BUYING BOOST FOR STOCKPORT BUSINESSES

9th October 2009

Over 60 Stockport businesses received a Boost last week when they had the opportunity to pitch for work from some of Stockport’s leading local businesses at a private sector ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at Edgeley Park.

Stockport Council and leading local businesses offered local companies the opportunity to sell their goods and services to some of Stockport's key businesses including adidas, MAN Diesel, Gorvins, Hurst, SAS Daniels and Booth Ainsworth.

The way in which large businesses procure goods and services locally can have a major impact on both the health and wealth of small businesses and Stockport Council were keen to support this procurement event for local businesses.

A number of local businesses look set to benefit with contracts going to local suppliers. Attendees were also able to take advantage of a free workshop prior to the event to sharpen up their techniques for selling and pitching for business.

Cllr Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council said “The Public Sector Meet the Buyer events that the Council have organised for the last 2 years have been a huge success and this inaugural Private Sector Meet the Buyer proved to be just as successful.”

“Supporting Stockport businesses through these challenging times is a key aim for Stockport Council. However we are always keen, to look at what more can be done and it is for that reason that Stockport Boost agreed to support this event.”

Barry O’Connor, Chair of Stockport Economic Alliance and Head of Facilities, adidas UK said “Over the last few years the Council has worked hard to organise successful ‘Meet the Buyer’ events, enabling businesses greater access in supplying the Public Sector.

“Stockport Economic Alliance therefore felt it was time for Stockport‘s bigger businesses to step up and work more closely with Stockport suppliers. Along with adidas 5 other Stockport based businesses participated and presented genuine opportunities, together with contracts worth approximately £1.5million.”

Local businessman Stephen Swinyard of J.S Dutton Ltd said “we found this event to be extremely useful in being able to meet face to face with large businesses and to be able to talk to them to tell them about what we can provide. It was an excellent opportunity for local businesses and we were pleased to take part"

A public sector Meet the Buyer event featuring Stockport Council and a range of public sector partners is also being planned for March 2010 to try and give Stockport companies a further Boost. Any companies that are interested in attending in March can register their interest by emailing econdev@stockport.gov.uk

ENDS