Built for Today’s Fleet and Tomorrow’s Reactors: Master Machine’s Nuclear Advantage
For more than 33 years, Master Machine has provided nuclear fabrication and precision machining for the nuclear industry, supporting more than 30 sites nationwide from its home in Chattanooga. As the industry moves toward a new generation of reactors, that experience comes with a credential few suppliers hold today: ASME Section III certification under both Division 1 and Division 5.
Warren Brandon randon, Executive VP of Strategic Growth at Fusion Enterprises and former president of Master Machine, explained what sets the company apart and why its work matters right now.
ASME Section III Division 1 and Division 5: A Rare Combination
The nuclear supply chain grew up around the light water reactors operating today, and that work falls under ASME Section III, Division 1. Advanced reactors that run at high temperatures fall under Division 5, a far newer part of the code. The first Division 5 certificate of authorization was issued in 2022.
The supply chain is still catching up. A 2023 advanced reactor supply chain assessment by the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) and Idaho National Laboratory found that most suppliers surveyed would need to obtain new certificates before producing Division 5 components. The National Reactor Innovation Center has described the supply chain able to fabricate to Division 5 as limited.
Master Machine is among a very small number of U.S. fabricators certified under both:
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Division 1 (Class 1, 2, 3): N, NPT (with material), NS
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Division 5 (Class A & B): NPT (with material), NS
For customers, this means a single qualified supplier can support the operating fleet and next-generation reactors. Advanced reactor developers gain a partner already certified to the code their designs require. Utilities gain a supplier that can grow with them as new reactors join their portfolios.
A Nuclear Quality Program Built for Qualification
“What makes us different is our quality systems, number one,” Brandon said.
Master Machine holds more than eight nuclear quality certifications, including 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, 10 CFR 21, NQA-1, ANSI N45.2 and 10 CFR 71 Subpart H. The company is NIAC-audited and has an established supplier qualification and audit history with major utilities and EPCs. For buyers in a market where qualification can take longer than fabrication, that record shortens the path to getting work started. The full certification list is available on Master Machine’s quality program page.
Supporting the Operating Nuclear Fleet
The reactors running today remain the foundation of the country’s nuclear capacity, and keeping them running is demanding work. As plants age, original equipment manufacturers discontinue parts and support. Master Machine helps utilities identify, reverse engineer, qualify and replace obsolete components so plants can keep operating safely and extend their service lives.
That work is backed by a documented commercial-grade dedication program aligned with NRC-endorsed guidance, along with 3D scanning, seismic expertise, and equipment qualification support. During outage seasons, Master Machine can extend hours and add shifts to keep schedules on track.
Experienced Nuclear Professionals
Certifications qualify a supplier. People earn the work that follows. Master Machine has invested deliberately in experienced nuclear professionals, and Brandon sees that expertise as the reason customers bring the company into their most demanding projects.
“It really allows us to bring a level of understanding to our customers’ boardroom table when talking about large projects,” Brandon said.
Nuclear Fuel and the Advanced Reactor Supply Chain
The next phase of nuclear growth depends on fuel as much as reactors. Most advanced reactor designs under development in the United States require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), enriched to between 5% and 20%. The Department of Energy notes that HALEU is not yet available from domestic suppliers. Building that domestic fuel supply will take components and equipment made to nuclear quality standards, from production through transport.
Master Machine is positioned across that chain. Its Division 5 certifications apply to high-temperature reactor systems, including gas-cooled and liquid metal designs. Its 10 CFR 71 Subpart H program covers quality assurance for the packaging used to transport radioactive material. Its NQA-1 program and commercial-grade dedication process support work for DOE and the national laboratories, where much of the country’s advanced nuclear research is conducted.
Nuclear Fabrication Capacity in Chattanooga
Master Machine is the largest nuclear fabricator in Chattanooga, located in the Southeast nuclear corridor near major utilities, OEMs, and emerging advanced reactor developers. Its new 80,000-square-foot facility brings its fabrication and machining operations together with engineering under one roof. It has three crane bays rated up to 35 tons and local rail and river access for moving large components.
The new facility is part of a broader investment Master Machine is making now. Alongside the added space, the company is adding machines and growing its workforce to meet today’s demand and build the increased capacity next-generation nuclear will require.
Supporting Energy Demand and National Security
Brandon sees two missions driving demand. One is energy, as AI data centers and economic growth push the country into a new phase of electricity demand. The other is national security, where Master Machine’s work with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense makes it a mission-critical supplier.
“We’re very proud that Master Machine is at the forefront of supporting that mission,” Brandon said.
Both missions need a domestic supply chain that can deliver to nuclear standards today and scale for the reactors coming next. Master Machine is built for both.
Work With Master Machine
Whether you are maintaining an operating plant or preparing an advanced reactor for deployment, Master Machine is ready to support your next project. Review our quality certifications or contact our team to discuss your requirements. Professionals interested in this work can explore careers at Master Machine.