AECL Hosts OCI Suppliers Day at the Chalk River Laboratories

Second annual OCI trade show welcomes over 50 nuclear vendors to the Ottawa Valley

CHALK RIVER, ON, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and the Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI) are pleased to announce that the OCI Suppliers Day was once again held at the Chalk River Laboratories yesterday, welcoming over 50 nuclear vendors to the Ottawa Valley. The second annual fall trade show offered AECL employees the opportunity to network with representatives from the Canadian nuclear supply chain and to explore new commercial and technology development opportunities.

While the trade show was a clear success for OCI members, with vendor booths buzzing from start to finish, AECL also took the opportunity to showcase its own innovative technologies through displays and demonstrations. As a result, both organizations walked away with a better understanding of each other's technologies and capabilities, and of ways in which they could collaborate in using innovation to strengthen the Canadian nuclear supply chain.

In addition to the annual trade show, a joint workshop was hosted by OCI and AECL on September 11 to discuss innovation in Canada's nuclear supply chain. Among other issues, the workshop examined ways in which AECL can stimulate business innovation in the nuclear supply chain, and reviewed case studies involving successful AECL collaborations and commercial ventures. In addition to OCI and AECL representatives, a number of local elected officials and economic development professionals also attended to discuss economic opportunities in Renfrew County, including Cheryl Gallant, MP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.

"As Canada's premiere nuclear science and technology organization, it's critical that we have a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with our supply chain," said Richard Coté, AECL's Vice-President of Commercial. "OCI Suppliers Day provides AECL with a great opportunity to strengthen our ties with our vendors, and to discover new ways in which we can work together to improve our industry."

"Ultimately, the OCI Suppliers Day and the joint workshop on 'Innovation in the Canadian nuclear supply chain' are about relationship building," said Ron Oberth, President of OCI. "It's an opportunity for our members to show off the great work that they do with key partners, and to discuss ways in which we can collectively drive our industry forward. The enthusiastic participation of more than 50 private sector Canadian suppliers in these two sessions demonstrate the important role that AECL plays in underpinning the Canadian nuclear industry."

"From a commercial perspective, this event greatly benefited both organizations as well as the local community, and I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to OCI and our vendors for making the trip to AECL," added Coté. "OCI performs a vital service to the Canadian nuclear industry, and their AECL Suppliers Day is a clear example of the benefits they offer our sector. I hope we'll be welcoming them back to the Ottawa Valley again next year."

About OCI

Organization of CANDU Industries is an association of more than 170 leading Canadian suppliers to the nuclear industry in Canada and offshore. OCI members companies employ collectively around 30,000 highly skilled and specialized people who manufacture major equipment and components and provide engineering services and support for the 20 CANDU nuclear power plants in Canada as well as for CANDU and other nuclear plants in offshore markets. OCI is the leading voice of the Canadian nuclear supply chain and actively promotes the production of safe, clean and reliable nuclear base load electricity as a key part of a balanced electricity generation portfolio in Ontario.

For more information on OCI can be found at www.oci-aic.org.

About AECL

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is Canada's premiere nuclear science and technology organization. For 60 years, AECL has been a world leader in developing peaceful and innovative applications from nuclear technology through its expertise in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering. Over 3,000 highly skilled employees deliver a range of nuclear services - ranging from research and development, design and engineering to specialized technology, waste management and decommissioning.

Today, AECL continues its commitment to ensure that Canadians and the world receive energy, health, environmental and economic benefits from nuclear science and technology with confidence that nuclear safety and security are assured.

More information on AECL can be found at www.aecl.ca.

 

SOURCE: Organization of CANDU Industries

:
Patrick Quinn 
Director, Corporate Communications
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
1-866-886-2325

Marina Oeyangen 
Manager, Member Services & Communications
Organization of CANDU Industries
905-839-0073