Rolls-Royce SMR has launched a new Supplier Programme giving UK businesses the chance to bid for up to £1.4 billion of contracts over the next year. For British manufacturers it is one of the most significant supply chain opportunities in years. For Custom Labels, it is a welcome reminder of our own work in the UK nuclear sector, and of why the right asset tag matters so much in these environments.
The Supplier Programme
The programme will support Rolls-Royce SMR and Great British Energy Nuclear (GBE-N) as they target more than 70% UK content for the Gwyndod project, on the coast of Ynys Môn (Anglesey) in North Wales.
It follows the agreement signed with Great British Energy Nuclear in April 2026, which paved the way for SMRs to be delivered in the UK. The opportunity also extends well beyond Britain. Rolls-Royce SMR has won every competitively tendered SMR selection process in Europe, with further contracts in the Czech Republic and its selection to deliver plants in Sweden. For suppliers who get involved now, that could open the door to export work as well.
Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic described the company as "the UK's aerospace and nuclear champion". He said its progress on small modular reactors has created a major opportunity for British businesses, with high-skilled jobs and stronger UK energy security as a result.
A Track Record of Buying British
This is not a company that is new to working with UK suppliers. Since it was formed in 2021, Rolls-Royce SMR has spent over £300M with UK based suppliers, equivalent to 88% of its total spend to date, held three UK supplier events and formally engaged with more than 650 UK businesses.
The new programme builds on that. Rolls-Royce SMR plans to offer suppliers targeted support, long-term visibility of upcoming opportunities and strategic partnerships. The aim is a UK supply chain that can deliver at scale and support a significant export programme.
Our Experience in UK Nuclear
Custom Labels has supplied Balfour Beatty with our UltraTuff asset tags for use at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station here in Somerset. Balfour Beatty is also Rolls-Royce's construction partner on the expansion of its Submarines site at Raynesway in Derby, which we covered in an earlier blog.
UltraTuff was chosen for its increased resistance to abrasion, chemicals and general abuse, and for how well it performs outdoors. It is available in silver metallised or white polyester, with a hard textured, heavy-duty polycarbonate top layer that protects barcodes and graphics. A high-performance 3M adhesive gives a long-term bond once cured, so the tag lasts for years in a harsh nuclear environment.
Trusted Across British Industry
Balfour Beatty is one of many major British organisations that rely on Custom Labels. Our customer base stretches across the sectors that will shape the UK's nuclear future, from defence and engineering to energy and infrastructure.
In defence, we work with the Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Babcock and Serco. BAE Systems and Babcock play central roles in building and supporting the Royal Navy's submarine fleet. In energy, our customers include EDF, the company behind Hinkley Point C, and British Gas. On the infrastructure side, we count Kier, BAM, Murphy and Network Rail among the businesses we supply.
Beyond engineering, our labels can be found with some of Britain's best-known names, including Barbour, JLR, McLaren, British Airways, the BBC and the Co-op.
These organisations have very different labelling needs, but they share the same expectations of a supplier. They need accuracy, consistency and products that perform exactly as specified. As a UK manufacturer and proud member of Made in Britain, we believe that is exactly the kind of supply chain Rolls-Royce SMR is setting out to build.
Why Nuclear Environments Demand More from a Label
Every valve, panel, housing and piece of plant on a nuclear site needs to be identified clearly and traceably, often for decades. Maintenance records, inspection regimes and safety procedures all depend on those identifiers remaining readable.
This is where many so-called "ultra durable" tags fall short. Most are laminated polyester, with a protective film applied over the print. The edge of that film is the weak point. Once it lifts, moisture and chemicals reach the print underneath, and the label starts to fade or peel. Polyester is a solid choice for indoor IT and office equipment, but it was never engineered for heavy industrial or outdoor plant.
Introducing the Ultimate MAX Asset Tag™
For assets facing the most extreme conditions, we have gone further still. The new Ultimate MAX Asset Tag™ builds on our Ultimate Asset Tag™, which is made from 250-micron polycarbonate with the graphic printed beneath the surface rather than on top. Ultimate MAX doubles that thickness to 500 microns.
Because the print is sealed under the polycarbonate, there is no exposed layer for abrasion, chemicals or aggressive cleaning to strip away. The polycarbonate itself provides the protection, rather than a coating sitting on top of it.
It is the thickest, most abrasion-resistant non-metal tag Custom Labels has ever produced. It is built for aviation, construction, utilities, manufacturing and marine environments, and is rated for resistance to UV exposure, chemicals, aggressive cleaning and saltwater.
Specification snapshot:
- Thickness: 500-micron polycarbonate, double the standard Ultimate
- Print method: Under-surface printing, sealed beneath the polycarbonate
- Finish options: High Gloss or Textured Velvet
- Adhesive: High-performance 3M™ acrylic adhesive, 60 or 130 micron depending on the surface, curing over around 72 hours to form a permanent bond
- Surface suitability: Flat surfaces only
Because Ultimate MAX is rigid, it is best matched to flat panels, housings and machine bodies. For curved pipework or rounded equipment, the standard Ultimate remains the better fit.
Ready for the Next Generation of UK Nuclear
We have manufactured labels and asset tags at our facility in Bridgwater, Somerset, since 1997. We hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation, we are proud members of Made in Britain, and every order goes through in-house quality control before it leaves us. As the UK nuclear supply chain grows, we are well placed to support the businesses delivering it, just as we already support many of the organisations at the heart of British defence, energy and infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rolls-Royce SMR Supplier Programme? It is a programme giving UK businesses the opportunity to bid for up to £1.4 billion of contracts over the next year, supporting the delivery of small modular reactors including the Gwyndod project in North Wales.
What is a small modular reactor? A small modular reactor, or SMR, is a nuclear power station built from factory-made modules. This allows faster and more predictable construction than a traditional large-scale plant.
What asset tags has Custom Labels supplied for nuclear environments? We have supplied our UltraTuff asset tags to Balfour Beatty for use at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.
Which organisations use Custom Labels asset tags? Our customers include the Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Babcock, EDF, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Network Rail, JLR and Barbour, alongside many other organisations across defence, energy, infrastructure and retail.
What is the difference between UltraTuff, Ultimate and Ultimate MAX? UltraTuff is a heavy-duty tag with a polycarbonate top layer, suited to harsh indoor and outdoor use. The Ultimate is 250-micron solid polycarbonate with the print sealed beneath the surface, and suits flat and curved surfaces. Ultimate MAX doubles that to 500 microns for the most extreme environments, and is for flat surfaces only.
Why do laminated polyester tags fail in harsh environments? The protective film can lift at the edges, especially on curved or flexing surfaces. That lets moisture and chemicals reach the print underneath, causing it to fade or peel.
Can the tags include barcodes and serial numbers? Yes. Our asset tags can include your logo, sequential numbering, barcodes, QR codes and Datamatrix codes.
Talk to Us About Your Project
If you are preparing to work in nuclear, energy or heavy infrastructure and need asset tags that will last, our team is here to help. Call 01278 433800, email sales@customlabels.co.uk, or explore our heavy-duty asset tag range online.
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