A new programme has been launched to strengthen the capability, competitiveness and long-term resilience of businesses aiming to work in regulated sectors such as nuclear, defence and advanced manufacturing.
The Supply Chain Readiness and Improvement Programme is being pioneered by The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) in collaboration with Sellafield Ltd’s Manufactured Products Organisation.
It will bring together companies from inside and outside Cumbria to help build a stronger and more collaborative supply chain.
The programme is already demonstrating early impact, with participants highlighting improvements in process discipline, strategic focus and team capability after taking part in the Bid Training module.
Miranda Kirschel, programme director of iSH said: “Our mission is to empower the region’s doers, fixers and problem solvers. SCRIP is a major step in making sure our Cumbrian supply chain is ready for the future.
“It supports businesses to become more competitive and more confident in pursuing high value opportunities. Demand is increasing and this programme helps companies get ahead of it.
“We are keen to hear from more Cumbrian nuclear manufacturers, as well as manufacturing businesses in the region looking to enter the sector. The only cost to businesses is the internal time invested in completing the programme.”
Although SCRIP was created with manufacturers in mind, it includes a Bid Training module that offers a structured approach to identifying opportunities, producing compelling bids and strengthening value propositions.
This module can be taken as part of SCRIP or as a standalone option and is open to any Cumbrian supply chain company. In both cases, preference is given to businesses based in Cumbria.
This gives any organisation the chance to improve how they assess opportunities, structure bids and present a clear value proposition. It is open to businesses looking to work with Sellafield Ltd the wider Nuclear Decommissioning Authority pipeline or other high value UK sectors
Developed with the Sellafield Manufactured Products Organisation, SCRIP supports the goal of expanding and strengthening UK manufacturing capability.
Rob McGarel, supply chain intelligent customer, MPO, said: “At Sellafield we need suppliers who can manufacture at scale with consistent and assured quality.
“Many Cumbrian companies already understand the customer and the operating environment.
“By working alongside UK businesses with greater manufacturing scale, SCRIP helps create a level playing field. It gives everyone the same language expectations and performance standards needed for future demand.
“Our need at Sellafield will be coming to market over the next one to five years. While taking part in SCRIP is not a guarantee of that future work, it will enable businesses to be in a position where they can bid and know what the process is going to be.”
Early participants are already seeing encouraging results.
Lynne Thornton, Commercial Manager, Numech said: “As an ambitious engineering business we are always looking for structured ways to strengthen capability. The Bid Training encouraged a more disciplined and strategic approach to opportunities and the improvement in confidence and quality has been clear. These programmes give us the tools we need to grow and compete more effectively.
“Although we’re at the early stages of the SCRIP journey, we see real long-term value in developing our processes, enhancing internal skills, and ensuring we remain equipped to secure future high-value and strategic contracts.”
Businesses can register their interest in SCRIP or complete an initial readiness assessment by contacting iSH directly [email protected] Companies interested in the BID Training can contact [email protected]
