24.6.2025 | Compliance

With the UK Government officially committing £14.2 billion to the Sizewell C nuclear power station this month, another firm step towards the announcement of the Final Investment Decision (FID) has been made. The pre-construction phase has well and truly begun, with early preparation works underway, including the continued development of the Orwell Logistics Park in Ipswich. Across Suffolk and beyond, businesses are eager to play their part.

But with opportunity comes a clear challenge: how do local suppliers convert interest into contracts?

For an increasing number of companies, an answer to this conundrum lies with VARTAN, a consultancy based in Felixstowe that’s rapidly becoming the go-to strategic partner for companies determined to participate in the Sizewell C supply chain arena.

Turning Aspiration into Action

Sizewell C will be one of the most complex infrastructure projects the UK has ever undertaken. At the project’s peak, approximately 10,000 workers will be on site, with precise scheduling, rigorous safety standards, and sustainability goals built into every contract. With rail and sea freight prioritised over road transport, ‘Logistics’ will play a critical role.

“The scale is exciting, but it’s not business as usual,” says Miles Vartan, Managing Director of VARTAN. “Sizewell C requires companies to operate at a standard that is the same as when working on critical national infrastructure projects; whether it’s documentation, health, safety & welfare advice, environmental compliance, or simply how reliably they can deliver to schedule – It’s our job to get them there.”

The VARTAN Way: Preparing the Supply Chain

The company’s structured approach, known as The VARTAN Way, is already helping many organisations bridge the gap between ambition and operational readiness.

Through bespoke Discovery Audits and Strategic Reviews, VARTAN works with businesses to:

• Ensure all people working on the project are kept safe at all times by applying a set of innovative techniques, including compelling safety films – these films make sure that all employees know how to look after themselves …. and then apply this knowledge on a minute-by-minute, day-by-day basis
• Identify capability gaps across logistics, quality, and compliance
• Implement ISO and safety systems aligned with Sizewell requirements
• Support internal teams with document creation and audit preparation
• Ensure readiness for pre-qualification and tendering processes

Where others offer generic advice, VARTAN delivers sector-specific, project-focused support based on direct engagement with Sizewell C stakeholders and experience gained over the last 12 years from the EDF announcement relating to the building of HPC and SZC to the present day.

Not Just a Nuclear Project – A Regional Catalyst

The Sizewell C development will impact supply chains across the East of England. Port operators, haulage firms, site service providers, maintenance specialists, and equipment suppliers are all in scope, but few are fully prepared.

“Everyone’s excited about the opportunity, and rightly so,” says Miles Vartan. “But the reality is that opportunity doesn’t mean access. There’s a significant difference between expressing interest and being contract-ready. That’s where we come in.”

With the SZC North Plaza, working in sync with The Orwell Logistics Park, set to become a centralised on-site logistics hub for the project, strict controls are being implemented on everything from site entry to emissions reporting. Suppliers will need to meet more than just price and availability requirements. They’ll need to demonstrate consistency, compliance, and clarity.

Time Is Ticking

While Sizewell C’s construction timeline stretches over a decade, many contract decisions are being made now. Companies that delay their preparations risk missing out on initial, and often critical, phases of the build.

To help businesses move swiftly, VARTAN offers a Discovery Audit: a rapid, structured review that pinpoints a business’s current standing and outlines a clear path to Sizewell C alignment.

“It’s not about adding bureaucracy,” says Miles. “It’s about removing doubt. When you sit in front of a procurement team, you need to show you’re ready to deliver. We help make sure you can do just that.”

A Local Partner with National Vision

As the region rallies around Sizewell C, VARTAN is uniquely positioned. With deep roots in Suffolk and a proven track record in infrastructure logistics, the company continues to support both SMEs and larger operators in stepping up to this challenge through direct engagement with the project’s key players.

For those looking to go beyond aspiration, the message is clear: The VARTAN Way is the bridge between interest and implementation.