Hampshire nuclear company bought by French engineering giant

The deal for Gravatom, which has three branches in Hampshire employing 125 people, is expected to create more high skilled jobs in the region.

Bosses have also pledged to encourage more apprenticeships for local youngsters.

Gravatom, which has bases in Bishopstoke and Fareham and a turnover of £9m, now becomes part of the £147m turnover technology division of the France based ONET Group.

The division, which employs 2,000 people, is the leading decommissioning contractor in the world-leading French nuclear industry.

The sale of UK nuclear expertise abroad follows the £12.5 billion sale of British Energy, which runs the country’s eight nuclear plants, to the French government controlled EDF Energy.

Dominique Mouillot, president of ONET Technologies, said the deal was triggered by government plans to replace the UK’s ageing nuclear reactors, which supply 20 per cent of the nation’s electricity.

She said: “ONET Technologies has acquired Gravatom as part of an ambitious strategy to expand in the UK and exploit the opportunities for nuclear decommissioning and new build.

“Gravatom’s capabilities, coupled with ONET Technologies’ experience of decommissioning and new build in France, provides a perfect union to take the business forward and become a major player in the UK nuclear industry.

“It is our intention to increase human resources at the new company, by hiring about 30 people in 2009 across a range of disciplines; engineers, shop floor workers and administration, at junior and senior level.”

The company does not plan to bring French engineers to the UK and is expected to boost ties with local schools and universities in order to encourage apprenticeships.

Gravatom’s managing director, Dave Barker, said: “Becoming part of ONET will drive our business forward internationally.

“Importantly, it presents a huge opportunity to exploit the Sellafield decommissioning programme and the dismantling of Magnox graphite reactors.”