Last updated 19:29, Thursday, 27 November 2008

WORKINGTON’S Gravatom nuclear design and manufacturing company has signed a deal with France’s leading decommissioning outfit that could see its turnover crash through the £1m mark.

Gravatom, of St Helen’s Business Park, has linked up with ONET Technologies, which has a UK base at the Westlakes Science Park, near Whitehaven.

Gravatom hopes the agreement will see its turnover at its St Helen’s Business Park plant double from £500,000 to £1m.

Dave Barker, Gravatom managing director Dave Barker, said: “We have been impressed with the portfolio of decommissioning projects handled by ONET Technologies over the past 30 years in France, where they have a reputation for getting things done.

“By working together we aim to make serious inroads into accelerating the decommissioning programme at Sellafield to the benefit of the local economy and the national interest.

“We fully expect to double our turnover from the Workington facility this year.”

The deal will allow ONET to link up with the University of Cumbria and colleges to offer training and jobs to youngsters.

Frederic Ballarin, ONET executive manager, said: “This region is a key area for the future energy market. We definitely see West Cumbria as the UK centre for nuclear excellence in the near future.”