Cumbria-based Westlakes Engineering Limited has secured three framework agreements covering work on nuclear new-build, decommissioning and a nuclear fuel cycle projects. The milestone cements the company’s transition from a sub-contractor to holding direct contracts.

First, WEL is one of six successful companies listed on the Technical Support Services Framework for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). Under the two-year contract, WEL will provide support to the ONR at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. The company is the only SME to be included alongside well established national players that include AMEC, ARUP, Sir Robert McAlpine, Nuvia and Jacobs UK Ltd.

"It is unusual for a small business like ours to be included in the framework, but we were clearly able to demonstrate the depth of skills we have in our network. We know we can’t do everything ourselves, but we have allies and expertise that we trust and can rely on," said Andy Hooper, managing director at WEL.

The second framework win is the Enabling Innovation Framework (EIF2) issued by Sellafield Limited. The four-year framework focuses on innovative companies that can provide the technical and business expertise to uncover smarter ways to conduct decommissioning work. It follows on from an initial pilot framework (EIF1), where all nine companies in the agreement collaborated and self-governed on a range of projects.

The third framework agreement win is the Professional Services Contract allocated by Springfields Fuels Ltd on behalf of Westinghouse. It is a multi-disciplinary design services framework so in addition to civil structural and architectural work, WEL will be working with other like-minded SMEs like North West Projects to deliver the full package.

Westlakes Engineering Limited is an engineering consultancy providing civil, structural, environmental and renewable energy services. The company was founded in 2004, and currently has 40 staff and a turnover in excess of £2.5 million.

"When we began the company winning a framework agreement was one of our long term goals. Since then the market has changed, and we recognised frameworks outside Cumbria are equally important and attainable," Andy Hooper managing director of Westlakes Engineering.

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