Heathrow Area Supply Chain Programme

The Heathrow Area Supply Chain Programme is funded by London Borough of Hillingdon, Hounslow and Ealing. The programme of support is designed to help local businesses win contracts in the public and private sector supply chains, specifically with local councils and the airport. Over £600,000 worth of funding is being spent over the next 3 years in order to achieve this.

Workshops have been run throughout September and October 2009 to educate businesses on how the public sector and airport purchase goods and services and where the opportunities lie for small companies. A workshop was held in each of the 5 boroughs. Please click on the seminars tab to download the presentations.

In November the Heathrow Meet the Buyer event took place to bring the opportunities to suppliers. 70 buyers attended which is the largest Meet the Buyer event we have ever organised. Local businesses had the chance to have face to face sales meetings with buyers of their choice, the event works like a reverse of an exhibition where the buyers are situated in stands and suppliers go to the stand to have their 10 minute meeting. Be part of this event in 2010 and get the chance to open doors to new clients.

A Great Start on which to Build

This year's Heathrow Meet the Buyers took place on the 17th and 18th November at the Sofitel Hotel, T5, Heathrow. The event gave SMEs based in Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow, Spelthorne and Slough as well as London, Surrey, Berkshire and South Bucks the opportunity to hold face-to-face meetings with some of the biggest buying organisations in the area.

The event was a great achievement and we would like to thank everyone who contributed. At a difficult time for business it is hugely encouraging to see so many local SMEs determined to make the most of this opening.

However, the event is only the first stage; we can't emphasize how important it is for all attendees to diligently follow up all the leads they gained from the event. The success of the event, and ultimately the programme, is determined by the business that is generated for SMEs throughout the region. Good luck!

Further support will be available from February 2010 dates are to be confirmed.

Please see statistics taken from exit questionnaires at this year's Heathrow Meet the Buyers:

370 suppliers from 272 companies attended meetings with 105 buyers from 67 buying organisations.
85% of suppliers rated their chances of winning business from the event as 'good' or 'excellent'.
93% of buyers believe they will 'definitely' or 'probably' be placing business as a result of their meetings.
49% of attendees were from the 'narrow' Heathrow area (Hillingdon, Hounslow, Ealing, Spelthorne and Slough).
97% of suppliers and 100% of buyers would attend the event again.
So far a total of 594 suppliers from 449 companies have involved themselves in the Meet the Buyers programme.
100% of suppliers rated the organisation of the event as 'good' or 'excellent'.

We asked suppliers to comment on the benefits of the event to their organisation. They said:

- "We found the event to be a superb way of meeting people that we would have had to spend hours trying to make appointments with."

- "Ideal for business development as you are face to face with supply chain or procurement managers."

- "Easy access to numerous prospective clients."

- "This event gets you into organisations that are complex."

- "Introduction to business normally unobtainable to small businesses."

- "Meeting buyers outside of the normal procurement cycle allows for more open discussions around their needs."

- "Meeting so many quality contacts in one place in a short space of time."

Once again, a big thank you to all who made Heathrow Meet the Buyers 2009 a success.
Good luck to all participants in winning business as we move into a new decade.

To register on the programme please email your details to rheanna@btob.co.uk or call 0207 700 0008.