What James Fisher Nuclear does

James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) is a specialist nuclear engineering company and wholly-owned subsidiary of James Fisher and Sons plc, a London-listed diversified marine and nuclear services group. The company provides design, project management, manufacturing, and deployment services for nuclear decommissioning, reactor segmentation, waste retrieval, and remote inspection, serving primarily UK government clients including Sellafield Ltd, Magnox Ltd, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Internationally, JFN supplies equipment to the European Spallation Source (ESS) research facility in Sweden and has a training agreement with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

JFN's core technology portfolio is built around remote handling and robotics for high-radiation environments where human access is impossible or unsafe. The product line includes the proprietary ModuMan manipulator series (ModuMan 100, Long Reach, and Link), submersible/unmanned ground/unmanned aerial ROVs, radiation-tolerant modular electrical connectors for Hot Cell facilities, Eddy Current Inspection Tools (ECIT) for graphite core condition assessment, Advanced Graphite Trepanning Equipment (AGTE), engineered containments and gloveboxes, modular containerised systems, shielded equipment, and safety-related control systems. Supporting the product business is a project services capability delivered through two major consortia: the CNSL Consortium (a 10-year Decommissioning Delivery Partnership with Sellafield Ltd involving six partners and approximately 450 personnel, through which JFN achieved 1 million safe working hours) and the NDL Joint Venture (a multi-million pound framework with DSRL for the Dounreay decommissioning programme).

Revenue is generated through long-term framework agreements and project contracts with government and large enterprise nuclear operators, supplemented by one-off specialized equipment sales and spare parts revenue. Pricing is bespoke enterprise quotation rather than published rates. JFN operates from facilities at Preston (head office), Egremont (West Cumbria, within 5 miles of Sellafield, housing three rig halls), Bower near Thurso (2,000m2 Rig Hall acquired in 2020 to support Dounreay work), Malton (manufacturing), and Deeside (NDT services via sister company James Fisher NDT). Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales led by Sales Director Steve Tulk, with no channel or self-serve distribution; the company wins work through competitive tenders for nuclear decommissioning frameworks and project-specific bids.

Name

James Fisher Nuclear

Legal name

JFN Limited

Website

https://jfnl.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

James Fisher Nuclear is a UK-based specialist nuclear engineering subsidiary of James Fisher and Sons plc, providing remote handling systems, ROVs, radiation-tolerant equipment, and decommissioning project services to government and enterprise nuclear clients including Sellafield, Magnox, DSRL, UKAEA, and EDF-Energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Engineering and Decommissioning Services

NAICS

Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Nuclear Electric Power Generation (221113)

SIC

X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Decontamination & Dismantling (D&D) of Nuclear Facilities (EUAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Containment, Civil Structures & Modular Construction Systems (EUAKADAJ), Component Qualification, Testing & Certification (Seismic, Environmental, EMI/EMC) (EUAKADAO), Reactor Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Platforms (Safety/Non-safety, Digital Upgrades) (EUAKADAH), Reactor Protection, Safety Systems & Engineered Safeguards (ECCS, Containment Isolation) (EUAKADAI)

Keywords

• Nuclear decommissioning services
• Remote handling systems
• Radiation tolerant equipment
• Nuclear robotic inspection
• Nuclear engineering solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Nuclear Decommissioning Project Services: Design, project management, manufacturing, and deployment of remote handling systems and solutions for nuclear decommissioning projects including reactor segmentation, waste retrieval, and facility decommissioning. Revenue generated through long-term framework agreements and specific project contracts.
2. Specialized Equipment Sales: Sale of manufactured nuclear equipment including manipulators, ROVs, radiation tolerant connectors, modular containment systems, and shielded equipment. One-time product sales with potential for spare parts and replacement components.
3. Testing and Calibration Services: RPI calibration services, non-destructive testing, test and evaluation services using rig hall facilities for off-site trials and operator training.
4. Supply Chain Management: Management of specialist nuclear supply chain with stringent supplier assessment and quality control for project delivery.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

James Fisher Nuclear delivers specialist nuclear engineering products and services focused on remote handling, robotics, and decommissioning. Its offering combines proprietary hardware (ModuMan manipulator series, submersible/ground/aerial ROVs, radiation-tolerant electrical connectors, engineered containments and gloveboxes, modular containerised systems, shielded equipment, safety-related systems) with design, project management, manufacturing, RPI calibration, ROV Calibration Service (RCS), site, and test and evaluation services executed at dedicated rig hall facilities. Customers include nuclear site operators, government bodies, and international research facilities that require safe operation in high-radiation environments.

Product overview

James Fisher Nuclear is a specialist nuclear engineering company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for nuclear decommissioning, reactor segmentation, and nuclear power generation support. The core product lines include mechanical and remote handling systems (ModuMan manipulators), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for underwater, land, and aerial applications, engineered containments and gloveboxes, modular containerised systems, radiation tolerant equipment, and safety related systems. These products are complemented by design services, manufacturing services, project management, RPI calibration, site services, and test and evaluation capabilities including dedicated rig hall facilities. The company serves the nuclear industry with solutions for challenging high-radiation environments, focusing on remote handling, robotics, and decommissioning technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ModuMan 100 Manipulator system designed for remote handling operations in high-hazard nuclear environments, enabling safe execution of complex tasks in high-radiation zones.
• ModuMan Long Reach Extended-reach manipulator system for accessing difficult-to-reach areas inside nuclear facilities during decommissioning and remote handling campaigns.
• ModuMan Link Manipulator system designed for linking and connecting operations in remote handling applications in nuclear environments.
• Submersible ROVs Underwater remotely operated vehicles for inspection, manipulation, and operations in submerged nuclear environments such as fuel storage ponds and silos.
• Unmanned Ground Vehicles Land-based remotely operated vehicles for ground operations in challenging nuclear environments where personnel access is restricted.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Aerial drones for safe, reliable and cost-effective inspection operations including structural surveys of chimneys and hard-to-reach structures within nuclear sites such as Sellafield's SEP active area.
• Engineered Containments and Gloveboxes Specially designed containment systems and gloveboxes for safe handling of nuclear materials in controlled environments.
• Modular Containerised Systems Robust, deployable modular systems including breathing air systems, ventilation plant, and waste processing facilities for short-notice nuclear site deployment.
• Radiation Tolerant Equipment Equipment designed to withstand radiation environments, including modular radiation-tolerant electrical connectors for use in high-radiation Hot Cell facilities such as the ESS Active Cell Facility in Lund, Sweden.
• Radioactive Sources Radioactive source products supplied for industrial and research applications.
• Safety Related Systems High-integrity control systems and safety system design for nuclear applications, including safety case development and substantiation.
• Shielded Equipment and Facilities Specially shielded equipment and facilities for handling radioactive materials safely, including shield doors designed for the SGHWR decommissioning project at Winfrith.
• Remote Inspection Systems Remote inspection systems for visual and instrumental examination of nuclear facilities without direct human access.
• Eddy Current Inspection Tools (ECIT) Inspection tools using eddy current technology to assess the condition of graphite cores in nuclear reactors by applying electromagnetic fields to measure graphite density, developed in collaboration with EDF-Energy, Serco (now AMEC), Bloodworth Consultancy, and Manchester University.
• Robotic Handling System (RHS) for ESS Active Cells Robotic handling system designed and built by JFN with UKAEA's RACE division for the European Spallation Source (ESS) linear accelerator Active Cells, handling irradiated target station components.
• Bower Rig Hall Facility 2,000m2 testing facility near Thurso in Caithness (approximately 60m x 30m and over 16 metres high) with two 20Te overhead cranes and 1,800m2 of configurable office space across three floors, used for off-site trials and operator training on nuclear decommissioning equipment.
• Industrial X-Ray Inspection Systems Industrial X-Ray inspection equipment ranging from 160kV to 320kV for quality control and fault detection, provided via sister company James Fisher NDT.
• Non-Destructive Testing Services Non-destructive testing services delivered via sister company James Fisher NDT, covering radiography, ultrasonic, eddy current, penetrant, and magnetic particle testing, Time of Flight Diffraction, and digital radiography. UKAS and Nadcap accredited.
• Design Services Design services supporting nuclear decommissioning, remote handling, and reactor segmentation projects.
• Project Management Services Project management services for nuclear decommissioning programmes, delivered both directly and through the CNSL and NDL consortium arrangements.
• Manufacturing Services Manufacturing services supporting production of nuclear equipment including manipulators, ROVs, radiation-tolerant connectors, modular containment systems, and shielded equipment.
• RPI Calibration Services RPI calibration services for the nuclear industry.
• ROV Calibration Service (RCS) ROV Calibration Service for remotely operated vehicles used in nuclear environments.
• Site Services On-site services supporting nuclear decommissioning and remote handling campaigns including remote inspection system deployment.
• Test and Evaluation Services Test and development services executed at dedicated rig hall facilities for off-site trials and operator training prior to nuclear site deployment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 million hours without a lost-time accident achieved by CNSL consortium on Sellafield decommissioning programme
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, supporting and internal.

• UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) - RACEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with UKAEA's Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) division. JFN designing and building Robotic Handling System for ESS linear accelerator Active Cells, and supplying radiation tolerant electrical connectors for ESS Hot Cell facility. This collaboration enhances JFN's reputation in nuclear remote handling on the world stage.
• European Spallation Source (ESS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019ESS is a multi-disciplinary research facility under construction near Lund, Sweden. JFN supplying modular radiation tolerant electrical connectors and robotic handling systems for the facility's Hot Cell, which handles irradiated components from the neutron source's target station. Researchers expected to begin experiments in 2023.
• NDL (Nuclear Decommissioning Ltd) Joint VenturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018NDL is a joint venture bringing together four nuclear decommissioning businesses - JFN, Shepley Engineers, REACT Engineering, and WYG - to support Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd with a multi-million pound services framework for decommissioning Scotland's largest nuclear site on the north Caithness coast. Initial four-year framework with option to extend by up to three years.
• China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2016Training and familiarization agreement with CNNC to share expertise in nuclear decommissioning. First training session held at JFN's head office. CNNC faces similar decommissioning challenges to the UK nuclear sector. Two-way flow of shared experience and capability expected to benefit both Chinese and UK decommissioning sectors.
• CNSL (Cumbria Nuclear Solutions Ltd) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2016CNSL is a partnership of six nuclear decommissioning organizations including James Fisher Nuclear, REACT Engineering, Shepley Engineers, Jacobs Field Services, Westinghouse Electric Company, and WYG Engineering. The consortium operates under a ten-year Decommissioning Delivery Partnership (DDP) framework with Sellafield Ltd, having achieved 1 million hours without a lost-time accident. The consortium provides integrated project management, mechanical and electrical engineering, demolition, decommissioning, and robotics installation services.
• Hyde Nuclear GroupsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by JFN for manufacture of shield doors designed by JFN for the SGHWR decommissioning project. Shield doors manufactured from over 500 tonnes of low carbon, high yield strength steel, with largest single piece nearly six meters tall and weighing almost 100 tonnes.
• Lakes CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Lakes College to develop Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship programme. JFN recruited two EHSQ apprentices through this programme as part of developing future industry leaders. Collaboration demonstrates commitment to nurturing talent in the nuclear sector.
• Centre For Leadership Performance (CforLP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CforLP for Dream Placement programme, now in its fourth year. The programme gives 16-18 year olds from across Cumbria opportunity to experience engineering roles at JFN and learn about leadership from top management teams.
• James Fisher NDTinternalTechnology or IntegrationSister company providing non-destructive testing services. JF NDT has 40+ permanent staff qualified to PCN/NAS 410 or above, with UKAS and Nadcap accreditation. Main facility in Deeside near Chester with 9 fully equipped X-ray bays. Supports JFN with comprehensive radiography and inspection services.
• Manchester UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development of Eddy Current Inspection Tools (ECIT) with EDF-Energy, Serco (now AMEC), Bloodworth Consultancy, and Manchester University for assessing graphite core condition in nuclear reactors.
• Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body overseeing nuclear decommissioning programmes. NDA reviews and authorizes JFN's designs and approaches on major projects including SGHWR decommissioning at Winfrith. JFN works closely with NDA and Magnox to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AtkinsRéalis (Nuclear): AtkinsRéalis operates a large nuclear engineering and decommissioning practice in the UK, directly competing with JFN for high-value framework contracts at Sellafield, NDA, and other UK nuclear sites.
• Jacobs Field Services: Jacobs is the largest global engineering services firm with a dedicated nuclear decommissioning practice and is also a CNSL Consortium partner alongside JFN, making it both a competitor and a consortium peer.
• Westinghouse Electric Company (UK Nuclear Services): Westinghouse is a CNSL Consortium partner and a much larger nuclear services incumbent with global reactor and decommissioning capabilities, providing direct competition on consortium work and broader nuclear service contracts.
• Orano (Orano Decommissioning Services): Orano is one of Europe's largest nuclear decommissioning specialists with a dedicated decommissioning business unit, comparable to JFN in remote handling, robotics, and high-radiation intervention work across an international portfolio.

Direct peers

• Studsvik (Studsvik UK): Studsvik is a Nordic-headquartered nuclear services firm offering decommissioning, fuel services, and remote handling technology, directly comparable to JFN's radiation-tolerant connectors and manipulator offerings in the UK and European markets.
• Cavendish Nuclear (Babcock International): Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International, is the largest UK-based nuclear services contractor and JFN's principal direct competitor for decommissioning, remote handling, and site services across Sellafield, Magnox, and DSRL contracts.
• REACT Engineering: REACT Engineering is a fellow CNSL consortium partner working alongside JFN on the Sellafield Decommissioning Delivery Partnership, with overlapping remote-handling and decommissioning capabilities in the UK nuclear sector.
• Nuvia (Vinci Construction): Nuvia, a Vinci subsidiary, offers nuclear decommissioning, remote handling, radiation protection, and site services across the UK nuclear estate, directly competing with JFN for framework agreements at Sellafield, DSRL, and Magnox sites.
• Shepley Engineers: Shepley Engineers is another CNSL Consortium partner and NDL joint-venture member with JFN, providing mechanical, electrical, and decommissioning services in UK nuclear sites, making it a directly comparable competitor on the same frameworks.

Emerging players

• Holtec International (Decommissioning): Holtec International offers specialised decommissioning technologies and remote tooling for nuclear sites; though more US-rooted, it competes for high-radiation intervention and decommissioning contracts that overlap with JFN's manipulator and ROV work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JFNuclear
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaIsbUqdpK2eRH35FyZExig
• Facebookfacebook.com/JamesFisherNuclear

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about James Fisher Nuclear