughout the 10-year construction phase, and during the 60+ years of operation and de-commissioning, we anticipate a significant pipeline of opportunity.  The Hinkley Supply Chain Programme is currently funded to run until March 2020. Businesses are encouraged to engage early, even if your opportunities are not immediate, as it can take a significant amount of time and resource to become ready to tender for HPC work.

Click to find out more about the Hinkley Supply Chain Programme