Forgemasters sign MOU with Turkish giant Gedik Holdings

Sheffield Forgemasters has signed a memorandum of understanding with one of Turkey's most prestigious manufacturers to develop a nuclear readiness scheme to maximise forthcoming supply chain opportunities.

Forgemasters and Gedik Holdings, two of the most renowned names from Turkish industry and the global nuclear supply chain, will combine local delivery and international scope.

The readiness scheme seeks to offer a path for any Turkish company to learn about the nuclear supply chain, perform a credible gap analysis and develop a strategic plan to ensure they are fully prepared to grasp the opportunities available.

Mark Tomlinson, Sheffield Forgemasters' group development director, said: "Both Gedik and SFIL recognise that the visionary energy policy of the Turkish government has created outstanding opportunities for Turkish industry to develop a world class nuclear supply chain.

"This supply chain will link local partners to the biggest and best power and engineering projects the world has to offer.

"However, there will be challenges in establishing such supply chain groupings and ensuring that industry can adapt to the specific requirements of the nuclear industry.

"Gedik, SFIL and their industry partners recognise the huge potential in Turkey to benefit not only from the proposed power projects in Akkuyu and Sinop but also from subsequent projects, both in Turkey, the wider MENA region and beyond."

Part of the agreement will see how both companies can exploit links with the advanced nuclear manufacturing hub in the Sheffield City Region and Gedik University to deliver a comprehensive, credible and value driven programme.

Mark added: "We have a vision to combine our talents to offer a structured programme aimed to increase readiness for participation in the nuclear supply chain to a wide range of Turkish businesses.

"Whilst our core products are large castings and forgings, outside the scope of most Turkish manufacturers, our well-developed quality systems, technical abilities and technology transfer experience make us a perfect partner to learn the necessary skills from to take advantage of the burgeoning nuclear market."

Gedik Holdings has an enviable reputation within Turkey and beyond for the quality of its products and the far reaching nature of their business interests.

Its highly respected Termo Valves are made to the most stringent quality standards and its modern and efficient facilities are recognised as sector leaders in Turkey.

Gedik Welding is the leading Turkish establishment in the field of welding, producing welding consumables and complete welding systems to a wide variety of users.

Dr Mustafa Kocak, chief executive officer from Gedik Holdings, said: "This is a real step forward for our relationship with Sheffield Forgemasters and the experience they bring. Our vision to become a true global welding solutions leader will be significantly enhanced by moving in to the nuclear sector.

"We are already known as the pioneers of new technologies in the domestic market. Now is the time to look at the wider picture."

Sheffield Forgemasters has many years experience of serving the most technically demanding markets in the world.

As ASME NCA3800 certificate holders since 1992, the company has continued to supply and innovate within the nuclear supply chain and has supplied parts into US, French, Japanese, Russian, Chinese and Canadian reactor designs throughout this period.

As founder members of the UK's Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) the company is at the forefront of nuclear technology development, conducting work with several of the leading reactor designers. Forgemasters has also developed world class technology transfer abilities yielding significant benefits for partners around the globe.