New made-in-Ontario tooling to support Bruce Power operations for decades to come

CAMBRIDGE, ON, July 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Bruce Power's maintenance and inspection activities will be enhanced through a new, state-of-the-art tooling system unveiled today by a coalition of respected Ontario-based companies that have used innovation to drive the province's nuclear industry forward by meeting the operational needs of the Bruce Power site.

"Ontario's nuclear facilities provide reliable and clean electricity. Innovation within the industry is a key driver of jobs and economic growth throughout the province," said Charles Sousa, Ontario's Minister of Finance, who was in attendance at the event. "Improving affordability and competitiveness is also key and that is why our government is committed to the refurbishment of the Bruce Power and Darlington units as part of Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan."

The Bruce Reactor Inspection and Maintenance System (BRIMS) tool is being unveiled today at ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. in Cambridge and will be shipped in the coming days by ATS to Bruce Power where it will make its debut during Bruce Power's planned outages for the balance of 2015.

"It's so encouraging to see innovation and collaboration at work sustaining jobs and economic benefits in our community and across the province," said Kathryn McGarry, MPP for Cambridge. "I'm proud of the role our local industry is playing in providing clean, affordable and reliable nuclear energy for Ontario now and in the future."

The BRIMS automated tooling system is the result of a multi-company collaboration involving Bruce Power, ATS Automation, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., BWXT Canada Ltd., Candu Energy Inc. a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada.

"We are proud to be part of this important initiative for Bruce Power, a valued ATS customer," said Anthony Caputo, CEO, ATS Automation. "ATS automation solutions are at the core of mission critical processes across a wide variety of industries. We have applied our knowledge in this case to provide a very cost-effective way of inspecting and maintaining nuclear reactors."

Bruce Power provides 30 per cent of Ontario's electricity at 30 per cent below the average price and its operations inject more than $4 billion into Ontario's economy every year. Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan is counting on Bruce Power's eight units to supply clean, reliable electricity for decades to come.

"This is an example of the nuclear industry's incredible innovation and Bruce Power is proud to be at the forefront of this world-class technology to ensure we continue to deliver clean, affordable, reliable electricity to Ontario families and business," said Duncan Hawthorne, President and CEO Bruce Power. "This new tooling builds on lessons learned from years of operation allowing for more effective execution of our inspection and maintenance activities that we carry-out on a planned basis through maintenance outages."

"The city of Cambridge congratulates all the companies involved in this successful project," said Doug Craig, Mayor of Cambridge. "Our community is proud of the role businesses like ATS Automation and BWXT Canada play in the global nuclear energy supply chain and it's encouraging to see what is possible when Ontario-based companies collaborate."

About ATS

ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. ATS uses its extensive knowledge base and global capabilities in custom automation, repeat automation, automation products and value-added services including pre-automation and after-sales services to address the sophisticated manufacturing automation systems and service needs of multinational customers in markets such as life sciences, chemicals, consumer products, electronics, food, beverage, transportation, energy, and oil and gas. Founded in 1978, ATS employs approximately 3,500 people at 26 manufacturing facilities and 47 offices in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and China. The Company's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.

About Bruce Power

Bruce Power operates the world's largest operating nuclear generating facility and is the source of roughly 30 per cent of Ontario's electricity. The company's site in Tiverton, Ontario is home to eight CANDU reactors, each one capable of generating enough low-cost, reliable, safe and clean electricity to meet the annual needs of a city the size of Hamilton. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an all-Canadian partnership among Borealis Infrastructure Management (a division of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), TransCanada, the Power Workers' Union and the Society of Energy Professionals. A majority of Bruce Power's employees are also owners in the business.

SOURCE ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.

For further information: ATS: Eric Kiisel, Senior Vice President Energy, 519 653-6500; Maria Perrella, Chief Financial Officer, 519 653-6500; Bruce Power: John Peevers, 519-361-6583, [email protected]