Ajax, Ontario, Nov. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) held its Annual General Meeting, Awards Lunch and AGM Conference on November 27^th at the Ajax Convention Centre in Ajax Ontario. The AGM Conference on "Nuclear Innovation and Medical Isotopes Saving Lives" discussed new technologies for producing a variety of medical isotopes in power reactors as well as in cyclotron facilities in Canada.  

Keynote speaker Mr. Rencheck shared Bruce Power’s long-term vision on nuclear innovation and plan to invest almost $13 B in the Bruce reactors to ensure that the Bruce Site continues to supply reliable, cost-effective and non-GHG emitting electricity for homes, businesses and hospitals in Ontario up to 2064. Mike also spoke to the 150 OCNI members and guests attending the Awards Lunch about the importance of strong collaboration across the nuclear supply chain to ensure that the nuclear industry continues to innovate and attract the best young talent. James Scongack, Bruce Power’s EVP of Corporate Affairs and Operational Services then spoke about the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and its mandate to inform the public and government decision-makers about how the Canadian nuclear industry impacts millions of lives in Canada and around the world by producing medical isotopes that keep our hospitals safe and effectively treat cancer.

OCNI President Ron Oberth also presented a $1000 cheque to Janette Berthelot, Children’s & Pediatric Cancer Program Coordinator at the Oshawa Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, to help with the amazing support that the centre provides for young cancer patients and their families in Durham Region.

The 2018 OCNI Supplier Excellence Award winners were also announced at Awards Lunch.  “I am proud to recognize OCNI member companies for their achievements exemplifying the strength and depth of Canada’s nuclear supply chain.” said OCNI President and CEO Ron Oberth in announcing the three awards. The award winners, as selected by the OCNI Awards Committee, are:

• Export Award: BWXT Canada for delivering world-leading nuclear products and services to customers in Argentina, China, France, Romania, South Korea including a 2017 shipment of two 500 tonne steam-generators to a customer in the USA;

• Innovation Award: ATS Automation for developing innovative tooling and a high fidelity MCR Integration facility in Cambridge that will ensure safe and cost-effective execution of the Bruce MCR Program;

• Customer Service Award: Promation Nuclear for consistently exceeding customer expectations in designing and delivering high-quality tooling, automation and robotic systems to the nuclear industry to customers

OCNI is also pleased to announce that James Gandhi of Aecon Nuclear has been elected as Chair of its Board of Directors. OCNI members also approved the appointment of three new directors and three returning directors to the 13-person Board.  The full list of OCNI directors for 2018-19 includes:

• James Gandhi, Aecon Nuclear, Chair
• Doug Burton, DB2 Consulting, Vice-Chair
• Brian Agnew, Mirion Technologies Canada, Treasurer
• Elizabeth Buckmaster, Hatch, Secretary – newly appointed
• Desiree Norwegian, Abraflex– newly appointed
• Doug Brophy, AECOM- newly appointed
• Jack Scott, Alberici Constructors
• Narinder Bains, ATS Automation
• Benoit Parent, Cummins Canada
• Michele Cheng-Newson, Lakeside Process Controls
• Jun Tang, BWXT Canada  
• Ahab Abdel-Aziz, Gowling WLG
• Yung Hoang, Kinectrics

Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) is an association of more than 220 Canadian suppliers to the nuclear industry that employ more than 14,000 highly skilled and specialized engineers, technologists, and trades people. OCNI companies design reactors, manufacture major equipment and components, and provide engineering services and support to CANDU nuclear power plants in Canada as well as to CANDU and Light Water Reactor (LWR) plants in offshore markets.

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• OCNI AGM and Awards Lunch News Release - November 2018 R2

Marina Oeyangen
Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries
9058390073
marina.oeyangen@ocni.ca

Ron Oberth
Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries
9058390073
ron.oberth@ocni.ca