EuroWire January 2020

Corporate News

SUPPLYING high-performance nickel alloy wire to fuel the growth in nuclear power is helping a UK manufacturer to expand. Alloy Wire International (AWI) has seen a ten per cent surge in orders for its specialist wire, which is being used within components for the sector and critical seals and springs found in many of the world’s largest reactors. Employing 31 people across sites in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, the company is on course to hit £1mn of sales for this industry for the first time in 73 years, and the management team believes its ability to fulfil orders in three weeks is a major factor in this increase. Much of the nickel alloy wire in the company’s range can be treated with a special process that can offer the critical performance required to operate in one of the most demanding business areas. “We have been supplying into this sector for a long time and our track record for manufacturing quality is well known with customers in both the UK and overseas,” explained Mark Venables, managing director of AWI. “The last nine months have definitely been our busiest time to date and we are supplying wire that is going into both existing plants and also new projects taking shape across the globe.” Mr Venables continued, “Companies need to know the material they’ve ordered will withstand harsh temperatures/corrosion and is manufactured in accordance with strict quality controls. With the world relying on nuclear power more than ever, any type of disruption would impact on a lot of people.” AWI manufactures round, flat and profile wire. It has over 200 tonnes of EU/ DFARS-approved stock available at any time, with its 60-strong range including Inconel 600, Inconel 718, Inconel 750, Nimonic 80A and Nimonic 90 – all materials suited to nuclear applications. The firm’s Emergency Manufacturing Service, which involves wire being produced and delivered within a few days, has also been in high demand – up nearly 15 per cent on the same period last year. This underlines the fluctuating requests being placed on spring makers supplying the nuclear sector, and the importance of being able to access material quickly to meet sudden spikes in usage. AWI spent in excess of £250,000 in 2019, in the acquisition of 560mm single block and 200mm multi-block drawing machines. “This has increased our capacity to be able to take on even more nuclear work as we look to build on a record year in this sector,” said Mr Venables. AlloyWire International www.alloywire.com Nuclear powers AlloyWire expansion ▲ ▲ Members of the Alloy Wire team on the shop floor

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January 2020