A new nuclear manufacturing facility in Flintshire is set to provide a major boost to the region with the creation of 200 jobs.

Boccard, the engineering, manufacturing, construction and maintenance company headquartered in Lyon, France, has unveiled its first major nuclear production facility in the UK in Broughton. 

The Boccard Broughton facility will generate 200 highly skilled jobs, of which 50 will be in the supply chain.

The facility is set to open later this week and it will provide a major boost to the Deeside region, which takes in Cheshire and Flintshire on the Wales-England border.

The company, founded in 1918 and employing 3,500 employees across operations in 35 countries worldwide, has heralded the move as supporting the renaissance of the nuclear energy industry in the UK.

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The new site, when up and running will generate enough energy to power around 6 million homes over a lifespan of more than 60 years.

Bruno Boccard, chairman and chief executive officer at Boccard said: “Our new facility in North Wales marks a major development in our more than 100-year history and forms part of our strategy to expand our nuclear business here in the UK and our European portfolio.  

“We have decided to locate our new digital state-of-the-art plant in Broughton as it is a growing focal point for the nuclear industries and therefore gives us access to a highly-skilled labour pool on our doorstep.

“Moreover, our investment will support sovereign capability manufacturing in the nuclear industry, helping to position the UK as a leading global force in the sector.” 

On opening the new facility, Nigel Cann, Hinkley Point C Delivery Director, said: “Hinkley Point C provides over 25,000 job opportunities across the UK and will invest £18 billion into the UK supply chain.

“We have strong links with Wales, with Welsh workers dominant on the construction site. The factory here at Broughton allows our partner Boccard to create quality products with a skilled workforce for Hinkley Point C and follow-on projects.

“I am very happy to be here at the start of the great opportunity this factory and the product it produces offers.”

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I’m very pleased to see Boccard investing in North Wales, which is testament to the skills and facilities we have in the region. Close to the AMRC and other partners it shows how North Wales has the opportunity to be a major strategic location for nuclear development in the UK.”