The South West of England nuclear sector has received a major boost with international engineering, manufacturing and support company Efinor opening a new technology centre in the Bristol area
Nuclear South West, the public-private partnership organisation which champions the region, have welcomed Efinor’s expansion – and the creation of more than 60 highly-skilled jobs – which they say demonstrates the “strength” and “resilience” of the region’s nuclear industry.
Describing French firm Efinor’s growth as a “fantastic success story”, Nuclear South West also insisted that it provides evidence that the area stretching from Cornwall to Gloucester is an increasingly attractive proposition for investors.
Efinor have revealed that their team of specialist engineers will be based at the firm’s new Manufacturing and Technology Centre in Avonmouth, near Bristol, a new facility which will support the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset.
The expansion of the Efinor operation comes less than four years after the company, which is headquartered in Normandy, opened its office in Bristol where just two people initially kick-started their UK activities.
The opening of Efinor’s Manufacturing & Technology Centre in Avonmouth ensures that the company will be able to step up its efforts to deliver innovative projects as part of the ambitious UK energy programme targeting net zero carbon by 2050 and is also ready to support the proposed Sizewell C plant in Suffolk.
Efinor will initially focus on manufacturing operations supporting the Hinkley Point C programme for Efinor customers Bylor and NNB and will also provide support around decommissioning and the defence sector.
Anthony Prod’Homme, Engineering & Projects Business Unit Group Director and Managing Director of Efinor Ltd, who is based in Bristol, said:
“We are very pleased to announce the opening of our new Manufacturing and Technology Centre at Avonmouth which supports the expansion of our team in the South West of England.
“Choosing the Bristol area to locate our UK headquarters four years ago was a straightforward decision because it allowed us to be close to our main customer EDF Energy subsidiary NNB and our leading projects location on the Hinkley Point C site.
“Since the start we have benefitted from this great location and from the dynamic drive of the South West region.
“This new addition to our UK capabilities will contribute to Efinor’s abilities to secure the delivery of our customers’ projects and enable us to propose new services locally and promote innovation.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from local organisations and now we are looking forward to supporting the construction of Hinkley Point C and also helping the UK achieve its Net Zero carbon targets.”
Efinor’s investment in their Manufacturing and Technology Centre follows business intelligence support for the company from the West of England Combined Authority through its inward investment arm, Invest Bristol & Bath which has worked closely with Efinor to support its growth and ambitions in the region.
Andy Bates, Nuclear South West Innovation Manager, said:
“It’s wonderful to see Efinor go from strength to strength here in the South West of England and play a very important role in the construction of Hinkley Point C.
“Efinor’s success demonstrates the incredible resilience of our region’s nuclear sector which is set to play a pivotal role in getting the UK moving again and helping the nation’s clean energy transition.
“Efinor’s work within the Hinkley Point C supply chain has enabled the company to attract local talent but also support economic growth for the region and their success is a great example of how we can help companies settle in the South West.
“This is a truly fantastic success story and we are confident it will encourage more companies to invest here in the South West where we have the skilled workforce, the opportunities, the infrastructure and support structures to ensure more success.”
For more information about Efinor, visit the company website: www.efinor.com