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Press Release: July 2010
IFA forges ahead with Nuclear AMRC membership
Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd (IFA) has joined the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
Sheffield-based IFA has provided forged components for UK nuclear programmes since the 1950s, and currently works with many of the major companies preparing to build the new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK. The firm specialises in open die, ring rolling and precision bar forging, producing forgings from 1kg up to 10 tonnes in a variety of specialist alloys.
By joining the Nuclear AMRC, IFA can refine its services to the UK new-build programme and enhance its ability to compete for work worldwide.
Martin Burnham, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IFA says:
"Metals forming is at the heart of advanced manufacturing, and we see the production of quality-assured goods as the key to backing nuclear new-build. A lot of the metals used in a reactor are non-ferrous, and we have the most diverse integrated forging centre in Europe. We will work with the Nuclear AMRC on areas such as forging development. inspection, metrology, and on training and accreditation."
The Nuclear AMRC provides advanced research and development services to help manufacturing companies deliver high quality products to the civil nuclear industry, and become more competitive, in the UK and worldwide. The centre works on the same collaborative model as the established University of Sheffield AMRC with Boeing. The Nuclear AMRC will also help member companies achieve nuclear industry accreditation, meet and exceed quality standards, and provide training and other business development support.
The Nuclear AMRC has a tiered membership structure, based on companies' position in the supply chain. Founding Tier One industrial partners include nuclear reactor providers Areva and Westinghouse; power systems provider Rolls-Royce; steel producer Corus; and steel engineering group Sheffield Forgemasters International.
IFA's membership complements that of Sheffield Forgemasters. While the two companies are in the same business, IFA's products are on a smaller scale.
By becoming a Tier Two member, IFA puts itself at the heart of the civil nuclear manufacturing industry in the UK. Burnham says he will consult with top-tier partners to make sure that future investment is tailored to serve industry requirements at home and abroad.
Steve Court, operations director at the Nuclear AMRC, says:
"IFA is an established supplier to the nuclear industry, including to many of our founding members, and we're delighted to welcome them to the Nuclear AMRC. They bring extensive expertise and experience to the Centre. We look forward to working with Martin and his team to help them respond to the demands of nuclear new-build."
EDITORS NOTES
ABOUT IFA
Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd was created in 2001 in a management buy-in of the open die forge division of engineering group Doncasters. Doncasters had operated this forge on the IFA site in Hillsborough, Sheffield, since 1898, although there have been other forges on the site since the 1500s. IFA now calls itself one of the world's largest blacksmiths.
As part of Doncasters, the firm provided alloy forgings for the Magnox nuclear programme in the 1950s, the AGR programme in the early 1980s, the PWR programme at Sizewell B in the early 1990s and current nuclear build. IFA is now building relations with industry leaders to supply the new generation of reactors.
IFA also provides specialised forgings for aerospace, oil and gas, and other power sectors. It has made capital investments of around £16m since 2001, and currently produces around 10,000 tonnes of forgings per year.
For more information, see www.forgedinsheffield.com/
ABOUT THE NUCLEAR AMRC
The Nuclear AMRC is a collaborative initiative between industry, the University of Sheffield, and the University of Manchester.
The Nuclear AMRC will:
• Develop new manufacturing techniques and technologies to meet the demands of the new generation of nuclear power stations.
• Help manufacturing companies succeed in the nuclear industry supply chain.
• Be the focal point for the civil nuclear manufacturing industry in the UK.
• Help UK companies compete for nuclear contracts worldwide.
The Nuclear AMRC is supported by central government, Yorkshire Forward and the North West Development Agency.
The Nuclear AMRC is based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire, with additional facilities at the University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute. A purpose-built facility on AMP is scheduled for completion in late 2011.
For more information, see www.namrc.co.uk/
CONTACT
Martin Burnham, Chairman & CEO, IFA, (0)114 234 3000,
mburnham@forgedinsheffield.com
Steve Court, Operations Director, Nuclear AMRC, stephen.court@namrc.co.uk
Press contact:
Tim Chapman, Communications Manager,
Nuclear AMRC, (0)114 222 9913
t.chapman@amrc.co.uk
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