NRL featured in EIC’s Survive & Thrive report for turbine maintenance collaboration

This year’s Survive & Thrive 2024 report is now out, the Energy Industries Council’s (EIC) annual insight into the businesses up and down the energy supply chain that are standing out. From diversification into new services and territories, to expansion into new markets, industry collaboration and product innovation. We were therefore delighted to be included in the 2024 report for our Major Component Exchange (MCE) solution we developed for our client.

Recognising an opportunity to rethink the solution

When faced with a significant challenge with the Major Component Exchange (MCE) projects we support our client to deliver across Europe thanks to the exit of a second-tier client from the wind turbine maintenance market, a high risk of losing valuable skilled workers was identified.

NRL’s Heysham and International recruitment teams engaged in proactive consultation to find a practical solution that worked for everyone and retained the skilled expertise already working on the project. This collaboration led to an innovative solution; NRL would take over the MCE Supervisor team who help deliver the crucial turbine maintenance projects as directly engaged, full-time employees – including investment in the equipment the team needed to undertake the work.

Thanks to the team’s collaborative approach and fast turnaround to set-up the new solution in just four weeks, they’ve provided continuity of service to our client, with the added benefit of the MCE supervisory team now being directly managed by NRL to provide a proactive service that we’ve subsequently grown geographically since implementing.

You can read more about our Survive & Thrive 2024 report inclusion here.

A history of innovation, diversification and collaboration

Across the NRL Group we’re proud of the way we work with clients, always keen to understand their future growth plans so we can development strategic solutions that meet their needs now and well into the future.

Highlighting our Linx business innovation

It’s this approach that earned us a spot on the EIC’s very first Survive & Thrive report in 2017, having been recognised for the innovation we showed launching a new business within our Group after recognising our clients needed a more flexible and hybrid approach to how they manage their recruitment supply chain.

In the first report we explained how our Linx business was tackling the recruitment complexities that large engineering organisations face when they need a supply chain that spans a variety of industry sectors and specialist skills. Identifying how they can standardise supply chain practices and the recruitment process, whilst centrally managing all contingent labour requirements across multiple business divisions to reduce administration and standardise supplier terms.

The EIC made reference to the impressive 40% reduction in cost savings we secured for our global engineering client as a result of Linx implementing a hybrid workforce solution for the hire of all contingent labour within their UK operations.

Recognising our NDT diversification

In 2021 it was the turn of our Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) business to make the coveted Survive & Thrive report, in volume V. Having delivered Radiography services for nuclear grade mechanical and piping components on nuclear power stations since we first established our company in 1983, they recognised an opportunity to diversify as nuclear new build projects began development in the UK for the first time in decades.

Our significant investment to establish Ultrasonic inspection qualification and technical justification for use on key nuclear projects such as Hinkley Point C, was celebrated by the EIC – including our £500,000 investment to establish a new Ultrasonic NDT facility in Portishead.

The decision to diversify to deliver Radiography and Ultrasonic services to our clients, ensured our NDT business was able to maximise the opportunities that the switch to green energy alternatives will bring now and in the coming years.

You can find out more about our 2017 Survive & Thrive report inclusion here.