International engineering, manufacturing and support firm Efinor has opened a new office in Bristol having grown tenfold since arriving in the city just two years ago.
The French group has been working with EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant team near Bridgwater – one of a growing number of firms to base themselves in Bristol.
Efinor Limited’s relocation from Victoria Street to a new base in the Whitefriars office complex underpins Bristol’s emerging role as a hub for the UK’s nuclear sector.
EDF, which this week raised its cost estimate for Hinkley Point C by £1.9bn-£2.9bn to an estimated £21.5bn-£22.5bn, itself employs hundreds of engineers in the city.
Efinor’s engineering team and project management office will be based in the new office along with H&E Engineering – a UK joint venture set up last year by China’s Huaxing Construction Company and Efinor.
Twenty-five jobs are being created at its new office to assist Efinor’s growth in the UK in support of the Hinkley Point C nuclear new build team.
Earlier this year French group Boccard opened a nuclear centre of excellence in Bristol, creating around 30 jobs to work closely with its team at the Hinkley Point C, where it employs around 200 people.
And Aberdeen-based mechanical and electrical firm EnerMech is bringing 100 jobs to the region over the next three years by targeting the nuclear, industrial processing, refining, petrochemical, aviation, defence, transport and infrastructure sectors. It set up an initial office in Portishead to drive the growth.
Efinor group executive chairman Fabrice Lepotier and general manager Jean-François Mouchel travelled from France to officially open the company’s new office alongside the West of England Mayor Tim Bowles.
Efinor Limited managing director Anthony Prod’homme said: “The opening of these new offices confirm Efinor’s desire to pursue a constructive relationship with its key customers and to develop new business opportunities.
“We thank the West of England Combined Authority for its continued support through its inward investment arm Invest Bristol & Bath.”
He said the firm’s established position meant it could now develop a site team to deliver work on the Hinkley Point C site and support the broader nuclear new build team, building on its experience with EDF’s Flamanville nuclear plant in France.
The firm is also keen to get involved on the planned Sizewell C plant and is offer continuing support to nuclear new build teams working with China General Nuclear and EDF Energy in the UK, he said.
“We also foresee potential growth for ourselves and our supply partners in the UK decommissioning market – both within the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate and the future decommissioning of the commercial fleet, as well as internationally on the broader energy market,” he added.
Pictured at the official opening of Efinor’s new office, from left: Efinor Group managing director and H&E Engineering chairman Jean-François Mouchel, West of England Mayor Tim Bowles, Efinor Limited managing director Anthony Prod’homme, Efinor group executive chairman Fabrice Lepotier, Edf Energy engineering director at Hinkley Point C Catherine Back, and Mr Neijun, project manager at H&E Engineering
