Building towards a net-zero future will be the talk of the trade at an event that forms part of UK Construction Week.
A free Meet the Buyer event, organised by FinditinCW, is to take place at the NEC between 8am and 10am on Wednesday, October 5.
FinditinCW involves the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub, CWLEP, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the local authorities to give businesses access to private and public sector contracts and link-up buyers with suppliers across a variety of sectors.
Businesses from across the West Midlands are encouraged to attend this latest event to learn more about how leading firms in the construction sector are building a low-carbon supply chain and to hear about new tender opportunities for which they are seeking local suppliers.
A range of Coventry and Warwickshire infrastructure projects are to be discussed at the event, including the new net-zero Coundon Court School and the redevelopment of the Albany Theatre. Attendees can book 121s with Wates Construction and Interclass, the principal contractors working on these projects, and there will also be an opportunity to hear from Balfour Beatty Ltd.
Speakers at the event include Matt Johnson, operations director at Wates Construction, Dr Zainab Dangana, head of sustainable technology at Wates Construction, Katherine Rusack, head of sustainable procurement at Balfour Beatty Ltd, Des O'Neill, managing director at Interclass PLC and David Hope, business development manager at Coventry City Council.
The buyers are looking to meet suppliers of brickwork, flooring, single ply roofing, ceilings and partitions, joinery, IPS cubicles, steel stairs and balustrading, soft flooring, rendering, screed, ceramic tiling, painting, steel doors, glazed screens, resin flooring and timber doors, amongst many other things.
Made Smarter West Midlands will be sponsoring the two-hour event, which is set to go ahead during UK Construction Week, which runs from October 4-6.
Made Smarter West Midlands is part of a national programme connecting makers to the digital tools that will transform the way they work. With guidance from specialist technology experts, the programme helps SMEs identify the right digital tools and how to use them, to make everyday improvements to their business.
Craig Humphrey, managing director at CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “Over the past 18 months Made Smarter has made a real difference to the success of manufacturing and engineering SMEs in the West Midlands.
“We see this event as an ideal opportunity to continue supporting the growth and productivity of SMEs in this region. Through events like this, and our tailored support, we’re keen to highlight how Made Smarter is thorough and dedicated in our support to businesses.
“Our team will be available on the day to give a more in-depth understanding of how Made Smarter can help your business, or you can register at madesmarter.uk to start your digital growth journey now.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council added “We are working very hard to ensure that local businesses, large and small, have opportunities to access new supply and contracting opportunities. We want to create and protect jobs in this city and wider region and one of the best ways to do that is to try to ensure that supply chains stay local.
“The drive to net zero also adds a new dimension here – and we are encouraging everyone that we contract with to look local. This will save on road miles, reducing the overall carbon footprint of jobs and also of course supporting local businesses to thrive and access new markets whilst also creating good quality new job and training opportunities for local people.
“This is not just about the jobs of today – its about the jobs of tomorrow too.”
FinditinCW members can register as a UK Construction Week VIP visitor and gain free entry, with additional benefits including access to the VIP Lounge, an invitation to the opening night party and exclusive invitations to networking events.
Book a place for the event by visiting https://www.finditincw.co.uk/events/supply-chains-building-towards-a-net-zero-future.
To request a timeslot with Interclass and Wates Construction, email info@finditin.co.uk.
Register as a UKCW Finditin VIP visitor at https://ukcw-birmingham-2022.reg.buzz/vip-find-it-in.
CAPTION: The Interclass team discussing an on-site project