Barrnon

Barrnon’s early work was in the marine industry, creating exceptionally efficient and hard-wearing scallop fishing gear.

In 2009, Barrnon broadened its experience by designing and manufacturing a snack production plant which included a machine to flavour Cheesy Wotsits. In 2012, taking learning from supplying successful products into the fishing industry, Barrnon produced the conceptual design for a hydrodynamic tool called Bladecutter. Bladecutter collects thick sludge in the nuclear decommissioning sector and ever since this major success Barrnon has evolved into a company specialising in robotic engineering solutions for harsh environments, tackling the decommissioning of some of the world’s principal nuclear facilities.

When asked why Barrnon is located in the Eden Valley Andy replied, ‘Barrnon is the sort of business that could operate anywhere in the world, but I operate from Appleby as it has the right feel and fit for me. The reason for me moving back to Cumbria from Leicester was to live and work in the area, to be a positive figure in the community and make a difference. We are also geographically close to Sellafield who we work with on a regular basis which is the biggest nuclear waste site in Cumbria’.

Barrnon has worked with UK and international clients. Barrnon is a niche, highly specialised company, unusual for such a small town, and previously struggled with winning contracts due to the competition with larger businesses. In 2023, one of the company’s main areas of focus is expanding work with international clients.

Barrnon has many exciting projects in the pipeline. Despite international plans, the company supports local businesses wherever possible, making use of their products and services whenever required.

In 2021, Barrnon won the Queen’s Award for Innovation, a huge achievement, as the award is recognised in many different countries. The Queen’s Award entry was supported by several clients including the US government’s Chief Technology Office, which said: “It is very impressive to see Her Majesty the Queen recognise Barrnon, a company we partner with, in the development of retrieval technology for the Hanford nuclear reservation. Their creative and robust solutions have and continue to solve unique global problems. Congratulations on a well-deserved award.”