Pictured left to right: Nigel Milton, chief communications and sustainability officer at Heathrow Airport, with Alastair Henman, founder and managing director of Zaun Black Country manufacturers are being encouraged to tap into the capacity of Heathrow Airport in a bid to boost global opportunities. Bosses at the UK’s busiest airport want to work with
Black Country Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) members to understand the challenges businesses face when exporting, and to help them to take advantage of the extensive cargo routes offered.
To mark nearly a year of BCCC Platinum Group membership, an exclusive platform for Black Country business leaders and senior-level representatives to come together and tackle challenges which impact their companies, the two organisations have joined forces to host an exporting roundtable to raise awareness of the opportunities and forge stronger ties with fellow members.
The event, which is being held at Wolverhampton-based
Zaun Ltd on 7 May, will give up to 15 local firms the opportunity to provide intelligence on exporting, key international markets and barriers to entry. They will also be asked to inform the airport’s
World of Opportunity Programme, which helps SME exporters get their goods and services sold in international markets.
Industrial heritageGail Arnold, the BCCC’s head of premium membership, said: “Heathrow approached us about 10 months ago to look at how they could build stronger links to the region — it is not surprising when you consider our industrial heritage and our wealth of modern-day manufacturers. We generate around £3.5 billion of exports every year and that number could definitely grow. That is what the airport is predicting, why it has joined as a Platinum Group member, and was a keynote speaker at our Leaders Lunch in 2024.”
She added: “The latest event will give an exclusive number of Black Country manufacturers a unique opportunity to explore mutual partnerships and find ways to tackle joint export challenges. There are only a few spaces left so we would urge Black Country companies to act quickly if they want to take part.”
Zaun, the only British in-house manufacturer of woven and welded mesh fencing systems, is the principal material supplier for fencing at Heathrow Airport and is working on several other live projects currently being delivered there.
Manufacturing powerhouseStewart Plant, sales and marketing director, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this latest event as we believe that by working together as trusted partners it enables the Black Country to be a manufacturing powerhouse and supports Heathrow’s aim to be the ‘UK’s Gateway to Growth’.”
In addition to the roundtable, Black Country SMEs are also being encouraged to take part in Heathrow Lift Off, a concept developed to attract and work with smaller companies. It gives firms the opportunity to present their products and services to a panel made up of Heathrow and its largest supply chain partners, addressing topics such as sustainability, passenger experience, data and technologies.
Sarah Ralphs, external affairs lead at Heathrow Airport, concluded: “Lift Off Q2 is also now open for applications on
Compete For, a free online platform that connects buyers and suppliers across the UK. We want to discover solutions that target circular economy and waste and those that are nature positive, including remote biodiversity monitoring, data-driven greenspace management solutions and how we can bring nature into our terminal spaces. If you are a Black Country company that can offer innovations in any of these areas, please apply before midday on 30 April.”
To book your place at the ‘Export’ Roundtable, please email Gail Arnold