Events to raise profile of £3 billion rail opportunity

The events are being held by the Rail Alliance, a dedicated ‘super group’ for the industry. Two interactive seminars will be held in Coventry and the Black Country (on the 18 and 19 March, respectively) to engage with firms keen to tap into £3 billion of new infrastructure projects currently scheduled to take place between 2009-2014, including the biggest civil engineering contract since the Channel Tunnel. The Coventry event is to be held at Coventry Chamber of Commerce at the Oak Farm Conference Centre, and the Black Country venue is Black Country Chamber House in Dudley. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current climate in the rail industry including how to get started, bidding for opportunities, ‘finding your niche’ and introductions to relevant partners in the supply chain. There will also be an initial insight into the technical and quality standards required to trade in this arena, with the opportunity to make further appointments with advises at Manufacturing Advisory Service and Business Link to help with business development. Colin Flack, Executive Director of the Rail Alliance, explained: “The sector is one of the few in the global economy that is still relatively buoyant, and is responsible for employing nearly 35,000 people in the West Midlands alone. “Furthermore, there are currently major investment plans by Network Rail and the Department for Transport on the table, which will inject a further £3 billion into reducing journey times, opening up new routes and adding capacity to congested routes. “This represents a massive opportunity for companies not currently dealing with the sector to diversify and take their expertise and skills into this particular industry as a way of withstanding the economic downturn and possible expansion. The 250-company Rail Alliance was formed last year to create a hub for the sector within the West Midlands. Originally backed by £300,000 of funding from Advantage West Midlands, the organisation has outgrown its first objectives and is now national in its remit, holding regular network meetings, ‘meet the buyer’ events and hosting business improvement programmes. To book places for either the Coventry or Black Country event, please contact 02476 654321 or 01384 242432, respectively