Dunbeath Engineering To Supply Components For Decommissioning

15th March 2005

A local Caithness firm, Dunbeath Engineering Limited (DEL), is investing in new equipment which will allow them to provide another local firm, Orion/D Gow and Son Ltd, with components for a decommissioning-related contract for UKAEA at Dounreay.

DEL manufactures a range of machine tool accessories, which are sold throughout the world. They have been approached by Orion/D Gow and Son Ltd, based in Lybster, to manufacture steel components for waste drums, which Gow's are supplying to UKAEA at Dounreay.

Dunbeath Engineering Limited is receiving investment of £30,000 from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) to buy the necessary equipment to manufacture the components to be used in the steel waste drums.

Mr Threipland, director at DEL, said: "This is a new product line for the company which we hope will open up new markets to us and will lead to the creation of further jobs in the coming years. Our own investment in this project is around £120,000 and thanks to CASE's top up of £30,000 we can purchase the equipment required."

DEL is confident that there is a great opportunity to manufacture larger steel components for engineering contractors involved with the decommissioning at Dounreay and other civil nuclear sites. This development will allow them to move into new markets associated both with nuclear decommissioning and the oil, gas and renewable sector, where there is world wide competition.

Commenting on DEL's new capabilities Donald Gow, director of Orion/D Gow and Son, said: "There are no other local engineering companies who have the necessary equipment to undertake the work. We are really pleased that DEL has been able to take this contract on as the only alternative would be to award the contract to a company based outwith Scotland which could lead to delivery problems and is less cost effective."

Hilary Budge, a development manager with CASE, said: "It is very important that we are able to assist local companies to acquire the equipment and skills required to benefit from the decommissioning work at Dounreay.

"It is also very welcome to see two local businesses working together tou ndertake a contract for which, without this innovative approach, thecomponents would have had to be sourced from outwith the Highlands."