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SIMSA is proud to announce that it has hired Tom Kishchuk as its Nuclear Specialist. SIMSA and its members will now be able to leverage his considerable experience, such as being the former President and CEO of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Canada, as well as the former Vice President of Operational Support for Federated Co-operatives Limited.
As SIMSA’s Nuclear Specialist, Tom will maximize the amount of Saskatchewan content for new nuclear development in Canada and globally, especially in Saskatchewan, including but not limited to: Small Modular Reactor component manufacturing and deployment, certified services to the nuclear industry and nuclear fuel manufacturing.
To assist in this effort, SIMSA has added three broad nuclear headings and several sub-headings to their member database. With these database enhancements, Governments, technology providers, and procurement functions can quickly identify who is “interested in nuclear” or “becoming accredited” for nuclear work, or “are accredited;” and then explore further to see which SIMSA members may be of interest.
Tom brings a unique combination of technical and business leadership experience gained during more than 25 years of developing provincial, national and international networks and relationships to support the manufacturing of heavy industrial equipment in Saskatchewan. Tom has the knowledge and experience to review technology design elements, and then help members assess the risks to their business from participating in the nuclear supply chain. He can also discuss business attraction and regulatory items with major technology providers and Governments
From 1989 to 2015, Tom was involved in all aspects of a heavy industrial manufacturing business including the design of turbines (steam, gas, hydro) and generators, development, and implementation of management systems (health and safety, environment and quality), advanced manufacturing engineering (turbines, pressure vessels, piping, heat exchangers, wind turbine towers, and nuclear components), and business development for emerging low carbon technologies including nuclear plants. In these roles he travelled frequently to Asia, Europe and within North America for the purpose of supply chain development and technology transfer for heavy industrial equipment manufacturing and servicing.
Tom’s specific nuclear technology experiences include:
- In 2010 provided leadership to establish a MOU between the Province of Saskatchewan and Hitachi, Ltd. for collaboration on energy and environment technology development for a low carbon low carbon economy including small modular reactors (SMRs). Received certificate of commendation from President of Hitachi, Ltd. for contributions to this project
- From 2012 to 2015 acted as advisor to USask Technology Transfer Office to support the
- establishment of joint research projects between the USask and Hitachi-GE Nuclear for
- advancement of basic technologies for small modular reactor design
- In 2012 lead the certification process for registration of an ASME NQA-1 quality
- management system at the Hitachi Power Systems Canada manufacturing facility in
- Saskatoon, SK
- In 2013 developed and managed a training program for Canadian engineers to receive factory training at Rinkai Works, Hitachi City Japan in nuclear reactor component design
- In 2013 provided leadership and oversight as Integrated Management System Director for the manufacturing of reactor cooling pump housings for a US nuclear power project at the Hitachi Power Systems Canada manufacturing facility in Saskatoon, SK
- From 2013 to present Board Director for the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Center for Nuclear Innovation. Chair of Board 2019 to present. Provided Board level oversight for the construction, commissioning, and operation of the Saskatchewan’s first radioisotope manufacturing facility. This cyclotron facility, which is located at the University of Saskatchewan, has been safely and reliably producing medical isotopes for patient imaging and research purposes since 2016
- In 2014 lead the development of a detailed technical and commercial proposal for the manufacturing of nuclear reactor fueling related components at Hitachi Power Systems Canada manufacturing facility in Saskatoon, SK
- In 2021 contracted by SaskPower/FNPA as co-lead of seven engagement sessions with Saskatchewan First Nations and Metis peoples on SaskPower’s long term clean energy options including SMRs
- In 2022 attended OCNI supplier days at CNL, Chalk River and OPG, Darlington
- From 2022 to present participating as a member of the Saskatchewan Crown Investments Corporation working group on nuclear supply chain development
Visits to nuclear technology facilities (1991 to 2023)
- Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Works, Hitachi City Japan
- Hitachi Ltd. Rinkai Works, Hitachi City, Japan
- Hitachi Ltd. Kure Works, Hiroshima, Japan
- Japan Steel Works, Muroran, Japan
- Hitachi Ltd. DHME Works, Dalian, China
- NB Power Pointe Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, New Brunswick
- Fedoruk Centre, Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility, Saskatoon, SK
- Canadian Light Source, USask Campus, Saskatoon, SK
- Triumf, UBC Campus, Vancouver, BC
- BC Cancer Agency, PET Cyclotron and Radiopharmacy Facility, Vancouver, BC
- Cameco Mining Operations, McArthur River and Rabbit Lake, SK
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, ON
- OPG Darlington Generating Station, ON
- Cameco Port Hope Conversion Facility, Port Hope, ON
- Cameco Fuel Manufacturing, Port Hope, ON
Throughout his professional career and volunteer board roles, he has worked to develop networks and relationships in industry, post- secondary institutions, governments and indigenous communities. He has significant experience in leadership roles at the interface of industry and academia as Board Member/Chair of the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation and Chair of the USask College of Engineering Deans Advisory Board.
His specific responsibilities will include providing member education and business development support with a focus on supporting and coordinating activities and projects related to SMR supply chain development (including fuel). This will see him:
- Support and coordinate activities and projects related to SMR supply chain development (including fuel), such as studies, events, and committees.
- Assist in the preparation and review of a technical report summarizing identified advanced manufacturing opportunities, Saskatchewan capabilities, and potential gaps to be addressed.
- Drive supply chain business development in the deployment of nuclear power in Saskatchewan, Canada, and globally.
- Work with the Federal and Saskatchewan governments for the rapid and efficient development of SMR supply chains for manufacturing, construction, servicing and fueling. This work will include policy review and development and, investigation and application to funding programs to support the development and derisking of nuclear supply chains.
- Support Saskatchewan suppliers in achieving standards enabling them to become suppliers for SMRs and nuclear fuel.
- Attract SMR and nuclear fuel supply contracts/industry to Saskatchewan.
- Encourage the strong and meaningful participation of Indigenous individuals and companies in all initiatives, working with groups such as the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, FNPA, SMEDCO, and others.
- Act as a liaison and active partner with the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries on the Ready4SMR program.
- Assess supplier requirements and trends, support companies to adopt or adapt quality management systems, compliance standards, and new technologies.
- Liaise with Saskatchewan resource producing companies on their energy needs.
Once he has had some time to be orientated, SIMSA members can contact Tom for assistance at tom.kishchuk@simsa.ca or by calling (306) 343-0019.
SIMSA’s Executive Director – Eric Anderson – stated, “SIMSA is excited to have the opportunity to work with a person of Tom’s abilities. He portrays an outstanding balance between nuclear and supply chain experience and knows the current market elements. In short, he will be an invaluable asset to SIMSA and its members. Further, with someone of Tom’s abilities onboard, SIMSA can maintain its traditional work in the mining, energy and industrial sectors, without any distraction.”
The Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA) represents over 300 Saskatchewan suppliers to Saskatchewan’s mining, energy, and industrial sector; this group of companies represents over 32,000 employees and over $14-billion in revenues. SIMSA’s mandate is to represent the interests and concerns of Saskatchewan industrial equipment and service suppliers, through promotion of its members and the creation of partnerships with industry and other associations. SIMSA is the only construction related Association that represents only Saskatchewan-based suppliers and notes that there is nearly four-times as much economic impact from purchasing from a local supplier, as there is from one outside of the province.
