Heathrow Airport will host a supply chain summit in Liverpool this autumn to tell city region businesses how they can grab a slice of an annual supply chain spend of more than £2bn. Tony McDonough reports
SMEs in Liverpool city region will be able to learn how they can secure contracts with Heathrow Airport at a summit this autumn.
On Thursday, October 22, Heathrow will host a regional business summit where it will explain to the Liverpool city region business community about the opportunities to grab a slice of the airport’s annual £2bn-plus supply chain spend.
More than 90% of Heathrow’s current suppliers are UK based and over three quarters are SMEs. Last year the airport spent £2.3bn and attendees at the summit, being held at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, will be able to learn more.
This isn’t the first time Heathrow has looked to woo companies in the regions. In 2018 Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird put its hat in the ring to provide pre-assembly facilities for the proposed third runway at Heathrow.
It secured a place on a 65-strong UK-wide shortlist, along with the Port of Liverpool, from which four locations were to be selected. Another attempt is currently in the pipeline to reactivate the 3rd runway project.
However, Heathrow will continue to expand regardless and is looking to widen its supply chain. Procurement director, Paul Doherty said: “Growth is firmly on the agenda at Heathrow and we want more businesses plugged into the opportunities available.
“We currently spend more than £2bn a year with suppliers, the vast majority British, and SMEs already power almost three quarters of our supply chain.
“That’s why we’re hitting the road, heading to Liverpool to build new relationships in the North West and North Wales, and to ensure even more businesses can share in the success.”
Businesses attending will have direct access to Heathrow’s procurement team and key suppliers, offering potential springboard to new opportunities at the UK’s largest airport. It currently works with more than 60 businesses in the North West and North Wales, of whom 43 are SMEs.
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Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, added: “It is an excellent opportunity to showcase and demonstrate the excellent businesses operating within Liverpool city region and across the North West.
“We are particularly pleased that Heathrow is connecting with regions to broaden their outreach, connectivity and economic impact and we look forward to exploring how such opportunities can be unlocked at the summit.”
Businesses interested in attending the Heathrow event can click here.