The AMRC's Advanced Manufacturing Forum reached record numbers in May. Around 120 delegates from manufacturing companies across the country came to the Advanced Manufacturing Park to learn more about the opportunities in the UK's nuclear new-build programme, and to network with industry leaders.

Because of demand, the Forum moved from its usual venue in the AMRC Factory of the Future, to a conference room at the AMP Technology Centre.

David Powell, head of customer relations for reactor provider Westinghouse UK, gave the keynote presentation. Global nuclear capacity is expected to reach 1280GWe by 2050 from 372GWe today, Powell noted. "The UK has the opportunity to really benefit from being at the start of this," he said. "We want to find the best ways of working with the UK supply chain, which is already strongly engaged with meeting our global needs."

Westinghouse aims to have the first of its AP1000 reactors operational in the UK by 2020. "We buy where we build, and will do the same in the UK," Powell said. "By the fifth AP1000 unit, we expect that over 70 per cent of what we need will be coming from the UK."

The Forum also heard presentations from nuclear industry suppliers Sheffield Forgemasters, DavyMarkham and Independent Forgings and Alloys.

The Advanced Manufacturing Forum is the AMRC's technology network for manufacturing businesses. The regular events cover a range of topics of relevance to manufacturing businesses, offering insight into current and emerging technologies and supply chain issues.

Advanced Manufacturing Forum membership costs £50 a year for two places at each event. Non-members can also attend events for a charge of £25 per place. For more information about becoming a member or to find out about upcoming events, please contact amf@amrc.co.uk.

The AMRC is also leading the development of the new Nuclear AMRC, to be based in a new 8,000sq m building on the AMP.