The West Midlands is geographically and economically well-placed to benefit from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The region can even claim to be the birthplace of the modern international Olympic movement. The Wenlock Olympian Games, inspired by the ancient Greek Olympic Games, have been held regularly since 1850 in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. These Wenlock Olympian Games are widely credited in the Olympic movement with influencing Baron de Coubertin to found the modern Olympic Games.
Further information is available at www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
Success for West Midlands Business
As of July 2011, over 300 firms in the West Midlands had won direct or indirect contracts to supply the London 2012 Games and associated projects. Early successes were in the construction sector, including:-
Carillion plc of Wolverhampton, which has built the International Media Centre on the Olympic
ParkKingspan Insulation of Leominster, which has supplied insulation to the Basketball and Handball arenas on the Olympic Park
Alto Seating and Slick Seating, both of Redditch, which have supplied seating for several Olympic venues.
As the Games get closer, the emphasis is shifting towards contracts for event management goods and services. Examples include:-
Amadeus, the catering division of the NEC Group, will supply the catering for the Olympic Park North
The Premier Group of Coventry is manufacturing the 8,000 Torches required for the Olympic Torch Relay
Acme Whistles of Birmingham will supply all the whistles required for referees and officials at the London 2012 Games.
The estimated total value of all London 2012 related contracts, won in the West Midlands, is around £520 million.
How can I find 2012 Opportunities?
CompeteFor is a free, electronic, ‘dating agency’ service that matches companies to hundreds of opportunities to supply London 2012 contractors. Companies at every level of the London 2012 Games supply chain have been encouraged to advertise their tenders on CompeteFor.
Register your business now at www.competefor.com
Help Available for Firms in the West Midlands
2012 – WINNING BUSINESS: Download a quick guide about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - PDF - 215kb and what the business opportunities are – nationally, and here in the West Midlands.
FREE 2012 Sector Briefings: Uniquely, the West Midlands produces free, monthly “2012 Sector Briefings”, across eleven different business sectors. These provide advice to firms in more depth about the London 2012 Games, and give business intelligence in these selected Sectors. These Business Briefings also cover local activity related to 2012, such as the Torch Relays and Pre-Games Training Camps. They are updated monthly, and are available to download from: www.wmfor2012.co.uk
Wider benefits from the London 2012 Games
Go to www.wmfor2012.co.uk to explore the other benefits London 2012 will bring to the West Midlands - Cultural Olympiad, Volunteering; Sport & Health and Community Games.
