World’s largest foodservice company Sysco says Sri Lanka is its heartbeat

Sysco Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer Tom Peck

• Fortune 500 company with $ 76 b in revenue has doubled technology staff in two years
• Marking 10 years of operations in Sri Lanka with over 1,000 employees, commits to invest further in capacity and capabilities
• Sets up Sysco Cyber security Operations Centre in Colombo buttressing existing Sysco Technology’s Global 24x7 Operations Command Centre and Sysco’s e-Commerce platforms and operations
• Stresses SL operation is “mission critical” as Sysco eyes greater share in $ 1 t global food market
• Sysco LABS awarded Best Exporter Award in ICT sector at Presidential Export Awards for both 2021/22 and 2022/23

A Fortune 500 company and world’s largest foodservice company Sysco says its Sri Lanka operations is “mission critical” and growing two times faster prompting more investments in capacity and capabilities.

Locally known as Sysco LABS and established in 2013, over the past decade and since fully acquired in 2017 it has grown to become Sysco’s largest Global In-House Centre playing a critical technology role to the Group’s 72,000 colleagues, 325 distribution centres and over 725,000 customer locations worldwide.

With $ 76 billion in revenues and ranked within top 60 Fortune companies, Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare, and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home.

Sysco International includes operations in the Bahamas, Ireland, Costa Rica, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Luxembourg, Panama, and Belgium while Sysco’s 16 SYGMA operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to chain restaurant customer locations.“Sysco Labs is mission critical. It is about 50% of my global employee base. It supports our corporate strategy, which we call the recipe for growth, to grow 1 .5 times faster than the market,” said Sysco Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer Tom Peck recently in an interview with the Daily FT. Sysco LABS employee base is over 1,000.

“We do it with great sales tools, great e -commerce tools, great supply chain tools, and a lot of that is built and supported out of Sysco LABS here in Sri Lanka. So said differently, this is almost the heartbeat of my global technology operation across now those 10 different technology functions supporting a global $ 76 billion company,” emphasised Peck.

Sri Lanka houses Sysco Technology’s Global 24x7 Operations Command Centre and the units that build and develop Sysco’s e-Commerce platforms and operations. The latest expansion includes the launch of a Sysco Cyber security Operations Centre, further adding to its diverse portfolio of expertise in the technology field.

Growth has outstripped capacity

Currently operating from two locations, Sysco is keen to move into a fully-fledged single building within the next 24 months. “That growth has outstripped our capacity and we are looking at a new real estate strategy,” Peck said adding “We are very, very committed to continue to grow our presence here.”

Sysco is also planning to bring some of the third party spend to Sri Lanka. “Doubling the size of our presence here is partly through growth and is partly through insourcing some of that work from other consulting companies,” he said.

Sysco LABS has a high rating on Sri Lanka’s human resource pool. “We are thrilled with the talent and the people apart from the excellent location. In my 30 plus career in many countries around the globe and the talent, the support, the collaboration you get from Colombo and Sri Lanka more broadly is the best I have seen,” said Peck who joined Sysco over three years ago.

He said that Sysco has a sense of commitment and pride in being a purpose -driven company beyond just being a technology company. “In our annual employee surveys we are extremely proud that the Sysco LABS team scored higher than the entire company and higher than my global department in what we call our engagement score as well as in supervisor effectiveness. It is all about getting great leaders, great people. We want to give them that caring, purpose -built, career opportunity and culture that we have here,” Peck explained. Sysco also surpassed all its competitors in customer satisfaction scores for digital tools.

Sysco LABS a compelling proposition for those seeking a gainful career

Peck said Sri Lankan universities are producing great talent. “The skills on the team here are amazing. The knowledge of English and collaborative ways of working are amazing.”

He emphasised that being a $ 76 billion company in a $ 1 trillion food market, Sysco offers a compelling proposition for those seeking a gainful career. ”We are on 10 different technology domains and there is so much opportunity here to do different types of technology ranging from software engineering to the security centre to artificial intelligence and everything in between. So there’s a great, great career path,” Peck said.

Sysco LABS is an active member of the Sri Lankan tech and corporate communities, supporting the local IT industry with knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives while also contributing to the country’s tech talent pipeline through its programs like Project Summit which is designed to accelerate the careers of young engineers.

Sysco LABS was honoured with the prestigious Best Exporter Award in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector at the Presidential Export Awards for both 2021/22 and 2022/23. This achievement recognises Sysco LABS as the foremost contributor to export revenue within the ICT sector, affirming its position as the premier technology corporate in Sri Lanka.

Having marked its first decade successfully, Sysco going forward likes to continue support of the universities. “The partnership we have there is a feeder network for talent that needs to continue and to grow,” he said. The universities need to continue to teach and invest in new technologies.

Peck also likes to see continued acknowledgement and appreciation for the Sysco LABS brand as a great place to work. “We are investing and working to protect that brand. The integrity of the brand, the talent of the brand, the philanthropic, purpose driven belief of the brand,” he said.

Sysco believes that with Sri Lanka having stabilised the economy after unprecedented challenges in 2020-22, an era of growth is welcome. “Stability, peace and prosperity is not only good for the citizens, but for businesses too. Anything that we can do together to help. Sri Lankan prosperity is good for Sysco, our employees, and the country,” Sysco Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer Peck added. World’s largest foodservice company Sysco says Sri Lanka is its heartbeat | Daily FT

Read More........ → September 22, 2024

What are the fuel cycle challenges of tripling nuclear capacity?

Leading figures from across the fuel cycle say they are ready to meet increased demand, but set out areas where change is required to help make it happen, in a World Nuclear Symposium session. (Image: World Nuclear Association)

The background

More than 120 nuclear energy and technology companies and 25 countries have signed up to the pledge to aim to at least triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. One key question is how fuel supplies will be able to expand if such a goal is to be achieved. Here are extracts of what key sector figures said during a discussion on the subject.

Nicolas Maes, CEO Orano

Nicolas Maes said that on mining Orano's current strategy was to expand existing projects, while in the medium term it was "revisiting our exploration policy and the means that we are allocating to exploration ... we believe that there are many areas in this world that have been vastly unexplored". It was also developing "mining techniques to make deposits that were today not so accessible, accessible - or non-conventional deposits that could make sense now". He used the analogy of the idea of "peak oil" saying that it was talked about in the 1920s "people were already fearing they would miss oil, and then techniques developed and they found new deposits and all the rest, and peak oil still hasn't materialised. We believe that in investing in exploration and exploration techniques as well as in mining techniques" that will increase the uranium sources available and will cater for the "medium term", which he categorised as the next 40 to 50 years. For the longer term, he said that recycling was a big focus.

In terms of conversion and enrichment he said that production had been expanded over the past few years - Orano plans to extend enrichment capacity at its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant in France, with Maes saying the aim is for first concrete for the extension in October this year, targeting the start of production in 2028. He said expanded capacity required a "massive investment compared to our scale and that can only be done if we've got visibility and the utilities support us in doing that". For LEU and HALEU, he said that the technologies are there but it was "chicken and egg stuff from the market", and transport issues need to addressed. For MOX-fuel based fast breeder and molten salt reactors he said the designers should be "thinking from the very early days about the fuel supply chain because that fuel supply chain doesn't exist yet" and also that "standardisation is key".

He added that, more generally, "we need strong decision-making and timely decision-making from politicians. We need creative financing schemes, and we need the industry to deliver on time and on budget".

Jonathan Chavers, Director of Nuclear Fuel and Analysis, Southern Nuclear

Jonathan Chavers said there was a chicken and egg situation between the suppliers and end users - "utilities desire firm pricing, predictable scheduling. The suppliers want firm contracts before they'll make the capital investments to get you the material you want on the schedule you want" and the question is how to get people "to take the big bet". He highlighted as a success the accident-tolerant fuel programme "where you have policymakers, utilities and suppliers all aligned and working together".

Chavers also focused on the transportation involved in the nuclear fuel supply chain. "Historically, utilities have not paid that much attention to the logistics. We depended on the suppliers just to ensure that things were moving as it needed to and got to the deliveries that we needed," but in reality, uranium mined out of an asset in North America "may cross the Atlantic multiple times before it's in a final fabricated fuel assembly that's put into our nuclear reactors". This means inventories have been built higher to ensure cover for any supply chain disruption "so frankly today we're getting by and we're creating some insurance policies, for lack of a better word" for any logistics disruptions. "If we really have this demand growth and build-out of nuclear capacity do we have the logistics infrastructure in place to support that additional volume that's going to be needed to go back and forth, especially between Europe and the US to ultimately get us to a final fabricated assembly?"

On the question of a single thing to help in terms of the tripling nuclear capacity goal, he said that all those involved in the symposium discussion in London were from different companies and parts of the industry, but were all nuclear professionals, and "we're always just one bad news story away from losing the momentum that we have" so the priority was "safety first and superior performance - as long as we execute on those, all the rest of it will work out".

Boris Schucht, CEO Urenco

Boris Schucht said that the momentum "which is now expressed in the tripling of nuclear is fantastic - that is something we have not seen". There were questions about whether the goal was realistic but, looking at the example of China today and France between 1970 and 2000, it was possible to triple capacity. But the current momentum needed to be maintained, he said and "it should not be a straw fire". It was also necessary for political ambitions to be translated into political action - on people and education, nuclear regulations, financial regulation, supporting the supply chain, the generators "and I think a lot of countries are working on that". The other issue was the industry had to deliver projects on time and on budget.

As with other speakers, Schucht referenced the chicken and egg situation, saying that when it comes to HALEU supplies, Urenco was ready to sign contracts wth advanced and small modular reactor projects. "I want to use the opportunity to motivate our potential new customers in the room and to go ahead ... it's about the whole ecosystem. You need transport packages, you need a lot of things, a lot of regulatory question ... a lot still that we have to develop ... that needs to be based on real contracts on real projects so that we really understand what is needed. So I'm optimistic on it, but we are not yet fully there. We have done the first, I think important step, but that needs to continue."

On the question about key measures to pave the way to capacity expansion, Schucht said that politicians need to continue "to translate the political momentum into political actions, and that's not only about legislation, finding solutions, but also giving long-term guidance to the market, to the industry. We all make decisions that will operate for the next 40, 50, 60 or 70 years" which is hard if "you always have the fear that the next government is taking opposite political decisions".

Gabi Schneider, executive director of the Namibian Uranium Institute

Gabi Schneider said that "during the period of low uranium prices - or the sleeping period as I heard somebody referring to it during the course of this week - we did not sleep, but companies active in Namibia rather used the opportunity, the time that was available to work on their programmes ... there was many a drilling campaign to increase the resource space ... so as a result, now with the situation where the price has reached a level where many projects can come to fruition, all of this work was already done". She said that her "optimistic outlook" was that if all projects come to fruition, "Namibia will be able to, not triple its output, but to more than double the output".

In response to the question of what the most important thing that needs to happen to facilitate a tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050, she said that from an African perspective "I think to reach this goal, we need a lot of uranium. So we need to find a lot more uranium deposits. I think we need a lot more exploration, so it is up to individual countries to put a conducive environment in place ... legal, infrastructure and all the other issues that are required to build world class uranium mines".

Amir Adnani, CEO Uranium Energy Corporation

Amir Adnani said that although it was starting from a low base the USA was currently the "fastest growing jurisdiction for uranium exploration and mining in the world" with potential production growth "to 20 to 25 million pounds per year within five years". He added: "We're seeing this unprecedented need for new suppliers to emerge in our industry. If we're going to truly have the foundations for a global, robust industry it starts with uranium ... historically, in the 1980s the US-led the world in uranium production ... so this is not a lost art and science. The regulatory framework exists ... we have very understanding capital markets in North America that understand this business ... and this unbelievable bipartisan support".He likened his company's strategy during the bear market to someone buying Christmas decorations for the following year in the January sales. He also added that, irrespective of geopolitics, "there has to be a robust domestic answer as well to the fuel cycle - we can't be importing everything" and praised govenment initiatives in the USA whoch have "levelled the playing field with renewables", in terms of the subsidies they had benefited from. What are the fuel cycle challenges of tripling nuclear capacity?:

Read More........ → September 17, 2024

Viewpoint: Providing a platform for young nuclear professionals : Perspectives

Could you tell us about the current IYNC priorities?

Kristine Madden, president of the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC), discusses the key challenges and opportunities for young nuclear professionals in the near future.

IYNC is a global organisation of young nuclear professionals committed to bridging the knowledge gap between generations and fostering international collaboration. Through different initiatives, we not only support professional growth but also enhance public understanding of the potential of nuclear technologies.

Since the last Congress in Japan in 2022, global interest in nuclear energy has continued to grow. Both the International Energy Agency (IEA Net Zero Roadmap: A Global Pathway to Keep the 1.5°C in Reach: 2023 Update) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Global Warming of 1.5°C, 2018) have reported the need for significant increases in nuclear power by 2050. Concurrently, we have observed a global rise in youth's favorable view of the role of nuclear science and technology in achieving net-zero goals. A survey conducted by YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, revealed that 60% of young people consider nuclear energy essential for the transition to net-zero, while another 20% feel they lack sufficient information to make a decision for or against it. This shared belief underscores that without nuclear power, the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be realised. Nuclear technologies are indispensable for improving quality of life in areas such as agriculture, medicine, and security. Young professionals are crucial to the industry's future.

So, to answer your question, IYNC's main priorities have not changed.

The three main priorities I would like to highlight include:

• Knowledge Transfer, Education, and Intergenerational Decision-Making: IYNC is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for young professionals in the nuclear field, promoting knowledge transfer and intergenerational decision-making.
• Networking and Collaboration: We offer a platform for young nuclear professionals worldwide to connect and collaborate, fostering networking and collaboration across generations.
• Advocacy and Public Awareness: We are committed to advocating for and raising public awareness about the importance of nuclear technologies today and in the future.

What are the key issues to be discussed at the congress?

The theme of this year's Congress is “Youth Powering the Future.” The event will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 29 September to 4 October 2024.

At IYNC, we recognise the key role young people play in the development of the global nuclear industry, and with plans for new builds worldwide, we need to make a quantitative leap in attracting and training the next generation of leaders for these future projects. Our supporters - the leaders of the world's nuclear industry - understand this necessity. They collaborate with us not just by providing sponsorship but also by sharing their expertise, offering mentorship, and supporting the growth of the next generation. They do this through opportunities like participating in our Leaders4Nuclear and Innovation4Nuclear initiatives, the IYNC2024 conference, and working with us to open spaces for young people to be part of the decision-making processes.

This year at IYNC2024, we will discuss the role of nuclear technologies in mitigating climate change, explore emerging technologies in the fuel cycle, and develop innovative strategies for resource efficiency. A key focus will be on ensuring the long-term viability of nuclear energy. Additionally, we will, discuss the vast career opportunities for youth in the nuclear sector. We will also provide opportunities for youth to enhance their public speaking skills, integrate IAEA Safeguards-by-Design (SBD) into new designs, and utilise AI through our interactive workshops.

Why is IYNC an important organisation/forum?

IYNC is a vital community for professionals in the nuclear industry, offering a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and professional growth. For over 20 years, we have maintained a consistent schedule of regular meetings, which are crucial for learning from industry leaders and sharing experiences. However, our purpose extends far beyond simply convening regular meetings.

The importance of IYNC lies in its role as a bridge between experienced professionals and those new to the field. By learning from the leaders of the global nuclear industry, participants gain valuable insights and expertise that are essential for navigating the complexities of nuclear technologies. At the same time, our community provides an opportunity for professionals to share their experiences, challenges, and successes, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Moreover, IYNC serves as an inclusive forum where diverse motivations for exploring nuclear energy converge, unified by a common goal: creating a cleaner, safer future. Whether driven by environmental concerns, technological curiosity, or a commitment to energy security, our members all share a vision of harnessing nuclear technology for the betterment of society. Through our events, initiatives, and collaborative projects, IYNC plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of nuclear professionals, promoting innovation, and advancing public understanding of nuclear energy's potential.

What is the current situation with nuclear capacity expansion and climate change concerns?

Many existing nuclear power plants are receiving licence extensions, and there is a noticeable increase in new builds as countries work to address the risks posed by climate change. This growth in our community means that IYNC is also expanding its efforts to meet the evolving needs.

I am particularly excited about the shifting perspectives on the role of nuclear power in combating climate change. For the first time, the nuclear industry was invited to YOUNGO’s annual Conference of Youth, held just before COP28, to discuss technological solutions for achieving net zero alongside other youth experts. At the end of their conference, YOUNGO released the Global Youth Statement, which, for the first time, acknowledged nuclear power as a crucial component of the net-zero energy equation. This Statement played a key role in the Global Stocktake, which also recognised nuclear power as a vital energy source.

IYNC is dedicated to fostering conversations that allow young people to explore and understand nuclear energy. Additionally, in collaboration with the Clean Energy Ministerial’s Nice Future Initiative, we have launched a new webinar series called Climate Talks. This series aims to broaden our youth’s understanding of the climate discussion beyond just nuclear energy, recognising that nuclear energy is just one part of the larger solution and empowering our youth is essential in this effort.

How do you support the global nuclear sector through knowledge, contacts and advocacy?

Most IYNC members are involved in nuclear companies, but we’re seeing a growing number of new members from the broader energy and climate sectors. For students and young professionals, we provide opportunities to learn more about nuclear science and technology, as well as explore career opportunities in the field. IYNC thus acts as both a professional hub for exchanging expertise and a stepping stone for career development.

We recently launched the Leaders for Nuclear (L4N) initiative to support young professionals stepping into leadership roles within the sector and to ready young professionals as we work to increase spaces for intergenerational decision making within the sector. The initiative is divided into three specialised tracks: Nuclear Applications, which focuses on advanced nuclear technologies beyond the energy industry; Nuclear Power, which delves into the details of nuclear power generation, management, and new reactor technologies; and Nuclear Safeguards, which tackles the critical areas of nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation. We are currently working with our first cohort of leaders and will present the initial results at IYNC2024 in the UAE.

To further increase accessibility to nuclear technologies, we’ve revamped our website to include the Worldwide Industry Events Hub, a comprehensive calendar of upcoming conferences, events, fellowships, scholarships, and workshops. This resource keeps our followers informed and engaged with the latest industry developments.

Additionally, IYNC co-leads the Nuclear4Climate Initiative, which provides a platform for COP attendees to learn more about nuclear science and technology. Separately, IYNC works with non-nuclear organisations to develop collaborative solutions and facilitate Q&A sessions year-round. This year, we also sent participants to SB06 to explore how we can increase our impact, and we plan to continue focusing on this area.

We’ve also boosted our social media presence to continue to educate the public about nuclear power.

Is Gen Z ready for a key role in nuclear expansion and why?

Every generation is ready if they are well-prepared, and Gen Z is particularly attuned to climate change issues and eager to play a role in addressing them. This generation not only supports nuclear technologies but also has a solid understanding of their applications. They grasp the basic principles of nuclear power plant operations and are aware of the diverse uses of nuclear technology in fields such as agriculture and medicine. Their interest is driven by a genuine curiosity rather than fear.Effective communication with Gen Z is essential, as they are skilled at discerning and filtering information. Within our community, a substantial proportion of our members are in their 20s, actively contributing and sharing their knowledge with enthusiasm. There is no doubt about Gen Z's commitment to advancing nuclear technology and their readiness to engage in meaningful ways.Viewpoint: Providing a platform for young nuclear professionals : Perspectives - World Nuclear News

Read More........ → August 13, 2024