The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI) presented their Nuclear Industry Day on September 10th and 11th at the Scarborough Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada.
The two-day event brought nuclear procurement professionals, supply chain leaders, and industry executives from across Canada together to explore supply chain opportunities, strengthen nuclear culture, and discuss the priorities shaping the industry’s future. It also opened doors for suppliers to access new markets, build partnerships, and gain valuable insights from industry experts.
This new two-day format brought together some of the largest nuclear suppliers in the region and on the global stage. It was designed to connect Bruce Power and OPG teams directly with suppliers, highlighting existing partners, uncovering new ones, and creating opportunities for collaboration across the supply chain in support of Canada’s nuclear future. Day One was structured as a supplier showcase, while Day Two flipped the format: the utilities hosted their own booths, offering meet-and-greet sessions where suppliers could approach them directly. The event went off extremely well, with numerous panels across both days focusing on supply chain resilience, collaboration, and nuclear culture.
As an N285-certified supplier, Arrow Engineered Products was excited to have the opportunity to showcase our capabilities, connect with industry leaders, and have our President & CEO, Mike Ritchie, participate as a panelist. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth to learn more about Arrow Engineered Products!
Read More: Arrow EP Achieves N285 Certification
Arrow Leadership in the Spotlight: Lessons from the Field — What It Takes to Be a Successful Nuclear Supplier
Moderated by Doug Burton of DB2 Consulting, a long-standing consultant in the nuclear industry, the session featured Mike Ritchie alongside fellow panelists Jerome Horowitz, President at Brotech Precision CNC, Darryl Spector, P.Eng., PMP, President at Promation. and Jeff Blackburn, VP and GM at Exco Technologies. The group shared practical insights on what it takes to succeed as a nuclear supplier, offering candid reflections from their own experiences.
The Foundation: Culture and Mindset
Opening with a big-picture question on turning best practices into action, Mike emphasized that success in the nuclear sector comes down to attitude and culture, having the right people with the mindset of continuous improvement and perseverance.
“Nuclear is a marathon, not a sprint,” Mike noted, stressing the constant evolution of quality systems. He pointed to Arrow’s own journey, which has included progression from CSA N299.3 to N299.2, the addition of CSA N285, and now finalizing ASME Section III. Achieving and maintaining this growth, he said, has depended on having the right people in place.
Theme 1: Qualification & Standards
Reflecting on Arrow’s path through audits and certifications, Mike noted that the move from CSA N299.3 to N299.2 was relatively straightforward. Arrow has been an ASME Section VIII shop for more than 50 years, a standard that already requires rigorous systems and processes. Even with that foundation, however, adding CSA N285, part of the ASME Section III framework, demanded far more time, dollars, and resources than anticipated.
The effort was underestimated, Mike admitted, but pursuing N285 was fundamental to Arrow’s long-term strategy and vision. “It’s all about mindset,” he added, pointing to his team’s perseverance and dedication. What was initially thought to take only a few months ended up taking twice as long, but that persistence carried Arrow across the finish line.
Theme 2: Building Customer & Regulator Trust
When asked about earning credibility, Mike’s message was clear: everything Arrow does comes down to a simple but powerful principle: “Good Parts On Time.”
For Arrow, this isn’t just a slogan. It represents a cultural commitment to follow through on promises and build trust project by project. “It’s not just about saying what you’re going to do, it’s about doing what you say,” Mike explained. He added that as a vendor, credibility must be earned by proving yourself ten times over. Price, he pointed out, is often just a one-time discussion; what endures is the reputation built through quality and delivery.
On the flip side, Mike cautioned vendors against letting pride get in the way of growth. Failures, he said, must be treated as learning opportunities. In a competitive environment, practice and improvement has to be continuous and deliberate. By staying humble and committed to refinement, vendors can avoid damaging credibility and instead build stronger long-term partnerships.
Theme 3: Partnerships & Localization
On partnerships and Canadian content, Mike shared that Arrow is not afraid to partner with competitors when it means delivering for the customer. Collaboration, even among rivals, strengthens the overall supply chain and ensures commitments are met.
Reinforcing Arrow’s local presence, Mike underscored that the company is Ontario-owned and operated, and has made multiple acquisitions of strong Ontario-based companies. These moves strengthen local capacity and demonstrate Arrow’s long-term commitment to Canada’s nuclear industry.
“Nuclear is a marathon, not a race,” Mike reminded attendees, highlighting that both partnerships and localization are about playing the long game.
Read More: In The Community
Closing Reflections
In a rapid-fire conclusion, Mike summed up nuclear vendor success in one word: perseverance – with a strong nod to the leadership and dedication of his team. Asked what he wished he knew on Day 1, his answer circled back to the message that ran through all of his insights: nuclear is a marathon, not a race.
Key Takeaways
The panel offered candid reflections on what it takes to succeed as a nuclear supplier, leaving attendees with three clear lessons:
- Long-term commitment and rigorous quality are non-negotiable for nuclear suppliers
- Partnerships and a strong local presence are essential to meeting Canadian content expectations
- Trust and reputation must be earned project by project through consistent delivery
Arrow Engineered Products is proud to stand alongside Canada’s nuclear industry at a time of growth and renewal. With a strong legacy and a forward-looking vision, we are committed to being a trusted teammate in Canada’s nuclear supply chain, supporting the industry through reliable manufacturing, local partnerships, and a culture of continuous improvement. Our excitement lies in contributing to Canada’s nuclear future – project by project, part by part.
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