Three Year Anniversary at Hinkley Point C

Cairnhill Structures Celebrates Three Years of Supporting Hinkley Point C

Cairnhill Structures is celebrating three years of successfully supporting the delivery of Hinkley Point C (HPC), marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth within the UK nuclear sector. Since being appointed by BYLOR Joint Venture in 2023, Cairnhill has been responsible for the design, supply, fabrication, and installation of secondary steelwork across the HPC site. Over the past three years, the Cairnhill’s role has expanded to include the delivery of primary steelwork within the Reactor Building, the installation of biological plates in the Radioactive Waste Process Building (HBQ) on the Nuclear Island, and the site-wide installation of post-installation anchors (PIAs) and bird mesh across multiple buildings.

Cairnhill’s work plays a vital role in supporting the safe delivery of the project, providing platforms, walkways, ladders, handrails, guardrails, and other essential structural components that enable safe access and protection for teams working across the site. Supporting the on-site workforce of around 30–40 individuals, is Cairnhill’s wider team based at its headquarters in Coatbridge, Scotland, where engineering, detailing, fabrication, and logistics are coordinated to deliver work at HPC.

Safety As First Priority

Throughout the project, safety has remained Cairnhill’s highest priority. The company is proud to have maintained an excellent safety record, achieving zero incidents over the past three years while continuing to deliver complex engineering work across one of the UK’s largest Nuclear Power projects.

Reflecting on the milestone, Senior Project Manager Analette Mey said: “We’re all incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far. It’s great for our team to walk around site and say, ‘I’ve done that”. She added: “We deliver more than secondary steelwork – we deliver critical safety elements that help protect everyone on site.”

Speaking about the team’s safety performance, Analette said: “Our most important achievement is safety. Our team has maintained an excellent safety record, with no incidents over the past three years.”

Delivering Results

Cairnhill has consistently exceeded delivery expectations throughout its time on the project. The company successfully completed pre-enabling works in just nine months, ahead of the anticipated twelve-month deadline, while continuing to improve performance across the site. Another key achievement was securing approval for a Field Change Request within six months, introducing the replacement of painted or coated secondary steelwork with a fully galvanised solution. The change has provided a more cost-effective, long-term solution while reducing future maintenance requirements.

Looking Ahead

The experience and expertise developed through Hinkley Point C has created new opportunities for Cairnhill across the UK nuclear sector, with the company now supporting early works and bridge installations at Sizewell C. Analette explained: “We’re delivering bridge installations and early works at Sizewell C, and everything we’ve learned here is being transferred to ensure even smoother and effective delivery.”

Reflections from the Cairnhill Team

Group Managing Director Steven Hendry said:

“We’re proud of our work. Our team has created documents that were approved in a site record time, and we manufactured and completed the coating process of our first delivery within six months of order receipt. It’s a pleasure working with BYLOR and NNB in a full partnership model – collaboratively delivering this project and helping each other daily. I’d like to thank Tudor Dodoi and Baldeep Dhillon, Leigh Jenkins and our very own Analette Mey, who has been wonderful delivering this work.”

Senior Project Manager Sean McBride reflected on one of the team’s biggest successes:

“One of our biggest highlights was completing our work scope within the HT Buildings for a project milestone. With our backs against the wall, it took a huge team effort, including our site team and supply chain to hit a key milestone safely. Their commitment and flexibility made it a real buzzer-beater success. Working on the project for this length of time is something I’m very proud of. We have a great dynamic between our teams based on site and at Coatbridge with everyone playing their part, which keeps this project moving for us. It’s a fantastic team effort.”

AP/Construction Manager Tony Clarke added:

“I’d like to thank all my teammates and everyone I’ve worked with over the past three years. Their support, teamwork and commitment have made it a great place to work, and I appreciate everything we’ve achieved together. The achievement I’m most proud of is maintaining such a strong safety record while delivering the project, and it’s something that everyone involved should be proud of too.”

As Cairnhill celebrates this three-year milestone, the company looks forward to continuing its contribution to Hinkley Point C and building on its experience to support the next generation of UK nuclear infrastructure projects.