If your business works in the construction sector or in its supply chain and would like to win more public and private sector contracts, then read on! The DBOP Construction Routes to Contract Success Programme is your opportunity to make the most of fully funded expert support, events and advice that can help your business to grow.
This programme is managed by the Durham Business Opportunities Programme (DBOP) and delivered by bid writing experts B2B North who have, over the years, helped their clients secure over a whopping £500m in potential contract value.
The programme puts a big emphasis on helping companies to get “under the skin” of the procurement process, sharpen their approach to bidding for new contracts in order to fill up and expand their order book.
In this blog, we hear from the Director of B2B North Garry Stone who elaborates on the benefits of attending November’s “Meet the Buyer” event which is exclusively for County Durham based construction companies and those in the construction supply chain.
- What are the benefits of attending the DBOP Meet the Buyers event?
The DBOP construction Meet the Buyers event provides a fantastic opportunity for SMEs in Durham to meet a variety of public and private sector businesses from building, construction and facilities management sectors operating across the North East and beyond. The event is a great opportunity to network and gain extra work.
The format of the day is designed to provide a platform to meet, share expertise, opportunities, challenges and drive more local supply chain connections and social value.
Meet the Buyers is a series of 1-2-1 meetings for suppliers to introduce their products and services to buyers who have highlighted specific requirements in advance of the event. Suppliers can choose to meet with any of the buyers attending, who already include: Home Group, Believe Housing, North Star Housing Group, Durham County Council (Procurement and Property Departments), NHS Estates and Facilities, NEPO, Hall Construction, Bowmer and Kirkland, Willmott Dixon, FI Real Estate Management, Kier (TBC) and ESH Group (TBC)
- What type of businesses should sign up for the event?
To attend this event, companies should be SMEs based in County Durham involved in building, construction, facilities management or any aspect of these industry supply chains. Buyers requirements will be listed in an event catalogue distributed to all attendees.
Sub-sectors of the construction industry that are relevant include: Building Envelope, Building Fabric, Civil Engineering, Cleaning / Environmental, Demolition & Clearance, External Works, FM Services, Frame, Groundworks, Internal Finishes, Labour Supply, Landscaping, Lifts & Escalators, Materials (wood, concrete, aggregates etc.), Mechanical & Electrical, Modular & Offsite, Prelims & Site Set Up, Products Supply, Professional Services, Renewables, Reprographics & Printing, Roads & Car Parks, Roofing
- Do you have any examples of businesses that have benefitted from this type or event?
Meet the Buyers event are a very efficient way of generating sales leads which can dramatically impact on new business wins and increase revenues. Companies who have won new business from the current Routes to Contract Success programme include:
- Nala Engineers, an electrical engineering contractor based in Seaham
- M&R Developments and Contractors, a building contractor based in Consett
- Clear Climate, air conditioning and HVAC experts based in Peterlee
The contract wins for these and other companies are creating and safeguarding jobs and helping develop local supply chains across County Durham.
- Who are B2B and what are the benefits of utilising a service like yours?
B2B North are a specialist business development consultancy based in Northumberland who help SMEs from all sectors identify, bid for public sector and related supply chain contracts worth millions of pounds every year.
Since it began operating in 2013, the company has directly secured well over £500million in contract value for SME client businesses. This includes major contracts with Local Authorities, NEPO, Crown Commercial Services, Health Service Commissioning, and the Cabinet Office – as well as many large private sector contractors.
B2B North are running the “Routes to Contract Success” programme with close co-operation support of Business Durham – the business support service for Durham County Council. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
