Why it matters: The contract brings Sizewell C's total spending with Suffolk businesses to £581m as the £38bn nuclear project ramps up construction on the county's coast.
The details: Suffolk Safety Solutions, based in Bacton near Stowmarket, will supply Sizewell C's growing workforce with essential safety wear, including hard hats, high-visibility clothing and protective eyewear.
The company is a partnership between family-run PPE and workwear specialist Mathias & Sons and Suffolk-based portable accommodation provider Portable Space. Suffolk Safety Solutions was incorporated in January 2025 and established specifically to support the Sizewell C project.
The new roles include warehouse operatives and delivery drivers.
What they're saying: Jason Mathias, managing director at Mathias & Sons Ltd, said: "This contract represents a monumental achievement for our respective businesses. As a result of many years of collaboration and innovation at Hinkley, we've developed a deep understanding of the unique demands of large-scale construction projects. We've used this learning to create the blueprint for a PPE model that embraces technology to enhance safety, wellbeing, efficiency and sustainability."
Mark Dolman, managing director at Portable Space, added: "We're excited to support these innovations at Sizewell C. Our partnership with Mathias will create jobs and apprenticeships for local people in Suffolk and help drive long-term sustainable growth in the region."
Damian Leydon, site delivery director at Sizewell C, said: "Ensuring the highest standards of safety and protection for our workforce is our number one priority. We're pleased to partner with Mathias and Portable Space – two well-established UK companies – to maintain a safe environment as we deliver this nationally significant project. This is also great news for local jobs and reinforces our commitment to supporting Suffolk businesses."
For context: The collaboration builds on Mathias & Sons' eight years of experience as a key supplier to Hinkley Point C, where a range of innovative safety solutions were successfully trialled. These solutions will now be replicated at Sizewell C, supported by complementary warehousing and logistics services from Portable Space.
Sizewell C has committed to investing £2bn in Suffolk businesses during construction. At peak construction, the project will support around 8,000 jobs, with about one-third coming from the local area. A December report by Oxford Economics estimated the project could reduce local unemployment by 1,700-2,200 people at the construction peak.
The bottom line: The 23-job contract marks another step in delivering Sizewell C's £2bn commitment to Suffolk, with the project now having awarded £581m to local businesses.
