The Supply Chain Event

Leadbitter hosted an extremely successful Supply Chain Event on Wednesday 9th June 2010 at the Wales Millennium Centre, ensuring that local firms were given the opportunity to get involved.

Altogether Leadbitter invited 140 firms, with 135 of those firms being located in Cardiff, and the event was buzzing with well over 100 people turning up, all interested in getting involved in the Regeneration of Loudoun Square.

It was amazing how many of those businesses were situated in the immediate vicinity of Loudoun Square with 22 firms being invited from the CF10 post code area (Butetown) and a further 59 more from the immediately adjoining post code areas of CF11, CF24 and CF5, which include Cardiff Bay and Grangetown.

The aim of the afternoon was to give local firms the necessary information to register their interest to tender for the available sub-contract packages, which cover a multitude of trades and specialisms ranging from ground work to completions.

Presentations were made by:
• Kevin Protheroe, Chief Executive of CCHA;
• Russell Houghton, Regional Director, Leadbitter;
• Phil Spooner of the Supplier Development Service;
• Stuart Brisbane of Construct Wales.

Information was given about:
• the history of the project and how important it is to the local community;
• the phases of the development;
• the criteria that will used to assess potential sub-contractors;
• services that are available to help develop individual businesses.

Once the formal presentations were over, every company was invited to complete a form to register their interest in the scheme and also meet the Leadbitter team including the Quantity Surveyors and Buyer.

There were also opportunities to meet and talk to the other represented agencies such as Cardiff Community Housing Association, Cardiff Council, Community Service Volunteers (CSV), Butetown Communities First, Barry College, Robert Price, Brandon Tool Hire, Construction Skills, Job Centre Plus and The Integrate Housing Association Consortium.

In total, 65 sub-contractors attended representing 44 companies, plus 11 partner agencies – over 100 people.

"It was inspirational that our Supply Chain Event was so well supported by so many local firms, and the commitment of all the stakeholders and local agencies was exemplified by their enthusiastic attendance and participation," proclaimed Russell Houghton, Regional Director of Leadbitter. "We cannot wait to get started!"