Connecting UK industry with the global Big Science market, providing support, securing contracts & promoting innovation.
We support the UK supply chain to the international research infrastructure funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), including CERN, the European Spallation Source (ESS), European Southern Observatory (ESO), European Synchrotron Radiation Source (ESRF), European XFEL, FAIR, Institut Laue Langevin (ILL) and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory. (SKAO),
Interested in Big Science procurement? Start preparing now. BSBF2026 takes place in October, and successful participation begins months in advance.
Big Science procurement follows long planning cycles and demanding technical standards. Companies that perform well are those that engage early and prepare deliberately. BSO hosted visits offer insight into procurement frameworks and future needs. BSBF2026 itself is another strategic milestone.
Which products or services should you put forward? Which experts from your team should attend? What references or technical material best demonstrate your added value?
Preparation today strengthens your position tomorrow. Stay informed about upcoming visits, milestones and practical updates. Subscribe via “Keep me posted” 👉🏻 https://www.bsbf2026.org/#BSBF2026#BigScience#Procurement#ResearchInfrastructure#IndustryCollaboration
CERN's industry webinars are a great way for UK companies to gain a better understanding of the requirements of #BigScience facilities, their procurement processes and future opportunities - sign up now!
To deliver world-class science, CERN works with companies of all sizes and sectors. Each year, hundreds of calls for tenders invite suppliers from its Member and Associate Member States to contribute their expertise and innovation to CERN’s mission. 🔬
💻 Join our online Industry Webinar to learn how your company can take part in upcoming business opportunities at CERN, whether you’re new to our procurement process or already familiar with it.
📌 The webinar will cover:
• How CERN’s procurement process works and how we engage with our industrial partners
• What CERN typically buys and its forthcoming needs
• How to register your company and stay informed
• Live Q&A with CERN procurement officers
Whether you represent an SME or a larger company, this session offers practical insights to help you understand how to do business with CERN and how to position your company effectively.
📅 Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026
🕙 Time: 14:00 – 16:00 (CEST)
🔗 Full agenda and registration: https://lnkd.in/e6qJv8jq#BusinessWithCERN#PublicProcurement#SupplierOpportunities#ScienceAndTechnology#EuropeanIndustry#SME#BigScience
CERN’s Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS)
Around the clock, every day of the week, an almost 50-strong team of firefighters at CERN representing more than 15 nationalities keeps people safe, minimises damage to the environment and property, and protects the continuity of CERN's operations.
This week I had the honour of joining the CERN Fire and Rescue Service to welcome four graduated firefighters (from Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sweden) and two new, state-of-the-art vehicles (from the UK).
It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the critical work that CERN’s Fire and Rescue Service undertakes to keep CERN safe and protect personnel, especially as we prepare to move into the demanding and important phase of Long Shutdown 3. The event on Friday was also a belated celebration of Saint Florian’s Day - named after the patron saint of firefighters, chimney sweeps and soap makers.
CERN’s firefighters are a remarkable force that works closely with local fire and rescue services in France and Switzerland to enhance safety measures. In true CERN spirit, they also carry out research to develop innovative tactics tailored to our unique needs and share it with the firefighting community.
I thank the CFRS for their incredible work and a truly memorable visit - sitting in the new Fire Engine was a big highlight for me!
In the weeks ahead, BSBF2026 brings companies directly onto the sites of major European research infrastructures through two BSO hosted visits:
European Spallation Source ERIC, Lund – 2 June 2026
Explore how neutron science translates into concrete procurement needs across engineering, cryogenics, controls and advanced manufacturing.
European XFEL & DESY, Hamburg – 15 June 2026
Engage with leadership and procurement, gain insight into photon science facilities and European collaboration frameworks, and see how large scale upgrades create industrial opportunities.
Both visits offer something that no brochure can provide, direct exchange with technical and procurement experts, and first hand understanding of scale and complexity.
Places are limited and subject to approval. Registrations will be closing soon. Check availability and register via the BSBF2026 platform
https://lnkd.in/eNU3qxhK#BSBF2026#BigScience#ESS#EuropeanXFEL#DESY#ResearchInfrastructure
As part of CERN's ongoing accelerator upgrade programme, a new milestone has been reached in the production of POLARIS power converters, with Jäger Elektrotechnik GmbH 🇩🇪 delivering the first units ahead of full series manufacturing.🛠️
POLARIS is a new family of modular power converters developed at CERN, with built-in energy storage for recovering energy in highly inductive magnet cycling applications. The smallest configuration, the POLARIS S with a single Power Brick, delivers up to 400 A / 150 kW at peak, while the largest, the POLARIS 4P with four parallel Power Bricks, delivers up to 1,600 A / 600 kW, enabling scalable operation across a wide range of magnet configurations.⚡
In total, the project will require the production of 400 power converters built into 1,400 19-inch racks and 3,000 energy storage units. These will be deployed primarily as part of the North Area Consolidation (NA-CONS) project at the CERN Prévessin site. Under the coordination of Yacine Kadi and Thomas Zickler, this two-phased renovation of the North Area experimental zone, originally built in the 1970s for the Super Proton Synchrotron (#SPS) programme, will ensure long-term reliability, meet modern safety standards, and enable new physics experiments complementary to high-energy colliders. ⚛️ POLARIS converter racks are also being deployed for the renovation of CERN's injector chain, most notably for the SPS consolidation and the HI-ECN3 project.
💬 Reflecting on this collaboration, Robert Jäger, Managing Director of Jäger Elektrotechnik GmbH said:
“We are proud of our collaboration with CERN and are pleased to contribute our expertise and know-how to this demanding and exciting project. This project underlines our ability to successfully deliver large and complex projects as a capable and reliable partner. The close collaboration with CERN also enables us to continuously develop our technological expertise and gain valuable insights from a highly innovative research environment. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.”
With around 100 POLARIS S converters already delivered and integrated into 200 racks, representing approximately one quarter of the total contracted volume, the programme is well underway.
👏 Congratulations to the teams involved: Ivan Josifovic, Frederic Daligaut, Stephane Reignier, Damien Bréthoux, Gilles Le Godec, Valerie Montabonnet, Andrea Musso
Our latest case study - Tesla Engineering Ltd. Engineering Ltd - Making Magnets from accelerators to MRI machine
Tesla Engineering Ltd, based in Southeast England, were founded in 1973 specifically to design and manufacture magnets for early particle accelerators, particularly CERN. Now the business covers the design and manufacture of resistive magnets, gradient coils for MRI machines and superconducting magnets for cutting edge research facilities, along with specialist industrial applications.
This is a fascinating example of how doing Business with CERN can lead to much wider impact than just delivering the contract. As Andy Ralston, Sales Manager, says,
"Our expertise, developed specifically for particle physics applications, is now recognised globally in science, industrial and medical markets, and increasingly in supplying advanced superconducting magnets for emerging markets such as nuclear fusion, renewable energy sources, semi-conductor processing and cancer therapy.”
If your UK company is interested in benefitting from the #BigScience#SupplyChain, STFC's UK Industrial Liaison Office is here to help. Contact us to find out what support we can offer.
Richard Farrow | Julie Perrin | Sara Fletcherhttps://lnkd.in/e9rQN9Mt
On 15 June 2026, join the combined BSO hosted visit to European XFEL and DESY and engage directly with decision makers and technical leaders.
At XFEL, you will meet the managing directors, hear from the Head of Procurement on regulations, and briefly introduce your company during the industrial participant round. The visit includes access to the Experimental Hall, offering a close view of the operational environment behind one of Europe’s most advanced photon facilities.
At DESY, the programme highlights the LEAPS network and European collaboration projects through LEAPS INNOV and LEAPS TECH, followed by guided tours in small groups for in depth exchange.
Participation is limited to 15 approved participants. Early registration is therefore strongly recommended! Registration deadline: 7 June 2026.
Secure your place and join the dialogue in Hamburg
https://lnkd.in/eNU3qxhK#BSBF2026#BigScience#EuropeanXFEL#DESY#PhotonScience#ResearchInfrastructure
🔬Two facilities, one day, European XFEL and DESY on 15 June 2026
BSBF2026 invites company representatives to visit European XFEL in the morning and DESY in the afternoon during one combined BSO hosted visit.
At European XFEL, discover how a 3.4 kilometer X ray free electron laser enables research at atomic scale. Meet the managing directors, hear directly from the Head of Procurement about regulations, and introduce your company during a short participant round.
At DESY, gain insight into photon science, the LEAPS network, and European collaboration projects with strong industrial engagement, followed by guided tours in small groups.
Check out the industrial opportunities for both research facilities and confirm your participation ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gQqm9Zya#BSBF2026#BigScience#EuropeanXFEL#DESY#ResearchInfrastructure
