Truro-based Devoran Metals (www.devoran-metals.co.uk) has become the first reinforced-steel company in the UK to achieve Fit for Nuclear (F4N) status, which is intended to help UK manufacturing companies bid for work in the civil nuclear-energy supply chain (including decommissioning work).

Managing director Richard Orsman said: “Having F4N status means we have benchmarked our performance against the standards demanded by the civil nuclear industry’s top tiers.

"We are one of only two companies in Cornwall to have received F4N recognition, and we are committed to driving continuous improvement in all areas.

"The team’s hard work has seen vast improvements in the areas of quality management, lean-manufacturing techniques and health and safety.”

F4N industrial advisor Mark Knowlton said: “It was obvious from the start that the Devoran team were fully committed to the F4N programme.

"During each of my visits, there was clear evidence of progress, as they completed the necessary improvements identified by using the F4N Business Excellence tool.”