An IMI Critical Engineering multidisciplinary team has developed and implemented a collaborative supplier network to manufacture components for the nuclear power industry, called the Nuclear Components Manufacturing Hub. The team was comprised of those in the IMI Critical Engineering supply chain and employees from the IMI CCI sites in Switzerland and California. The business identified a need to have unique suppliers capable of delivering complex nuclear-classified components. This led to the concept of a multi-supplier collaborative network at the beginning of 2020 which combined IMI Critical Engineering’s nuclear solutions and the technological advantages from suppliers with the most stringent safety standards. This has enabled the team to meet customers’ high-quality requirements on time, despite the difficulties of the ongoing pandemic.
The team established partnerships with suppliers to ensure the continuity of manufacturing in different product lines. These mid-and long-term partnerships were essential due to the specific nuclear business singularities, occasionality, high qualification requirements, and know-how required. This allowed IMI Critical Engineering to reduce inefficient processes but also added tremendous value. The Nuclear Components Manufacturing Hub helps to rebuild manufacturing capabilities and increase customer satisfaction and trust by providing more visibility of the supply chain and consolidating a wide knowledge base.
