A pioneering Cumbrian engineering company is to host innovators from around the world for a showcase of cutting-edge technologies designed to solve complex nuclear challenges.

Forth Engineering will host a Nuclear Technology Showcase for global firm Atkins at its base in Flimby on Wednesday (September 18).

It will attract experts from as far afield as USA, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Spain, as well as from across the UK, eager to learn more about some of the latest developments in the sector.

Atkins said it had chosen Forth Engineering to help shine the spotlight on a leading SME in its field – bringing their innovations, as well its own, to the attention of its clients from around the world.

Dr Leanne Cowie, graduate project manager for Atkins Nuclear and Power in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said the event was set to attract a large number of its nuclear and energy clients, and explained the rationale around Forth’s involvement.

“This is a great opportunity to see how Atkins’ technological and digital capabilities can add value to projects, to see our products in action, and a chance to network with subject matter experts from across the field,” she said.

“Atkins has a collaborative relationship with a number of companies where we use their facilities to test products.

“Working with SMEs like Forth is beneficial for everyone. It helps them, it helps us, and it helps the community.”

Forth Engineering has already established itself as a leader in nuclear decommissioning, but in the past few years ramped up its diversification into oil and gas and is targeting new opportunities in renewable energy. It has also opened up a dedicated base in Barrow, to add to its headquarters in Flimby and base at Leconfield, Cleator Moor.

Its managing director, Mark Telford, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Atkins and look forward to welcoming these pioneering companies and attendees to showcase some of the world’s most advanced digital technology.

“It’s a real coup for Cumbria to be hosting such an event, and we thank Atkins for helping us showcase that this part of the world is home to SMEs, such as Forth and others, who have the expertise to help provide innovative solutions to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges in the nuclear industry, and other industries, around the globe.”

Forth technology set to feature includes its Avexis robot, a small and light remotely operated vehicle currently aiding the clean-up of one of the most hazardous areas of the Sellafield site, the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo.

Delegates will be able to take a virtual reality tour through a CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) nuclear reactor and delve into an immersive 3D trip courtesy of Igloo Vision, which has developed technology that allows 12 people to enter a 360-degree visualised environment.

They will also be able to get up close to a specialist robotic arm developed by robotics company Kinova, designed to access areas where people are unable to reach, and see a demonstration of Spinionic – which uses Rotating Bed Reactor technology to process liquid radioactive waste in contaminated tanks which significantly speeds up the clean-up process.

There will also be displays highlighting the latest advancements in 3D printing and modelling and drone technology.