CBM event to hear from HS2 supply chain specialist

The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM), an industrial membership group, has brought in HS2's supply chain specialist, Vanessa Good, for a 27^th October 2016 event at its West Bromwich headquarters.

CBM chief executive Geraldine Bolton believes her knowledge will provide a significant advantage for firms looking to compete for supply chain work on the £56 billion scheme. “Vanessa has been with HS2 Ltd for more than two years, so there's no-one better placed to explain the complexities and procedures involved in winning work on this project,” Ms Bolton said.

“Site work will start on the Birmingham-London line next year, and each 'package' of contracts for tunnelling and construction is expected to be around £1 billion. We're hearing there will be ten or eleven of these packages, which will create supply chain opportunities on an unprecedented scale.

“We were delighted to hear Transport Secretary Chris Grayling say the government is still committed to HS2 at the Conservative Party conference, and the Midlands Engine chairman Sir John Peace has predicted that it will be a major driver of the regional economy for years to come.

“There will be work all along the chain, not just for Tier One and Tier Two suppliers, but for their own suppliers, so it's vital that companies take time to research the commercial opportunities which will come forward.”

Ms Bolton says the CBM is opening the event to non-members, reflecting her desire to ensure that Ms Good's briefing reaches the widest possible audience.

“We'll have to charge delegates whose companies aren't in the CBM, but we thought HS2 was such an important and long-term project that we shouldn't restrict attendance to members,” she said.

“Kirsi Lintula, our marketing & communications manager, is organising the event, so she'll be happy to hear from any metalformers who would like to be there on the 27th.”

CBM www.britishmetalforming.com