These themes and more were explored in depth in breakout sessions. And insights have been used to create two short guides that are available to download below:
The Fusion Cluster and UKAEA’s supply chain team held an interactive workshop back in December aimed at identifying better ways for small and medium-sized companies to work with UKAEA and large engineering firms involved in fusion.
More than 40 participants visited Culham Campus to hear from NUVIA, Jacobs, UKAEA, Oxford Sigma, Digilab, Tokamak Energy and First Light Fusion about what makes for successful collaboration, the challenges encountered and how to overcome them. Among the themes that emerged: large engineering companies need the skills and agility that SMEs bring. In NUVIA’s case, 41 per cent of all its spend and 56 per cent of its orders placed are with SMEs.
Both NUVIA and Jacobs recognise that if they don’t make it easy for small and medium sized organisations (SMEs), then SMEs won’t work with them again. And just because an organisation is huge, doesn’t mean it can’t be flexible around payment terms, attitude to risk and processes. Everyone agreed that understanding each other and clear communication is central to removing barriers.
![](https://data.maglr.com/2808/issues/51116/625058/assets/media/844d571d5be7daff3df10eb95ecdcae64505fa3a939706317bbc48f4090a6fdb.jpg)
These themes and more were explored in depth in breakout sessions. And insights have been used to create two short guides that are available to download below:
The Fusion Cluster and UKAEA’s supply chain team held an interactive workshop back in December aimed at identifying better ways for small and medium-sized companies to work with UKAEA and large engineering firms involved in fusion.
More than 40 participants visited Culham Campus to hear from NUVIA, Jacobs, UKAEA, Oxford Sigma, Digilab, Tokamak Energy and First Light Fusion about what makes for successful collaboration, the challenges encountered and how to overcome them. Among the themes that emerged: large engineering companies need the skills and agility that SMEs bring. In NUVIA’s case, 41 per cent of all its spend and 56 per cent of its orders placed are with SMEs.
Both NUVIA and Jacobs recognise that if they don’t make it easy for small and medium sized organisations (SMEs), then SMEs won’t work with them again. And just because an organisation is huge, doesn’t mean it can’t be flexible around payment terms, attitude to risk and processes. Everyone agreed that understanding each other and clear communication is central to removing barriers.
![](https://data.maglr.com/2808/issues/51116/625058/assets/media/ff4e456f078ade6933d8b26527d5560bd44cba6a9b22fa1d1004ec5161bf1fe3.jpg)