Oliver Willy UK Nuclear Manager for SIG Construction Accessories, discusses the challenges distributors face when engaging with the nuclear market, and how SIG UK fostered a Nuclear Culture within the team.
One of the most logistically challenging markets in which SIG operates is the Nuclear Industry. This is where a distributor’s expertise, delivery network and product knowledge are put to the test. SIG has met this challenge head on, establishing a Nuclear Culture across the team tasked with servicing this safety-critical sector.
In the 5 years that SIG UK has been delivering materials through to new Nuclear sites, such as Hinkley Point C significant investment has been made to ensure operations run smoothly without fail. It’s here where the small details make all the difference.
Health and safety on site is absolutely critical, especially given the scale of the project with thousands of people on site. There is a significant number of moving parts such as overlapping trades which is where a real focus on tight controls in necessary.
Effective logistics management is key too. From accurate booking and tracking systems to control the flow of deliveries to minimise disruption through to vetted delivery drivers and approved 3rd party companies, these factors ensure stock arrives on time and to the correct location.
In ensuring all products and deliveries meet these standards, SIG UK invested heavily into the necessary training, infrastructure, and partnerships. This includes being one of the only UK distributors to acquire and hold the new nuclear standard, ISO 19443:2018 Nuclear Safety accreditation with Lloyds Registrars.
This accreditation is a quality management standard that applies the principles of the international standard for quality, ISO 9001, to the nuclear sector. With such tight safety regulations, gaining the Nuclear Safety accreditation demonstrates a commitment from SIG UK to creating a robust and through quality management system for the sector.
This system includes providing service and products to meet regulatory requirements, a culture of continuous improvement, and processes to ensure and enhance customer satisfaction in service.
We were delighted to receive a 100% pass rate in a recent external audit, which shows our commitment to this sector.
Fostering a change in culture
Creating the Nuclear Culture has been key to delivering the best quality of service and products throughout the organisation. To nurture this, key colleagues undergo nuclear safety culture training added to a Nuclear Culture awareness at branches, conducted by an EDF nuclear training partner. For example, SIG UK staff are specifically trained to produce a QRC record which is a form of lifetime record every product must have upon delivery.
Adding to the specialist nuclear expertise and support, SIG UK uses a Compliance Tracking System, ‘SIG Assured,’ to provide customers complete peace of mind when buying products.
This is an ever-evolving system which keeps up with the fast pace of changing legislation and product development. The benefit to customers is assurance that SIG UK has robust processes to track and monitor which companies and which products are compliant.
Being successful in this market requires niche knowledge and expertise. Distributors must know the industry and products inside out to ensure the right solution is put forward every time.
The SIG Construction Accessories specialist team is perfectly positioned to be the key link between product and customer. Having the ability to know what questions to ask manufacturers whilst being able to advise contractors and manufacturers to meet the requirements of the customer is critical.
It’s through this investment in people and product that SIG Construction Accessories is best positioned to help this challenging, but exciting industry.
If you’d like to know more about the SIG Nuclear offer, please get in touch with:
Oliver Willy
UK Nuclear Manager
[email protected]
