Decommissioning and waste management is of national and international importance with particular significance for the regions including Cumbria.

In recognition of the important developments in decommissioning waste management and site remediation that are taking place at both Sellafied and the Low Level Waste Repository, Cumbria has again been chosen as the venue to host the 2nd Conference on UK Decommissioning & Waste Management (DWM10). This will be the main industry-supported UK conference in this sector during 2010.

For further information, please contact: Lisa Jones-Taylor, Nu-Tech Associates Ltd Tel: 01946-695554 Fax: 01946-691115 Email: sales@nu-techassoc.co.uk

Middlesbrough and Oxford, UK | June 29 2010. Industrial Technology Systems Ltd (ITS), the real-time IT, database and process control systems integrator with extensive experience in the nuclear sector and Tessella, the information technology and consulting services company selected by R&D, science and engineering leaders for business-critical assignments, have been selected for a major framework agreement with Sellafield Ltd, for the provision of replacements of and upgrades to existing control and IT systems at their Cumbria site.

Sellafield Ltd introduced the framework agreement to reduce the project and procurement time it takes to award control system contracts. The aim of Sellafield Ltd is to standardise the pricing, documentation, execution and ongoing support approach for the diverse range of projects through this collaborative working agreement between Sellafield Ltd and its suppliers.

To successfully qualify for the framework agreement, ITS and Tessella completed a significant invitation to tender process. Part of the submission was a proposal for the upgrade of the first control system planned for replacement. This aspect had a major part in determining which companies would become part of the framework agreement, with the technical and commercial aspects of this being reviewed and taken into account in the overall decision making process. ITS and Tessella also had to supply comprehensive supportive literature, to demonstrate strengths in the following key areas:

• Evidence of a proven track record of delivering control systems in regulated environments

• Management and provision of suitably qualified experienced personnel

• Evidence of innovative solutions and working relationships with other customers

• Capability to undertake the first control system upgrade project

• Evidence of systematic and transparent cost charging processes

• QA processes

• Environmental, health and safety management record

• Socio economics

• Compliance with Sellafield Ltd code of ethics

Both ITS and Tessella specialise in the design and integration of real-time IT, database and control systems and a range of services including maintenance and 24-7 call out support, for highly demanding, regulated sectors including, pharmaceutical, medical device, nuclear and chemical. ITS also supplies robust non-contact vision inspection systems, fuel tracking solutions and legacy system support services to these industries.

ITS’ agreement with Tessella brings together the strengths of the two teams to form a large and varied skill base. The consortium, as well as having complementary skill sets, also has an overlap in control systems expertise which adds value as there is a common understanding already existing for the main functionality of projects to be completed under the framework agreement. With a track record of over 95 projects delivered in the nuclear sector, ITS offers a wealth of industry experience to complement the skill set.

The companies’ vendor independence allows the consortium to offer the most cost effective solutions that are best for each client, whether a commercial off the shelf product or a bespoke solution. More than 80% of ITS and Tessella order book is repeat business from satisfied clients who have experienced their ability to consistently deliver.

The ITS and Tessella consortium has partnered with Thales Information Systems to offer extensive innovative experience in obsolescence strategies to Sellafield. Thales has developed its own methodology for addressing systems obsolescence within large and complex regulated industries. Tessella and Thales have worked closely together on previous projects and continue to do so in various sectors. This existing working relationship is an important factor in the overall ITS, Tessella and Thales team.

Commenting on the framework Malcolm Knott, Managing Director of ITS, explains, “We see the opportunity to work on projects in this manner with Sellafield Ltd as a massive opportunity to develop and widen our relationship with people onsite. We have agreements like this with a number of other customers and each brings with it fresh challenges, but ultimately make us as a better company. We learn as a supplier and as a partner. Frameworks like this do work and we’ve been keen to strike up this type of relationship since we started, and that’s why we really wanted to be selected by Sellafield Ltd. The buzz it gave everyone when we announced to the staff that we’d been successful was amazing; colleagues have been making all sorts of suggestions to get more involved with Sellafield, knowing that there is a very good reason to go the extra mile.”

Peter Roberts, Business Development Manager at Tessella added, “Securing this Framework is another milestone in Tessella’s continued growth within the civil nuclear sector. Sellafield Ltd is an important client for the company and one with which we aim to develop a long-term relationship in several areas related to software and information technology. It is also a significant project for Tessella as we develop our successful collaboration with ITS in the field of control systems”.

ITS and Tessella believe that the consortium will provide the strength in depth required for any control and IT system project to be completed successfully under the framework agreement. Both companies have endeavoured to build teams that have all the capability and experience Sellafield Ltd needs and their combined strength is formidable. Through its experience across many sectors the consortium can provide the innovation required to address the obsolescence challenges, and each partner brings a unique, complementary and significant value to the team.

And this framework is proving to be the beginning of a fruitful relationship, with all the companies involved already identifying other customers where this consortia approach will add value.

-Ends-

About Tessella

For decades, Tessella has been successfully delivering IT and consulting services to world leaders in R&D, science and engineering. We enable our clients in life sciences, energy, the public sector, and consumer industries to achieve a wide range of objectives, including, forecasting floods, developing fusion power, enhancing military sensor capability, improving drug discovery and development efficiency, and reducing risk to health and the environment in the extraction and production of oil and gas. With offices in Europe and North America, global companies rely on Tessella for business critical assignments.

Media Contact at Tessella

Christina Tealdi | PR/AR Executive | Phone: +44 (0) 1235 555511 | Mobile: + 44 (0) 779 9346453

About Industrial Technology Systems Ltd

Established in 1991, Industrial Technology Systems Ltd (ITS) is an independent systems integrator, specialising in the design and implementation of automation, control, IT and management information systems. ITS has a proven track record in supplying innovative, engineering solutions that provide real business value to customers in highly regulated industries including AstraZeneca, Becton Dickinson, INS Innovation, Magnox, Piramal Healthcare and Sellafield Ltd.

ITS has been working in the nuclear industry for over 13 years and has successfully completed over 95 projects in the sector, from feasibility studies and legacy system replacements through to the design and delivery of large SCADA and PLC systems, fuel tracking systems and maintenance contracts.

ITS has strong partnership agreements with many major control systems manufacturers including Rockwell, Wonderware, Siemens, Honeywell and GE Fanuc. This flexibility allows ITS to offer the most innovative and appropriate solutions to meet each customer’s requirement.

Further information available at www.its-ltd.co.uk

Media contact at ITS

Trina Ives | Marketing Executive | Phone 44 (0) 1642 222232 | t-ives@its-ltd.co.uk

Now in their 17th year, the Technology & Innovation Series of Exhibitions have proved to be an effective tool for companies wishing to demonstrate their products, services and capabilities directly to members of the nuclear industry who are actively seeking solutions to problems and ways of addressing future industrial needs.

The June exhibition at the Cumbrian site will provide visitors with the chance to meet the Tessella and ITS  framework team, view product demonstrations and discuss individual requirements with one of the team’s specialists. It is also a valuable opportunity for Tessella and ITS to network with existing customers and suppliers, promote the company’s vision for the future, expand its industry contacts, and secure new business leads.

The Cumbrian Branch of the Nuclear Institute will be hosting a VIP evening preview at the exhibition, inviting key individuals, senior managers and directors to meet the exhibitors. The Institute will also host a parallel lecture within the venue as part of its ‘ABC of Nuclear Science’ series of summer presentations.

The nuclear industry is currently facing a renaissance, managing operational plant updates and ongoing waste management challenges, plus decommissioning.  This exhibition brings together under one roof, and for one day, many of the experts in the field to help those actively seeking solutions to current and future needs.

For further information, please contact: Lisa Jones-Taylor, Nu-Tech Associates Ltd Tel: 01946-695554 Fax: 01946-691115 Email: sales@nu-techassoc.co.uk

For further information, please contact: Lisa Jones-Taylor, Nu-Tech Associates Ltd Tel: 01946-695554 Fax: 01946-691115 Email: sales@nu-techassoc.co.uk

Providing world class technology and consulting services to the R&D functions of the petroleum, nuclear and renewable industries, requires specialist industry knowledge. The company’s continued expansion within the energy sector has highlighted the need for a larger specialist energy team with a global remit. Tessella veteran, Mark Claxton, has been appointed to lead the new team.  Mark has significant experience in both the energy sector and working at a senior level across a broad range of clients including large oil and gas companies and significant suppliers in the nuclear supply chain.

Alan Gaby, Divisional Director, commented, “Mark has a deep understanding of the energy sector and has a wealth of first hand experience of Tessella providing innovative solutions to the world’s leading companies in this sector. Our growth plans are ambitious but we couldn’t have a better leader to take on the challenge. This is an exciting time for both Mark and Tessella.”

Dave will be investigating the use of acoustic techniques for on-line diagnosis of vitrification plant rabble bar status.

To find out more about APACT 2010 or to register online, visit www.apact.co.uk

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