Golden opportunities in London 2012
AS THE EYES of the world fell on record breakers in Beijing’s Water Cube yesterday, dozens of North East firms were weighing up their chances in the race for business at the London 2012 Olympics.
One NorthEast revealed that 73 had signed up to a free on-line tendering system, which could help deliver contracts worth £4bn to the North-east.
The CompeteFor site, launched by the development agency and the Olympic Delivery Authority, aims to help firms tap into contracts associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
One of the first to sign up was Stainton Metal Company in Thornaby.
Business development manager Kimberley Rigg said: “There are so many Olympic tender websites on the internet, but CompeteFor is about helping local companies.”
She said it also served to keep an eye on who had won the main contracts in order to approach them as potential sub-contractors.
Derek Foxcroft of Middlesbrough hydrogen fuel cell technology company Re-Freshco, which is also registered, said it was a common misconception that all the work was going to London firms and urged other local companies to sign up. “You have to be in it to win it.” he said.
